Hatam Iranian Restaurant, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi

Marina Mall is one place in Abu Dhabi that never has lived up to my expectations food-wise. One would expect that being so far away from the city (making it completely impractical to leave the mall to grab a bite), this mall would be completely self-sufficient, boasting the best not only in shopping but also entertainment and dining. It does alright in the first two categories, but somehow lacks in the third.

The food court is one of the worst among the malls in this city, and so I've been very happy to notice a number of new restaurants popping up in different corners of the mall. Not having all the food options in one place makes for a lot of walking though - and that's not what you need after a day of shopping, when you're hungry and all you want to do is find a quiet spot to sit, relax and enjoy a good meal!

After past experiences, we've learnt to always make lunch plans outside the mall, so it was a rare opportunity we had this weekend when we found ourselves plan-less and hungry in the mall at lunch-time.

After a good few circles around the mall, and some research at the information counter, we decided on Iranian and made our way to Hatam.

The restaurant itself looks quite inviting, and so does the menu, so after a quick peruse we decided to stop the torture on our growling tummies and go in.

I should have been suspicious when the restaurant looked oddly empty compared to the others we had been to, but I dismissed it as being due to the fact that Hatam is on the top floor - maybe no hungry person wanted to go all the way here in the search for a meal - but maybe I was about to discover a little-known gem.

The gem lost a little of its shine when we asked for a non-smoking table, and were told that the beautifully furnished interior rooms (yep each table in a private little room, hidden by a curtain) were all smoking tables and the non-smoking area was outside in a balcony-like area at the back of the restaurant. So much for Marina Mall being a "non-smoking" mall.

The gem looked even more dull when the 'outside' area seemed to lack air-conditioning and smelt like a damp rag. Since when does not smoking come with a punishment? My over-sensitive nose took issue over it, but my growling stomach and tired feet overpowered my better sense and we decided to stay.

We ordered a lentil soup, mixed grill and a roast-lamb-on-rice dish (baghalah polo-ba-machicheh) to share.

Even before we ordered however, our complimentary sides (or starters, I wouldn't know) arrived. Decidedly odd, I thought as I chomped on the hot bread (which I have to admit was pretty good, though lacking a companion) and the salad (chunks of feta that didn't go well with anything, walnuts(?!?), some mixed greens, and pickles (sweet and sour - not what I expected!))

As the rest of the meal arrived, the potential gem turned into charcoal.

The lentil soup tasted less of lentils and more of corn starch. 'Nuff said.

The rice was about the only thing that was pretty good. Flavourful with dill and saffron, neither over or under cooked and mildly spiced it really was the perfect accompaniment. The lamb that accompanied it was quite another story. Most of it was bone and fat, the little meat that was there was chewy and dry and little broken bits of bone clearly showed a bad butcher. Not pleasant.

Finally, the mixed grill. Iranians are supposed to be the kebab experts so we did come expecting a really good kebab here in a restaurant that boasts of being purely Iranian. It would be an understatement to say that the meal disappointed.

Every meat in the mixed grill platter tasted like it was marinated in salt, pepper and lemon. Everything tasted the same. Which still would have been fine, if they had at the very least marinated with the right quantities of salt, pepper and lemon. Too salty, too sour and completely forgettable. The soggy fries finished before the meat, which really said something about the quality of the grill.

Not a pleasant experience, never going back. So, although my blog does contain primarily good food experiences, and restaurant suggestions, I decided to write about this one as it stood out for its sheer mediocrity...well actually worse. As a self-proclaimed food writer, I figure I should warn my faithful readers.

If anyone else has had a different experience, I would be glad to hear of it :)

Till Next Time Folks!