Across Abu Dhabi’s Hamdan neighbourhood, nestled on the ground floor of Courtyard by Marriott Hotel is a new chic neighbourhood hangout the ‘Fifth Street Café’. Not surprised at all by the name, rather very apt considering Hamdan street is on the fifth street in Abu Dhabi city. Bright interiors, swings hanging from the ceiling, the sound of the coffee maker and people chatting welcomed us into the restaurant.
Sunny Saturday afternoon and we were just in time for lunch. Oh! I meant Brunch as I woke up so late that day. The ‘Fifth Street Café’ bridges the hotel’s cafe to the World Trade Center Mall and the main Hamdan street, making this an unmissable spot. We took a corner seat to ensure we could capture every glimpse of the restaurant while dining.
Good News! This café is open for breakfast all day. Which I say, is perfect for those who love Eggs Benedict for dinner. And that is one of the restaurant’s popular picks for breakfast. However since we’d come over for brunch, we needed some protein and carbs to help us get through the day. My friend and I ordered the Lentil & Pumpkin soup along with the restaurants popular appetizer ‘Eggplant Caponata on Toast’ to begin this meal. The soup and Caponata was light, fresh, served generously and nutritive in all possible ways. I was so glad to hear upon chatting with Hanna the restaurant manager that the ‘Fifth Street Café’ cares about healthy and organic food. It’s the right kind of message you want your diners to take home.
Amidst all the fun and dining, we forgot to order our drinks and kept sipping through water. Mercifully, our server Cindy got us some fresh juice and milkshakes which were creamy, fresh and delicious. For our mains I ordered the restaurant’s signature dish ‘Steak & Mushroom Pie’ and my friend opted to go with the slow-cooked meatballs in tomato sauce which I think sounded great. So when the food arrived we knew that we’d share them, considering the portioning was great. I jumped in first to try my ‘Steak & Mushroom Pie’ and I enjoyed my first, second and third bites. It had a distinct, chewy flavour and the cheese added a great aroma to the Angus beef. My friend enjoyed the pie very much and I think he ended up having more of the pie than the meat balls. The slow-cooked meat balls were soft, well-seasoned and tasted brilliant at the same time.
So we’d reach that point when are tummy gave up on us. And I was about to surrender unto the ‘Fifth Street Café’, but only then I heard our server recommend their organic coffees. And I readily said yes. That’s always been my motto in life to eat healthy and be fit as far as I can. My friend and I thought the coffee was so much lighter, crisp and heavenly when paired with the Oreo Cheesecake for our dessert. I enjoyed my Cappuccino and it was better than the latte my friend had ordered, but that remains a mystery as he never got to try my coffee.
It was nice experience to visit the ‘Fifth Street Café’, the restaurant gives out positive vibes and has something different to offer the city’s neighbourhood. Which so to say, is one of the main reasons I’d like to recommend this chic café as a must visit option.
I’d love to hear about your favourite hangout place in the city. Do let me know if there’s something interesting I should try next time.
Disclaimer: My friend and I were invited to sample food at the restaurant. Fifth Street Café at Courtyard by Marriott did not advise us about anything. Pictures were shot on my iPhone 6 and Fujifilm AX-1. Do credit the writer/ photographer should you want to share the images.
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