Discover some authentic traditional classics from Bosnia
Pounding the city streets is Team Yalla’s favourite thing to do now the temperature has dropped. Confession time – no we didn’t walk from Abu Dhabi to the Balkans; we didn’t need to.
Tucked away on Haza Bin Zayed the 1st Street, known locally as Defence Road, is Bosnian Hut. You can’t miss the Balkan-esque façade decked out like a truly authentic Bosnian cottage, or the kind of hut found beside lakes in Bosnia.
Step inside to the bijou interior with just five tables, a private family dining room and two Bosnia waiters in traditional dress. Bosnian interior design rules, with Bosnian motifs adorning the walls.
Teufic Nesic is the manager and his wife Amela, the head chef, who’s been cooking up goodness in 5-start hotel restaurants worldwide for 17 years. But what’s Bosnian fare? It’s a mix of East meets West, Turkish, Lebanese and traditional dishes from the Austro-hungarian Empire days, and even further back to the Celts.
What to try
The menu has just been updated and is based on authentic traditional classics.
There are no modern fusion dishes here! Everything is delicious, but we say start with a Bey soup, an okra delicacy simmered in a chicken based broth, finished off with a simple roux, then sprinkled with lemon juice or a tasty pumpkin soup
Next, try Sitni Kebab, small pieces of meat with special rich sauce in somun bread. Or tuck into the historic Haji Kebab, whose name derives from Haj, when pilgrims would wrap kebab meat for the long and arduous journey by foot to Mekka in Saudi Arabia.
Try Bosnian pita, thin dough that is presented in a rather pretty swirl or the spinach, cheese or meat pita, a type of delicious pies. There are plenty of Bosnia sauces for dipping too.
End with Hurmašice, a syrup-drenched pastry, and a traditional Bosnian coffee. While it looks similar, it is neither Arabic nor Turkish coffee. Head over there today and find out what makes it different and grab a taste of Bosnia.
For more on Foodie Feasts in Abu Dhabi, turn to page 48 to 58 in the latest edition of Yalla – Abu Dhabi Life.
Bosnian Hut, 923 Hazza’ Bin Zayed, open 1pm till 11.30pm daily. Walk-ins only. Call 02 566 6215