THE ART OF GIVING AT GRUB SHACK
Remember Grubshack, that groovey Goan joint in Health Care city that serves Goan food but also Indo Chinese food? We spoke about it earlier on this year. Well they've got a worthy initiative happening this Ramadan.
For every table eating a meal at Iftar time, they'll give away an Iftar meal box to a needy person in the name of the diner!
I love this idea! Some of our favourites are those Goan Rechado prawns and the crispy bhindi Nurani! Don't forget to try the kulfi on a stick from the cart. It's not licensed, but as it's health care city, it is open all day for discreet dining in and takeout.
The Giveaway deal is only during Iftar time though.
DIVE INTO A DEHLVI IFTAR OVER AT THE OBEROI IN BUSINESS BAY
Which corner of the world do we think Delhlvi cusine comes from ?
From Delhi of course, but more specifically from Old Delhi, so very near the area of the Jama Masjid which is I think the largest mosque in India constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1656. Jama Masjid means a mosque that reflects the world.
In and around the streets and alleys are bustling markets selling everything but there's a real focus on a particular type of street food here. The Ananta restaurant at the Oberoi in Business Bay has taken the best of what Delhvi cuisine has to offer and very appropriately put it all together in an iftar!
We know about Chef Dirham Haque as he was the master chef behind the Hyderabadi food festival too.
See what your favourite is from the Delhvi iftar menu, vegetarian or non vegetarian. The food has evolved from influences of the Mughals, the Punjabis and the Marwaris from Rajasthan.
BEAUTIFUL SETTING IN BAB AL SHAMS FOR AN ARABIC IFTAR
A traditional Arabic iftar at it's best and great if you happen to have some visitors over.
Head into the desert to the Al Hadheerah restaurant at Bab al Shams! It's hot and there's a lot happening outdoors BUT there is a very large, comfortable air conditioned tent where you can sit and eat.
We went mid week and it was packed so do book. I LOVED the ouzi here, the lamb was being cooked underground in a giant tandoor type oven, then hauled up with a pulley system as it was so heavy! Tasted more like a well spiced lamb biriyani to me than ouzi.
There's a great atmosphere here with a real Middle Eastern feel to the recreated street food market souk. The um ali, again a very traditional Arabic dessert was fabulous and hugely popular with people going back for more!
It's a great way of experiencing Al Hadheerah cost wise too as it's only AED 250 during the week, a little more at the week end.
The silence of the desert when you get back to the car park, that's priceless! Check it out for yourself, and subscribe to the DoinDubai You Tube channel to get quick bites of honest foodie videos.
AUTHENTIC ARMENIAN CUISINE AT THE SOFITEL
Yes it's still Middle Eastern food but this time we're eating Armenian style at the Sofitel Downtown.
We're at Al Mayass where they believe there is no love more sincere than the love of food! Try some Itch - that's a tangy bulgar wheat salad with a slightly spicy tomato based sauce as the main dressing. Plenty of vegetarian cold mezzes but the meat while known to us as kebabs, is served with a dark, cherry topping.
I tried the lamb and that too was excellent. Go to Al Mayass for some old world style and comfort, slow down and catch up properly. Iftars cost AED 185 but this is a new restaurant so do go even if not for an Iftar, it's open at lunch as well. Some interesting arty pieces here too. Do we know precisely where Armenia is?
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Thank You Monica.
