Iftar of the day: La Cantine du Faubourg in Dubai

La Cantine du Faubourg, the elegant and celebrated Parisian institution, isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you’re thinking about where you want to break your fast. However, since I am a fan of a more alternative Ramadan experience, I thought I might expand my horizons and try something different than the usual Ramadan buffets.

La Cantine has launched a seasonal inspired set menu, designed with Arabic food lovers in mind. If you think you will be getting full on French dining experience, then think again. The menu features many Middle Eastern favourites made with care and high quality ingredients.

We started our iftar off with a perfectly-sized portion of lentil soup topped with crispy shallots. I was pleasantly surprised at how unique and tasty this ‘typical’ starter dish was. It was a warm and delicious start to the meal. Every single drop was eaten.

The highlight of the iftar was the Mezze course. We enjoyed parsnip hummus, a unique take on the traditional dish, followed by a unique salad made with chickpeas, sweet potatoes, red pepper and drizzled with date vinaigrette. As soon as my dining partner took a bite, she insisted that I have a generous portion of it. She was right, the salad was fresh, crunchy and delicious.

Our second course also included a perfectly spiced kibbeh with a mint sauce and a plate of something called a chicken pastilla. After some research, I discovered that the chicken pastilla is a well-known Moroccan dish made with phyllo dough, roasted almond, sugar, cinnamon, eggs and it’s filled with chicken. It had a lovely mixture of sweet and savoury and was the top dish of the night. I could eat 3 of them in one sitting. Both main courses arrived together and were designed to share. The first dish was a red snapper fish with spicy tomato jam sauce, almond and raisins served with pilaf spinach rice. The best thing about it, was that it was skinless, therefore very easy to eat. I personally loved the other main course, which was an Iraqi take on a braised lamb shoulder. The meat was accompanied with onion, chickpeas and serve on large flatbread. It was difficult to get through the generous portions served in the main course, since Ramadan means smaller stomachs and an appetite that gets satisfied with a much smaller amount of food.

Alas, there is always room for dessert. We ended our meals with an orange blossom water pannacotta, topped with marinated orange slices. I am usually a huge fan of pannacotta and this one was unbelievably fresh, light and citrusy. I favoured it to the date ice cream with caramelised pistachios on a bed of kunafa.

We had our dessert, while enjoying the view of the garden terrace overlooking DIFC’s top landmarks, including Gate Village and a few other recognisable high rise buildings.

The details

What: La Cantine Du Faubourg Season’s Escapes menu

Where: Emirates Towers, Trade Centre area

Price: Adult Dh250 per person

Timings: Menu available from 12pm to 2am from Saturday to Wednesday and from 12pm to 3am on Thursdays and Fridays

FIVE OTHER IFTARS TO TRY

Where: Dragonfly by Tim Raue, City Walk, Dubai.

What: Three Michelin Star Chef Tim Raue’s restaurant offers its own take on iftar, with a four course menu including delicious dim sums and signature dishes.

Price: Dh280 per person

Timings: Sunset until midnight.

Where: Miss Lily’s, Sheraton Grand Hotel, Dubai

What: The beloved Caribbean hot spot stays true to its roots offering an unconventional spin on some Ramadan specials.

Price: Dh230 per person

Timings: 6pm to 1am.

Where: Morah, J.W. Marriott Marquis, Dubai

What: Enjoy a four course meal while taking in a 360-degree view of Dubai from the 71st and 72nd floor of one of the tallest hotels in the world.

Price: Dh250 per person

Timings: Sunset until late.

Where: Coya, Four Seasons Jumeirah, Dubai

What: Experience iftar with a Peruvian twist at this fashionable hang out with a four course menu and lots of attitude.

Price: Dh270 per person

Timings: 7pm to 8pm.

Where: Marina Social, InterContinental Dubai Marina

What: For those who are looking to enjoy a relaxed fine dining experience with a nice view of the Dubai Marina, Marina Social is the place to be.

Price: Dh150 for a two-course menu and Dh195 for a three-course menu

Timings: 7pm until late.