If you're looking for a restaurant suitable for a family iftar in Abu Dhabi, then La Veranda at the Sheraton Khalidiya Hotel is one place I'd recommend.
For the first round at the buffet, a variety of Arabic mezze awaits you — everything from cooked okra to stuffed vine leaves. A lover of Lebanese cuisine, I directly went for the Lebanese tabouleh, the hummous and the baba ghanoush, which were not disappointing at all. The rice-stuffed zucchini and tomatoes tasted as good as they looked.
Being vegetarian, I was pleased to see two main vegetarian dishes — pasta with sundried tomatoes, and vegetable curry — among the other main dishes at the buffet. The beef mushroom pie, though not a vegetarian dish, smelled delicious. I think I would have definitely gone for it if it hadn't been for the meat. My partner had the freek with meat, which happens to be one of his favourite dishes, which he said was well cooked, but was disappointed to not find the yogurt that he typically has with it .
As far as dessert goes, there was a mix of Arabic sweets, cakes and some fresh fruit for those who want to keep it light after a couple of heavy rounds.
- Location: La Veranda, Sheraton Khalidiya Hotel, Abu Dhabi
- Cost: Dh160. Children up to 12 years old get 50 per cent off.
- Call: 02-6928500
