I’ve just set a new rule for judging Arabic food — the kibbeh.
I’ve never been fond of this spinning top-shaped savoury Middle Eastern snack as it tends to be doughy in the thick centre. But an Iftar preview at Petals restaurant in Rose Rayhaan by Rotana changed it all.
Now, I’ve never been one of those who eat in courses — I feel it just consumes too much time and you end up eating way too much. But when you have a full evening with only your smartphone to socialise with (my two guests had unceremoniously cancelled at the last minute), you extend your solitary meal as far as possible.
I started conventionally with salads and soup. Steering clear of the exotic lamb brain and tongue salads — I prefer not to be too adventurous when dining alone — I picked up the traditional favourites of hummus, tabouleh and fattoush. A spoonful of the Indian papdi chat and a small helping of harira soup accompanied me to the table.
Remember the scene in Ratatouille when Anton Ego takes the first bite of the ratatouille? His eyes expand and he’s transported to a happy place. Well, that was exactly what happened to me as I took my first sip of the soup. The earthy, tangy meat, veggies, chickpeas and vermicelli concoction would have been my full meal if I wasn’t there to review the iftar. Reluctantly, I put my spoon down in the empty bowl.
The salads were quite standard — nothing you wouldn’t have been served elsewhere.
On to the kibbeh now. The hot mezzeh glowed under a lamp between chafing dishes, which I took time exploring, as I headed towards them. The shawarma — chicken and lamb — were forefronted with dishes full of a variety of chicken, beef and lamb curries and there were at least four different rice dishes — including ouzi, biryani, plain steamed rice and the Middle Eastern herbed rice, which I’ve seen often but never got around to check the name of.
After the salad and harira soup, all this looked a bit much. So I simply took some hot mezzeh and a piece or two from the mixed grill, with just a spoonful of the ouzi rice.
I’d picked it up as a lark, smiling at its unusually small bite-sized portion. But the cinnamon-y flavoured, thoroughly cooked centre of the kibbeh was what surprised me. So size does matter. The kebabs on my plate were, as expected, succulent and flavoursome.
A friendly staffer came up to enquire if the food was satisfactory, as I put my fork and knife away and got busy with my “companion”. The same person returned shortly after to lead me to a laden dessert table. I avoided looking at the cheesecakes and fruit tarts and syrupy Arabic sweets. But oninsistence I helped myself to a spoonful of umm ali.
Until the kibbeh, the umm ali was my rule for Arabic food. Many a time people serve bread pudding in the name of umm ali. It may have been just a spoonful but I enjoyed it to the last, simply because I had no space for another helping.
DON’T MISS IT
Where: Petals Restaurant, Rose Rayhaan by Rotana Dubai
Price: Dh145 per person, including traditional Ramadan beverages, soft drinks and mineral water. Private dining rates are available for 40 or more guests, where one in every 10 guests eats for free.
Timing: 7 to 10.30pm
For bookings: Call 04-3230111
