A NEW CASUAL SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IN ABU DHABI

Anyone for American Style Seafood?

If you are into casual seafood with a twist and are willing to experience a night out with kids or friends, then, give a try to this new spot in town.

Located in Muroor area, at the bottom of Guardian Towers, you cannot miss the wooden facade door with The Shack written on top of the restaurant. Invited to experience this newly launched restaurant, we went there during the soft opening to taste some of their signature dishes.

Inspired by the sea and with a distinct nautical vibe, the decor inside is interesting with fishing nets used to customize ceiling lamps and a few vintage decor items dotted around the room. There is a small terrace outdoors, and even a few tables at the ground floor for a quick lunch or bite to eat.

Most tables are upstairs close to the semi-open kitchen at the back. We liked the long communal tables in the centre that can easily fit a group of eight-making it perfect for a family night out, or a casual lunch with colleagues or friends.

We first had colorful sweet mocktails served in jars with a handle. After browsing the extended menu (appetizers and mains to share, main courses, pastas, sides and desserts), we opted for different appetizers and went for “The Shack Shroom”, 45 AED, oven baked mushrooms stuffed with lobster and crab meat and topped with melted cheese and “buffalo oysters storm” (pieces of char-fried oysters, marinated in buffalo sauce and topped with creamy blue cheese and rosemary) priced at 99 AED.

The mushrooms were perfect to share as tapas, there was a bit of drama with the oysters coming with carbonic ice but unfortunately the taste of the blue cheese was too strong and overpowered the oyster.

Following the restaurant team’s advice, we really enjoyed sharing one of their signature dishes called “La Poutine” which is prepared with skin on crispy French fries topped with melted cheese, and grilled lobster (79 AED). A winning item that will have us coming back for, especially with kids.

For our mains, intrigued by the “seafood treasure” (350 AED) that serves up to four people, it is a bucket of cooked seafood thrown on to the table- part of the show- in a large communal dish. Equipped with plastic gloves and a plier, you get to share lobster, crab, boiled shrimps, clams, mussels served with potatoe, corn on the cob, carrots and cajun sausage drizzled in a spicy sauce. Something to try at least once, it also amused the other diners around us. A bit expensive though if you are not that into seafood and also not into using pincers.

As the burger and lobster roll is the latest trend worldwide, we had to taste the “That’s how we roll” long pattie roll (95 AED). It was soft and topped with a lemon butter sauce, Australian Angus beef and a few chunks of lobster inside the burger.

Coming for a review, we couldn’t help but order some desserts and this was probably what we preferred. Prices may look overrated (48 AED for most of them) but be aware each portion easily feeds up to three people.

We really liked the “Dutch Baby”, a German style pancake served in a saucepan, topped with a few berries and with a maple syrup bottle on the side.

We also enjoyed their white and dark “Chocolate fondant” that had a reasonable size and was served with vanilla ice cream (35 AED).

“Rolling in the Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep” brought us back to childhood memories as it is kind of a pain perdu (toast) drizzled with liquid honey and also served with vanilla ice cream. Another dessert that got our vote.

Service was efficient, which is worth mentioning as the restaurant just opened.

The Shack is a welcome new addition to the growing Abu Dhabi food scene, and we shall be back for more.

THE SHACK | Guardian Towers, Embassies District | +971 2 449 11 14

Credit Images
Top Image: The Shack Restaurant Facebook Page
Other images: Abu Dhabi Confidential