Part of World Trade Centre’s new Hub experiment, BU! offers a step into the unknown for Abu Dhabi’s diners and night-time party-seekers. A fully licensed restaurant that is not part of a hotel is something daring and new for the city — and all the more welcome as there are no tourism fees or extra charges covertly bolted on to the bill.
Such a concept has to be done well, and we’re pleased to report that done well it has been.
Based around a pan-Latin theme, BU! boasts a large, well-appointed seating area and extensive outdoor terrace, making it the perfect central location for both fine dining and a fancy night out.
The menu does not disappoint. We were treated to the set menu, which is made up of a selection of tapas and dishes which were as varied as they were delicious.
By way of an amuse bouche we began with a plate of nachos served with the restaurant’s delectable special-recipe guacamole before the first starter arrived.
Served in a hollowed-out brioche, the crema de habanero soup is a spicy vegetarian broth guaranteed to wow. Towards the comfortable end of the spice spectrum, the chili cream is a must-try. Even if spicy dishes aren’t your thing, the brioche and sweet potato chips in accompaniment are worth trying.
Soon after, the table was overrun with several starter dishes, offering a complete range of what BU! is known for: raw meat and fish.
Of the many offerings, the standout dish was the res tataki. Cotua cheese, rocket leaves and ginger are wrapped in a thinly cut strip of wagyu beef tataki and drizzled with chilli oil and huancaina sauce. Served on a hot stone, you are in charge of how well done you want it.
The hamachi tartare is also worth a mention. Served cold, the Japanese yellowtail and prawn dish comes with avocado, coriander, jicama, sprouts and jalapenos. Ideal for the light-biter.
From the grill, we tried the 300g Black Angus rump steak, which we requested rare. Served on slate and ready-sliced there was a bit more gristle than we would have liked, but the meat itself was melt-in-the-mouth flawless. It was complemented with a side of onions and peppers.
We were also given a brace of rice dishes to sample. The arroz chaufa is long-grain basmati rice with tender beef sirloin strips and cooked onion, egg, garlic, ginger and sesame; while the Asian-inspired lomo saltado adds soy sauce, potato and sun-dried tomatoes to the dish.
After the rice had gone down we were treated to a dessert platter, giving us a taste of all the sweet treats you could ever hope for after dinner. Mini cheesecake, cotton candy, sorbet and caramel all arrived and, owing to their diminutive size, were gone in a minute flat.
Two hours after sitting down to start dinner, and with our thanks passed to the waiter, we took ourselves on to the roof-terrace to enjoy a nightcap among Abu Dhabi’s skyscrapers. A fantastic way to end the night.
BU! is a positive glimpse of the future in the nation’s capital.
Where: Level 4, The Hub, World Trade Centre Mall, Abu Dhabi | Timings: Noon-3pm, 6pm-2am | Cost for two: Dh350 | Call: 02-6668066
Notes: Private dining area available, kid friendly, live music, wheelchair accessible, outdoor seating available, valet parking, brunch
What else is at The Hub?
Jazz@Pizza Express
Hungry for pizza? Of course you are, there’s always time for pizza. Give the normal plastic dross a miss and enjoy fresh handmade pizza the proper, Italian way. Look out over Abu Dhabi’s skyline with a taste of Italy; call 02-4447752.
Jazz@Pizza Express in Abu Dhabi.
Tamba
Abu Dhabi’s latest addition to the Indian cuisine scene is Tamba. Fully licensed, Tamba promises to not only give you a taste of India like nothing you’ve ever tried, but a unique atmosphere, too. Live music and an open kitchen makes this place stand out. Call 02-3048219.
The outdoor terrace at Tamba, at Abu Dhabi's World Trade Center Mall.
Original Fusion
The future of Abu Dhabi’s nightlife is captured at Original Fusion. The swanky nightspot serves an international menu and is the ideal place for either an after-work drink or a full-on night out in the city. Call 02-4182423.
