Arabian nights

tabloid! picks a selection of the best iftars around the emirates.

Idyllic charm

The Cove's main draw is its idyllic setting, where the resort's rooms and secluded villas tumble down a hillside towards a lagoon and the impossibly blue sea beyond like a transplanted Greek village.

Strolling around the narrow, bougainvillea-clad lanes put me in the mood for souvlaki and taramasalata. Something for the owners to think about?

Happily the iftar at Cinnamon, has a heavy slant towards Lebanese dishes, including a large and original selection of mezze (don't knock the lamb's tongue salad, with its fresh vinaigrette of garlic, lemon and parsley, until you've tried it) and wasn't too far from the dishes I was craving.

I loved watching my fresh saj bread with halloumi cheese being made on the domed hotplate, a welcome break from the iftar buffet, while from the mains, a stew of lamb chops with stuffed vine leaves was tangy and unusual.

Ambience: Vacation for a night
The X-Factor: The romantic outdoor seating, where you can watch the sun set over the sea.
Must have: Fresh saj bread, lamb ouzi
Price: Dh130
Location: Cinnamon, The Cove Rotana, Ras Al Khaimah
Phone: 07-2066000

Review by Natalie Long, Deputy tabloid! Editor

Sure-footed appeal

As you approach this open-aired restaurant found on the banks of the creek, you get the distinct feeling that you have travelled back in time. The evening was very warm, the dining set up was beautiful, and my dinner partner and I were not complaining.

Once you are seated, you can kick back and relax, knowing that you are in a restaurant that only encourages you to linger over your food and thoughts, but also urges you to have inhibited conversations.

We were first asked to choose something to drink and, in the spirit of the evening, we chose fresh mint lime juice. We started with enticing appetiser moutabel and a generous portion of falafel.

Since the restaurant offers a special Ramadan à la carte, we opted for sheesh taouk and mixed grill- skewers of deliciously tender and juicy chicken and lamb arrived with boiled rice and fresh tomato salsa.

What a heavenly combination! We wound up with, you guessed it, with a cuppa of Turkish coffee - smooth and rich. And I am certainly going back, again.

Ambience: Relaxed
X-Factor: A great view of the creek.
Must have: Sheesh taouk
Price : à la carte
Location: QD's, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
Phone: 04-2956000

Review by Suparna Dutt D'Cunha, Copy Editor

Zen twist

They say change is like a holiday, and when it comes to iftar, I agree.

Japanese cuisine might be pretty far removed from the regular Arabic iftar fare, but the Taste of Zuma offering to end the fast is difficult to beat.

Start off with the light miso soup, then try the crispy fried shrimp sprinkled with chilli for an unexpected but mild bite. The Japanese style beef carpaccio topped with seaweed makes for a unique twist to a dish you've probably had before.

Renowned for it's black cod, it would be a sin to not order this - the milky white flesh is still firm yet flakes easily and has a smooth and creamy taste that even those who aren't fans of fish would enjoy.

A combination of banana, wasabi and toffee sounds unusual, but it makes for an interesting dish, but but the one they call "special chocolate" on the menu is called that for a reason. Trust them, the chocolatey centre of this fondant will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside, without a care in the world.

Ambience: Stylishly Japanese
Must haves: Beef carpaccio, black cod, special chocolate
Location: Zuma, DIFC
Phone: 04-425 5660

Review by Eduan Maggo, Copy Editor

A mixed affair

There's something about Arabic fine dining which just doesn't work for me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm every bit as keen as the next person to sample the treats of the region in any establishment - stars or no stars above the door.

But for some reason sheesh taouk seems to taste so much better served on the side of the Dubai Creek than on a gleaming white Churchill platter.

Point and case proven after a visit to the Kempinski's KGrill iftar experience. Sheesh taouk, lamb chops, kofta kebabs - all perfectly presented but lacking one vital ingredient, taste.

The main mixed grill platter disappointed however, a very tasty hot mezze selection made up for it. A cold mezze tray would have probably been better served with the mixed grill instead of 30 minutes prior - but then I guess this wouldn't be fine dining.

Dessert was traditional with Arabic sweets, Umm Ali (one of the best I've tasted in the UAE) and freshly sliced fruit.

Atmosphere was a little cold, mainly due to the number of diners versus size of the area.

Ambience: A little empty
X Factor: The staff and presentation could not be faulted.
Must have: The Umm Ali
Price: Dh220 per person for set menu (which also includes a fish option)
Location: KGrill, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates,
Phone: 04-4095999

Review by Kelly Crane, Staff Reporter