Abu Dhabi: A revolving restaurant opening in the capital city today will give patrons a panoramic view of the Arabian Gulf and islands off Abu Dhabi.
Designed to give the visitors a feel of the city's ancient charm, the restaurant also provides a bird's-eye view of the modern Abu Dhabi from a height of 126 metres.
"We are on the roof floor& if you compare to an ordinary building, it would be like 55th floor," says Georges Chehwan, manager of Tiara, the revolving restaurant in Marina Mall.
It is the seventh restaurant of Silsila Trading and Development LLC, a food and beverages company based in the capital.
Al Fanar Restaurant at the Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi was the first rooftop revolving restaurant in the capital. Serving European cuisine and situated on the 31st floor of the hotel, it offers breathtaking views of the city and the Arabian Gulf.
Diners can observe the iconic landmarks close to the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi Museum, the sprawling corniche and the world's largest national flag fluttering there, the newly developed islands and the skyscrapers that characterise modern Abu Dhabi.
"To know how Abu Dhabi looked a few decades ago & harsh deserts, camels, tents and small buildings, we have placed those black and white pictures on the left side," said Chehwan.
"We arranged these 80 pictures from libraries, the internet and senior citizens who have collections of old photographs, after five months of research," said Chehwan, who declined to disclose the cost of the project. About 40 staff will serve 130 patrons at a time, he said.
The panoramic view of the sea starts from the elevators when one enters the Marina Towers that house the restaurant from the mall.
A 360-degree rotation in an hour and a half means one will not feel the movement, but the skyline keeps changing.
"Only the sitting area is revolving... so there is no safety issue," said the manager. Visitors can see the motor that rotates the restaurant through a glass door, he added. Classical jazz will be played round the clock.
"We offer fusion food - mix of local, Mediterranean, French, British, South African. About the price & it is affordable for middle and upper segments of society," said Chehwan.
A menu on a table suggests that tea and coffee prices range between Dh14 and Dh24, fresh juices Dh20 and Dh25, and soft drinks Dh12.
