Today in Yum-yums: Fauchon Le Cafe, The Meat Company and more

Going out in Abu Dhabi is not always that great. You know what I am talking about. You settle in to a pricey restaurant and pretty soon, something disappoints you. Whether is screwed-up service - I won't go into the litany of ways that service can be well-meaning, but terrible, but you can just check my martini diaries for a quick affirmation - or lacklustre food, I find the return is often not worth the exorbitant prices involved in dining in five-star restaurants. We usually opt to order shawarma and fresh juice from the corner shop than be disappointed again. 

There are really only a couple of dining/going out experiences that stand out for me this year, in Abu Dhabi anyway. And I want very much to pass them along to you.

Fauchon Le Cafe at Etihad Towers

The unbelievably amazing brekkie at Fauchon Le Cafe.

I was checking out Avenue at Etihad Towers when I spotted this Paris-born patisserie; hungry, I quickly figured eating there would be about the only thing I could afford at the luxury shopping destination. It was one of those situations where I said cost be-damned - I am here, and I am hungry, and I'd like to try something new. What a pleasant surprise! A full breakfast including fresh-squeezed juice and your choice of coffee, eggs, sausage, toast, bacon, delish sauteed grape tomatoes, mushrooms, hash browns and delicious preserves? Just Dh45. About Dh30 less than if you'd gone to that other high-end breakfast joint across town. (I am not naming any names, but it may rhyme with PHONES THE LOBBER). I can't believe I am waxing poetic about such a (still quite) expensive breakfast, but as we all know, there aren't any diners here. And the best part? The food was absolutely scrumptious. Everything - parfait. I can't wait to go back.

Overheard in the newsroom: Pizza Hut Cheese Burger Pizza edition

"What do you mean it's gross? I like cheeseburgers and I like pizza - so it's perfect."

In case you've forgotten what we're talking about, here.

Another pizza burger option, courtesy of Pizza Hut

2010 brought us the Burger King pizza burger and now, courtesy of those innovative folks over at Pizza Hut, we have the Cheese Burger Pizza. When you just can't decide what to have for lunch and don't want to have to choose. With cheese!

For the record, I think this would be vastly improved if the little cheese burgers had tops on them.