I grew up in a household where it was unheard of to have iftar on your own. Other than the time I was off in another country for university, I always, without fail, sat down to a table full of family once the canon ball sounded.
That’s why, when I went in to review QD’s iftar buffet, I had to have my mother and sister by my side. And the good news? Despite each of us having different tastes, we all found something catered to us.
Let’s break it up into three categories: the veg-lover (my sister), the light diner (myself) and the try-everything-once eater (my mother).
For the veg-lover, there’s a collection of traditional mezzas done to perfection. The fried cheese sambosek were especially scrumptious; where some places serve these bland and flavourless, QD’s were just the right amount of salty and mouth-watering. Spinach sambosek, French fries, a selection of salads, hummus, moutabel and vine leaves were also served up. Start off with the tomato or lentil soup and indulge in the penne pasta as your main dish, and you’ll be in meatless bliss.
For the light eater, sampling small portions seems to work best. Narrowing it down to your favourite dish before you’re too full is also a viable option. For me, it was the lamb ouzi that stole the show — presented on a massive, intimidating platter, but proving to be gentle on the taste buds. The lamb will melt in your mouth. Steal a bit of rota yogurt from the biryani section and add some grilled meat or chicken to the side, and you’ll be good to go.
And lastly, for the try-everything-once eater, you will find a bit of everything to indulge in. Along with the aforementioned, you can also experiment at the DIY shawarma stand or just hurry right to the array of desserts. If you’re health conscious, pile the fruits up high. If you’re letting your hair down, choose from chocolate mousse, strawberry cheesecake, layered chocolate cake or the classic umm Ali.
And whether you’re a veg-lover, a light eater or a brave soul willing to try it all, there’s Jalab and Qamar Al Din to help wash your meal down.
