Best restaurants in Abu Dhabi

While I have started to explore the idea of cooking at home -- yesterday I successfully experimented with a slow-cooked pot roast -- my wife and I still love to hit the town and dine in style with the best of them in Abu Dhabi.

Let's get down to brass tacks here: this city has many fabulous hotels, which feature many different restaurants. We have not eaten at all of them. Not even close.

That is why I do not consider myself an accredited restaurant critic. So don't hate.

I am just another empty mouth to feed as we are are in constant search for good, affordable grub. So the following list was compiled with absolutely zero allegiance to any of these fine establishments.

But each of them made the final cut because we like them and continue to visit them again and again. So take that for what it's worth and Bon Apetit!

(Drumroll, please...) Our Top 10 in no particular order:

Noodle Bowl

Located at A1 Madina Al Riyadiya, next Zayed Sports City. Phone# 02 447 2405

I would say it's one of the best Chinese food restaurants in town as we are addicted to the dim sum. It's sort of a hidden gem because it is located above a bowling alley. So random. They actually have a balcony that overlooks the bowling lanes. Classic for people watching. They do not sell booze.

Le Boujolias

Located at A1 Madina Al Riyadiya, next Zayed Sports City. Phone# 02 447 2405

An old-school French cuisine restaurant with a pulse. We come for the steak entrees and always find the time to dabble with an assortment of delicious starters like Escargots and frog legs cooked in buffalo sauce. The smoking room in the back is where all the action is. Cheap house wine served in crafts.

Lebanese Flower

Located at Defense Road, Al Dhafra. Phone# 02 641 4128

Outdoor dining area is always special and the food -- they have the best schwarma in town -- is very good but the service in notoriously bad. You have to put up with douche bag servers hitting on your wife right in front of you. The food comes out when it's ready and they take cash only. Kind of shady. No booze.

Indian Palace

Located at Mushrif Mall, 2nd Street and Airport Road. Phone# 02 447 2420

Been there with actual Indian people  -- mad street credit -- and they give this place high reviews. The menu goes on forever as the options are endless. The booths are pretty cool as you can shut the doors for privacy. It is inside a mall but you lose track of that as soon as you walk in. No strong drink.

FANR

Located at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island. Phone# 02 657 5888

One of my favorite afternoon chill spots. Also a must for visitors. Not only is it right next to the upcoming Guggenheim Museum on Saadiyat Island, but it also has a very cool outdoor patio. And with no hotels in eye sight, they also serve booze, which is a welcome surprise. Try the camel burger. Yes, you heard me right. Camel.

Sontaya

Located at St. Regis Island Resort, Saadiyat Island. Phone# 02 498 8888

Had to put one luxury restaurant on the list and I'm glad it is this one. This Southeast Asian spot has a very scenic layout and is right near the water at the St. Regis Island Resort. Every time we have been here, we fall victim to their different curry dishes. Very sexy place to take a lovely lady on a date. Full bar ready to go.

Cafe Arabia

Located at Villa No. 37, 15th street, opposite Mushrif Park. Phone# 02 643 9699

A definite go-to spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner or brunch. It is built inside a villa so they use all three floors as they have one of the best rooftop scenes in the city. The menu is very healthy and the service is usually awesome. No alcohol but climbing the staircase is like a serene walk through an art studio. Very relaxing.

Diablito

Located at Yas Marina, Yas Island. Phone# 02 565 1175

If there is one thing this city could really use, it is an up-tempo Tex-Mex restaurant and this spot comes close to the mark. Amazing sunsets views from the rooftop patio and it's located right in the heart of Yas Marina. The drinks flow, including their homemade sangria. They have huge burgers, fajitas and burritos on the menu but don't sleep on the pizza.

Leopolds Of London

Located at Nation Towers on the Corniche. Phone# 02 665 4776

This place has a top-notch coffee and tea game, if you're into that. The food is also amazing as we tend to visit during the hangover (ahem) brunch hours on the weekend. The sun room provides great views of the the Corniche as the deli and bakery will wet your tongue before you even take your seat. Unfortunately, no booze.

Frankie's

Located at the Fairmont Hotel, between the two bridges. Phone# 02 654 3333

Best Italian spot in town and contrary to what many think, it's not pretentious. Well, not too much. A stylish atmopsphere sets the tone and the live jazz piano music during the evening hours adds to the experience. We are in love with the Capesante Gratinate and the Involtini Di Melanzane. Vast selection of wine and beer.

Honorable Mentions:

El Sombrero

Located at Sheraton Hotel & Resort, Corniche Road. Phone# 02 677 3333

They do have this amazing all-you-can-drink and all-you-can eat special on Thursday nights (may have to double check the actual night) that definitely does not disappoint. The deal includes margaritas along with a loaded food menu. Private rooms that seat up to 10 are available if you call ahead.

Shakespeare and Co.

Located at Guardian Towers, off Murror Road and 31st. Phone# 02 491 7673

Their chic Victorian-style will warm your heart and their menu is very classy, and at the same time, it offers everything. We like to think of it as the closest thing to an American diner in Abu Dhabi, but with a more aristocratic feel. They serve all three meals around the clock and it's also a great meeting spot for coffee. Popular among Emiratis. No alcohol.

Le Boulanger

Located at Corniche Road, just before Marina Mall. Phone# 02 428 5371

Loaded menu with different nationalities featured but the best thing about this spot is their location. Overlooking the Corniche, it also provides a front-row seat for any water sports events. It's a huge venue but no on-site parking. Shisha burns all day long but unfortunately, not a drip of alcohol to be consumed. Their lentil soup served in a bread bowl is a must.

Fireworks for New Year's Eve

The over-the-top city of Dubai snuck in the back door and jumped onto the world stage again last week when she set the Guinness World Record for the largest firework display. It all went down on the joyous occasion of New Year's Eve.

Back in the States, I used to work in one of those obnoxious tents on the side of highways that sold over-priced fountain fireworks to kids on the Fourth of July. Yes, not only was that just a little tidbit of information which should help you rest easy at night but it also proves that I know what I'm talking about.

Fireworks are cool. New Year's Eve is cool. Why not combine the two?

Thanks to the good people at The National, you can see video footage of all the firework action from Dubai. And of course, the tallest building in the world, the Burg Khalifa, got in on the party.

Miranda and I had plans to usher in the New Year by going to Dubai for the celebration. There were so many things to choose from: Vanilla Ice was in town while DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince had an on-stage reunion in front of Dubai revelers.

Memo to all washed-up entertainers from the 1990's: I know, it's been more than 20 years. Sure, money is thin these days. But you know where a solid payday is always waiting for you? You guessed it.

At the very last second, we hit the brakes on our Dubai aspirations because of vague precautions and 'been there, done that' advice from some of our closest colleagues.

During past NYE celebrations in Dubai, it was told to us that roads completely shut down but the streets were still packed ... with human traffic. Getting around the city is next to impossible as everything crawls to a halt.

"Can't handle the influx -- it's been that way for years," one seasoned co-worker told me.

"Read my lips," said another. "Do not go to Dubai on New Year's. I don't have to explain myself."

Harsh criticism from some good people. We took their words to heart and then added in the whole Guinness World Record factor. For the first time in a while, we thought with our heads and did not give in to our shared appetite for destruction.

It turned out to be the right call. Check out this video of the shenanigans as The Sandance concert with Paul Oakenfold was a disaster because people could not get to the actual show. Plenty of other logistical horror stories were reported. In Dubai, frustration ran high that night for a lot of people.

As for us, we started our makeshift evening back in Abu Dhabi by crashing a NYE party at our favorite restaurant, Le Beaujolais. Just because the center table had a 'Reserved' sign on it did not stop us as a quick wink to our favorite restaurant host sealed the deal.

"We can't say no to you," said Buddy, Le Beaujolais wait staff manager, who participated in an impromptu conga line with us during our last visit to his establishment.

Yes, that is a beautiful lady next to me. And in case you were wondering, yes, that is a scarf around my neck. No one ever questions a man wearing a scarf about his dinner reservation.

We feasted like kings and then made our way to the Yacht Club at the InterContinental Hotel. For a minimal fee paid in advance, we sipped champagne for the rest of the evening and danced as a few shots of tequila were snuck in there somehow.

It was a splendid way to bring in the New Year. Plenty of good times, no stress and I almost forgot, Abu Dhabi managed to shoot off a few fireworks, too.

Sure they were a little more subdued and did not gain international headlines. But unlike the action-packed amusement park that is Dubai, the festivities in Abu Dhabi were quaint and lovely. Which is how I would compare the two cities on many fronts.