DUBAI Iftars in the UAE are often a lavish affair reflecting the region’s rich culinary fare. But ending your fast at the Dusit Thani Hotel’s buffet is a different experience: A great view of the city from the 24th floor combined with a range of international delights makes it an iftar to remember.
You can end your fast the traditional way, with one of the five types of dates – including a local organic variety – and a glass of traditional Ramadan juice like Jallab (dates) or Kamer Al Deen (apricot).
Next you can move to the soup section, like I did. I opted for the good old lentil and a colourful beef goulash, seasoned with paprika and other spices the Central European way. I enjoyed every spoonful with a hot mezzeh – from fried kibbehs to falafels and spring rolls to pakodas (batter-fried veggies).
Hot pastas
You could also dig into one of the three types of pasta – ravioli, farfalle and spaghetti from the live pasta station or bite into a hot shawarma, but I preferred the salads.
The spread featured a huge selection of Arabic starters including hummus and moutabel, but international items like Thai asparagus and enoki rolls with beef pastrami and baby spinach and smoked salmon salad with capers caught my attention. The minced chicken with roasted rice flavoured with Thai herbs, smacked of lemon grass and tasted great.
If you also happen to see the cheese quiches on the salad bar, do grab a few. You wouldn’t have eaten a pastry crust like that.
And when you’re ready for the main course, hop on to the tagine section. “There are about close to a dozen items daily, but some of them are perennial favourites with guests here,” said Abbas Kanso, the executive sous chef of the hotel, though he didn’t tell me which ones in particular. But going by the look of the dish, I knew which ones would be a ‘hit’ with the crowd.
Samak harrah, for instance, a subtly spiced fish grilled with herbs and the chicken – stuffed with rice, resins, pine nuts and other vegetables baked in an oven – was truly delectable. Another great attraction at the buffet was their grilled salmon, braised with fennel and cooked in mushroom broth. But the one scoring the most in my list was a modest potato souffle. Deliciously baked on a bed of potatoes, this rich lasagna style dish made of minced lamb and potato puree was a dollop of richness.
The menu changes almost daily, but on this day a mouth-watering braised duck in mild curry and a massaman beef curry with potatoes and onion made my meal even more memorable.
The buffet also featured an Italian item in a braised ossobuco – a Milanese speciality of cross-cut veal shanks braised with vegetables and broth. With tomatoes, carrots, celery and onions, it was a pleasant flavour attack. All items of course go brilliantly with the traditional lamb ouzi. End the iftar fittingly with a choice of sweets – from ‘almond financier’ to regional favourites like ward al sham and assorted baclavas.
A part of what you pay for this iftar goes to the children’s charity campaign Operation Smile.
Details:
Location:
24th Floor, Dusit Thani Hotel, Dubai.
Timing: Iftar to 9 pm
Price: Dh145
For bookings: 04-317 4515
Our recommendation: ‘Braised duck in mild curry’, ‘minced chicken with roasted rice’, ‘Samak Harrah’, ‘Potato Souffle’
