Michelin star food in the heart of Abu Dhabi

The Etihad Blog Series: Amador Restaurant and Cellar at Park Rotana Hotel, Abu Dhabi

An array of Tapas at Amador Restaurant and Cellar

I thought the only way to experience molecular gastronomy was to wait years for a reservation to Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck and Ferran Adria’s El Bulli which won’t open again until 2014. Luckily the Middle East is rising to the occasion like a chef’s perfect soufflé. Culinarily speaking Abu Dhabi is a literal global village – a combination of nationalities that can be tasted in the growing restaurant industry.

Cuisine Confidential

Ayaz Khan owner of Okra opens up about his restaurant, food trends and staying a small business

The exterior exudes rustic and homely yet exquisite fine dining awaits diners inside

The small alleyway that has been home to Okra for the past eleven years is a clogged artery come the weekend. Expensive cars with anything but yellow license plates crowd around the humble exterior. While the restaurant exudes a rustic feel the food could not be more refined. Humble is also the man that has been the sole proprietor of this establishment - Ayaz Khan. He speaks like a man who is still looking for perfection, while his diners may say that he has achieved and maintained it. An open kitchen invites one’s curiosity to gaze entranced at the deft movements and precision of the skilled chefs, all adorning pristine white and the toque perched atop their furrowed brows. The entire operation looks very simple and clinical in its undertaking but that has only been because of the discerning eye of Ayaz.