Dubai Food Blog

Iftar Preview at Al Khaimah (Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa)

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.

Al Khaimah Iftar at Arabian Courtyard and Spa (2)

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.

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Lunching at Amore Cafe & Resto (The Boulevard, Downtown Dubai)

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.

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Staycation at Manzil Downtown Dubai

Playing tourist in my own city, the family and I headed out for a staycation at Manzil Downtown last weekend. Located at the heart of Downtown Dubai, just a stone’s throw away from The Dubai Mall and closeup views of the iconic Burj Khalifa, Manzil Downtown is the perfect choice for tourists and residents alike.

Manzil Downtown staycation hotel review by the tezzy files dubai lifestyle blog blogger (83)

‘Manzil’ translates to ‘home’ in Arabic, and with its minimalist design accentuated with Arabesque decor, this hotel is an ideal place to unwind. Despite being a long-term resident of Dubai, Manzil Downtown made us forget we are in the center of the city. The ambiance is one of serenity and calm, and the staff are well versed, efficient, and very hospitable.

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Friday Brunch at Sufra (Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights)

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 Hyatt Regency Dubai Friday Brunch review by The Tezzy Files Dubai Food and Lifestyle Blogger (47).JPG

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.

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Somvaar Bazaar at Chor Bazaar (Movenpick, Ibn Battuta Gate)

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.

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Aubaine: London’s Provencally French Bistro, Now in Dubai

Aubaine, a popular London-born French restaurant and boulangerie, has made its debut in the Dubai foodie scene this December. Taking up a prime location at the main entrance of The Dubai Mall itself, this is the restaurant’s very first international stint (having opened 10 successful chains in its home turf, London so far).

‘Aubaine‘ is French for ‘treat’, and I was really looking forward to my lunch there last weekend, especially after getting glimpses of their fabulous lineup of sweet treats on social media!

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Punjabi By Nature (‘Pet Vich Balle Balle’)

Does good food make you happy? Like really, really happy? Chances are you are Punjabi by Nature! I had the pleasure of being invited to this spunky little joint near Lamcy Plaza a few weeks ago, and loved their quirky decor just as much as the decadent, authentically Punjabi grub that we got served.

Punjabi by Nature review by The Tezzy Files Dubai Food Blogger (3)

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Iftar Preview at Warwick Hotel, Dubai

Ramadan, the holy month of fasting observed by Muslims the world over, is set to commence from the 6th of June this year. I love the charms of living in the UAE during this beautiful month. Office hours are shortened, malls are open till early dawn, and a whole list of enticing Iftar and Suhoor buffets make for the perfect excuse to catch up with friends and family over delicious, Arabesque meals.

Warwick Iftar Ramadan 2016 (2)

I was invited to an Iftar preview at Warwick Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road – Dubai. Bayty, the all-day dining restaurant at Warwick, gets a makeover reminiscent of the Arabian Nights. With festive Ramadan lanterns lit at every corner, the Arabesque setting boasts of an elaborate buffet featuring Mediterranean favorites.

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A ‘Fumastic’ Start to Ramadan

I am a huge fan of Fume, the quirky neighbourhood eatery with dishes as innovative as their zany menu names. I’ve been to their branch in Pier 7 a number of times (click here to read my very first Fume post, and here for a recent family brunch post), and recently got invited for an Iftar preview at Fume, Manzil Downtown Dubai.

This was my very first visit to Fume, Manzil Downtown Dubai. This branch is on the ground floor of Manzil Downtown, and has a patio boasting of spectacular views of the Burj Khalifa. Two long tables were reserved for the media, and we had a lovely time dining alfresco, cooled by the cooing breeze of the giant heavy-duty fans in the background.

Given the eclectic nature of the brand, I was curious to see if Fume could pull off something as soberly traditional as Iftar. The restaurant has created a set menu for Iftar, and although the dishes stay true to the traditional Arabesque flavours of the month, each and every treat has been given a signature ‘Fumastic’ twist.

Ramadan Table

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Grand Barbeque: A Pocket-Friendly Feast

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email inviting me to Grand Barbeque. The name rang a bell, and then I remembered driving past the place ever so often on the way to Jumeirah Beach Road.

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Located on Al Mina Road (bang opposite Ramada Jumeirah), the bright and inviting colours of the restaurant facade look every bit a dining experience for the family. The interiors are well-lit, clean and spacious, and despite being a Friday night where most of the tables were brimming with diners, the staff were ever smiling and went out of their way to make us feel comfortable.

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