Iftar of the day: Address Downtown Dubai

Iftar in the ballroom of the Address Downtown Dubai is, in short, a remarkable experience.

Everything seems to be well planned, well cooked and well presented. And at the end, well eaten.

The stylish hallway leading to the ballroom gives the first sense of what to expect. It is followed by the elegant and sophisticated but simple ballroom (the iftar is served here rather than in one of the restaurants) coupled with what must be one of the best views in the city: overlooking Burj Khalifa and the musical fountain as the sun sets behind it.

Book a window seat to enjoy the view throughout the evening, as the fountains come alive about half an hour after sunset. Stop by the stand in the middle of the room for Ramadan drinks such as jallab (the juice of dates mixed with rose water and pine nuts) and qamar al deen (dried-apricot juice) — although table service for drinks is excellent.

The real rival to that view is the buffet with its extensive variety of dishes.

There is a range of appetisers with greens, salads, cold cuts and hot meze of sambusek, little pastries stuffed with cheese, spinach or meat, the latter being a pleasant surprise seeing as it comes stuffed with soujouk — a spicy sausage — rather than the usual seasoned mince.

But everything is a must-try, especially the spinach salad and mussaka salad, a cold dish of aubergine cooked with other vegetables in tomato sauce.

Testament to the variety of dishes on offer are the soups, three in total, and on the night I visited there was lentil, Indian tomato and Alexandrian seafood.

A firm effort to leave space in the stomach is needed for a wonderful selection of main dishes.

There is a shawarma stand, a pasta corner where perfectly al dente penne and spaghetti are cooked on the spot with the sauce of your choice and several types of vegetables (we had tomato with a healthy dose of asparagus and peas). Meanwhile, a stuffed lamb sits on a table next to nearly 20 hot dishes of meat, fish, chicken, rice and vegetables either cooked with a sauce or grilled. Think classics such as shish tawouk, alongside a garlic-heady seafood tagine; kibbeh in yoghurt sauce and rose-water couscous.

Sweet lovers will enjoy the dessert buffet: fresh fruits, baklava and other types of Arabian sweets and Umm Ali are all there. Presentation is perfect: small portions of mango meringue are served in tiny ceramic Moroccan tagine plates. Another strongly recommended dessert is raspberry pannacotta with Brittany shortbread.

- Location: Symphony Ballroom, The Address Downtown Dubai

- Cost: Dh185

- Call 04-4368888