“Simple food, better mood.” Sanderson’s
The Walk at Al Seef Resort & Spa by Andalus, the mediterranean-esq pedestrianised street lined with restaurants and cafes, is now home to Sanderson’s, the first solo venture and foray into Abu Dhabi’s dining scene for successful restauranteur Sergio Lopez, formerly of Tom & Serg fame.
As part of the duo with the midas touch, Lopez and former partner Tom Arnel transformed Dubai’s dining scene with their many concepts under the Bull & Roo banner and now Lopez is giving the capital’s diners a taste of his culinary creativity. Like the Dubai venues that he was previously involved with, Sanderson’s is contemporary both in terms of its design and its ‘mood-food’ inspired menu. What is mood food you may be thinking? It’s a concept based on the theory that certain foods can offer mood enhancing experiences.
The sustainable cafe offers a relatively small menu that draws inspiration from international flavours and uses seasonal, fresh and nutritious ingredients to create well-presented, handcrafted cuisine and beverages. Lopez has brought a touch of his native Spain to the cafe, boho chic style decor that embraces a relaxed mediterranean feel with an abundance of rattan, botanicals and beautiful hexagonal tiled topped tables. There’s plenty of seating, colourful cosy corners as well as an outdoor alfresco dining area. A centralised retail area has gorgeous fair trade and eco-friendly homewares and accessories for sale from Tribe Dubai and Wild Wood, purchase a pair of sunglasses or watch from the latter and a tree is planted for every sale.
A separate salad and juice bar is located near the communal pool while the main kitchen is housed separately opposite the cafe across an outdoor, fairy light covered walkway which is definitely a talking point as food passes outdoors after leaving the kitchen before being served. With breakfast, lunch and dinner on the menu there’s plenty of choice with toasts, bowls, wraps and cheeky (sweet treats) on the menu. Expect reasonable priced dishes such as superfood salads, meat, seafood and some vegetarian and raw vegan options as well as tonics, hydrators, juices and fresh bread all made in-house.
I can recommend the poached eggs with avocado, the fruit topped pavlova and the coconut based Miss Mambo Super smoothie is just divine. The specialty coffee from Dubai’s Goldbox Roastery, served in covetable hand thrown clay keep cups from Australian brand Madhavi Muncie, is tasty but strong. This is the spot to get your healthy fix with salads, beetroot and turmeric lattes but also something sweet for cheat day.
The team, many of whom have joined Lopez from Dubai, are efficient and enthusiastic, manager Sumi Payne comes from Common Grounds (via Boston Lanes) to head up the front of house staff while head chef Troy Payne was previously at The Sum of Us. I have now been twice, once on opening day for a delicious breakfast, coffee and juices and a second time for a group event where a selection of dishes were showcased. Two totally different experiences from which I have concluded that I prefer the venue in daytime and when I’m choosing my own food.
Celebrate the festive season at The Walk Winter Wonderland from the 13th-15th December with stalls selling a range of stocking fillers, fashion items, crafts and original artwork. Sanderson’s will be offering holiday cheer with an array of festive dishes including turkey and cherry ciabattas and stone baked chicken roast dinner (anyone who purchases a roast during the Winter Market will be entered into a raffle to win a festive hamper) as well as a signature bread and butter pudding. Tis the season to be jolly and family activities will include cookie decoration workshops and Sanderson’s wrapping grotto,
Sanderson’s
Location: The Walk at Al Seef Resort & Spa by Andalus, Al Salaam Street, Abu Dhabi
Telephone: 02 222 1142
Website: www.wearesandersons.com
I was invited to Sanderson’s. The views in this post are all my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated all photos © Jo Brett 2018. All rights reserved.