Iftar review: Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche

You will find everything that you expect from an iftar and more at Corniche restaurant in Sofitel Abu Dhabi — and at a rather reasonable price.

The restaurant has a very comfortable ambience and as you enter the massive selection of food can be intimidating. “How can I possibly try all my favourite dishes?” was my first thought, but as it turned out, stretched over a few hours, one can make it happen.

As you take your seat, you are welcomed with traditional drinks such as tamarine, jallab and kamaruddin. Refreshing, light, sweet and perfect way to end a fast.

My motto in buffet scenarios is usually to miss the salad and starter sections to allow room for the real food. However, in this instance missing the vast and delicious-looking starters did not seem like a wise choice. From a selection of soups to stuffed vine leaves, hummus, moutabel, okra bil zeit to countless salads and cheeses. I decided to try my known favourites but concentrated on the more exotic delicacies such as the lamb brain salad with its perfect seasoning, beef tongue salad, beetroot moutabel and muhammara.

The star of the selections for me had to be the muhammara and the beetroot moutabel. (I also felt great knowing I was getting my super food in the mist of overindulging.)

If you thought the starter selection is big and confusing the main course is a marathon. You can fill your plate with lamb tajine, mutton rogan josh, chicken biryani, chicken moulokhieh, while having your pasta made at the live station, although the selection of ingredients for the pastas is limited. And remember to leave room for the shawarma and falafel.

The vegetable couscous, the lamb ouzi and mixed grill (which are kept hot on the coals) were the ones I went back for, cooked to perfection and seasoned perfectly.

Those with a love for sweets will not be disappointed. On top of the traditional Arabic sweets the colourful pastries invite even the fullest stomachs to them. This is where the chef’s French touch is evident, the mixed berry tart and the chocolate pastry are to die for. And who can forget the giant chocolate fountain, which seemed to be the children’s favourite area.

Where: Corniche restaurant, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche

Price: Dh190++ (15 per cent discount for groups of more than 12).

Time: 7pm-10.30pm

Call: 02-8137777