Sticks & soy at Iris. Courtesy Iris
Sticks & soy at Iris. Courtesy Iris

Sticks & Soy at: Iris Yas Island, Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi



The location

Overlooking the Yas Viceroy, Yas Marina Circuit and the marina’s shiny boat collection, Iris’s terrace is arguably the most agreeable spot in this corner of Yas Island. There are plenty of tables packed into the space, although it’s a rare night that Iris isn’t at least bustling – Sundays, the evening for this regular Japanese-food-themed night, seem to be no exception.

The atmosphere

It’s a sophisticated hubbub at Iris, with a DJ keeping the off-kilter house and assorted restrained dance-music tunes coming. The crowd is, as per Iris’s usual clientele, full of a few showy peacocks, particularly for a Sunday night, but generally speaking, everybody is here in fairly self-contained groups or couples, leaving you to enjoy the food without interruption.

The food

The open set menu, which costs a very reasonable Dh110 per head, includes soups and salads, maki rolls, sushi and gunkan, plus a dessert of mochi ice cream. We’re brought a generous tray of maki, sushi and gunkan – the highlights of which are rock shrimp tempura maki and some juicy summer mango rolls (stuffed with crab, cucumber, Japanese mayo and tobiko – flying-fish roe). The service could be a mite more responsive, but considering the bar is busy and all the waiters seem to be scurrying around frantically, at least it’s not down to a lack of effort.

Who’s it best for?

Party people on the look out for a pre-night-out meal that won’t send them to sleep and couples who want to sample the glamour of Yas Marina without worrying their bank managers.

The verdict

You will be hard pressed to get this much Japanese food for your money elsewhere in Abu Dhabi – it’s excellent value, but without skimping on quality.

The National was a guest of the restaurant.

Sundays 7pm to midnight. Dh110 per person. Iris Yas Island, Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi. Reservations 055 160 5636.

aworkman@thenational.ae

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo

Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic

Power: 242bhp

Torque: 370Nm

Price: Dh136,814

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
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The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

On sale: Now

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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year
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Director: Raed Zeno

Rating: 4/5

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

Price: From Dh79,600

On sale: Now

COMPANY PROFILE
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Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
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