A Dish Fit For the Gods!

A fitting title to this blog, as this is a quote from Shakespeare's

Julius Ceasar.  A new restaurant in our neighborhood, although

not new to Abu Dhabi is Shakespeare and Company.  Offering a collection

of cuisines including: American, British, French, Greek, Middle

Eastern will satisfy the most persnickety of palates!

In addition to great meals - they are known for their sweets! 

My favorite is the lemon sorbet served in the lemon - so refreshing!

While all over the UAE, there is a location in
Lexington, KY.  Why the UAE? I can not find
the answer, but I will.  A nostalgic, victorian
escape....you can't help but eat with manners!

It's just so charming!  Everyone loves this place!

The decor is rich and regal, but eclectic as well. I love
the patio, but also enjoy the parlor dining area.  

The sweets counter is HUGE!  You can't come in without
seeing all the goodies.  Should we skip the meal and
go right to the treat?  Awwww....let's do both!

This is my kind of fridge!
Do NOT recommend if you're on a DIET!

My absolute favorite!  I'll take one, please and thank you!

A little to rich for my taste - but they do like good. 

It's like a boy and girl  version of this desert.  The girls
does appear to be more fancy. 

I have not had this yet....I'm afraid I will like them too much!

Shakespeare and Co's answer to the Klondike Bar.
What would you do for one of these?

Say Cheese!  Cheese Cake that is!

 Three Words:  Until Next Time!

Bring the man to the food and HE WILL EAT!

Virginia Woolf said "one cannot think well, love well, 

sleep well, if one is not dined well."  So, I thought

since D has had a little trouble adjusting to the time

change to bring him to one of the favorite places 

in the Al Reehan Neighborhood, a Lebanese 

                                             Restaurant, Al Fawar. 

Similar to the tapas of Spain and antipasto of Italy, mezze is 

small dishes placed before guests in an array of colors, flavors,

textures and aromas.  The serving of food is family style and while 

together to eat, it is a time to celebrate each others company.  

Mezze may be as simple as pickled or raw veggies, hummus and bread. 

Simple decor, but great staff and some of the best
food I have ever had in my entire life!  Duane
agrees with me....he enjoyed the whole experience!

Keskun - this is CHEERS in Lebanse!

The mezze we were served!  

Chicken Shawarma with hummus, pickles, yogurt and
potatoes.  Yes, they are what we call french fries.

Served with flat bread you can eat the plate as is,
or you can make sandwiches.  Either way it is delectable!

Three Words:  Another GREAT find!

City, City Lights!

 Louis Ferdinand Celine said "experience is a dim lamp, 

which only lights the one who bears it" - this says it all - 

as D and I are taking in all the experiences of our 

adventure.  We are now together soaking in the city, 

the culture, the fun, the sun and the endless list of things to do!

 We're on the top of our world, actually
 the 9th floor, but what panoramic views!  

From the roof, you can see from the back of our building
that faces toward the older part of the Al Reehan area!
The area is a charming mix of old and new!

Just outside our window we see five Embassies:
American, Amenia, Kuwait, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
and the Embassy of Qatar. Nearby  are eight more including:
Embassy of Jordan, India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Iran, Iraq
and Turkey. The building that is so clear in the foreground is the
ADNEC  Exhibition Center.  I have mentioned this in previous posts,
 the most modern exhibition center in the world, opened four
years ago by the UAE president and ruler of Abu Dhabi, His
Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The colors are representative of the UAE flag and on display
everywhere as National Day is Friday, 2nd December. 

The lights have a progressive pattern of illumination,
changing colors and becoming more vibrant.
It's spectacular and is setting the stage for National Day!

Three Words:  Abu Dhabi Nights!

A little trip to China

How do you know if you're in an authentic 

Chinese Restaurant?  No fortune cookies. 

Again in our neighborhood, Al Rehhan, in 

Abu Dhabi, just around the corner is the 

Oasis Gardens ....a new favorite for D!

Having been there once before with my friends
 - we ordered a dish that my friend Trevor had -
Sizzling Beef Skillet with beef fried rice.
 You can smell it before you see it.
Your mouth begins to water.  

The flavor,  spicy, but so tasty.  We savored
every bite!  There was nothing left - we ate the whole thing!

The inside decor....it's colorful and inviting and so
is the staff.  We did not get a fortune cookie, but
this place is a good find and lucky it's so close. 

Three Words:  Confucius say "delicious"

A Sweet Date!

Out and about in Abu Dhabi - in our neighborhood

Al Rehhan, I brought Duane to a swanky, 

exclusive place -  that has what every girl wants.

Ohhhh la la!  

Whoopie!  It's a whoopie pie and cappuccino!

National Day - it must be around the corner!
Yep, it's Friday, 2 December!

da bill!

Can you find this in Tiffany's?

You guessed right if you thought we were in a cupcake
boutique!  Just a hop, skip and a jump to confection heaven!

Three Words: Yum, Yumm, Yummm!

Thanksgiving in the UAE!

Thanksgiving is our first holiday away from

home (USA) and it was a difficult day for many

of our friends here.  We all had to work on 

Thursday - so our big celebration was on

Friday.  However, on Thursday we did find

a turkey special at Jone's The Grocer.

This turkey dish with sage stuffing, peas, stacked
scalloped potatoes was delicious!  Very TASTY!

Pumpkin Pie?  Not the kind I make,  but this was
the UAE version. Between two pie pastries was a
pumpkin filling.  Still looking for "real" pumpkin pie
in the UAE!

Now onto the real Thanksgiving!
Patrice was our hostess and organizer of the day.

The table is set for 10!  Can't wait!

It's hard to find a turkey, more difficult to find a working
oven.  We don't have gas yet in our flats, so those of us
who bought gas appliances are wishing we had gone electric!
Trevor and Carolyn Holliday brought the UAE turkey, aka
chicken.....it was yummy!  Thank you - great presentation!

I made homemade cranberries!  Better than canned
any day!  If you know me.....this is Thanksgiving!

Trevor - he carved the meat!

Butternut Squash, Mashed Potatoes, Peas and Pearled Onions
Carrots, Cranberries and Gravy.....just like home!

From Left to Right:  Trevor, but you can't see him, but
he is there, Carolyn, ME, Michelle, Mary, Patrice (our hostess)
Dave, Rayeann and Samantha!   Duane is there too...
but he is taking the photo.  A great feast!

Three Words:  OUR AD Framily!

Duane is Here!

After three months in the UAE, Duane is joining me!

Heading to the Airport to get Duane....He is coming Home!

While waiting at the Abu Dhabi Airport  we saw
many National Day Pre-Celebrations!  Falcons are
very important to the Emirates and one of the events
was getting up close to the falcons!  It was cool!

My friend Stacy who drove me to the airport to get Duane
was just a little scared of the falcon, but still a great picture. 

Yes....she was scared!

Flash Mob UAE style!  Again, pre- National Day
celebrations!  Very entertaining. 

We were invited over to the rugs to get henna designs
and if we had more time that would have been fun to do!

I see him!

He now sees me!

Almost there!

The hug.....

The kiss, not appropriate for UAE culture, but
we live on the edge!

Another hug!

I love this guy....I want a picture with the camel and
he is cool with it!  Welcome to my obsession with photos!

Packing the car!

Yes, it will all fit!

I can get it all in!

Very Happy he is here!

Back at Danat - Duane is finally home!

Three Words: Home Sweet Home!