The sun sets over Cyan Brasserie 

Towering 18 floors above ground with a view facing the horizon, Cyan Brasserie has one of the best views in Abu Dhabi (though it’s often missed at night(. We arrived at Cyan at 6:30pm to make sure we caught a glimpse of the fiery sun setting across the Abu Dhabi city skyline. For iftar this year, Chef Omer has stepped away from the traditional iftar adding a unique Turkish spin on the buffet and I am here for it! 

The tables were set up with a few nibbles, ready for the breaking of fast – a plate of Arabic cheeses, along with the usual nuts and fruits traditional to Ramadan. I started off the meal with a taste of the traditional Turkish yoghurt soup, yayla corbasi. It was simple, healthy and was a welcome change from the usual lentil soup. The salad bar was loaded with beautiful fresh options including a build-your-own station. The red pepper muhammara with warm spices, and the roasted cauliflower with tangy tahini, were the two favourite from the selection. We enjoyed this course with a helping of the delicious kibbeh. They were huge – and addictive!

There was a platter of traditional lamb ouzi but we were more intrigued by the Turkish dishes. Chef Omer introduced the various plates to us and we tried each and every one! Somewhat similar to ravioli, the freshly prepared Turkish dumplings with garlicky yoghurt and tomatoes on top was both buttery and fresh. It was great to have a prawn option for the green bean stew rather than the typical meat option. From the mixed grill selection, we thought the lamb kofta was the best. It’s possible the biggest lamb kofta I’ve had here, we had to share one piece between us!

Chef Omer also prepared a shawarma bowl for us – the chicken was super flavourful, and we used the selection of vegetables, pickles and garlic cream to create our own little shawarma pockets.

The desserts were kept very traditional and simple for this iftar – a delightful kunafeh and other Arabic desserts including baklawa, halawat el jibn and shaabiyat. For me, a platter of their fresh passion fruit and watermelon was enough.

One of Cyan’s greatest assets is its open kitchen and I loved having the buffet set up along the counters and seeing the staff working behind the scenes. Even though it was buffet, it was still intimate and the quality that we know and love of Cyan shone through in the dishes.

AED190 pp

For bookings, call 056 544 8158

#advertorial

AFTERNOON TEA

Let's face it, I eat out a lot and with no disrespect to anyone, there are times when it all gets a bit samey. But this is why I love the culinary team at Cyan: they have already proven themselves to level-up and bring the unexpected to the table - literally and figuratively! The newly launched, high-end yet approachable afternoon tea had nods to both tradition and to tea and everything was executed with the flair I've come to expect at Cyan.

First, there was no tea stand - cue: gasp ... SUCH a good decision! Everything was carefully, thoughtfully and innovatively presented on the fabulous serveware that for me, adds so much to the food experience. As a self-professed plate hoarder, these dishes make me swoon!

To the food. I did a quick scan of the table as the dishes arrived. My eye was caught by the glorious oblongs of rich chocolate tart, the fluffy triangular scones and the toasted brioche cured trout sandwiches, topped with salmon roe and mandarin. Whilst I loved these, there were a couple of plates of food that were simply mind-blowing: the lightly poached pears, soaked in very good honey with pistachio and a camembert centre were absolutely divine, as were the little (close your eyes as I say this) chouquettes, served with a pot of warm chocolate. I was dyyying! The little orange baba sitting in a most beautiful syrup, the gougeres, filled with the most incredible truffle bechamel (one is simply not enough!) - these things stole my heart.

I think Plate of the Day, for the sheer gorgeousness of it, was the chai tarts, each tart placed on tiny pebbles as delicate as the pastry, giving a nod to the Japanese tea tradition. There were little innovations at every turn: the scones were served with traditional jam and cream but alongside them sat a clutch of cheese straws, so marvellous for people who prefer savoury over sweet. The tomato tart, with feta and the crumbliest pastry was divine and the seasonal mandarin tart similarly so.

It doesn't end there: Benny's tea-based mocktails added an extra touch of pizzazz to the whole affair: we loved The Abu Dhabi, reminiscent of sand, The Capital Gate, a blue and green coloured number the minty Moroccan and the coconutty Coco Jambo - these are some of the best mocktails in town.

With the sun streaming through the windows of the 18th floor of the 'leaning tower', views for days across the city and the sea, and the stunning decor, it was great afternoon tea experience and I was sad when it was over. I loved the superbness of this small afternoon tea rebellion and am scheming to get back. Please do go and try - but set aside enough time to truly savour every bite!

AED160pp including tea, coffee, mocktails, water.

Daily | 3-6pm

#advertorial #invited

Easter Brunch

After serving my Dad beans every night for 40 days, Easter is an occasion that the whole family looks forward to, and therefore choosing the right place to enjoy the day is important. My preview of Easter at Cyan was a reminder that few places do an occasion as they can. With children’s activities included, the upcoming Easter Sunday brunch will be the perfect cross-over between fine dining and a family experience.

Changing it up slightly from their usual table service, starters will be displayed on a buffet on the day. I was excited that the comté & truffle gougeres made it on the Easter menu – everyone must try these creamy, truffley pops of scrumptiousness. As always, the seafood selection was simply luxurious. Fresh Canadian lobster,mussels from France, shrimp from Oman, the highest quality oysters from Brittany, hamachi in a beautiful homemade sauce, and the Cyan signature mandarin pocket with salmon roe and crème Fraiche. Other interesting plates included the yellow beetroot and peach salad and puff pastry with mushroom and artichoke.

The sharing mains were inspired by French traditions. The hearty, aromatic lamb shoulder was roasted beautifully, falling apart on the knife. For those following lent, the first bite of this will be worth every one of those days of abstinence. The giant couscous had a beautiful depth of flavour. Beneath the crisp skin was a layer of rich foie gras, adding a unique taste to the beautifully roasted chicken – it wouldn’t be a Cyan menu without it! The baked cod and seabass dish with crumby herbed potatoes was beautifully soft and flaky – light and delicious!

 Signifying the welcoming of the new season, the desserts were each inspired by flowers and elements of the new season. An artistically designed nest of smooth chocolate mousse with notes of orange blossom was the perfect picture of Easter and the rhubarb and rose pavlova was stunning 

 Their classic signature mille-feuille will always have my heart but I thought the sweet, floral lavender went beautifully in the thick cream piped between delicate pastry. Filled with zesty mandarin pastry cream, and coated in sugar mixed blended with marigold leaves, the donuts were an absolute revelation. Chef Martim, where have you been hiding these?

The new layout of mixed buffet and table service will be a great opportunity to try a selection of Cyan's best while still enjoying family time. Limited tables are available so get booked in! 

Sunday 17th April, 12:30-3:30pm

Soft AED250 | House AED350 | Kids 6-12 AED125

For bookings, call 056 544 8158

The sun sets over Cyan Brasserie 

Towering 18 floors above ground with a view facing the horizon, Cyan Brasserie has one of the best views in Abu Dhabi (though it’s often missed at night(. We arrived at Cyan at 6:30pm to make sure we caught a glimpse of the fiery sun setting across the Abu Dhabi city skyline. For iftar this year, Chef Omer has stepped away from the traditional iftar adding a unique Turkish spin on the buffet and I am here for it! 

The tables were set up with a few nibbles, ready for the breaking of fast – a plate of Arabic cheeses, along with the usual nuts and fruits traditional to Ramadan. I started off the meal with a taste of the traditional Turkish yoghurt soup, yayla corbasi. It was simple, healthy and was a welcome change from the usual lentil soup. The salad bar was loaded with beautiful fresh options including a build-your-own station. The red pepper muhammara with warm spices, and the roasted cauliflower with tangy tahini, were the two favourite from the selection. We enjoyed this course with a helping of the delicious kibbeh. They were huge – and addictive!

There was a platter of traditional lamb ouzi but we were more intrigued by the Turkish dishes. Chef Omer introduced the various plates to us and we tried each and every one! Somewhat similar to ravioli, the freshly prepared Turkish dumplings with garlicky yoghurt and tomatoes on top was both buttery and fresh. It was great to have a prawn option for the green bean stew rather than the typical meat option. From the mixed grill selection, we thought the lamb kofta was the best. It’s possible the biggest lamb kofta I’ve had here, we had to share one piece between us!

Chef Omer also prepared a shawarma bowl for us – the chicken was super flavourful, and we used the selection of vegetables, pickles and garlic cream to create our own little shawarma pockets.

The desserts were kept very traditional and simple for this iftar – a delightful kunafeh and other Arabic desserts including baklawa, halawat el jibn and shaabiyat. For me, a platter of their fresh passion fruit and watermelon was enough.

One of Cyan’s greatest assets is its open kitchen and I loved having the buffet set up along the counters and seeing the staff working behind the scenes. Even though it was buffet, it was still intimate and the quality that we know and love of Cyan shone through in the dishes.

AED190 pp

For bookings, call 056 544 8158

#advertorial