Mariam Nihal
Saudi Gazette
What makes a good meal for two? Great ambiance, food prepared by a team of star chefs with some fresh and exciting flavors, in the presence of Burj Khalifa.
The Meat Co. is a destination for meat lovers and offers a limited yet exclusive variety to its consumers. Located in Souk Al Bahar, the restaurant offers a great view of the Burj and is fairly a family-orientated spot. When it comes to food, kids will love the cheesy garlic bread, which arguably could be better than the main course itself. Salt and pepper calamari is crispy and the generous portion is good to share with two. Try the burrata cheese with fresh tomato and basil, drizzled with olive oil or grilled halloumi if you don’t have big plans for your main course. For salads, try the healthier yet yummier version serving quinoa with chickpeas, apple, fresh herbs, currants, pinenuts, cucumber, feta cheese, tossed in yoghurt with lemon dressing and topped with avocado.
The starters fill you up but you won’t regret it. The main course is not as exciting as the starters, salads and dessert, for those who love oriental spices and flavors. Although, their selection is what meat lovers will find to be quite satisfying and wholesome. As for those who cannot have red meat, the restaurant offers vegetarian food and a selection of seafood. The manager explained the lengths restaurants like the Meat Co. go to, to offer the highest quality of meat. This includes the quality of nurturing different breeds and highest efforts employed to ensure their welfare. The variety includes the 150 day grain-fed beef from USA, Stockyard certified Australian Angus beef, natural grass-fed Argentinian Pampa Humeda bred beef and the silver fern New Zealand A-grade grass-fed beef. They also offer burgers serving rib eye, Angus and chicken fillet patties. The Wagyu rib-eye steak was definitely fresh, maybe from the well-bred family, but lacked in flavor and moisture. Which was not the ultimate disappointment because the dessert made up for it. If you are in the presence of chocolate lovers, let the dreamers enjoy the Chocolate Dream made of a choco cookie base, filled with dark chocolate and a decadent combination of maple syrup and walnut ice-cream. Or if you are one of those clueless food aficionados, go for the Meat Co dessert tasting platter that offers the chef’s selection of five mini desserts. Bon appetit.
About the head chef
Christopher has worked for an array of 5 Star Hotels including the Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumierah, The Grove Hotel, England and was also the Executive Chef for The Lord Mayor of London, Executing high profile functions for royalty, and members of parliament, including the Prime Minister. He is currently working as the Head Chef of Food Fund International looking after The Meat Co, Bentley Bistro & Bar, Eat Greek and Tribes.
Saudi Gazette brings you exclusive recipes from the chef himself.
Nutella cheesecake
Ingredients for Nutella shortbread base
0.16 kg of butter
0.6 kg of icing sugar
0.26 kg flour
0.1 kg Nutella
Method
1. Add cream butter and sugar
2. Add Nutella and flour
3. Do not over mix
4. Spread on baking sheet
5. Bake @ 180’c for 8 minutes
Ingredients for cheese cake filling
0.2 liter cream
0.5 kg cream cheese
0.22 kg milk chocolate
5 egg yolks
0.23 kg castor sugar
2 pieces gelatin sheets or 3.5g powdered gelatin
Method
1. Whisk soft whip cream.
2. Soak gelatin
3. Melt chocolate
3. Mix yolks and sugar till ribbon stage
4. Add cream cheese
5. Then add cooled chocolate
6. Then cream
7. Melt gelatin add carefully to mix.
For Nutella ganache
0.4kg milk chocolate
0.2kg Nutella
0.2 liter cream
Method
1. Heat Nutella with the cream
2. Pour over chocolate to melt
3. Evenly pour on top of set cheesecake
