Up until a few days ago, I used to think that the best thing an eatery could offer alongside scrumptious food was a gorgeous view of the UAE’s sparkly blue waters. However, upon visiting Stratos Lounge Bar & Grill at Abu Dhabi’s Le Royal Meridien, I realised the many angles to a truly perfect view.
Stratos, the capital’s only revolving grill and lounge, rotates 360 degrees, offering diners a view of the entire city. Its location on the 26th floor of the hotel gives the restaurant a nice elevation to offer stunning views.
And if that isn’t romantic enough, Stratos is dimly lit, with cosy furnishings such as armchairs and sofas, and contemporary minimalist art around the tables. There is also a female DJ in the centre, adding a hip vibe.
As for the food, you can expect another pleasant surprise.
Starters include yellow fin tuna, sliced foie gras, braised veal cheek, pan-seared scallops, lobster macaroni and cheese, and Parmesan gnocchi, among others. The mac and cheese was creamy without being too thick, and had enough melted cheese to create a tasty sauce. The Scottish lobster, while well-cooked and soft, was not as abundant as we hoped, and had us craving for more.
Vegetarian perfection
As for the gnocchi, it was vegetarian perfection on a plate. The potato dumplings were cooked to a creamy consistency, which is usually hard to perfect as gnocchi tends to clump easily. Topped with spinach, truffle and Parmesan foam, the dish was presented beautifully and melted in the mouth with cheesy gooeyness.
The main courses are a carnivore’s delight, and include different cuts of beef such as tenderloin, sirloin and rib eye. There is also free range chicken and for seafood lovers, there’s Dover sole with lemon butter, grilled lobster and Scottish langoustine (also known as scampi).
We opted for a 170g tenderloin (they also serve 220g) with a side of creamed corn. The beef was perfectly cooked — tender and slightly crispy on the outside. We particularly enjoyed the freshness from the fact that it was grass-fed beef. The creamed corn, however, was a little heavy.
Other side dishes include mashed potatoes, braised carrots, chips, spinach Rockefeller and spinach salad.
If you are in the mood for a lighter meal, take your pick from the lounge menu, which includes oysters, fried king prawns, fried squid, Kobe beef sliders and chicken fritters, among others.
We recommend the squid served with coriander and lime, and the beef sliders, juicy and topped with beetroot relish.
Alternatively, you can head to Stratos for afternoon tea, served from 3-6pm.
Be it tea and scones, a light dish, or a thick cut of beef, you can count on a tasty meal at Stratos with a view of every street in the capital.
