Once in a while, we escape from our own worlds and reconnect. Sometimes it takes months before we see each other. Even the chatbox is quiet. We just disappear from each other's lives, and yet, the connection is still there. Never lost. One chat, set the date, and that's it.
And we can manage to just sit and chat for hours. The routine - friend#1 drives down from Dubai, picks me up, and then friend #2. Sometimes we already have a predetermined restaurant where we would have dinner. Sometimes, we decide in the car, guided by Google Reviews or trending reels. One thing is constant - we look for a good Filipino restaurant.
The pre-requisite - it must be somewhere we could comfortably stay and chit-chat for hours. Friend#1 did not drive down to Abu Dhabi from Dubai at night just to stay at a crowded coffee shop where we won't be able to really talk and catch up with what's been happening in our lives of late.
We found ourselves in front of a coffee shop in the quiet Al Nahyan area. It is located in
Villa 10, Plaza 30,
Skh Fatima bint Mubarak St. (Delma) St., Abu Dhabi
Google Maps
It is actually next to Starbucks, where we went last time we saw each other.
We went inside to check what they have. They have big, beautiful pastries and croissants. The sweet aroma lingers inside the cafe. The warm lights and decor add to the aesthetics of the place. After checking their menu at the counter, we decided that we would take a seat outdoors.
The polite staff came to take our order. Friend #1 had so many questions, like, "Are your French toast legit?". LOL. To our satisfaction, Knead has an impressive line of chefs, including a French one.
Since we just had dinner- a very heavy dinner at that- we really just needed coffee. Friends 1 & 2 each got themselves black Americano, while I got a cappuccino for a change.
My friends thought their black coffee did not have the punch they expected, while I thought my cappuccino was good.
We were all delighted by the French toast, which was made from slices of brioche bread. It had vanilla mascarpone cream and blueberry jam at the center and was topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries, and a side of honey. The flavors exploded in the mouth - the sweetness of the brioche and cream and the tanginess of the berries complemented each other.
It was past 9:00 PM, and the cafe closes at 10:00 PM. We decided to transfer to the Starbucks next door, which would close at 11:00 PM, just so we had more time to chit-chat. This time, we stayed indoors already. It was really not yet very conducive for outdoor seating these days. Maybe when we meet next time (hopefully before next summer, lol!)
All photos are owned by the author unless stated otherwise.
