Meat on the menu

01. BOA Steakhouse

A favourite of the jet set in Hollywood for good reason, the farmhouse-styled BOA Steakhouse is known for its selection of top-of-the-line US grain-fed dry-aged beef, Australian Blackmore wagyu and master kobe cuts.

Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed 12.30pm to 1am, Thur 12.30pm to 2am, Fri 12.30pm to 5pm and 6pm to 1am. Tel: (02) 6411500. Taxi: Eastern .Mangroves. boaabudhabi.ae

02. The Foundry

Every evening The Foundry transforms from buffet space to swanky steakhouse – complete with a butter cart featuring six homemade varieties (including smoked turkey bacon and curry flavour) to smother on warm bread. There’s even a dedicated salt guru on hand offering four varieties to pair with your chosen steak.

Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 7pm to 11pm. Tel: (02) 8184888. Taxi: Southern Sun hotel, near Corniche Hospital. tsogosunhotels.com

03. Bill’s Farm

Located on the breakwater next to Heritage Village, Bill’s Farm serves dry-aged cuts of meat, chicken and seafood with a distinct Mediterranean slant.

Marina Mall breakwater, Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to 1am. Tel: (02) 6661179. Taxi: right before Heritage Village, near the breakwater. pentainvestment.net/project/bills-farm

04. Park Bar & Grill

Located on Saadiyat Island, Park Bar & Grill’s menu features a selection of traditional charcoal-grilled seafood and meat dishes. Food is of a good standard and the location is incredibly romantic – grab a table outside to really soak up the atmosphere.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 7pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (02) 4071234. Taxi: Park Hyatt. abudhabi.park.hyatt.com

05. Chamas

One for serious meat eaters, Brazilian churrascaria Chamas doles out 16 different types of meat (including wagyu cuts) to you tableside via piping hot skewers. It’s all-you-can eat, so servers will keep coming round as the meat gets cooked. Use the traffic light red or green cards to let staff know if you want more (or more likely, need a breather).

InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, daily 6pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (02) 6666888. Taxi: InterContinental hotel. dining-intercontinental-ad.aehttp://www.dining-intercontinental-ad.ae/

06. The Forge

The Forge offers top-quality meat from around the world – the menu features Australian, US, Argentinian, Russian, Spanish, French and Canadian cuts. You’ll also be presented with a choice of six handmade French Laguiole steak knives to use.

Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta’a, Abu Dhabi, daily 7pm to 11pm. Tel: (02) 8188282. Taxi: Ritz-Carlton. ritzcarlton.com

07. Suhail

The Suhail grill and lounge is located in the middle of the Liwa desert and features a rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the red dunes. The slick steaks (there’s 9+ grade master kobe beef on offer) are also worth checking out.

Qasr Al Sarab By Anantara, Liwa Desert, Abu Dhabi, daily 7pm to 10.30pm. Tel: (02) 8862088. Taxi: Qasr Al Sarab. qasralsarab.anantara.com

08. Nusr-Et

Currently in soft opening phase, the Abu Dhabi outlet of this Turkish steakhouse at The Galleria is as much about the food as it is trying to get a glimpse or tableside carving (and obligatory salt sprinkling) from Instagram sensation Salt Bae.

The Galleria, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to midnight. Tel: (02) 6799949. Taxi: Galleria, Al Maryah Island. nusr-et.com.tr

09. Choice Cut Steakhouse

While not the swankiest of options, Choice Cut Steakhouse offers good quality fare for budget-conscious carnivores. Case in point: the restaurant is currently hosting an unlimited steak promotion that’s valid until the end of the month and sees diners eat as much as they want from four different cuts of steak for just Dhs108.

Novotel Abu Dhabi, Al Bustan, Al Aman, Abu Dhabi, Mon to Sat 6.30pm to midnight. Tel: (02) 5016444. Taxi: Novotel Al Bustan, Airport Road, near Adnec. novotel.com

10. Butcher & Still

The Four Seasons’ new speakeasy-styled steakhouse gets major points for atmosphere (check out the secret dining room if you haven’t already) and doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the main event. Food is of a high standard and service is unobtrusive and professional. Try the 14oz Kansas City Strip – you won’t regret it.

Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 6pm to midnight. Tel: (02) 3332700. Taxi: Four Seasons. fourseasons.com

11. Stratos

All the beef at this revolving restaurant in Le Royal Méridien is from John Stone, an Irish brand known for their sustainable farming practices. The grass-fed beef is then dry-aged for at least three weeks for added flavour.

Le Royal Méridien, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi. Mon to Wed 5pm to 2am, Thur and Fri 5pm to 3am. Tel: (800) 101101. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien. stratosabudhabi.com

12. Jazz Bar & Dining

Another good choice for those watching their wallets, Jazz Bar & Dining, which revamped its décor and venue space last September, serves a small selection of steaks that will set you back Dhs100 or so. The live music here is also pretty decent.

Hilton Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed 7pm to 2am, Thur and Fri 7pm to 3am. Tel: (02) 6811900. Taxi: Hilton Corniche. hilton.com

13. Entrecote Café de Paris

The clue is in the name at this outlet, which only features four kinds of entrecote steak. A traditional French cut, the steak is sourced from between the ribs, sliced and then doused in a top-secret sauce and served alongside salad and fries.

Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed noon to 11.30pm, Thur and Fri noon to midnight. Tel: (02) 5576508. Taxi: Souk Qaryat Al Beri. entrecote.ae

Unique cuts of beef and where to try them

Beef cheeks

Try it: Braised beef cheeks at JW Steakhouse

What is it? Chewing on cheek muscles may not sound appetising, but this cut of meat is braised to make it tender. Using marbled Australian wagyu beef, it’s served in an open ravioli with parsnip, granny smith apple and jus.

Marriott Hotel Downtown, Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi, daily 6pm to 1am, Dhs110. Tel: (02) 3047777. Taxi: Marriott Downtown, near Al Wahda Mall. marriott.com

Sirloin

Try it: Australian black onyx sirloin at Blue Grill

What is it? Produced by Rangers Valley in Australia, the 300-day grain fed beef features a marbling score of 3 plus and is seasoned with Persian blue salt and herbs.

Yas Island Rotana, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 6pm to midnight, Dhs155 for 200 grams, Dhs175 for 350 grams. Tel: (02) 6564000. Taxi: Yas Island. rotana.com

Plate

Try it: 400g Hanger Steak at BBQ Al Qasr

What is it? Known as a ‘butcher’s steak’ because the pros would keep this cut for themselves, it’s prized for its flavour.
“It’s usually the most tender cut,” chef de cuisine Yann Lohez tells us, “and is best marinated and cooked over high heat (grilled or broiled) and served rare or medium rare.”

Emirates Palace, Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, daily 1pm to 5pm, 7pm to 11.30pm, Dhs320. Tel: (02) 6907999. Taxi: Emirates Palace. kempinski.com

Brisket

Try it: 72 Hour Brisket at Capital Grill

What is it? A typically tough cut of meat due to the excessive collagen fibres, the marinated brisket is slow cooked at 65 degrees Celsius in a sous vide for 72 hours for a fall-off-the-fork meal.

Dusit Thani, Al Nayhan, Abu Dhabi, daily 7pm to 10.30pm, Dhs121 for 343 grams, Dhs199 for 610 grams. Tel: (02) 6988888. Taxi: Dusit Thani. dusit.com

Ribs

Try it: Australian Barbecue Beef Short Ribs at The Meat Co

What is it? Defined as the first to fifth rib, the meat between the bones is used heavily, but that doesn’t deter from the flavour. The short ribs here are braised in a barbecue sauce for four hours.

Souk at Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to 11.30pm, Dhs270. Tel: (02) 5581713. Taxi: Souk at Qaryat Al Beri. themeatco.com

Tenderloin

Try it: USDA Chateaubriand at Ray’s Grill

What is it? This is a cut from the thick end of the tenderloin, meaning it will be tender and full of flavour. Cooked over hot charcoals for a smoky touch, the chef recommends serving it at medium rare or medium for optimal taste.

Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to 3.30pm, 7pm to 11.30pm, Dhs600 with two sides and sauces. Tel: (02) 8115666. Taxi: Etihad Towers. jumeirah.com

Three tomahawks to try

55&5th

55&5th serves tomahawk made from 21 day-aged prime Spanish beef cooked over charcoals in a Josper oven. Executive chef Malcolm Barrow Webster says the cow’s grass-fed diet makes for “savoury flavours of great depth and complexity”.

St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 7pm to midnight, Dhs850. Tel: (02) 4988888. Taxi: St. Regis Saadiyat. 55and5thabudhabi.com

Marco Pierre White

Competitive eaters should check out the tomahawk challenge – can you down 1kg of charcoal grilled meat, sides including garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed mushrooms and asparagus as well as a litre of drink in 30 minutes or less? Only three have emerged victorious so far.

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Bain Al Jessrain, Abu Dhabi, Wed 6pm to 11pm, Dhs650, or free if challenge completed. Tel: (02) 6543333. Taxi: Fairmont. fairmont.com

Rodeo Grill

Measuring approximately 1,250 grams, this grain-fed tomahawk steak from the USA is available for two and served with two sides. Aged for 28 days and cooked in a Josper grill oven, the restaurant opts for centre cut steaks to avoid pieces with the largest fat deposits and smallest rib eye cap.

Beach Rotana, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 12.30pm to 3.30pm and 7pm to 11.30pm, Dhs750. Tel: (02) 6979000. Taxi: next to Abu Dhabi Mall. rotana.com

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