As I walked into the Mamemo Majlis at the Ritz-Carlton Dubai, I was pleasantly surprised at the modernity of it all. The art, the lighting and the plush, comfy furniture was a nice break from the overdone Arabesque style we are usually subjected to during iftar buffets.
The contemporary style of the Majlis is complemented with a well-crafted food souq, that’s been uniquely made for the occasion, showcasing an extensive selection of cuisine inspired by countries from across North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. There’s even a street food corner, where they serve authentic Egyptian koshari, a dish you rarely get to enjoy outside of Egypt. We knew we were in for something special.
As we dove into the starters, I loved that there were some unique interpretations of traditional dishes. My favourite mezze had to be the beetroot muhamara, which I ate with flat Arabic bread and a side of grilled chicken. I wish I could go back in time to have some more of the beef fatayer, which was excellent.
Some of the stand out main dishes included the lamb ouzi, fatteh and Arabic grilled meats. While the kebabs were a hint on the spicy side, the grilled chicken was perfectly tender.
My family members all raved about the mansaf, a traditional Arabic dish made with lamb and rice. It was quite the crowd-pleaser and a great option for people who are fasting and need a good dose of protein and carbs.
I particularly loved the special stand they had dedicated to all Ramadan juices, which had six options to choose from. There was also an amazing spread for dessert, which included a mini date market, offering different types of the sweet treat, an Arabic ice cream section and of course kunafa to really seal the deal.
Although I am not a big fan of large buffets and typical Ramadan offerings, Mamemo Majlis was a lot of fun, with great food, fresh ingredients and an ambiance that is more subtle than your usual Arabic style offering, making it a unique Majlis to experience this Ramadan.
The details
Where: Mamemo Majlis, Ritz-Carlton Dubai
Price: Dh220 per person, Dh110 per child aged between 5-12 years old, free for children below 5 years
Timings: Sunset until 9pm
