Fancy some good old American-style grub for Iftar tonight? With Ramadan comes a whole new list of Iftar offerings which tend to be mainly Arabesque. If you are a tad bit tired of the Lamb Ouzis and mixed grills, head to Denny’s, your friendly American all-day diner that is open 24 hours a day.
I’ve done a post on Denny’s before (click here if you’ve missed it). Their portion sizes are generously enormous, and I have a particular weakness for their Slow Cooked Pot Roast.
Celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor needs no introduction. A food icon whose popularity and repute can be compared to the very launching pad that introduced him to the world, I have fond childhood memories of my mother tuning into his ‘Khana Khazana’ cookery show on the Zee TV Network. His ‘Shyam Savera’ recipe has become a party staple from my mother’s kitchen, and it is heartening to see he has branched out as a restauranteur in the foodie scene of Dubai.
I have dined at ‘Options by Sanjeev Kapoor’, and recently got invited to the fine-dining equivalent by the lovely Deepti Chandak from the Jive With Deepti blog. ‘Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor’ is located in Melia hotel, Bur Dubai and we were here for a sneak peek of the restaurant’s Iftar offerings.
Kcal, the ‘healthy fastfood’ concept that offers customized monthly meal plans, now has an upscale dine-in version. Joining hands with one of Dubai’s most popular five-star establishments, Gourmet by Kcal is a marriage of delicious ideas between the original Kcal and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi.
This unique concept is a godsend for the health-conscious. Every single dish served at Gourmet by Kcal is gluten-free, and all the ingredients used are fresh, locally sourced organic produce that is mainly bought from the Ripe Market. If you are counting calories, you will also be happy to see that the menu features a breakdown on the nutritional information of each and every dish.
We took our tastebuds on a culinary tour around the Far East last week thanks to the elaborate spread at Toshi, Grand Millennium – Dubai. Although its name might suggest strong Japanese roots, Toshi is a pan-Asian restaurant offering a delicious fare from Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and China.
You can opt to order a la carte, but a better foodie choice would be to try the restaurant’s buffet. The buffet changes every day of the week, and we were there on a Monday, trying out their Asian Barbeque & Satay Night.
We were invited to a mock-Iftar party at Al Khaimah last night. Located in one of Dubai’s oldest hotel establishments, Al Khaimah at the Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa is a spacious banquet hall that has been accentuated with beautiful Arabesque decor. The interiors look rather vintage, and have these gorgeous Aladdin lamps and Persian carpets displayed at every corner.
Unlike many other hotels who have to revamp their space for that localized touch this Ramadan, Al Khaimah already has the much sought-after look and feel of the season.
Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, is scheduled to commence next week. With a plethora of Iftar options being offered around the city, Dubai diners are truly spoilt for choice. Fancy having an Iftar meal in the majestic surroundings of an Arabesque majlis? Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre is revamping the interiors of their Falcon Ballroom this Ramadan. Enter the Layali Zaman Ramadan Majlis, and embrace the auspicious grace of the holy month.
Amore Cafe & Resto is strategically located bang opposite the entrance of Souk Al Bahar on The Boulevard, Downtown Dubai and boasts of stunning views of the Burj Khalifa. I received an invite to try out this Lebanese joint, and enjoyed some of the best Levantine dishes I have had the pleasure of eating till date.
It was a lovely sunny Dubai afternoon, the perfect setting for a lunch date at The Boulevard. Amore Cafe & Resto has floor to ceiling glass windows that take full advantage of the stunning views of the neighbourhood. You can also opt to dine alfresco, but with the soaring temperatures outdoors, we were forced to choose a table inside.
Antique Bazaar is an experience in itself. Apart from the delicious lineup of very popular Indian dishes the restaurant has to offer, the interiors have the look and feel of a bygone palatial courtyard, complete with intricately hand-carved furnishings and portraits of mythical royalty.
Book at table around 9 pm any day of the week, and you are in for a visual treat. Antique Bazaar has its very own band of Bollywood singers and dancers who keep diners entertained with a whole array of old and new numbers, and even take on song requests.
Hooray! We are finally counting down to the weekend! Where are you heading this Friday? If you’re looking at spending quality time with the family over a leisurely brunch, the spread at Sufra might prove to be a great choice.
Sufra is the Hyatt Regency’s all-day dining restaurant specializing in Mediterranean dishes. However, their Friday Brunch is not restricted to Arabic food. They have favorites from around the globe, and give diners the opportunity to taste a number of dishes from the restaurants from within Hyatt Regency itself.
Every ‘Somvaar‘ (Hindi for Monday), the entrance of Chor Bazaar restaurant at Ibn Battuta Gate transforms into a quaint little Indian marketplace. There is a stall showcasing an array of trinkets, Indian shawls and mirror-worked totes but these are just for show. This ‘bazaar’ is an elaborate buffet, a feast of ‘all you can eat’ delicacies from different corners of India.
Priced at AED 125 per person (or AED 225 with house beverages), the Somvaar Bazaar at Chor Bazaar is a great deal for quality food, set in a five-star ambience.
The Tezzy Files 