As with many of Abu Dhabi’s great internationally facing restaurants, Grills@Chill’O is found within the confines of a hotel. In this instance the surrounds are the Sofitel at Corniche with its plush interiors and French accents. The grill itself is a white hot coal-fired oven which the whole restaurant is centred around.
Kick things off with a range of sharing starters to share with your group. Options include Middle Eastern favourites like a selection of Levantine dips or a traditional manakish bread topped with cheese and zaatar oil. Alternatives are offered by way of a chicken Caesar salad – which is always popular – and crisp fried calamari.
Mains bring the stars of the show, items from the grill. Here you have the choice of a heaving seafood platter (lobster, king prawns, salmon, mixed fish and a selection of sauces), the mixed grill (chicken, lamb, fries and sauces) or all manner of other proteins. Think grilled chicken, surf and turf or a wagyu striploin. Vegetarians might like the portobello mushroom risotto from the mains section, which also features things like a seabass fillet with saffron mussles and a leek confit or twice cooked beef ribs with smokey barbecue sauce and hand-cut chips.
Dessert brings sticky toffee pudding, coffee gateau and chocolate fondant.
There’s also a pool menu which is a little less formal and ticks off plenty of tried and tested favourites from around the world. Think plates of nachos or bowls piled high withs salads followed by peri peri chicken, beef burgers or chicken quesadillas.
If you’re in the mood to celebrate and let loose, the cocktail menu is also popular with guests. Here you’ll find old school shouts like martinis and bellinis as well as house signature serves and mocktails for those who aren’t drinking. There’s also a full billing of beers, wines, spirits and softs.