The Abu Dhabi Edition Hotel, Alba Terrace Restaurant, is a tucked-away gem in the Al Bateen/Al Marasy district. Chef Tom Aikens has a carefully curated daily lunch special for 95AED or 195AED inclusive with free-flow bubbly and house grape. Lunch diners get to choose unlimited orders from a set selection of generous appetizers, mains, and ice cream selection. In addition, there are options to add on favorites from their signature dish offerings for additional AED. The settings are fresh, bright, and soothing, with lovely background music gently playing. Alba Terrace reminds this Housewife of coastal life in Del Mar, California, with the cool white marble tabletops, silver-tone floor lanterns, green tropical plants abound, and gorgeous modern copper accents. The wait staff is professional, personable, and proficient. At the time of this writing, the weather was beginning to heat up. The intimate outdoor dining area begs for many returns as the weather cools towards the later months of the year. Until then, the indoor seating at Alba Restaurant is more than perfect, with open views of the outdoors. This is a lovely place to escape for a much-needed date with a book, some bubbles, and delicious dining. Or, my favorite, midday meet-up with girlfriends after horseback riding, or an unplanned lunch with hubby in between meetings.
