BU! {The new menu}

Deep in the dark interior of WTC Mall, in central Abu Dhabi, is The Hub.  It is three floors of dining that has been up and running since 2016.  And, as we all need to keep up with the times, it was already time for BU! to change their menu.  BU! is a Latin American restaurant which features dishes from all across region.  This Fall they have created a new sharing menu which showcases some of their best work from Sashimi and Ceviches to Tacos and Tenderloin.  And, these new dishes will be available during all of their dining hours: Lunch, Dinner and Brunch!

  We tasted some of the new menu this past weekend at Brunch, and if you like a Latin Party, you NEED to try BU!'s Brunch.  It is like being at a restaurant in the middle of the Despacito music video.  And I mean that will all compliments.  The Latin duo that creates the lively music is one of the best music groups that I have heard in Abu Dhabi.  They are talented, interactive (just enough), and entertaining, all at the same time.  The music does get too loud at times, making it difficult to have a conversation with the person across the table, but no one seemed to be too bothered.

The signature cocktails and sparkling wine flow freely, and the plates of food keep arriving.

While it is easy to wolf down loads of that delicious guacamole and thin tortilla strips, we started with the Soft Achiote Chicken Tacos and Crispy Polpo (Octopus) Tacos.  Both were nice two-bite sized appetizers.  Both very flavorful and even a little spicy, however, the soft tacos were my favorite as the smokey Achiote sauce is hard to beat.  The polpo takes on a slightly more Asian preparation with Japanese mayo and spicy chiptole sauce.

Next, on to the Ceviche.  Wasabi Trufado is Sea Bass marinated in truffle oil, fresh chopped wasabi, and the typical Peruvian ceviche marinade "Leche de Tigre", usually consisting of citrus, onions, salt, and pepper.  An all-star dish, as far as out table was concerned.  The truffle oil stood out just enough to balance the briny citrus, while the fish was tender and flavorful. 

   The dainty tenderloin skewers were served on a sizzling grill to keep them hot at the table. They were seared outside and juicy within, topped with a dab of a vinaigery Carretillera sauce. Of the new main courses, we tried two: A Miso Black Cod set on a bowl of sticky rice with caramelized mushrooms and fresh asparagus.  The server will turn the fish into the rice, making it almost like a risotto, before you dig in.  The rice is creamy and fish buttery.  The other new main dish was an Adobo Chicken.  /2 of a chicken is served in a powerful adobo sauce alongside sweet potato gnocchi.  The sweet potato gnocchi were unfortunately lacking a little seasoning and were not quite as pillowy as they should have been.

As dessert rolled around we had a little sample of some of the innovative new desserts.  My favorite was the Pina Colada (which is really a modern deconstructed version) because the coconut sorbet tastes like fresh coconut on a spoon. 

While Latin cuisine is quickly becoming a popular (and yet pricey) option in the city, the newcomers are getting much of the attention.  BU!, however, offers some of the same dishes at the same quality with the benefit of an atmosphere that is a little more relaxed and festive.  It is very central within Abu Dhabi and offers a vibrant atmosphere.   There is even an outdoor terrace in the cooler months, which is a big plus. They all have their benefits... but BU! is fun and definitely worth a visit.

BU! 

4th Floor of The Hub, World Trade Center Mall

+971 2 666 8066

Open for dinner, nightly at 19:00, Brunch on Friday starts at 12:30
Check out their website for updated info.