A stunning poolside venue at the gorgeous Rotana Saadiyat Resort & Villas serving some excellent seafood and grills.
Nestled by the magnificent pool at the Rotana Saadiyat Resort and Villas the Turtle Bay Bar & Grill is an elegant and stylish venue serving the freshest seafood along with excellent grills.
Its a neat little place with stylish interiors featuring a central bar island with a glassed in open style kitchen and floor to ceiling glass windows offering stunning views of he pool.
There is a variety of seating options, from the super cool poolside deck to a smattering of tables inside and at night the swanky terrace is open offering stunning views of the beach while you enjoy an excellent steak dinner.
The Food
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Turtle Bay has an elegant menu focused on seafood and meat dishes with a smattering of vegetarian options to keep everyone happy. You can have your lunch in your swimming shorts or dress up for an elegant evening meal on the terrace, its that sort of place.
The Starters
We were over in the afternoon, the excelled weather begged to be enjoyed so we got a nice corner table overlooking the pool and the white sandy beach beyond.
The starters were so difficult to choose given the many interesting options one of which was the Cauliflower Popcorn that we had never tired before. The dish was stunning topped with slivers of pecorino and a tangy truffle tofu dip, we must say this took the humble cauliflower to a different level.
A selection of sushi was up next, the Spider Roll with the soft shell crab with the honey wasabi sauce was decadent and was gone in no time. The Crusted California also lived up to its name, crusty and crunchy with excellent taste.
The Mains
We chose Angus Sirloin medium well which came with a bowl of the creamiest mash potatoes we have had in a while. The beef was perfectly cooked and with the Wild Mushroom sauce tasted simply superb.
Another highlight was the breaded Veal Cutlet,, crunchy on the outside, soft and moist on the inside which paired well with the peppercorn sauce, this is a must try the tenderness of the milk fed veal is outstanding.
The Corn Fed Chicken Breast was another stunning entrée, the honey and soy glaze along with the confit celery gave it great flavor which was enhanced by the superb orange kumquat chutney, lip smacking good.
The Desserts
When it comes to desserts Turtle Bay has a small but elegant selection. The Creamy Brulees are decadent, we tried the Raspberry & Lemon and it was a match made in heaven, the burnt sugar crust adding great flavor to the tartness of the lemon.
Their Chocolatey Fondants are outstanding too, we tried the Dark Chocolate & Matcha Green Tea version and loved the depth of flavor with the warm chocolate spilling out as we dig into the center, just delicious.
The Verdict
A truly exceptional restaurant with the most picturesque outdoor seating in Abu Dhabi and excellent food. The staff are courteous and well trained on the menu so they will be able to suggest what suits your fancy perfectly and pair it with the ideal drinks.
The rooftop terrace is one of the most stunning venues on the island with exceptional views paired with the great food and music, we will definitely be back soon.
The Contact
For reservations and more information please call +971 2 697 0000
