Alba Terrace — Restaurant in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Edition has created quite a stir since opening it’s doors late last year. The boutique hotel with its communal pool table, gentleman’s barbershop and distinct food and beverage concepts masterminded by British Celebrity Chef Tom Aikens, has injected the Abu Dhabi dining landscape with a rather sharp jolt!

Having thoroughly enjoyed a wellness breakfast with Aikens himself at Market and a recent meal at rock and roll steakhouse The Oak Room. Next on our Edition ‘hit-list’ was Alba Terrace. A Mediterranean day to night concept that like the rest of the hotels restaurants, maintains a small size in a strive to provide high quality and intimate dining experiences. Alba presents a bright and appealing space to diners with a dining room that is anchored around a large bar area. Modern in feel, the poolside restaurant is divided by large bi-folding doors which open out to reveal the pièce de résistance in the form of a terrace complete with sunken couches. These are the tables we would recommend requesting when making a reservation.

The first round of food arrives rather rapidly and boasts a freshness we have already begun to associate with the first Middle Eastern venture for the Edition. A simple dish of ricotta stuffed heirloom tomatoes would likely verge on boring at another establishment but here at Alba the simple dish is elevated sheerly through quality of ingredients. A buffalo mozzarella salad with roast tomato fondu hits all the right notes yet it’s the seafood dishes that really garner our attention. Red snapper carpaccio with lemon preserve and the prawns with grapefruit, vanilla and almond make for killer flavour combinations, to a point that we’d like to see the prawn dish as a permanent fixture on the a la carte menu.

Five main courses arrive next and although the dishes are heavier in nature, the portions are sensible. Plus there’s always the option to re-order if required. Rustic veal and lamb meatballs in a rich tomato sauce compete with a roast baby lamb leg on a base of basil polenta to insatiate our carnivorous cravings. Though surprisingly, it was the al dente beetroot gnocchi with caramelised walnuts and parmesan that stole the show for us! Mains also include a provencal vegetable tart (pleasant though not particularly memorable) and a pleasing crab linguine.

With the Abu Dhabi Edition already attracting loyal patrons and repeat guests, the Alba Terrace brunch offers a refined experience that appears to attract a mature crowd. A balance hard to come by in the capital. Personally we would like to see the menu evolve going-forward, so that repeat visitors are offered the opportunity to experience new dishes. While the female singer is an undeniable delight to listen too, she should be accompanied by a full band as opposed to a backing track, to really connect with guests. Despite a few minor mishaps such as the missing burrata, brunch is paired with the high-standards of service that continue to impress us on repeat visits to the property. While much of the focus and devotion at the Edition seems to have fallen upon The Oak Room, with it’s meat sommelier and butchery. Alba Terrace should not...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Alba Terrace, the exquisite restaurant at The EDITION Abu Dhabi, with two friends, and I must say, it was an experience worth savoring. From the moment we stepped inside, we were captivated by the restaurant's sophisticated ambiance and sheer elegance. The cozy, indirect lighting cast a warm and inviting glow.

To start we decided to delve into the chef's signature dishes. The Bream Ceviche was a delightful revelation, with its fresh, tangy flavors combining juicy watermelon and chilly fish. The Seafood Paella was a masterpiece, an aromatic and flavorful symphony of ingredients that showcased the chef's culinary prowess. I added twice and i would like to have more! The Mediterranean Octopus Salad was a light, soft and left us craving for more.

Next, we savored the Prawns a la Plancha, which were succulent and grilled to perfection, served alongside tender grilled asparagus. My guests and me were impressed by the presentation and perfection of each piece.

For dessert, we indulged in the Cheesecake with red currant and cherry, which was nothing short of heavenly. Creamy and rich, it provided the perfect sweet note to conclude our dining experience.

Throughout the evening, we were not only treated to an exquisite meal but also to impeccable service. The staff's attention to detail and their commitment to enhancing our dining experience were evident. Their knowledge of the menu and wine pairings added to the overall sense of luxury. Thank you Naveed, Parissa and the whole team of the Alba terrace who took care of us!

In the company of good friends, we relished not only the delectable cuisine but also the ambiance of elegance that enveloped us. This restaurant is undoubtedly a paradise for those seeking a taste of sophistication and...

Alba Terrace is an idyllic hideaway within The Abu Dhabi Edition complex. The restaurant is set in a secretive, tranquil, lush setting with table settings that make you feel like you like you have the place to yourself. The Latin music wafting through the lush tropical outdoor space on this particular evening was a really nice surprise. The rhythm's of Bossa Nova, Cumbia, and Tango tracks set the perfect tone for a romantic getaway for my wife and me.

We arrived without reservations but were promptly seated at an outdoor table and presented with their beverage and small bites menu. Alba terrace has a nice 5 pm to 8 pm menu featuring drink specials and delicious food offerings. We had glasses of Prosecco and sampled the Focaccia bread with a roasted garlic tapenade blended with honey, olive oil and balsamic. Incredibly dip-worthy down to the last drop.

The table service for the evening was a little dis-jointed. We had four different servers throughout our two hours. However, our final server was absolutely delightful. Her name was Isabela and she was from Venezuela. She was charming and delightful with her stories of her pet dog. Vikas Kapoor, the manager, was attentive and amicable moving about the restaurant watching over his guests. The bartender sent an array of cocktails past our table that looked elegant and tasty. The table that many of these drinks went to seemed to be enjoying them at a quick clip!

Fantastic setting, delicious food, awesome music, and delightful servers all earn Alba Terrace top scores.... please add it to your list to experience for a magical...