We went to Fouquet's last evening based on a good friend's recommendation, and unfortunately it was a forgettable experience.Fine Dining is a restaurant concept that offers guests the finest in service, atmosphere and food. Fouquet's was lacking in all three fields!
The welcome was tepid at best! We were walked into the restaurant and offered a couple of choices of tables to choose from , while most of the restaurant was quite empty, relatively speaking. A fine dining experience is incomplete without an excellent ambiance, and by no means would I qualify Fouquet's atmosphere as being that.
A bread basket came out, with mini french baguettes / and sourdough slices, with the mini baguettes that definitely were not fresh!! They were hard and rubbery. (the birthday girl on the first bite got one of the crowns of her tooth dislodged and out, which understandably was unpleasant!) The mains showed up, and it was a struggle for the staff to place them as they had not cleared the table of the plates that were on the table from the bread course. It was a bit chaotic to say the least!
Gnnochi Main Course and was so disappointed by the meager portion, and odd additions to the sauce. It really was smaller than an appetizer course, and we counted a total of eight Gnnochi in the bowl. The sauce was salty, and oddly had lettuce pieces and red radish slices in it!Gnocchis de pommes de terre, as it appears on the menu, was a big disappointment!!! Escalope panée au panko, or Panko-breaded, fried chicken breast was decently cooked, but on the dry side, and the whole dish looked incomplete and incoherent. The warm chicken had been served over a dressed Rocca salad and a whole of 3 cherry tomatoes sliced in half to have a total of six half pieces of tomato in the expectedly soggy and unappealing salad.
We had ordered two portions of the Suprême de volaille fermière, crème de morilles! Again, the dish seemed weirdly plated with the chicken breast served in a fancy soup bowl sitting on top of the frugal sauce with bits of what looked and tasted like chicory or radicchio, with the sparingly buttered (however smooth) mashed potato served in another plain white dish. One serving came with poorly rendered fat on the chicken, that was hanging and unappealing, but with perfectly tender and moist chicken. The other portion, which my wife and I tucked in had a chicken breast that was pink and raw inside, and barely warm! This was a big turn-off for us! This was not expected or acceptable! To the credit of the staff, they acknowledged it, whisked it away, and replaced it with another portion, that was prepared well.
Linguine aux gambas (Linguine with prawns, cherry tomatoes and spinach) was a beautifully executed dish, and probably was the best bite of the night. We ended up ordering a second portion of the same, with the second portion coming out piping hot, but over seasoned with salt. (still enjoyable!) The prawns were deliciously succulent though! (Please, as a fine ding restaurant, ask the guest how they would like their pasta cooked, Al Dente, or otherwise)
The desserts were very disappointing, except one serving of the Creme Brulee which was very good.(the details can be found on my detailed review on tripadvisor)
When we choose to have a fine dining experience, we are willing to accept the high cost, but also expect a more sophisticated, unique, and a first-rate experience. While not failing with the cost, Fouquet's, unfortunately was unsuccessful to impress with the latter expectations. I would give our experience a two and a half, as the expectations were high, and it was a special celebration, but while giving a three out of generosity, I am sure our points have...
Read moreWe booked for the Valentine’s Day dining experience
A few points to note:
We were requested to pay a deposit amount at the time of booking (standard procedure and understandable). I had asked for this to be sent via email instead of WhatsApp - I was sent the wrong invoice payment link not once but twice - the payment link sent was meant for Clare who had a pastry order. (Wrong name, date, order and amount) - when I reached out on WhatsApp to send me the correct invoice link the hostess sent “omg huahaha i sent you a new one just now.”
We have requested a quiet romantic terrace seating when we made the booking, yet we were given an inside table in the doorway set for 4 pax while we were only 2 pax. We then had to request again to be seated outside.
3 We order sparkling water when we were seated yet had to ask twice for it to arrive. Each time we asked, the waiter acted like it was the first time he heard the request. The sparkling water only arrived with our mains.
4 Because of my partner’s shellfish allergy, I have made it clear at the time of booking that we will select from the a la carte menu. - yet we were offered the set menu. When I requested the a la carte menus the waiter brought the set menu again… so we had to ask again for the a la carte menu…
The live entertainment was good, but she sang with her back to us the entire time…
When we finished up, we ordered a taxi and requested the buggy to take us to the main entrance - this was refused trice - after losing it with the security he finally agreed to take us to the main entrance so we can meet the driver. This entire thing resulted in us having to wait 30 minutes, before being taken to the main entrance and losing the first taxi so we had to wait an additional 20 minutes for a new driver.
The main gate were closed so we had to walk through the bushes/shrubs to get to the driver.
As this was at the end of our evening, it put a damper on the entire evening. What was supposed to be a lovely, special and romantic evening, ended up being a terrible experience.
The meal was great, please give compliments to the chef! The over all experience was really terrible and we...
Read moreI recently had the pleasure of enjoying a delightful lunch at Fouquet's French Restaurant, nestled within the enchanting Louvre Abu Dhabi. The unforgettable experience left me with no doubt as to why this establishment has earned its well-deserved five-star rating.
Upon entering, we were immediately struck by the tasteful blend of contemporary and classic French decor that exudes sophistication, making Fouquet's an ideal setting for a luxurious lunch. The picturesque views of the Louvre's architecture and surrounding waters provided a serene backdrop that beautifully complemented our midday meal.
The star of our visit, without a doubt, was the delectable cuisine. Each dish we sampled showcased the chef's artistry and passion for French culinary tradition. The flavors were complex yet harmonious, transporting us straight to the heart of France. Our meal was further enhanced by the sommelier's exquisite wine pairing recommendations, tailored to perfectly complement each course.
I cannot overstate the exceptional service we received from our waiter, Bijay. His professionalism, attentiveness, and warmth contributed greatly to our overall enjoyment. Bijay's extensive knowledge of the menu allowed him to expertly guide us through our choices, ensuring we had a memorable and personalized experience. His dedication to providing top-notch service was evident throughout our visit.
In summary, Fouquet's French Restaurant @ The Louvre Abu Dhabi is an absolute must-visit for anyone seeking an exquisite lunch experience in an elegant and unique setting. The combination of the charming decor, exquisite cuisine, and outstanding service provided by Bijay and the entire staff surpassed all our expectations. I eagerly anticipate...
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