indian food

An Elaborate Indian Dinner at 25 Degrees North (Bay Square, Dubai)

What have you been up to this long Eid weekend? We decided to hibernate on Day 1, dreading the holiday rush across the city. Surely every road, every mall and every restaurant must be overflowing with people now that everybody is back from the summer break?

Well I have great news for you! I’ve recently discovered the (not so secret) secret hang-out for foodies who, like me, detest the crowds. Ironically just a few parallel roads down from buzzing Dubai Mall itself, Bay Square is a hidden gem housing some of Dubai’s most affordable restaurants under one spacious complex itself.

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I was in Bay Square about a week ago, devouring really good Thai food at Fuchsia, and just a week later I was back yet again, this time for some amazingly affordable Indian at 25 Degrees North.

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Kebab & Biryani Festival at Asha’s

Asha Bhosle is arguably one of the greatest living legends of India. Internationally acclaimed for her evergreen melodious voice, she has been awarded the iconic status of “Most Recorded Artiste in the World” in music history by none other than the Guinness Book of World Records itself. Asha’s impressively long list of accolades includes the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award (presented by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair) and the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by the Dubai Film Festival in 2014.

Asha's Wafi review Kebab and Biryani Festival by Bollywood singing queen Asha Bhosle autographed Dubai Food Blog The Tezzy Files (12)

Despite being a larger than life music sensation with fans spreading across a few generations, Asha Bhosle takes time off her busy schedule to perfect her skills in the kitchen. She has a profound love for cooking and entertaining her elite group of friends from the film fraternity, and with a special collection of unique recipes created by herself, the global chain of Asha’s restaurants was born.

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Iftar at Tresind!

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of dining at Tresind, chances are that this maestro of molecular gastronomy will be the first to come in mind when asked to name your absolute favorite fine-dining Indian restaurant in Dubai. I recently raved about their brand new Summer 2016 menu (read all about it by clicking here), and was back last week to try out their lineup for Ramadan.

For Ramadan 2016, Tresind Dubai minimizes on the molecular gastronomic drama they are known for, and takes a more traditional route. Having said that, each and every dish is still given a signature Tresind twist and we were in for some very interesting, enticing treats.

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Pind Da Dhaba: A Fresh New Take on Punjabi Lassis & Kulfis

Pind Da Dhaba is a delightfully quirky little Punjabi joint located in Karama, Dubai. We were hosted by the lovely Deepti Chandak from the Jive with Deepti blog, and literally drowned ourselves in the most delicious lineup of lassis!

Lassi, the quintessentially Punjabi yoghurt smoothie, takes on a whole new lineup of unexpected avatars at Pind Da Dhaba. Served in traditional Kulhars (disposable Indian clay cups), the lassis cost a mere AED 12 each, and you really are spoilt for choice with a total of 12 innovatively different varieties.

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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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‘Punjabi Food Festival’ at Antique Bazaar (Four Points by Sheraton, Bur Dubai)

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.

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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.

Antique Bazaar 4 points by Sheraton Bur Dubai review of the Punjabi food festival by The Tezzy Files UAE food and lifestyle blogger (47)

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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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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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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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Saleem’s of Delhi: Regal Mughlai Cuisine Revisited

I had the pleasure of being invited to a bloggers’ event at Saleem’s of Delhi by the lovely Deepti Chandak from the Jive With Deepti blog. Saleem’s of Delhi has earned quite a reputation in the Indian capital, having served up traditionally rich Mughlai dishes to the society’s foodie elite since 1977. Their Dubai branch in Karama is the restaurant’s very first venture out of India, and has been in operation for about a year now.

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