Given the relative affluence of (a certain category of) expats in Abu Dhabi, it’s surprising to me that we don’t see more high-end brands like Jones the Grocer trying to take hold here. I’m obviously not the only one to be tempted by the blend of “health consciousness” and “slow-food attitude” they bring to the UAE. And it’s fair to say, given the prices they command, that we are craving the stuff.
The location is one of those all inclusive épicerie / deli / eatery which try to encourage a fake communal atmosphere by cramming many more tables than reasonable into limited space. Don’t get me wrong, it is a very nice place, fairly large, – and you really can’t go wrong with huge bottles of the most expensive olive oil in the world (don’t ask …) and artsy packs of pasta as decoration. But I don’t see the point of an open counter selling cheese and antipasti right in the middle of the room. Then again, there’s probably a reason why I don’t run an upscale dining franchise.
Two other gripes to get out of the way. One, for some reason the non-smoking bug hasn’t caught on yet, so you’re liable to spend some time balancing the delicate fragrance of balsamic vinegar on your salad with the more pungent aroma of american tobacco. Two, on the day of our visit, service was excruciatingly slow. To the point of having to send back for bread and more bread to start feeding our two starving kids.
That said, it is a nice place, and the food did live up to expectations when it was finally delivered. The staff, despite the slow service, was extremely friendly. And now that another Abu Dhabi blogger has seen a very well known figure pay a visit, I’ll probably go back to do some people watching.
Looking at their web site, it seems they are opening two new stores in close succession: Khalidiya, which is probably even more un-parkeable than their current store on Murroor and 15th; and Al Raha, to which I say YEAH, it’s about time people started recognising that we don’t ALL live on-island. The real gem, if you spot it, is the store that’s not open to the public. At my place of work, we only have a poor ”Le Boulanger” with dry sandwiches. At the ministry of Presidential Affairs, their canteen is a Jones the Grocer. Ultimate high-end.
I’ve been looking through your blog and wondering what must it be like to live so far away from your native land in a place so different to what you’ve known.
Hi Kala. That’s really what the blog is about: I’m not sure I realize myself what it is like. So I’m trying to document it.
But really, with a daily job and a family, you forget about the strangeness and believe it or not, there are days when it’s as boring as living back home!