Fauchon - Fabulous French Food

 

     Fauchon really needs no introduction. In the summer of 1995, little me (and my family) wandered into the Madeline outpost of Fauchon on a hot summer's day in Paris. I distinctly remember a large staircase, bright pink neon lights, and a sea of waiters dashing in and out of the dining room. The steak I had for lunch that day was marvelous. The fact that I still remember that, astounding. Fast forward 9 years later, I walk in to find that everything as changed. (Duh, new decade, what was I thinking!) The wonderful subterranean cafe transformed into large retail section. The cafe was downsized and moved to the first floor. The menu? A complete overhaul! I was crushed. 

      Fast forward 9 more years later we arrive at 2013. The year I took these photos. (I know I'm late. Oops.) The menu is more or less consistent these days and the delicacies of this fine french establishment has found its way closer to home. Last December I found myself in Abu Dhabi, where I had a sampling of their new menu. The savories were alright. A very satisfying lunch. But what I particularly enjoy chez Fauchon is the chocolate ganache tart. Every single time, without fault, I'd end a meal with that. Or just have it with my coffee/tea over an afternoon chat with a visiting family member. The vanilla millefeuille deserves a special mention. Ultimately, Fauchon is a great global example of delicious French products, chocolates, jams, and perfectly cooked steaks of a bygone era. 


United Arab Emirates

• Mall of the Emirates 
  Mall of the Emirates Fashion Dome, Ground Floor
  Dubai
  +971 4 399 02 89
• FAUCHON Café Dubai Mall 
  Dubai Mall, Fashion Avenue Ground Floor Unit 25
  Dubai
  +971 4 339 80 24
• Etihad Towers 
  Ground Floor
  Abu Dhabi
  +971 2 667 26 90
  
  

Kuwait

• Crowne Plaza Hotel 
  PO Box 18544
  81006 Farwaniya
  +965 2 473 21 00 ext.7556
• Salhiya Real Estate Co.
  Mohd. Tunayan Al Ghanim St. P.O Box 23413
  13095 Safat
  +965 2 299 64 46
• Salon de Thé '360 Shopping Mall 
  360 Mall Sixth Ring Road, South Surra Al Zahraa Area - P.O Box 29060
  13151 Safat
  +965 2 530 96 20
  
  
  
  

Qatar

• Souk Najd 
  Salwa Road PO Box 2044
  DOHA
  +974 4 432 48 88
• Royal Plaza 
  Al Sadd Street
  DOHA
  +974 4 435 55 88

Shake Shack - Awww YEAH!

   Shake Shack. Oh Shake Shack. I don't need to go into details here. I'm sure the masses are familiar with the deliciousness that hit our shores recently. Shake Shack is one of those places that one would look forward to visiting at the end of a long working week. It's the go to treat land for my taste buds and naughty nutritious (or lack thereof) conscience. That burger. Those hot dogs. Those shakes! But before I sing their praises any further I have to put forth some qualms I have regarding some of my experiences at said establishment. 

1. In one of my earlier visits to the MoE branch of SS in Dubai I ordered a Chicken Dog with sauerkraut. To my absolute delight it was everything I had hoped for in a chicken hot dog. The "dog" itself is my favorite. So juicy and so flavorful. Split down the middle and perfectly seared on a flat top. With the random combination of apple and sage, it is truly the most well-rounded, robust, and dare I say elegant type of "dog" I've ever come across. It was like a piece of New York migrated east. I loved it!

2. Naturally during my next visit, I order said "dog". To my dismay there was no more sauerkraut. "What?!", I asked the clueless staff. "What do you mean no sauerkraut?..."         "I don't know what that is", she said. I proceeded to explain. But even before I started to I knew there would be no more sauerkraut. Not now. Not ever. I thought to myself, maybe the Arabian market wasn't so receptive to pickled cabbage. Oh well, as long as I still got my chicken dog, everything was going to be alright.

3. Fast forward to a few visits later. I walk up to the counter, eagerly awaiting my next chicken dog. "I'm so sorry ma'am. But we don't have that on the menu anymore..." This was what I felt like at the time...

                        

Oh the insolence! Oh the utter dismay! My secret elegant order has disappeared! Forever! Nevertheless, the beef hot dog is still there. Wake up people! Shake Shack started out by selling hot dogs on a cart in Madison Square Park! Its what they do BEST! Ugh...I'm so over this.

Moving on.

My favorite milkshake: Strawberry

My favorite burger: Shack Burger (no tomato)

The fries are alright...I guess.

I don't have a favorite custard "concrete", (which is their way of saying freaking ICE CREAM) because they are inconsistent. Sometimes they're great, other times they're not worth the calories. And if it's one thing I downright despise it's inconsistency at restaurants. Let alone franchises! One cool thing about this dessert is there is a customized one for every branch/location. 

BUT! I can not deny that Shake Shack serves up a mean burger. One that has amassed an innumerable amount of fans. So whatever I say won't matter. Because no one understands the loss of that wonderful and delicious chicken dog! (They still serve it stateside! So I may be reunited with my favorite item on the menu again!)

**Note: I have their hot dogs plain. No mustard. No ketchup. It's that good on its own.

Locations worldwide: USA, UK, Turkey, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, (and hopefully Bahrain...we are waiting AlShaya! It's inevitable!)

Pictured: Shack-cago dog

Black and White Milkshake

RIP Chicken Dog with Sauerkraut

Brasserie Angelique - Paris in Abu Dhabi

PLAY THIS SONG, THEN READ AND SCROLL 

(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 Gaul gall 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