Despite the abundance of American restaurant chains across the UAE, it is still hard to find a place that serves an upscale twist on American favourites. Caramel Restaurant & Lounge is filling that niche with a range of dishes that highlight the best of the cuisine while maintaining a posh appeal.
Craving some classic comfort food, we headed to Caramel at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi, and were pleasantly surprised with every dish.
Stepping in, the restaurant has a very elegant vibe and oozes romance with its dark brown interiors and candlelit tables. There is also outdoor seating, which is open during the cooler months, and overlooks the picturesque scenery on Saadiyat. However, it was the food that really blew us away.
We started with king crab tacos, which were crispy mini-taco shells stuffed with crab topped with ceviche sauce, and served alongside salsa. The crab meat was bursting with freshness, and was perfectly complemented by the slight tanginess from the ceviche without being too salty. The crispiness of the tacos brought an interesting new texture to the dish.
We also sampled the sizzling hot rock, which consists of thinly-sliced sirloin served raw along with a blistering rock the size of a brick on which diners can cook the meat. The dish was definitely the centre of attention as we experienced a micro-barbeque, placing the beef on the rock and leaving it for a few seconds to cook. Again, the beef was perfectly marinated, and came off the rock juicy.
The starters menu also features chicken lollipops, tuna pizza, TNT shrimps, seared Kobe beef carpaccio, and mac and cheese (though this classy version contains truffle oil and three-cheese dipping sauce), among other dishes.
Next up, we took our waiter’s recommendation on the Kobe beef sliders, and ordered some french fries alongside. Sinking our teeth into the beef was a heavenly experience as it was cooked to a juicy perfection and tasted of freshness — an element often lost in burgers. The beef was topped with a slightly sharp melted cheese, and encased in a soft bun.
My dining partner opted for a vegetarian dish — truffled penne pasta in a creamy Parmigiano Reggiano sauce with peas. Though we could not taste any truffle flavour in the pasta, every bit of the dish was delicious; from the creaminess of the sauce, to the freshness of the pasta, the dish ticked all the right boxes.
Alternatively, the menu includes classics such as Beverly Hills cobb salad, Maine lobster rolls, crab Louis, surf and turf, Dover sole, seared Chilean sea bass, pan roasted salmon, and even fish and chips.
The fish and chips were a bit too greasy for our taste, but we could not resist the crisp particularly from the truffled chips.
Side dishes include tater tots, creamed spinach, lobster mash and forest mushrooms.
We reckon this romantic eatery will be booked solid in no time.
