The Forge — Restaurant in Abu Dhabi

A Disappointing Experience—And a Reminder of the Subtle Forms of Discrimination

Last night, I checked into the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal around 8:30pm after a long day and drive. Check-in was smooth, and while the room felt a bit outdated, it had its charm.

Hungry and tired, I headed to The Forge restaurant for a late dinner. I was seated, given water and a menu—service was courteous at first. But then… nothing. No one came to take my order. Not after 5 minutes. Not after 10.By 15 minutes, I walked to the entrance, only to see the staff standing around chatting.

Meanwhile, other guests—none of whom were East Asian—were being served as expected. It was subtle, but the difference in treatment was noticeable. Quiet racism was evident.

I informed the front desk, thanked them, and checked out on the spot. I chose to stay elsewhere that night.

What made this harder was that I’ve been a loyal Marriott guest for years. I spend over more than 70 nights a year at their properties. I genuinely love their hotels and the standard they represent. Which is why this experience hurt more than it should have.

This isn’t about demanding perfection. It’s about expecting basic respect and fairness. Racism isn’t always overt. Sometimes, it’s in the silence, in the service not given, in the way you’re quietly excluded.

I’m sharing this not out of anger, but out of a sense of responsibility—because if we don’t speak up about the small moments, the big changes...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Forge Abu Dhabi, and let me tell you, it was an amazing experience. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. But what really made this restaurant stand out was the exceptional service provided by Rayan, our server.

Rayan was not only friendly and attentive, but he also went above and beyond to suggest the best choices from the menu. He was knowledgeable about the new Chef, Mr. Jose’s, who hails from Peru, and his culinary expertise was evident in every dish we tried.

Speaking of the food, I had the pleasure of sampling some of Chef Joseah new menu items, and they were absolutely amazing. From perfectly cooked steaks to flavorful seafood dishes, each plate was a masterpiece. It was evident that Chef Josiah cooks from the heart and pays great attention to detail.

To complement our meal, Victor, the sommelier, recommended the perfect pairings that truly enhanced the flavors of our dishes.

Overall, my birthday experience at The Forge Abu Dhabi was nothing short of a 5-star culinary journey. The combination of Rayan's impeccable service, Chef Josiah's delicious creations, and Victor's expert suggestions made it an unforgettable dining experience. If you're looking for a steakhouse with top-notch food and service, look no further than The Forge Abu Dhabi. It's a hidden gem that deserves all the...

The Forge Connoisseur Brunch

Have you heard about the Connoisseur Brunch at Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi? If you enjoy exclusivity, excellent food, fair price, outstanding service, don't miss it. The Connoisseur Brunch is held at The Forge Restaurant, ground floor of Ritz Carlton AD, on Saturdays. That's a concept of elevated option of brunch, in a more private dinning area. It's quieter, elegant and cozy. We get spoiled with sea food gravlax, oysters, blinis with quality caviar, steak tartare, prime cuts of meat grilled to perfection, sided with all trimmings, in addition to scandalous cheese selection, and desserts. As it is not enough, adjacent you find the Giornotte Restaurant with vibrant options of the brunch, lively with music and tons of options from different cuisines. If you're at the Connoisseur Brunch, you can stretch some steps and help yourself at the Giornotte, with no additional cost. But personally, I find all complete at Connoisseur. The Connoisseur Brunch is a celebration of style and food. We have long story with Ritz Carlton, where we've being celebrating our special dates as a family. Now living in Abu Dhabi, we gladly met Roshan Dsouza, who is spoiling us with the best, and making us feeling very special. Thanks for presenting us with the best. A late note: this past Saturday, chef delighted us with a deconstructed tiramisu. Perfection...