Fitch Assigns Ya Zaein an 'A+' Rating

Fitch Ratings has today assigned Abu Dhabi-based Ya Zaein (YZ) a Long-term foreign food Issuer Default Rating and senior unsecured rating of 'A+'. The agency has simultaneously given Ya Zaein a Stable Outlook.

The rating reflects Ya Zaein's strong delivery of consistent lunch sandwich and pizza offerings from a brick oven. While Ya Zaein is hardly on the cutting edge of culinary innovation, it is both cheap and satisfying. Recommended are the labneh falafel sandwich (ask for a "big" one), the tomato and cheese sandwich and anything with mortadella in it. The tuna pizza is also said to be tasty.

Here's a pic of the labneh falafel, ready to be devoured:

And the goodness inside:

This is not a place to take a date or your mother, but it is a reliable, no-frills lunch spot that you'll be going back to often if you live or work nearby.

Meals cost Dh10. Delivery is available at 02 445 4008. Here is the menu.

Map is here:


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Fitch Assigns 'BBB+' Rating to Ahmed Al Arab

Despite the conspicuous "AAA" on its sign, Fitch Restaurant Ratings has assigned Ahmed Al Arab in Abu Dhabi a 'BBB+' rating with a Stable Outlook.

The lamb kebabs remain a good choice, and although there is a risk that the quality of food can ebb as the night goes on, Fitch believes this risk is not likely to materialize and is commensurate with the assigned rating.

Fitch believes that Ahmed Al Arab will be able to continue to provide edible food close to the Garden Coffe[sic] Shop, a shisha joint near the intersection of Muroor Road and 15th Street. This is captured by Fitch's Going Concern Assessment on Ahmed Al Arab, which is an internal view on the "survivability" of both the restaurant's overall franchise and its delivery business.

The rating also benefits from a generous helping of curried spinach and bread that seems to come with every order. Price of a meal for one: Dh15.



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