RODEO GRILL RAISES THE STEAKS!

There aren’t many dedicated steakhouses left in Abu Dhabi but luckily for us Rodeo Grill at Beach Rotana is still going strong.


There are a ton of reasons for that: it’s not overly expensive, the food is excellent with plenty of options for people who don’t fancy steak and genuine service. We had a superb evening, from start to finish!

STARTERS


Starters were generously portioned. Our fantastic server prepared the USDA fillet tartare (AED85) tableside: the flavours of the excellent Dijon mustard and were well balanced, allowing the tenderloin to shine. This was a great spectacle to start the meal and we were optimistic about what was to come!


The high quality of ingredients were once more evident when the deconstructed shrimp cocktail (AED75) made a grand entrance in an ice-filled bucket (I could have bathed in it!) It gave us DIY fun with crispy baby gem leaves, fresh shrimp, vibrant mango salsa, spicy mayo, and a piquant, lush Louis dressing.


While the breadcrumb and parmesan topped escargots (AED75) were beautifully prepared, we could easily have had more of the garlicky, buttery sauce that came with them. Served with a gorgeous thin, toasted bread, these were moreish and well-priced.

MAINS


We debated between the Tomahawk and the Stockyard Gold Australian Angus beef 250-day grain-fed ribeye (400g) for AED320. Opting for the ribeye with a glorious, buttery red wine Bordelaise (AED25), it was flawlessly cooked with a beautiful sear and incredibly juicy, and tender. We couldn’t resist topping it with pan-seared foie gras (AED45) – divine!


For something lighter, we also shared the Asian-style salmon (AED165), perched on a zesty lime risotto, which added a touch of surf to our turf!

DESSERTS


The New York cheesecake (AED45) was smooth and delicious and the pecan tart (AED50) had us fighting for the last bite: the caramelized pecans added the perfect sugary crunch to complement the velvety vanilla ice cream served on the side.


BEVERAGES


Nothing says date night like a couple of cheeky cocktails or mocktails, to add a sense of occasion to your night out. Our passionfruit margarita kicked things off with a bang - it was fresh, bright, and not overly sweet, making it hands down and unexpectedly the best margarita we’ve had in Abu Dhabi!


The gin club list boasts 10 cocktails with every botanical you can think of and when our meals arrived, the knowledgeable sommelier made excellent recommendations for wine to pair with the food – selecting from 196 wines was no easy feat but we narrowed them down and this really added to our meal.

Rodeo Grill is the perfect spot for special celebrations or even just a mid-week night out. The 20% BB+ discount is an added bonus and we're already planning our next visit to this Abu Dhabi institution.


Location: Rodeo Grill, Beach Rotana Hotel

Time: Daily from 6:30 pm – 12 am

Book: 02 697 9000


Rachael Partington

3/3/2024