How quickly has this year whizzed past?! I’m missing the festive Christmas feel already. The trees may be coming down soon, but I want to keep the festive vibes alive just a little longer. One of the elements I love about Christmas is the scent of cinnamon.
No, I am not binging on leftover mince pies, got the NY resolutions coming up! Instead, I’ve incorporated cinnamon into my daily breakfast shake thanks to the Dabur Real Activ Honey with Cinnamon.
Le Meridien Hotel & Conference Centre (conveniently located near Dubai International Airport), is one of the oldest hospitality institutions of the city and also happens to be a treasure trove of foodie finds.
One such gem is Casa Mia. Aptly translating to ‘my home’, I absolutely love the cottage-inspired interiors of this space. The service is topnotch, the wine selection immaculate and above all, the food here is incredibly ‘delizioso’.
Do you suffer from an incurable sweet-tooth and and always find yourself reaching out for a handful of naughty treats? I have a super quick and easy recipe for you… and its not even close to being naughty!
All you need is dates and coconut, and stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these little treats will last over a month (unless you gobble them up beforehand ofcourse!). Best of all this recipe is gluten-free, made of all-natural ingredients, and is high in fiber. You get the jazz… super healthy, super quick without the hefty price tag to boot!
Fancy some sushi with a difference? Head to The Palm Jumeirah’s new-age Japanese foodie destination, Miyabi Sushi & Bento and treat yourself to a whole new array of artisan sushis at a very affordable price range.
The tales of Emperor Akbar and his wittiest minister Birbal are an integral part of Indian folklore. Their stories often end with a moral teaching, and have been passed down to generations of fascinated young children.
Interestingly, Birbal was the only Hindu in Emperor Akbar’s court. Born Mahesh Das, stories of his timely wit and moral standing won him over as Akbar’s dearest adviser, much to the chagrin of his counterparts.
One of the most popular Akbar Birbal stories is entitled ‘Birbal Ki Kichdi‘ (Birbal’s Kichdi). What is Kichdi you ask? An Indian risotto would be the best way to describe it to a global audience. However, the Indian counterpart is not as starchy as the one eaten by Italians. Indian kichdi is made up of near-equal proportions of rice and lentils, cooked together along with a mix of spices, and enriched with ghee (Indian clarified butter). Here is how the story goes:
When asked what my favorite style of cuisine is, my eminent answer, with no hint of hesitation, has always been Thai. I love their flamboyant mix of exotic spices, the heat of their fiery red chili, the pungency of fish sauce, and the aromatic whiff of lemongrass. Many a time when I am out with friends, not everyone in the group shares my love for Thai. In those instances, I am thankful for food-courts, although the hit of ‘Thai-ness’ fails in comparison to a well established Thai restaurant.
Imagine my thrill when Busaba Eathai invited us in for a tasting of their new menu additions! Busaba Eathai has never been stoically traditional, but offer more bistro-style Thai dishes that cater to a wider global audience. Click here for my previous review. However, if you are like me and love it hot and pungent, they can crank up the heat any way you like! And if you are with friends who claim to detest Thai, you might just make a convert of them here.
We all have an alter ego, another aspect of our day to day facade that often gets overshadowed with the formalities of a stiff-collared designation. I have been blogging about food for nearly two years now, and it never fails to impress me when I manage to uncover a hidden chef in someone quite unexpected!
By day, Paul Alexander Estorffe is a Senior Communications Manager at The Qode, one of Dubai’s most reputed PR communications houses. I happened to stumble upon his Instagram account @paul_estorffe and was pretty amazed by the kind of spectacular dishes this ‘home cook’ dishes out! Do follow him and have a look for yourselves. In today’s guest post, Paul has been kind enough to share a simple yet very fancy-sounding recipe he has created all by himself; Paul’s Kipper Pate with Drambuie and Toast. I’ll be trying this out myself this week, thanks Paul!
I can sniff the weekend! Heading off to yet another Friday brunch tomorrow? Perhaps you just want to sleep in for a change, and head out for a chillaxed feast at a leisurely 8 pm or later? I was at the Meridien Village Terrace last Friday. With a lavish spread, flowing beverages and live music to boot, their Friday ‘Latino Latino Nights’ are just the place to be!
The UAE can finally boast of breezy-beautiful evenings, and what better way to spend a laid-back Friday with friends and family than under the stars?
‘Ruya’ translates to ‘dream’, a very apt name for one of Dubai’s most anticipated new restaurants, located in the very luxe Grosvenor House (Marina Dubai). This very stylish new Turkish restaurant pays homage to the rich culinary history of the Anatolian region.
Headed by Chef Colin Clague who has some very reputed names under his belt (including the iconic Burj Al Arab, Jean Georges Dubai, Qbara and Zuma), the dishes here are as artistic as the venue itself.
The expansive interiors are done up with a great deal of panache. Dimly lit, suave and chic, the ambiance is all at once inviting and posh. From the traditional oven to the Cag Kebap grill, and the beautifully intricate mosaic in spurts of turquoise, a few typically Turkish accents add a touch of the exotic to the space. Ruya is a restaurant, lounge and bar, and also features an open terrace, boasting of a very scenic view of the Dubai Marina.
Headed by the very amicable Chef Alain Devahive who’s impressive list of experiences includes a long stint at the much coveted 3-Michelin starred restaurant El Bulli (Spain), LALUZ at DIFC is one of Dubai’s latest Spanish imports.
La Luz is Spanish for ‘light’, and back in Barcelona, this restaurant chain is a culinary icon, well reputed for its Catalonian and Mediterranean cuisine. Keeping to tradition yet revamping the presentation with a few touches of molecular gastronomy thrown in now and then, expect to get a taste of Spanish cuisine like never before.
The Tezzy Files 