Accept it or not, but Iftars are one of the most prominent aspects of this month. It’s not just about feasting, but having those morsels of food after a day-long fast teaches you a lot of self-control, appreciation for the little things in life, and motivates you to share your generosity with those who are less fortunate.

Here’s a list of handpicked Iftar offers in Dubai and around the UAE. Whether you choose to indulge or want something budget-friendly, you are sure to find our that fits your pocket.

With a lot of people struggling to make ends meet, there are various brands that offer donation boxes and low-price Iftar meals. If you are in a place to contribute to others, make sure you pick these up for those in need.

DONATIONS

Click on the name of the establishment for more details

IFTARS & SUHOORS

Listed in alphabetical order – Click on the name of the establishment for more details

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This was my second visit to this property and that says a lot about the place, given I hardly ever repeat hotels in UAE. So what exception made me choose this resort again? An amazing all inclusive price (> AED 600 per room per night), a complimentary room upgrade, coupled with the chance to enjoy a 3 hour drive though nothingness, and of course, the 377383 hours that I could spend in their infinity pool, all came together to push me into choosing Tilal Liwa for a quick 2nd time summer staycay.

 

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Room

While I was lucky enough to get an upgrade to the Royal Suite during my last visit approximately 2 and a half years back, this time we were upgraded to the 2nd category Sahab Room, which in my honest opinion was not at all bad. The room opened up into a hallway with the bathroom on the left and wardrobe on the right, and led to the main area featuring a king size bed, a TV table with a chest of drawers and two seating chairs.

Take a quick tour of my room at Tilal Liwa Hotel:

 

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In terms of amenities, everything we needed was present, except for the usual dental kit which I have grown into the habit of calling for at every hotel I stay. The tea and coffee facilities were as expected and the mini bar was well stocked (not that we made use of it). The wardrobe was good enough for a one or two night stay. And since this hotel is located quite literally in the middle of nowhere, which means you have to drive at least 15-20 minutes to get to the nearest supermarket, I don’t think anyone would want to stay here for more than 3 nights.

Bathroom

Quite spacious, and most certainly clean, I really liked how the bathroom was divided into well defined areas so you always have space to move around. The bath tub was absolutely soak-friendly and I had concrete plans to make full use of that just incase the pool got too hot for me. Luckily, the pool was perfect, but more on that later.

All the little tidbits like toiletries, towels, etc. were maintained well, and yes, the bathroom comes with a shattaf and a bidet, so suit yourself!

Pool

I really really like the pool at Tilal Liwa. Yes, there are so many gorgeous pools in Dubai and I have been to quite a few of them as well, but something about the calming infinity edge looking into the nothingness of the desert really soothes my senses. After seeing tons of people floating in pools, this time around, I picked up an inflatable from ACE Hardware along with a manual pump, and I really enjoyed floating on it. The afternoons did get hot and dry, but that was only if you were lounging outside the pool. The pool waters were cool and while we were inside, we didn’t feel the heat at all. We actually spent quite a lot of our two days soaking up the sun and wading through the pool waters. The depth wasn’t too deep like the one at Rixos, so I found it quite comfortable to walk around and do some posing for the gram!

Dining Options

Although the dining options at the hotel are limited, I didn’t really miss not being able to eat enough food, since the all day dining restaurant – Al Badiya – had new items on offer everyday. Since we opted for an all-inclusive stay, all our meals at Al Badiya were covered, in addition to drinks at the restaurant, the pool bar and Layali Bar. My only regret was not being able to order food at the pool bar or the lounge. Also, a heads up, the all-inclusive package sounds quite lucrative, but the spirits on offer are the most basic ones. Moreover, no cocktails included, so that was another minus for me, but I managed to sail through the weekend with a rose in my hand.

Nearby Attractions

Well, to be honest, there are no such nearby attractions close to Tilal Liwa durng this time of the year, but it’s a great tourist spot during the annual Dhafra Camel Festival that takes place in December. A 15-day soiree, this cultural festival features a series of competitions, such as a camel beauty contest, falcons, community traditional dresses, archery, traditional food, music and poetry, and offers a great chance for visitors to experience Emirati hospitality.

 

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Of course, if you are visiting during the rest of the year, you can opt for one of the numerous activities the hotel offers at an extra charge like camel riding, moon gazing, dune bikes, desert safaris and more. If you like cycling, you can take a ride on one of their cycles parked outside for free, or if the weather is forgiving, you can walk barefeet on the sand and experience the raw beauty of nature. Tip: Don’t walk too far into the desert in the night, and beware of the creatures that hide under the sand.

Bonus

Watch my room tour of the Royal Suite from my 2016 trip to Tilal Liwa

 

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Have you been to this hotel yet? What did you love/hate about it?

Tilal Liwa Overall Rating:

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The crux of Pizza Di Rocco is their fresh ingredients, homemade breads and sauces, and the fact that all their dishes are created from scratch. Moreover, they have no freezers in their restaurant and everything is baked. We tried a little of everything, and while we loved it all, read on to find out what were our favorites from the menu.

Cozy indoor dining with a much more picture-perfect outdoor seating area makes the whole of Pizza Di Rocco. Obviously, June isn’t the time to experiment with the outdoors, so we settled ourselves on a 6-seater long table inside. The indoor seating options are limited, but Pizza Di Rocco relies heavily on delivery, so it’s no trouble. As we are seated, our server asks us what we would like to drink, and suggests some bestselling food options from the menu. We place our order for drinks, starters, salad and pizza, when she quickly mentions about a new soon-to-be-launched menu that features pasta as well, and suggests we go for one of those too.

While we wait for our drinks and starters to arrive, we are greeted with a complimentary bread basket that features thin and crispy foccacia with pesto, garlic oil and parmesan cheese dips. All homemade – the bread and the sauces – these are just great to munch on, and are cleared off in a matter of minutes. Just as we are contemplating whether we should ask for one more portion of foccacia, luckily our starters arrive. The Burrata Pugliese is quite obviously my first and undisputed choice in starters, and the actual dish does justice to my love for it. Very creamy and rich, like you expect burrata cheese to be, this one is served along with a fresh rocca salad, homemade pesto, balsamic and a toasted buttered baguette. I almost want to cry at having to share the burrata with 3 other people, but I calm my senses and plan a secret solo trip in my head just to have the burrata all by myself. The next starter is a classic, but quite different, portion of Homemade Chicken Strips that are served with a sweet chili dip. Very succulent, they speak volumes of the tenderness of the chicken in every bite. The juicy chicken chunks are marinated with Italian herbs and I especially love the breaded shallow fried coating on the outside. For the salad course, we opt for their bestselling Insalata Di Rocco. This signature salad is a healthy mixture of crispy Italian greens, tangy cherry tomatoes, olives, spring onions, mushrooms, walnuts and pine nuts, but the star of the dish are the ‘melt-in-your-mouth’ baked goat cheese nuggets. All these elements blend perfectly with the sweet homemade balsamic dressing.

We move on to mains with our two pizzas and one pasta dish. From the Speciali Di Rocco section, our Pollo Pesto pizza comes on a whole wheat base. Featuring a base of pesto sauce, that’s to die for, this one’s topped with marinated roasted chicken cubes, sundried tomatoes and broccoli. A very green and healthy pizza, this one’s cleared off in a jiffy. We take a break between pizzas to give the pasta a quick nudge, and are almost taken back by surprise with how good the sauce is! Not listed in the menu, but definitely something highly recommended by the server, we opt for the penne and chicken to be cooked in a truffle mushroom sauce instead of the classic alfredo, and we unanimously agree this is the best pasta we’ve had in our lives. We in fact don’t mind planning another road trip just for the one dish. The chicken and pasta are both cooked perfect, but really it’s the sauce that stands out. If I were you, I would order my preferred pasta in this sauce without any meats, and eat it all by myself. After fighting over who gets to lick the last of the pasta sauce, we arrive at the next pizza. The slightly spicy Diavola is from the Classico section of pizzas and comes with a basic, albeit delicious topping of Italian salami and oregano on a tomato and mozzarella base. For this one, we choose the white flour crust, just to get an idea of the difference between the two types of flours, and we definitely prefer the whole wheat one.

Next it is time for something sweet and the we already know what we want. As we place the order for their signature tiramisu, the server insists we try out Lilly’s Banoffee Pie as well. The pie is a mix of flavors – from biscuit and dulce de leche caramel to banana and whipped cream. All layered up in a cake slice, this one’s great for banana and caramel lovers. The chef’s special dessert – Tiramisu is quite certainly an indulgence. Generously dusted with cocoa powder, it brings together layers of fresh creamy mascarpone cheese and soft lady fingers into a heavenly creation. We contemplate if we should order a second one, but decide otherwise.

Pizza Di Rocco boasts of some great locations across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and will soon be opening up shop at Business Bay. I guess they are going to be my go to pizza joint once the Dubai branch is open. If you’re in the capital or planning to visit the garden city of UAE, give Pizza Di Rocco a try and you won’t regret.

Pizza Di Rocco

Location: Opposite Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Hamdan Bin Mohammad Street, Al Towayya, Al Ain
Contact: 80076226

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Boasting of gorgeous corniche views, Parmigiana located in Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche offers a homely Italian feel. The classic black and white checkered table cloths mixed with futuristic accents lends a perfect balance between authentic Italian and modern capital vibes. The staff at Parmigiana really do understand your food and drink requirements, and tailor the menu to suit your tastes. So whether you are looking for a variety of vegetarian options of prefer something prepared gluten free, they have it all covered.

We started with a basket of fresh homemade bread that came along with 3 different dips – Green olives, Black olives and Sundried tomatoes. We loved the bread so much, we asked for a second portion.

In addition to the bread basket, we ordered a selection of juices and mocktails – Fragolla Mentha Cooler, Lemon Mint Mojito and Orange Carrot Juice.

Starters

We started with three Antipasti from their menu. The Bruschetta (AED 50) came topped with fresh tomatoes, parmesan cheese and edible flowers on crunchy toasted bread. In fact, this was one of the prettiest bruschetta I’ve seen. The light drizzle of olive oil added a good balance to the creamy cheese and tart tomatoes. Next up were the Fried Squid & Prawns (AED 60) .The prawns in this dish were simply amazing! I am not a fan of squids, so I stuck to the prawns, but I was told they were just how you expect well cooked squids to be: slightly chewy with a crunchy outer. If you prefer only one of the two seafood varieties, you can request them to prepare the dish entirely prawns or squids. What stood out the most though was their saffron garlic aioli. With such a unique combination of ingredients, this dip went just right with the fried seafood. I usually keep the best for the last, and this Burrata (AED 70) was no different. First look at that presentation, and I felt it was too pretty to eat, but no burrata can go uneaten, so we went ahead and dug in! I’ve had burrata at every restaurant that has burrata on its menu, so obviously Parmigiana was no exception. While the center of this mozzarella heart had some creaminess to it, overall it was not as creamy and soft as I expected it to be. Regardless, the acidic tomatoes cut just right into the dense cheese. A good dish, but can be made better.

Mains

Moving on the mains, we went with three of their recommendations which included two must-have Italian staples and their signature dish. For the Pizza course, we tried two different toppings in a half and half style. The Formaggi (AED 60) came with a mixture of four different cheese types on every slice. The Verdure (AED 60) on the other hand, brought in some mixed grilled vegetables into the scene. Both these pizzas were great, especially with a drizzle of chili oil, and a generous dusting of oregano and chili flakes on top. But I have to say, I am slightly biased to the Verdure Pizza. I’ve always been a fan of colorful toppings, so that one was a win for me. For the Pasta we went with the classic combination of Penne in Pesto Sauce (AED 65). Now pasta is a must for me when I’m dining Italian. And when it’s with pesto, it’s all the more better. I loved so many things about this pasta – the very sauce, the fresh ricotta, the touch of parmesan, and the sundried tomatoes and pine nut garnish.

And then, it was time for the signature dish at Parmigiana. After all the restaurant is named after it! The Chicken Parmigiana (AED 80) is a must have. The crumbed fried chicken was just fab, and the cheese crusting on top added so much to every bite. The spaghetti on the side was slightly tough – I would have preferred it more well done. On another note, it would be great if the restaurant could add a version of the real eggplant parmigiana to their menu too.

Desserts

Finally to the last leg of our lunch – desserts. You all might already know this, I’m all about classics. So the Tiramisu (AED 45) was my first and most obvious choice as dessert. Honestly, every time I try tiramisu at a new place, I am convinced it is the best. But then the very next one proves itself better than the last. This one had a very creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture with the perfect flavors and textures of mascarpone, coffee and lady fingers – all balancing each other so well! And to end it all on yet another sweet note, we opted for the Mixed Gelato with Seasonal Fruits (AED 40). This dessert is a great choice if you’re looking for something light and refreshing. Our trio of gelato flavors included chocolate, lemon and tiramisu. The fruits were certainly fresh and I loved the idea of biscotti paired with gelato.

Parmigiana

Location: Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, Al Markaziya, Abu Dhabi
Contact: +97128137777

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This renowned LA diner has flown across the oceans to make an entry into the capital city. Offering Mediterranean-Italian flavors that feature their famous hand-tossed pizzas, home-style recipes and an eclectic menu, this relaxed and friendly restaurant exudes style and a quintessential LA vibe right here in Abu Dhabi.
Read on for details on their dishes.

So we hopped into our long drive mode and set off to experience our first Iftar in the capital. Having heard so much about Berri’s popularity back in LA, we were eager to find out whether all that celebrity hoohah was worth it when it came to their food and service. Even after a little adventure on finding the visitors retail parking spots, we happened to get there quite early in time for Iftar. This gave up plenty of time to get a feel of the restaurant and take in all that relaxed luxury vibe going on in there.

Featuring different seating areas from petite tables for two to plush sofas for a large group, the restaurant spans across a huge floor area and exudes that vintage appeal with its white, green and black interiors. If you haven’t got a chance to look at their interiors yet, just hop on to my YouTube channel and check the quick video tour. The interiors and ambience are just perfect for a romantic date night. We were even treated to a little tea light after sunset to add that couple-y touch.

But the food was yet to follow…

Bread Basket

Isn’t that one of the classiest ways to break a fast?

In the true Italian style we were presented with crispy flat breads along with a carafe of olive oil and vinegar. I simply loved how the carafe contained both the liquids encompassed within one glass frame.

But wait, the breads were not all. Sticking to the basics, there were some juicy dates too, adding a little Mediterranean appeal.

Smoothies

One of the many things that Berri’s Cafe is famous for are these organic juices. Not only are they made from organic ingredients but they come with no sugar added, which means they offer all the healthiness in one cute glass. I opted for coconut berries smoothie, because obviously coconuts, while my guest went with the mango tango smoothie.

The former was a healthy mix of coconut water blended with raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, banana and honey. In my opinion, it was more of a breakfast drink than a dinner accompaniment, and would have been better if the coconut water was replaced with coconut milk.
The latter brought together tropical flavors of mango, orange and pineapple juices with strawberries and basil. The drink was slightly sour though, maybe due to its citrus content. Also the mangoes used were probably of the slightly raw Asian variety, as compared to the subcontinental ones that my taste buds are quite used to. This too would be perfect for breakfast, but the lunch or dinner version can be made less thick in texture and slightly more sweeter, maybe with the addition of honey or sugar syrup on the side. The presentation for both the drinks was on point, but just ask for a separate sweetener if you prefer your drinks less tangy.

Berri’s Burrata Salad

We can’t do without Burrata. I definitely can’t do without this cheese in my life. So when I got to know that this is one of their house favorites, there was no backing out. Presented in the most classy manner, the Berri’s Burrata Salad features a generous dollop of Burrata taking its rightful place in the center show of the plate. Pepped up with mixed red and yellow cherry tomatoes, and garnished with balsamic vinegar and basil, it makes the perfect choice as a starter and opens up your palette.

While all the Burrata dishes I have at all the restaurants taste almost the same, that doesn’t mean they don’t taste any better. This Burrata, like every other Burrata I’ve had, was scrumptiously creamy and delectably fresh.
I would have stopped at just one starter, but the next one was too tempting to refuse.
Wait a little to find out more about that…

Buffalo Shrimps

Buffalo chicken I’ve had a lot, but seeing buffalo shrimps on the menu took my excitement to a whole new level. One of my favorite sauces and my only favorite seafood item combined was a surprise. I can’t believe I had never tried this out, and never even considered this combination before.

Berri’s Cafe changed that for me. And I can’t thank them enough for introducing me to these deliciously juicy, perfectly tender cooked, and fiercely spicy tiger shrimps.
The portion was really good too. And for a minute there I secretly wished I wouldn’t have to share this with my guest.
Paired with the buffalo hot sauce classics, the shrimps were served with carrot and celery sticks for a lovely crunch. Plus, there was a creamy ranch dressing just in case the spice levels got out of hand!

Lobster Pizza

I had never tried this before. And if it wasn’t for the Chef’s personal recommendation, I wouldn’t have tried it out this time either.
But when good things have to happen, they find their own magical ways and reach out to you. And before you know it, you realise you have experienced something so good, so different, that you never knew you had been missing all your life.

Such is the case with this Lobster pizza at Berri’s.
It might look very humble and require just three simple ingredients. But this pie packs incredible flavor with the shrimp, lobster cream and mozzarella toppings.
What takes it a step further is the burst of herbs and spices in every bite.
Try this out. It’s highly recommended for a reason and definitely a must have.

Chicken Linguini

Don’t let this portion size fool you into believing it won’t fill you. We shared this Chicken Linguini between two and were still stuffed enough to reconsider desserts. (Of course, we didn’t, but let’s get to that later).

This creamy pasta is cooked in Grana Padano cheese wheel. It is enhanced with tender chicken breast and sun-dried tomatoes in a white cheese sauce.
I loved how the red tomatoes added a lovely pop of color to this white linguini based dish.

Panna Cotta & French Toast Pudding

These were the desserts at Berri’s Cafe, which we were almost going to skip. But thankfully the chef made sure we don’t leave without them.
The first one was a creamy vanilla bean Panna Cotta garnished with fresh berries.

Next was the most decadent French toast pudding. This dense textured cinnamon brioche was drizzled with Nutella sauce and topped with a luscious scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Both these desserts were served alongside an English toffee and sea salt bar. Offering a burst of sweet and salty flavors in every bite, the salted toffee bar balanced the decadence of the desserts while still offering a delicious bite.

Berri’s Cafe

Location: GI 4, Beach Front, Al Muneera, Al Raha Beach, Al Raha, Abu Dhabi
Contact: 02 3048181

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Read on to take a look at everything we tried at this wonderful restaurant.

While we were greeted with a very welcoming vibe, what amazed us the most is this beautiful oriental decor which the restaurant had put up a mere two hours before we arrived.

A part of their Ramadan theme, the interiors fuse perfectly with their Asian Arabian look and make the perfect setting for the season.

Spicy Edamame

What could be more better than the combination of tasty and healthy? These Spicy Edamame are the perfect answer.

Perfect as bar bites, we started our dining journey at Barfly by Buddha Bar with these spicy soy beans. I loved how they were coated with a spicy mix of togarashi. Plus they are irresistible and you will keep wanting to have one after the other. The good thing, however, is that they are healthy so it won’t leave you feeling guilty, and the whole process of breaking the pod and finding the hidden young soy beans inside makes it so much fun.

Soon enough we were surprised with a section of the best appetizers at Barfly by Buddha Bar. Each of these came with a unique concept backing it up.

Crispy Shrimp Tempura

The Crispy Shrimp Tempura featured my favorite seafood pieces rolled in tempura flour in addition to kunafa dough to give it an angel hair effect. These were topped with coriander and chillies, and served with a spicy chilli mayo aioli. Don’t miss that soy based eel sauce to the right.

Blow Torch

The Blow Torch, one of their signature sushi rolls were surprisingly not raw. They were, in fact one of the highly recommended rolls off their menu. With a mix of salmon, tuna and sea bass within, rolled with rice in nori, these sushi pieces were coated with tempura flour and deep fried after. While serving, they were topped with Japanese mayo and chives for a slightly creamy twist.

Chinese Chicken Salad

The Chinese Chicken Salad has always been a Buddha Bar classic and came with so many interesting ingredients. According to our server, it could be eaten as a salad or as a meal. Chicken thighs, marinated in the Chinese 5 spice mix made for the proteins, combined with two kinds of cabbage and black and white sesame seeds. To this, they added fried wonton strips which not only gave a contrasting element to the salad, but also balanced it with a touch of crispiness.

Calamari Rings

The last ones were the Calamari Rings. Deep fried in a manner that made them extremely crispy and not at all chewy, these were given a slightly spicy finish with a dusting of sriracha pepper. Plus there was a sweet chili sauce on the side to fill any condiment gaps.

My favorite off the lot had to be the tempura shrimps, followed closely by the chicken salad.

Specialty Drinks

Barfly by Buddha Bar has a glamorous bar, which is completely in line with the Buddha Bar concept. Their bartenders are pros at creating the perfect concoctions, just by using your preferred flavors as reference.

We tried their specialty mocktails which are categorized under one of their four drink styles – Liquid in the street, Smoked in the wood, Frozen in the mountain, and Foam in the nature.

The Iced Tiki Milkshake on the left, was a sweet and refreshing iced blend of passionfruit, coconut, pineapple and vanilla, combining all my favorites in one glass. The chilled Rainbow Iced Tea on the right brought together muddled orange juice, lemon chunks and peach jam. This fruity drink gets its tea fix with hibiscus infused black tea, topped with soda for a little fizz.

Here is the very interesting Fly Old Fashioned. This drink used Japanese flavors mixed with their take on brown sugar, soda and bitters for a strong touch. The concoction was filled in a skull shaped glass, smoked with cherry wood chips and tossed to infuse the gas and liquid. Here, the smoke plays an important role to enhance the flavor. And the result is in front of you, a gorgeous looking drink, with a stunning presentation.

Served at the end, these rich blends were more like dessert drinks, thanks to all that creamy foam on top. The left Cranberry Kiss featured a mix of strawberry puree and cranberry juice. The right one, my ultimate favorite, the classic virgin Pina Colada came in all its pineapple and coconut glory.

The interesting thing about both these drinks was the pineapple-ginger-coconut foam on top. It started a little creamy with its coconut flavor, added a touch of tanginess with pineapple and then cut it with a strong ginger.

Thai Chilli Chicken

Main courses at an Asian restaurant, in my opinion, can never be complete without five important elements. These are Chicken, Prawns, Rice, Noodles, and any one special fragrant ingredient that stands out.

While we were just two of us, we decided to skip the noodles, but went ahead with the rest at Barfly by Buddha Bar.

The first dish we ordered was the Thai Chilli Chicken from their Wok section. A classic featuring fried tender chicken pieces in a spicy chilli gravy, this dish came with not one, but two star ingredients – Basil and Cashew Nuts.

The perfect melange of crunchy, aromatic and spicy, I loved pairing this gravy with the vegetable fried rice side.

King Tiger Prawns

The next dish was another special off their grilled seafood section. These grilled King Tiger Prawns came all decked up with skin on. The skin though, easily peeled off revealing those pink gems within. These made a great choice for mains, thanks to their generous quantity and the healthy grilled approach. The prawns were served with a side of yuzu pepper sauce and something that looked like tempura fried asparagus.

The spicy chicken was slightly closer to my heart than the latter, simply for its cashews and basil. But next time, it will definitely be noodles and more!

Chocolate Fondant

This is honestly one of the best Chocolate Fondants I’ve ever had. One of the highly recommended desserts at Barfly by Buddha Bar, every spoon into this fondant breaks into warm gooey melted chocolate goodness that strongly flows into your soul with every bite. The fondant itself is just perfect with the right amount of density and texture. It comes topped with a caramel croquette alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream hidden underneath dehydrated pear slices.

Mochi Ice cream

The Mochi Ice cream is another specialty at the chic Asian restaurant and goes completely in line with their theme. Offered in different flavors, we asked for the Yuzu, Mango, and (obviously) coconut options. While the mango and Yuzu were good enough, I was completely head over heels for the Coconut Mochi ice cream. This one, I would blindly recommend to anyone. It was just right how the dotted coconut flakes covered the loci and hid a little scoop of coconut ice cream within.

Barfly by Buddha Bar

Location: Venetian Village, Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Al Maqtaa, Abu Dhabi
Contact: 02 4041951

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Featuring an indoor as well as al fresco space, this restaurant captures the essence of Grecian dining so perfectly, it quite honestly transported us to a different place. From blue and white interiors, to bright yellow hues, wooden accents and dining tables dotted with traditional artefacts, the only thing missing was a stamp on my passport.

Join me as we move through the courses of authentic Greek dining at Mr. Greek and don’t forget to check them out the next time you are in Yas Mall.

While we waited for our appetizers to arrive, we were served this wonderful bread basket which came with Feta cheese, Kalamata olives and Greek imported olive oil.

Mr. & Mrs. Greek

For drinks, we tried to go a little different and opted for the Mr. Greek Classico and Mrs. Greek Delight. The Mr. had stronger berry flavors of Red Bull, mixed with blackberries, raspberries, lime, brown sugar and ginger ale. On the other hand, the citrussy Mrs. came with a blend of cranberry, lemonade, soda water, pineapple, orange and passion fruit syrup.

Appetizers

Greek cuisine is not only colorful, but its really healthy too. Plus it’s made with fresh ingredients that bring together classic flavors in a manner that you would have never experienced before.

These are the appetizers we order for our weekend lunch at Mr. Greek in Yas Mall.

On the left is their signature Greek salad. Known as the Village Salad or Horiatiki, this colorful plate comes with a fresh mix of house tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, red onions, feta cheese and Kalamata olives. It is drizzled with fragrant virgin olive oil and garnished with oregano.

Next to the salad is one of their famous dips – Mediterranean Spinach Dip. It comes with creamy spinach, grilled artichokes, caramelized onions and roasted red peppers – all blended together with cheddar, cream and parmesan cheese.

That tempting slice on top is Saganaki, but I’ll tell you more about that along with a video.

Saganaki

Wonderfully flambéed right before serving, the Saganaki was truly the star of the show at Mr. Greek. It is made with slightly soft, slightly stretchy Kefalotyri cheese which is drizzled with a generous squeeze of lemon and set alight at the table. The fun part comes in when the server says OPA in a very authentic Greek style and everybody follows with an applause!

Avgolemono

This was one of the most comforting dishes I have ever had. I would order this every chance I get. If comfort food for you means a bowl of chicken soup with soft mushy rice, then you will love this Avgolemono soup at Mr. Greek.

At the first glance, it might look like something your mom would make for you when you are unwell, but really, this dish does bring mum’s comfort to your taste buds, in a vibrant setting of course. Featuring strong flavors of zesty lemon, or lemono as the name suggests, this traditional Greek soup combines chicken, rice and egg into a warm broth. The flavor of chicken stock is very prominent, but thanks to the rice, the consistency isn’t very soupy, so you can comfortable eat a spoonful of this soup.

This was honestly my favorite from everything I tried at Mr. Greek. And it is that one dish that would take me back. If you are veggie though, or prefer different meats, you can also try their traditional lentil soup, Fasolada bean soup, or the sea food based Kakavia soup. If the Avgolemono was this good, the others wouldn’t be far behind.

Jumbo Shrimps & Gyros

When it was time to sample mains, we decided to strike a balance between authentic Greek seafood and street fare.

On the left is their Grilled Jumbo Shrimps. Featuring 6 pieces, these shrimps are marinated overnight with red onions, and green & red peppers. This dish comes with two sides, so we chose Greek rice topped with homemade tomato sauce and roasted seasonal vegetables.

To the right is the very famous Greek Gyro platter. We chose chicken for this and got a 5 oz. portion of the protein along with our choice of Greek potatoes side and a Tzatziki dip.

Although we were quite stuffed with these two, there is a wide variety of Greek specials available at Mr. Greek, from pasta and seafood to steaks, grills and Souvlaki.
Go there in a big group with friends and family and try out everything on their menu!

Bougatsa

You always have to end it with something sweet. But when coffee makes an entry with desserts, it just makes the ending so much worthwhile. The desserts were authentic Greek too. And like always, we went with the signature at Mr. Greek – Bougatsa with Lime syrup and Raspberries.

Very similar to a baklava, this dessert was made with traditional handmade filo pastry and filled with creamy custard and lime syrup. The crispy layers of beige filo topped the wonderfully sweet and crunchy base. And the raspberry garnish on top gave it a lovely finish.

Accompanying the dessert was the Greek coffee which although very similar to its Turkish equivalent, was somewhat more textured. I had mine a little sweeter than normal, but you can ask for the original version. Such a sweet ending!

Mr. Greek

Location: Cascade Dining, Near Ferrari, Yas Mall, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Contact: 02 5651127

The post A slice of Greece on a plate at Mr. Greek appeared first on Rashida Blogs.

And it was.

Enter Kareem’s. Located in Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche, this beautifully designed restaurant has such a colorful decor, it almost feels like you are entering the dining hall of a Mughal emperor. Bright table cloths, exquisite curtains and deep wooden furniture adorned the interiors of this authentic Indian restaurant. Kareem’s prides itself in their offer of kebabs, curries and biryanis, which means we got to try a variety of these specialties. The service, being impeccably tuned to the concept of the restaurant, really made us feel like Maharajas (and Maharani, of course).
Read on to find out what we tried, and you might just end up with an excuse to go to Abu Dhabi.

Buttermilk Chhaas

A welcome drink is something that makes you look forward to your meal while at the same time giving you a quick idea of what you can expect from the restaurant.
Our welcome with this chilled buttermilk Chhaas was quite a lovely one. A little salty, a little spicy, it had the perfect amount of tempering you would expect. And plus, it was so authentic!
The drink menu at Kareem’s is quite compact, focusing mainly on yogurt based drinks like lassi, chhaas, and then some lime water and fresh juices. This one’s a must try.

Papad Basket

Following the chhaas, we received the papad basket which was served in a typical fashion with green mint chutney, onions, lemons as well as carrots and cucumber bites.

Murgh Yakhni Shorba

There’s no good reason to not indulge in soup. Especially when it’s chicken soup for your soul, appetite, everything.
We tried the Murgh Yakhni Shorba at Kareem’s in Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche which came with tender boiled shredded chicken in a semi thick broth. Spiced with freshly ground pepper and served warm, this one’s the perfect choice for a chilly evening.

Kebab Platter

Nobody in their right mind could say no to kebabs. And neither did we.
Ticking off one of three items from their specialties, we tried this delicious trio of kebabs at Kareem’s in Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche which highlighted three of the most unique and bestselling flavors of this category.

Served on a sizzler plate, this platter came with Kareem’s Special Murgh Tandoori Tikka which were beautifully marinated in the classic tandoori mix. This was followed by Murgh Hari Mirch Tikka which was wonderfully spicy owing to its green chilli flavor. And finally Murgh Malai Tikka, featuring creamy and tender chicken morsels.

My favorite was the Murgh Hari Mirch Tikka, while my guest loves the Malai variety.
Which flavor of tikka or kebabs do you usually prefer?

Selection of Curries

Here’s a collection of curries from Kareem’s in Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche which I just can’t get over.

The one on top is the Dum ki Daal which is named so since its cooked overnight. So creamy and so delicious, this one was my favorite. It’s perfect with white rice.
The curry on the left is the very famous Mutton Rogan Josh that was cooked in a sour spicy tomatoey gravy.
Another classic, the Chicken Tikka Masala on the right was perfectly spiced. It featured tender chicken pieces that I loved every bite of.

These curries were served with lacchha paratha (leavened bread) to the left and tandoori naan bread to the right. I would strongly suggest you try atleast one curry of the veg variety and one from the non-veg variety. You won’t regret!

Chicken Biryani

The third of their three part specialty was the chicken Biryani at Kareem’s in Rotana Abu Dhabi Corniche. Cooked in the authentic dum style in an earthen pot, this rice classic came with aromatic long grain basmati bathed in aromatic masalas and dotted with tender chicken pieces. This dum biryani, staying true to its name, is cooked for over four hours to get that earthen flavor.

Plus there was no way I would go to an authentic Indian Mughlai restaurant and pass on the biryani.
Must have!

Phirni, Rabdi & Gulab Jamoon

To top it off with the perfect ending, we were served Mawa rabdi and Malai phirni.

The Phirni was very much like kheer with cooked softened sweet rice. But what really impressed me was the Rabdi which came with indulgent creamy mawa pieces soaked in sweet thick milk.
Garnished with dry fruits, they were accented with rose petals for a touch of prettiness.

Classics can never and should never be missed. To keep up to our classic love, we dug into these soft gulab jamoons as well despite being stuffed.

Kareem’s

Location: Ramada Abu Dhabi, Mina Road, Tourist Club Area (Al Zahiyah), Abu Dhabi
Contact: 02 4019004

The post Kebabs, Curries & Biryanis at Kareem’s Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche appeared first on Rashida Blogs.