“We combined New York style grandma pie with Detroit style, and then topped it off with an added dose of culinary creativity.” Emmy Squared
Brooklyn’s hottest pizza joint has made its way across the globe to Yas Bay waterfront in Abu Dhabi. Best known for its Detroit-style rectangular pan pizzas, Emmy Squared has not only opened its first branch in the region but also their first international outpost.
The pizzas are super tasty and incredibly moreish. The fluffy focaccia-like dough (fermented for 48 hours) has a delightfully crispy caramelised, cheesy ‘frico crust’ and there’s a multitude of toppings to suit all tastes.
Emmy Squared, named after co-founder Emily Hyland and the shape of the pizza, offers nine red sauce and six white sauce pizzas. There’s a few curve ball flavours thrown in alongside the more classics, tuck into the Big Arg topped with meatballs or the Vodka with house-made vodka sauce. If you like spice try the Bad Pauli with sausage, smoked gouda, Calabrian chillies and banana peppers.
It’s not just pizza on the menu either as the new restaurant also offers their award-winning sandwiches served in a buttery pretzel buns. Starters and sides include sriracha wings, cheesy garlic sticks, salads, waffle fries and calorie-laden milk shakes. Burger fans should try the double-stacked Le Big Matt, named after co-founder and chef Matt (Hyland). Designed for those with a bigger appetite, it features grass-fed beef patties, cheese, house-made ‘Sammy Sauce’, greens and pickles on a pretzel bun. This winning stack has won numerous accolades stateside including #1 Best Burger in Nashville. I’ve sampled both the classic and the burrata margherita pizzas and can confirm they were great. The other half tried the Nashville hot chicken katsu sandwich with the brussel sprout salad.
Emmy Squared has a bright, modern interior which is both contemporary and stylish. The square theme continues into the design with a centrepiece of monochrome framed drawings and a bold geometric tiled floor that offsets the powder blue walls, wood and orange accents.
I’ve been twice and had two different experiences. The first time the restaurant was empty, the beer was flat and the service was underwhelming. The second visit was much improved with a table on an outdoor terrace and service that was overly attentive. Both times the pizza was tasty but if you prefer a thin crust this is not the place for you as these all American pizza-pies are deep dish all the way. Personally I’m a fan and I recommend giving it a try if you fancy something a little different from your regular pizza.
Emmy Squared
Location: Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island
Website: www.emmysquaredpizza.com
Opening Times: Daily 12 noon – 12 midnight
Read more about Yas Bay in previous posts HERE
All views are my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated all photos © Jo Brett 2022. All rights reserved.