Last weekend, my friend and I embarked on a culinary adventure to explore a captivating restaurant located in Boutik Mall at Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. With its unique name, vibrant colour scheme, and alluring ambience, Smoking Doll immediately caught our attention. Although I had previously passed by and even toured the restaurant when it first opened, I had never actually dined there. It was finally time to indulge in an Oriental feast!
On that beautiful day, we opted for the restaurant’s comfortable al-fresco seating, allowing us to enjoy our meal while appreciating the pleasant weather. After some deliberation, we settled on the Satay Nuea, succulent beef strip skewers accompanied by a delectable peanut sauce, as our appetizer. Moving on to the main course, we couldn’t resist ordering the Gaeng Kiew Warn, a tantalizing Thai green curry served with fragrant steamed Jasmine rice. And since we were truly immersing ourselves in Thai cuisine, we decided to add a plate of Pad Thai noodles to our table. Requesting a medium level of spiciness, we catered to our taste preferences.
Now, one section of the menu never fails to capture my attention—the colourful realm of mocktails. As expected, I took my time deliberating over the myriad of tantalizing combinations. Finally, I settled on The Purple Haze, a drink that boasted the most vibrant hues. With its smooth blend of coconut cream, blue lagoon, and grenadine, it proved to be a delightfully sweet and refreshing choice. Although the bubble gum-flavoured sago pearls at the bottom weren’t to my taste, the overall experience was a treat for the senses.
We thoroughly enjoyed the satay, as the accompanying peanut sauce enhanced its savoury goodness. However, when it came to the Pad Thai, we found it a tad too sweet for our liking. In contrast, the green curry won us over with its harmonious blend of flavours, leaving our taste buds craving more.
A meal is never complete for me without a tantalizing dessert. Therefore, we couldn’t resist ordering the passion fruit sorbet and banana ice cream as the grand finale. The tangy passion fruit sorbet proved to be a refreshing palate cleanser, while the creamy banana ice cream provided the perfect balance. Every spoonful was a delightful sensation.
As with any dining experience, we eagerly awaited our desserts and the bill. Although the restaurant wasn’t overly busy on that weekday, we did experience a slight delay. Nonetheless, the wait was well worth it for the delectable treats that awaited us.
Overall, Smoking Doll is a fantastic spot for friends seeking a lively hangout with competitively priced menus and generous portion sizes. With its contemporary Oriental atmosphere, it offers a flavorful journey through Asian cuisine. From the delicious satay and mouthwatering green curry to the vibrant mocktails and scrumptious desserts, there is something to satisfy every craving. So, if you have an appetite for quality Asian food, Smoking Doll is a must-visit destination. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds longing for more!
The food looks amazing!