FASHION CAFE (AL WAHDA MALL, ABU DHABI)
Sunday, October 12, 2014Several weeks ago, while strolling in Al Wahda Mall, we passed by this posh cafe that looks fashionably stunning. Judging just by the looks of its interior, I was hesitant that it may cost us a fortune to dine in this place. I was ready to let it go in my list of must-try restaurants / cafes for practical reasons but my very supportive husband told me that we have an entertainer voucher for it. (This entertainer is really great! It's like getting a 50% discount on your bill every time you use the voucher when dining in.) So, we decided to give this Fashion Cafe a try.
This fashion inspired cafe has the ambiance of a fancy world full of glitz and glamour. Their elegant couches in silver and gold, drop crystal chandelier, and tv screens embedded on the walls are such an effective head turner. This instagram worthy place is truly irresistible, you will find it hard not to take a few photos of this one-of-a-kind dining place.
Another unique thing about this cafe is that they don't have printed menu for the customers. Instead, you will be provided with an ipad where you can see their menu and select the dish that you wish to order. Just look at how my sister enjoyed placing her order. (Feeling like the fashion icon, Carrie Bradshaw, from Sex and the City".. Haha!)
Since we have just had our lunch, the four of us decided to just share over two pasta dishes. We just really tried to experience this cafe and see if they have good food.
Of the two pasta, the Beef Lasagna (AED 42) had a more generous serving. The layers of lasagne sheets, beef sauce, and creamy cheese looked tantalizing which would surely make any pasta lover drool. The presentation of this dish highlighted the red pasta sauce and the creamy cheese in a very bright way. In terms of taste, the pasta was cooked "al dente" and the sauce had the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. The pasta itself is an excellent Italian treat! However, the three slices of garlic bread on the side of this dish were small and thin, I had a hard time appreciating them.
The Pasta Alfredo (AED 42) made from penne pasta tossed with parmesan cheese, melted butter, chicken, and mushrooms looked good on the plate with its rich decadent cream. However, I find it bland and lacking a little bit of flavor. Maybe, adding some more parmesan cheese would give this dish enough saltiness and make it more tasty.
For dessert, we had a slice of their Cheesecake (AED 22) which appeared to be a little small. It did not look appealing on the plate and it did not taste special as well. It's just a plain ordinary cheesecake which costs too much for 22 dirhams. I don't intend to be rude. I'm just being brutally honest when I say that their plain cheesecake is nothing compared to Cheesecake Factory's original cheesecake (pardon my redundancy).
In terms of service, they're excellent. They have a short waiting time for the food to be served and the staff were friendly, accommodating, and sensitive to the customer's needs. The downside is, this cafe is a little bit expensive for a small serving of food and their bottled water costs like gold. I just think that their 500mL of mineral water is overpriced at AED 6.00 each. I mean, come on, it's just a local mineral water housed in a plastic (not even glass) bottle which costs AED 1.00 in Corniche's vending machine or AED 3.00 max if you buy it in the food court or other restaurants. Giving it a price of AED 6.00 is just too much!
Overall, for me, you shouldn't go to this cafe is what you are looking for is a bountiful feast, satisfaction of tastebuds, and value for money. However, if what you are after is a picture perfect venue for catching up with your fashionista friends, then this is the best place to be!
Fashion Cafe
Level 1, Al Wahda Mall, Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi
Telephone No. 02 4410661
Mobile No. 056 2995015
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