While Abu Dhabi doesn’t fall short when it comes to luxury hotels, there’s a beachfront beauty that stands out from the crowd thanks to its striking and contemporary design, five-star amenities, Olympic-length swimming pool, and prime views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. And that’s before we even get into its 366 spacious rooms and suites, which come with plush king-sized beds topped with crisp linens, sleek bathrooms with oversized tubs, and all the necessary mod cons. Welcome to Fairmont Bab Al Bahr.
As to be expected from a hotel of this calibre, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr also boasts a particularly enviable culinary scene, home to everything from sushi restaurants and all-day dining destinations to Marco Pierre White’s sophisticated steakhouse. However, if you’re craving fresh antipasto, bowls of steaming risotto, hearty ragu or Mediterranean-inspired seafood, we highly recommend booking a table at Marco’s Italian which – brainchild of award-winning celebrity chef, Marco Pierre White – has captured the dolce vita lifestyle to perfection.
Serving traditional Italian food created from the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients, Marco’s Italian’s blend of expertly crafted dishes, courtesy of Head Chef Giampaolo Maffini, informally elegant décor, and knowledgeable staff have made this establishment the kind of place the capital’s foodies return to, time and time again.
Highlights include sharing starters such as caprese di bufala, bruschetta, and carpaccio, while the expansive menu which spans pizza, pasta, and risotto, to salads, fresh fish and gourmet cuts of meat, are sure to delight. It’s all brilliantly executed, but you can’t go wrong with the spaghetti ai frutti di mare, branzino alla griglia (grilled sea bass with sauce vierge, asparagus and baby onion) or the beef tenderloin served with polenta taleggio ravioli, carrots and a morel mushroom sauce.
Vegetarians and vegans are more than well-catered for too, as are little ones who have an impressive choice of miniature-sized dishes. Be sure to save room for dessert – don’t miss the panna cotta, warm chocolate brownie, or spiked tiramisu. Speaking of which, expert sommeliers are on hand to help find the perfect wine to pair with your meal from the restaurant’s carefully curated selection.
In the cooler months, meals are best enjoyed al fresco on the terrace, but whatever the weather, expect a warm welcome, a lively atmosphere, and outstanding food.
