Food

Chamas Churrascaria & Bar: Beefy Encounters in the Kitchen

As a food blogger I’ve had the pleasure of being invited to an endless array of tastings, but it isn’t every day that I get to spend a Friday morning in the grilling station of one of Dubai’s finest grilling restaurants. Located on the ground floor of Crowne Plaza Dubai, Chamas Churrascaria & Bar looks every bit a carnivore’s dream. Even prenoon, the interiors are dimly lit, flamboyant and inviting.

 

‘Chamas‘ translates to ‘flame’ in Brazilian, and ‘Churrascaria‘ is a place where meats are cooked in the traditional ‘churrasco’ style of barbecuing on skewers, often on open flame. I was invited here by the wonderful team at “Kitchens of Dubai”. These storytellers showcased to us how the essential elements of water and heat come to play at mastering the art of grilling.

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Iftar at Denny’s

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.

Denny's American diner 24 hours open in Dubai Al Ghurair Center reviewed by The Tezzy Files Dubai food and lifestyle blog UAE (6)
Slow-Cooked Pot Roast: A very moreish meal ideal for a cold winter’s night, this dish features ‘falling off the bone’ tender lamb served on a bed of silky smooth potato mash and very buttery garlic bread. It is topped with caramelized onions and a deep, robust mushroom gravy.
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Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor: An Iftar Preview

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.

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Gourmet by Kcal: A Gluten-Free Organic Eatery

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.

Gourmet by Kcal at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi review by The Tezzy Files Dubai food and lifestyle blog (2)

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.

Gourmet by Kcal at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi review by The Tezzy Files Dubai food and lifestyle blog (9)
The philosophy behind the Gourmet by Kcal brand.
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A Recipe for Luqaimat, an Emirati Sweet Treat (Courtesy Siraj Restaurant)

I’ve been raving about my dinner at Siraj, the Emirati restaurant with a contemporary twist located in Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai. One of the decadent desserts I had the pleasure of tasting was their Luqaimat, a well loved Emirati delicacy of deep fried dumplings.

samosa recipe

Crisp on the outside and dreamily soft inside, with the delicious flavours of cream, sugar and cardamom kicking in with every mouthful, these delicious plump little pillows truly are hard to resist – in fact why resist at all?

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Asian Feasting at Toshi!

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.

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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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Layali Zaman Ramadan Majlis (Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre )

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.

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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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