Curiously enough, I don't have much to say about Basta 23. The décor is more sha3by, less chic. The wait staff seemed a little frazzled, but that's a given since the place is new. It caters mostly to the weekenders at Durrat al Bahrain. Durrah for short, is group of weirdly shaped alien pod islands on the south-east coast of Bahrain. It takes a while to get there but it's quite a splendid retreat.
What we loved about Basta 23 was the trompe l'oeil 'dukan' mural, the drinks menu (think Tang, Vimto, and Rose syrup etc.), and the little old ladies making fresh kebabs and sweets on the 'dewasheg'. My tip: order anything those ladies make, as it is so full of love and authentic Bahraini-ness. The little morsels of 'khanferoush' (fried sweet dough) were so crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside; we loved them so much we ordered another batch. This stuff always reminds me of Eid al Fitir mornings at grandma's... The perfect accompaniment is their chai karak! It was actually very very good. Props! Honorable mention: the cheesy khubiz khabaz from an actual tan'noor!
The salt shakers on the table are not only cute, they are also functional. Don't be shy to use them if the main course may appear to be a little bland. Which unfortunately in my case it was...particularly the lamb and okra stew (a personal childhood fav) so that was a bit disappointing. I hope the kitchen can sort this out, or it would be quite a shame for such a genuinely great concept. (Prices were super reasonable! So yay for that :)
Overall, the meal at Basta 23 had its hits and misses. But we would always stop by for some karak after a long walk by the beach.
(They played this track at the restaurant and I've been loving it ever since.)
Hey guys, I’ve found a teleporter! But it only works from Abu Dhabi to Paris, (sorry). Step in through the doors of Brasserie Angélique and voila! you’re in the city of lights! Sans the speaking in French part, obvs. I felt very welcome by the staff at the door and throughout the whole meal...this is the sercet portal to the friendly side of France. [Shout out to Nicolas!] This place was so good I went twice in one week!
For the first dinner, I find myself uncosciously ordering the proverbial epicurean combination of surf and turf. I had the Lobster starter and the Steak for my entree. The lobster was tough to cut but thankfully not tough to chew. The accompanying veg were harmonious with the dish but the gnocchi pieces almost stole the show! Divine! I’m encouraged to order the gnocchi main next time.The steak was beautiful and even more wonderful considering the price. Order it however you like, but medium is the best way to enjoy it personally (or medium-rare). Also recommended are the escargots...for the French purists and adventurous palates.
The Apple Tart Tatin was legit. A little on the sour side, but that’s how it is!
On both occasions I had their signature drink aptly named; pour quoi pas? “Yes, why not mix banana, peach purée and Earl Grey tea...it’ll be marvelous!”, said the bar man one day...and it paid off! This beverage, to put it mildly, is sublime. If Strawberry Shortcake had a sister called Peach Shortcake, she'd be this drink.
For my second indulgent dinner, I had the Onion Soup (classic), the Seabream (yum) and the Crème Brûlée (naughty). The soup looked like sludge (in a good way) and was soooo intense!! It was like a boeuf bourguignon without the beef! I thought to myself, “This is France. Pure, unfiltered, no excuses, in your face. Bold and daring and French. Only they would have the Gaulgall to make a soup like this.” I felt out of place in Abu Dhabi, a city, a desert. This soup was so à la campagne. It should be snowing outside. Anyway, let’s talk about that little tartine of cheese. OMG I could have that emmental tartine every morning and not get bored! Side note: I had to ask the, very knowledgable staff about the cheese. He informed me that was emmental. I thought it was comté. Shame on me. I know.
The Seabream, or Daurade if you’re fancy, is cooked en croûte de sel, meaning, freaking covered in sea salt! It arrives at your table looking like a mini sand dune that your server has to archeologically dig to uncover the fish within. He then presents the dish to you with a smile. Each element alone was perfect. The salty fish, the bitter caramelized endive, and the coconut wild rice lends its much needed nuterality to this flavorful party.
When all four elements (5 counting the lemon) are combined in one bite, signals are sent to your brain, you feel a tingle of nerves, a smile starts creeping up on your face and you feel like you never want this moment to end. I will admit I had a hard time cutting the endive, mainly because I had a fish knife...bitter til the very end! But then I thought I must be doing something wrong. Indeed one has to simply pull it apart gently, and it will come undone. I almost wish I had ordered some spinach or haricots verts, just to have something green. Unfortunately the only green thing on my table was a bottle of Pellegrino. If you're a really picky fish eater (like me) or a hard core piscivore, you'll thoroughly enjoy this.
A night at Brasserie Angélique is a special one. It is the cure to any of your worries and anxieties. After all Lumière said it best, “If you’re stressed, it’s fine dining we suggest!” And I’m sure the team at BA would be delighted if you were their guest. Jumeirah Etihad Towers Abu Dhabi, UAE T: +971 2 811 5666
