Abu Dhabi - Amazing Food, Expatriates & Staying Fresh in the U.A.E.

Lebanese Mill (Garlic cream
on the top right)

          Just recently I crossed the seven month threshold of living in Abu Dhabi.  I find it interesting to look back on my previous entries and how I have evolved over time.  Experience, increased comfort and extended knowledge has given me new clarity when it comes to what I see when I look at the exact same city I saw six months ago.  The new normal: a phrase I like to use when talking about adjusting to life's many curve-balls dealt to each individual over the course of their lives.  Abu Dhabi is definitely becoming my "new normal" but I have not fully given in to accepting this new city as my home.  I first noticed this when I was returning with Sarah back from our holiday in Scotland.  We spent two weeks touring around Scotland and when we returned to Abu Dhabi after it all, it seems strange to us that we were back.  It was almost like we should have been returning somewhere else after our holiday was over.  That feeling did not last very long before I settled back in again, but I found it to be an interesting status indicator of where I am at in my adjustment here in Abu Dhabi and the U.A.E.  Basically that this city is slowly becoming my home, but it may be some time before it really sinks in.  

           The U.A.E. is unique in the fact that there really is no other place on the planet at the moment where people from all over the world are consistently migrating over for work opportunities.  The U.S. has been referred to as a cultural melting pot and there are certainly many pockets of diverse culture, but there is a different type of flavor here in the U.A.E.  In my opinion the U.S. almost absorbs other cultures to create an "American" culture.  However in the U.A.E. I get the sense of authentic cultural experiences wherever I go.  Because many expats are here on semi short term stays, it seems that cultural heritage, habit and practice are retained in more concentration.  And it is for this reason that anyone coming to work here receives a front row seat to the majority of the worlds cultures.  It is a remarkably rewarding experience to have this type of cultural exposure on a regular basis.  Any challenges that are associated with these scenarios are worth it a thousand times over compared to the value these experience add to your life.  When you think about where you live and where your home is, you are in your own little world with its own intricacies that make it home to you.  Now if you assume everyone around the world has home just like that, there are an infinite number of little universes out there to explore and learn about.  For me personally to be able to go into another persons world and be able to learn and grow in that place is such a gift.  I think if everyone took the opportunity to explore and learn about someone with a background and history different from their own, the world would be a much more tolerant and peaceful place.  I find it is much harder for people to judge something or someone if you have made a personal connection to what you are looking at.      

Shawarma Time (the real people
who serve me!)

            In the interest of keeping the diversity theme I will mention a collection of restaurants that I have frequented during the last seven months here.  On my very first day in Abu Dhabi, my first lunch was at a place my work buddy Clay brought Sarah and I to called the Lebanese Mill.  This was the place I had mentioned in one of my earlier blogs where I kept getting lamb instead of the shish taouk that I kept trying to order when Clay had brought me there.  The shish tauok is my favorite meal there which basically consists of fries (chips), chicken, pickles and garlic cream.  The garlic cream is the kicker of the meal, I have never experienced this before Abu Dhabi, suffice it to say I am still very much addicted to the substance.  If you have not tried garlic cream, please look up the recipe and make some up, if you like garlic, you will not be disappointed.  Although even hours after consumption, Sarah can tell that it was a "garlic cream" day, so be wary of its affects on others after you dine.    

Hanoi (Sun Tower)

          Another restaurant I am visiting more often recently is Shawarma Time, this joint serves chicken or beef shawarma (sometimes turkey).  Shawarma is basically a choice of meat placed on a spit and then roasted for as long as a day, then it is shaved off in small pieces and put into a sandwich or dish.  My favorite is the chicken saj shawarma with you guessed it, garlic sauce and pickles.  
          Pinoy Big Brother is a Filipino restaurant where I was introduced to a meal called Sigsig (see crackling video example above) which is basically all of these peppers with chicken or beef, and a raw egg placed on a steaming hot skillet which is brought out to you as the egg is cooking.  I have yet to identify the oil that is used to cook everything but it tastes amazing (which probably means its bad for you).  You can order this at three varying levels of spiciness.     

Arabic Coffee

          A restaurant Sarah and I frequent in our building is called Hanoi which is a Vietnamese cuisine.  We consistently order a dish called the chicken bun ga, which is basically this compilation of rice noodles, greens (including mint) and chicken with brown sauce and peppers to add on the side.  We usually eat this meal about once a week and now we are greeted by the hosts at Hanoi with the immediate response "same thing?", as we have never departed from our chicken "bun ga" choice order.  
          During my orientation tour I was brought to a restaurant called Cafe Arabia, which up to this point is still the best place to order Arabic food fusions that taste incredible.  My favorite local drinks would have to be Arabic coffee (which has so many spices it tastes more like tea) which is the only time I have considered coffee to taste good and cardamom tea (also called "Karak" tea) which is this mildly spiced tea with hot milk.

Sarah at The One
Restaurant

           My latest favorite restaurant hang out is a place called The One which is near Emirates palace.  I found this little gem on Zomato about a month ago and took some time finding it.  It turns out The One is also a total home experience store which is basically like Pottery Barn on steroids.  The restaurant is in the far back of the home decor store on the second floor.  You have to navigate to the back to find a table, most items at your table including chairs, light fixtures and utensils are for sale in the store.  The unique placement of the restaurant in the store surrounded by various decor scenes gives you a sort of "Night at The Muesum" vibe which makes for an enjoyable time.  Oh, and the food is quite good too.        
           Sarah and I are currently taking another step to express our desire for a semi permanent stay in Abu Dhabi by looking at condominiums to purchase.  Buying property here is rather different than the U.S. and since we are non-Emiratis we also can only purchase property in designated areas.  We are currently close to closing on a property on Reem Island which is where we currently live.  We wanted to buy a unit in our current building, but prices are too inflated at the moment, so we bought down the road from our tower in hopes that new development over the years will also raise the price of our newly purchased unit.  We currently live in Sun tower and are going to be moving to Amaya Towers in the next month or so.  Our new two bedroom unit has a beautiful view of the Gulf as well as Saadiyat Island.  The unit also has a long deck stretching with patio doors in both the living room and master bedroom.      

Amaya Towers (Our new home)

           At this current juncture of my time in Abu Dhabi I think it is important to call out that it really is a privilege to live and work in the United Arab Emirates.  I sense that there is a constant battle to not become spoiled by all of the wonderful amenities that we could only dream of having back in our home country (or at least pay a premium for).  My goal is to continue to appreciate this amazing opportunity we have along with the benefits it gives us both towards our future and our quality of life now.  It is easy to see how one can become accustomed to all of these benefits and make rash decisions when minor issues arise.  I want to make sure not fall into that same mindset and keep our lifestyle in check realizing what we have and why we are here.  Ultimately we are here to serve the Emirati people, to sustain life here in all sectors, to train in areas of need and bring the same quality that is expected anywhere else in the modern world.  In pursuit of completing these goals, we have the privilege to live here, experience rich diverse culture in an extremely safe and tolerant country.  In the world today I cannot think of a better scenario for those open and willing to explore the mystery of the unknown.  So here I am at seven months, my goal is to continue to try and stay "fresh" in Abu Dhabi remembering what we have and what a true privilege it is to be here.  By fresh I mean keeping the same open mind I had when I first came to the U.A.E., holding on to that curiosity that makes this place so amazing to be a part of and remembering to maintain that energy going forward.  This is one of the main reasons I have been recording all of these experiences since I arrived, to consider where I am going (in terms of attitude and state of mind) but most importantly remembering where I came from.