Iftar of the day: Chival, La Ville Hotel & Suites

Chival, the bright and breezy contemporary restaurant now open in the chic little boutique hotel La Ville Hotel & Suites, is all about keeping it organic, from claiming to source their produce responsibly to keeping it local. And guests can expect the same when you visit Chival for their iftar buffet — an extensive spread of wholesome and healthy Middle Eastern dishes with a fresh, international twist, courtesy their cheery German chef, David Schaumburger.

We began by digging into their excellent vegetarian cold mezze selection, a little too enthusiastically perhaps, for reasons that will become clear eventually. All the usual suspects were present: baba ganoush, an excellent muhammarah that yours truly helped herself to one time too many, a not-to-be-missed beetroot and shanklish salad, burghoul salad and an assortment of Arabic cheeses.

The hot mezze section gets the meat dishes going and our favourites were the deliciously flaky lamb fatayer, the meat kibbeh and the lamb makanek. Soup offerings include tomato soup and chicken vermicelli.

The highlight was the melt-off-the-bone lamb ouzi, as it more often than not is. But coming in close were most of the other main course offerings including the chicken freekeh (freekeh being the Mediterranean superfood grain: a delectable combination of aromatic flavours and a crunchy bite. By the time we got to the shrimp kabseh (a comforting rice dish), kofta halabi (kebabs served with a tomato-based sauce) and the fish biriani, we were kicking ourselves for not pacing ourselves better during our mezze thulping fest.

Another treat was the felafel waffle station, a delightful Middle Eastern spin on the snack. We can promise you’ll regret giving these a miss, as my dining companion can attest.

We finally finished with the mouthwatering dessert selection, which included both Arabic and Western treats. Their signature mille feuille, a refreshing pastry and berry concoction, is a must-try.

Adding a traditional vibe to the whole affair is a live oud player. There’s also shisha available for those who prefer to be seated outside.

The restaurant, with its simple and pared-down furnishings and ceiling-to-floor glass walls, giving the space a casual and social feel, is perfect for those looking to get away from dim and brooding interiors and want a light and cheery space to break their fast.

The details

What: Chival

Where: La Ville Hotel & Suites, City Walk, Dubai

Price: Dh175 per person

Timings: From sunset until 9.30pm. Sohour is available a la carte from 9.30pm until 2.30am.