My very first ‘Iftar’ this year was a good two weeks before the start of Ramadan (oh the perks of being a food blogger!). On Wednesday 10th May, I sat at a very festive table alongside a mixed group of journalists, bloggers and their families to delve into a very authentic feast.
How does the Iftar at Fairmont Dubai differ from other grand, Arabesque Iftars that are so prevalent across the city this month?
Ramadan Kareem! I hope this blessed month is bringing you all the inner peace you have craved, and that you are enjoying the special time bonding with loved ones over scrumptious Iftars and Suhoor.
The previous years had me bloated as a food blogger with myriads of Iftar requests, many of them a repeat of menus whereby I actually started to feign the sight of Ouzi. This year, I am being more picky. I am on the lookout for more varied flavors that will help me explore the authentic cuisines of different regions, and how could I say no to an Iftar invite by famed Moroccan celebrity Chef Mama herself? I am a huge fan of Moroccan tagines. I love the play of savory with sweet, the fruit with the meat.
“A mysterious pop up experience awaits you in this converted Al Quoz warehouse. As the sun sets walk down a garden lane to find a red door. Inside discover a romantic garden with Moroccan lounge furniture and candle lit tables. Watch our chefs prepare our special Ramadan menu in our unique open plan show kitchen.” – Dish Catering Dubai.
Established in Dubai over 9 years ago, Dish Catering is a unique catering and events management concept that received phenomenal reviews for their very first stint at Iftars last Ramadan.
Their Iftars are back this year from Friday 26th May right on till the end of Ramadan. This second edition will be hosted at Warehouse Four, Al Quoz. We got a taste of what is in store this year at yet another fun-filled blogger-managed event hosted by the lovely Monica Kapila of the DoInDubai.com blog.
We are counting down to the most beautiful month of the year; a month of piety, abstinence and self-reflection. Ramadan is also a month of communal gatherings and feasting.
On Thursday 27th April, I went to my very first Iftar preview this season at the Cavendish, Bonnington Hotel (JLT). The last time we were here, we were treated to a decadent Italian fare (click here for more on that). The suave, sophisticated interiors, complete with its starched white table cloths, dazzling chandeliers and well-suited staff, create the perfect setting for dining with panache. For the month of Ramadan, Cavendish has put together a gastronomic fare infusing international favorites with the exotic elements of the Middle East.
I am spending the last few precious days of Ramadan in India with the extended family. Iftars here are rather different from the UAE. When fasting in Dubai, we tend to focus on the socializing aspect of Ramadan, and are spoilt for choice with the plethora of Iftars and Suhoor buffets on offer.
In my husband’s hometown of Shillong (Meghalaya), Iftars are far more solemn and people prefer to enjoy them within the privacy of their own homes with close family. Neighbours exchange dishes, but mainly meet up in the mosque for the extended prayers.
I spent the last couple of days at my maternal aunt Zuleikha Hazarika’s place, and had the pleasure of watching her very talented cook, Ali, whip up a giant pot full of traditional Chicken Pulao (an aromatic chicken pilaf fragranced with the spicy notes of cardamom, cloves and cinnamon). In the true spirit of Ramadan, the pulao was divided up into boxes, and distributed across the neighbourhood to close friends, as well as the less fortunate.
I have dined at Ananta, The Oberoi a countless number of times before, and the enticing, ever-changing menu here never fails to impress. Staying true to the culinary traditions of India, Ananta has always been one to keep true to its Indian roots, and the whole premise of their offerings has been to uncover forgotten gems from the different states of India.
Ananta’s traditional stance has definitely paid off, and the restaurant has received a number of accolades including being awarded 3 Black Hats under the What’s On 2016 edition of the ‘The Black Hat Restaurant Guide’, and bagging the prestigious BBC Good Food Award for ‘Best Indian Fine-Dining Restaurant in the Middle East 2014’.
Awadhi Cuisine, which originates from the princely Indian province of Lucknow, is rarely seen offered on UAE menus. Executive Head Chef Dirham Haque explores the tantalizing flavours of Awadhi cuisine and its rich cultural linkup with Mughlai, Punjabi and North Indian cooking, and does a great job at recreating a feast you would only expect to be served at a Nawabi table.
Taking the premise of Awadhi cuisine, Chef Dirham has created a delicious lineup of Indian Muslim dishes for Ramadan.
Mazaher translates to orange blossom, a fragrant essence often found sprinkled on gourmet Arabic delicacies. It is also the name of Trade Center Dubai’s newest Lebanese restaurant, and I had the pleasure of being invited for Iftar there last week.
The restaurant interiors are delightfully bright, chirpy and bistro-style. With Parisian-style cafe seating, potted plants and arched doorways, Mazaher is every bit the quintessential boutique-style cafe.
For Non-Muslims, the notion of fasting from dawn to dusk sans any liquids can sound very daunting. As a practicing Muslim, I get asked about this all the time. The truth is our bodies are the most amazing, adaptable machines and ask any fasting muslim, it really does get easier by Day 2 itself.
Why do we do it? It is ordained by the Almighty for a number of reasons. It gives our bodies a much needed break (the idea of intermittent fasting is only just gaining popularity in mainstream media, but we have been doing it all along!), it helps us develop the virtue of patience and brotherhood, and brings the community together.
In the recent past, the evidence showcasing the endless benefits of fasting has been gaining momentum, and that would be a topic that would stretch across a number of blog posts. One of the lesser known benefits of Islamic fasting is the positive effect it has on fertility. Today’s guest post is by the very articulate Dr. Monikaa Chawla, a Reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist at Fakih IVF Abu Dhabi, who has been practicing the subspecialty for more than 16 years. Dr. Monikaa is not a Muslim and this is what makes her unbiased, scientifically backed reasonings behind the positive link of Islamic fasting and fertility a very interesting one! Read on for more.
I was recently invited for an Iftar at Fountain Restaurant, and I was rather intrigued by the restaurant’s name. Surely they must have a magnificent fountain that acts as center stage to the ambience? Nothing cliche like that at all. Instead, the restaurant features a cascade of flowing water that acts like a curtain dividing the lounge area from the dining.
Leopold’s of London: Named after a fabled wanderer who sourced spices and teas from around the globe and later opened shop in London, this gourmet cafe-style eatery located on The Beach JBR boasts of stunning views of the Dubai shoreline.
What better way to break fast than witnessing the mellowing sunset on this scenic shoreline canvas, with the silhouetto of The Palm Jumeirah in the backdrop? We had the pleasure of breaking our very first fast this Ramadan at Leopold’s of London, and had the very memorable experience indeed.
The Tezzy Files 