Boubouffe (pronounced ‘Bou Bouf’), the chic deli-style Lebanese restaurant, has moved from Sheikh Zayed Road to a cosy nook in Business Bay. The brand new branch boast of a scenic patio facing the urban jungle of the Downtown Dubai area, and I am sure it would be a lovely spot to have an idle sip and nibbles on a breezy evening. Sadly we are in the peak of summer right now, and forced to find a table indoors.
The interiors are beautifully lit, spacious and inviting, and have the look and feel of a chic boulagerie you might happen to walk into on the cobbled streets of Paris. ‘Boubouffe’ translates to ‘food overload’ in French, but apart from the name and chic Parisian-style interiors, the restaurant’s menu has nothing French to offer. Instead, expect to be treated to a very authentic Lebanese fare.
The iftar menu at Boubouffe is one of the best priced I’ve seen so far, and starts as low as AED 55 per person (or AED 75 for two).
We tried out Boubouffe’s set Iftar menu; an enticing lineup of traditional Levantine treats starting off with a selection of hot and cold mezze, bowls of lentil and vegetable soup, followed by a main-course and dessert of your choice.
From the starters, my favorites included the crisp, meat-filled Kebbe and the decadently creamy, smoked Baba Ghanoush. Sadly the soups were a hit and miss for me. The vegetable soup was more like a broth, and the lentil soup is made of black lentils (not exactly everyone’s cup of tea).
For the mains, I would highly recommend their Lamb Ouzi. The caramelized rice pilaf takes on the meaty goodness of lamb, and the shredded meat is soft and deliciously succulent. We also tried the Kousa Bin Labneh, but I found the garlic in the yogurt base a tad bit too overpowering for my liking.
For drinks, their Jalab is really on point, and I also enjoyed the Rose Drink, a light refreshing floral sip that takes on a pretty hue of pink.
Overall, for AED 55 per person (or AED 75 for two), the set menu at Boubouffe is good value for money. Some dishes shone out brighter than others, but in general, it is an appetizingly concise intro to Lebanese cuisine. Bon apetit!
The Tezzy Files 