Vasco’s Restaurant Launches New Menu

Author John Thomas
The award-winning restaurant at Hilton Abu Dhabi has launched a brand-new menu with exciting dishes from around the world. 


Head Chef Manikandan Mahalingam has revamped the a la carte menu at Vasco’s, a popular restaurant located in Hilton Abu Dhabi by the Corniche. Inspired by the travel escapades of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, the menu at Vasco’s celebrates cuisines from around the world.



Head Chef Manikandan Mahalingam said: “Vasco’s is a restaurant with a lot of history and has been a favourite of Abu Dhabi residents since its launch. The new menu is designed as a tribute to the journey of Vasco da Gama, who is the inspiration behind the venue. Guests can now try dishes and cooking styles from Africa, India and Portugal.”
The new menu has a full section dedicated to Indian cuisine with dishes from various parts of the country. Representing the state of Kerala, where Vasco da Gama returned on several voyages, there is the Meen Mulakittath and the Calicut Grouper Biryani. In this cuisine, fish marinated in a special blend of spices is considered the heart of the dish.

Taking inspiration from northern parts of India, Manikandan has introduced popular dishes like Malai shrimps and Kesari lamb chops. For vegetarian options, there is the Vasco’s Mix Tandoori and Paneer Hazari, which is a curry made with Indian cottage cheese and vegetables marinated in tandoori spices. Africa plays a significant role in Vasco da Gama’s journeys, and as a reminder of this stage of his explorations Manikandan has introduced Arabian Gulf shrimps cooked with piripiri sauce. In celebration of the explorer’s homeland, the head chef has included a number of Portuguese favourites to the new menu like chilled gazpacho served with basil-marinated Canadian lobster salad.



“A dish that I recommend that all our guests should try is the Paella de Marisco. The Portuguese delicacy is a treat for those who love seafood. Mussels, clams and gulf shrimps is cooked with Spanish rice and flavoured with saffron,” Manikandan said. Another rice dish on the menu is the wild mushroom risotto cooked with truffle oil and mascarpone cheese. As Vasco’s is an amalgamation of cuisines from around the world, guests also have the option of starters like hand-cut Angus beef tartare with quail eggs and crab cake with avocado salsa. “The Farmer’s Delight pizza is guaranteed to be a favourite. Made with a base of pesto sauce, the pizza is topped with Philadelphia cheese, mozzarella, broccoli, artichoke, sweet corn and kalamata olives,” Manikandan said. 


For those looking for a memorable experience at the beachside restaurant, the head chef suggests the Vasco’s Seafood Grill Extravaganza featuring a mix of Canadian lobster, king prawns, seabass and salmon. The lavish platter is served with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables and a side of lemon butter sauce.

To finish the meal on a sweet note, Manikandan takes inspiration from Middle Eastern desserts. Offering flavours that are closer to home, the Mango Cheese Mousse Kunafa is served with passion fruit curd and almond tuile.  Vasco’s is a nautical-themed beachside restaurant, which is open daily for lunch from noon until 3.30pm, and for dinner 7pm until 11pm. Prices on the menu range from AED 30* to AED 260*.

For bookings, please call 02 6924247.

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