Perhaps the most striking thing about the iftar at CuiScene in Abu Dhabi’s Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel is just how wide the variety of food is. So, if lavish buffets are right up your alley, then CuiScene is definitely the place for you.
This Ramadan, CuiScene is upping the ante with their iftar buffet spread, adding more dishes particularly in the sushi station, seafood station, and Emirati one.
And yes, the words Ramadan and sushi don’t particularly go hand in hand, but according to executive sous chef Ayoub Makdissi, the sushi station was quite a hit last year, which is why the team decided to broaden it this year. In doing so, they worked with a chef from popular Japanese restaurant Zuma to bring more sushi offerings.
With nearly 20 sushi varieties, you can expect the regular suspects; nigiri (tuna, and salmon), and maki (California style, vegetable, crabstick, tuna), among others. But you can also expect more creative variations that even include a tabouleh maki, and a falafel maki.
The combination, unusual as it is, is surprisingly tasty. The falafel mince gives a nice crunch, and the seasoning is just right, without needing any wasabi or soy sauce to spice up the flavour.
Next up, you can toss away your chopsticks for a fork, and head over to the starters station where you will find hot and cold mezza like fatayer (Lebanese pastries typically stuffed with spinach, minced beef, or cheese), kibbeh, falafel, tabouleh, and hummus, among others.
There are also the usual western salads and cold cuts, as well as a cold seafood station offering poached tiger prawns, mussels, smoked salmon, calamari rings, and poached blue crab.
As for mains, the buffet includes pasta, paella, beef medallions, Cajun roasted chicken, strip loin, lamb chops, grilled lobster tail, grilled shrimp and calamari, along with separate stations for Indian food, Emirati and Far Eastern.
We especially enjoyed the grilled seafood, with the lobster tails a clear hit — the meat was so tender that it practically slid off the tail. Otherwise, we highly recommend the pasta — creamy and rich — and the beef medallions.
If you want to try something more indigenous, go for the Emirati station that includes ouzi (baked lamb on top of spiced rice), chicken machboos (a chicken and rice dish), and even shawarma, which tastes fresh with its vegetable and chicken stuffing, but is perhaps a little too filling for a buffet option.
On the Indian side, there are the traditional biryani, masala, curry, and naan bread.
If you’re not too stuffed, end your meal with some desserts, namely from the chocolate fountain, which you can dip fruits, cakes, and rice crispy treats into. There are also the more oriental treats like knafa, and umm ali, along with various cakes and mousses.
If you want more food options than you can think of, then CuiScene is just the place.
The details:
Where: CuiScene, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Price: Dh199 per person
Hours: Sunset to 9pm
Call: 02-6543238
