Iftar review: Emirates Palace

Emirates Palace has everything that you could want in an iftar — and more. From the beautiful, elegant setting and the first-class service to the five-star quality food and the giant TV screens (that are no doubt going to show the Euro 2016 championship), these guys really thought about everything. The friendly staff welcome you to the custom-built tent with a selection of fresh juices and traditional drinks such as laban with peppermint, tamarind juice, jallab and kamaruddin and then direct you to your table.

When it comes to buffets, I do not normally have soup, as I think it takes too much space from the “real food”, but the creamed shellfish bisque looked so delicious that I could not resist and it was as good as it looked. A must-try.

The starters table is not short of any of the usual Arabic mezze such as hummus, stuffed vine leaves, fattoush, cheese spring rolls, falafel and the tastiest fried kibbehs that I have ever tasted. There is also a wide and elegant selection of antipasti, salads and exotic dishes: Spicy stuffed eggplants, grilled chicken breast with baby asparagus and three-bean salad with tuna just to name a few.

There has been no cost spared at the main course section with plenty of fish, chicken and lamb dishes to chose from. Expect lamb thareed, fish nachief, hammour kebabs, roasted whole chickens, vegetable lasagna and traditional dishes such as lamb ouzi with rice, saj, chicken harees, Arabic mixed grill and shawarmas. You name it — and all cooked to perfection.

My favourite dishes of the night were the roasted hammour and lamb biryani. I never knew hammour could taste so good and the lamb biryani is just bursting with flavours, the meat is so tender you can cut through it without a knife. I went back for these again and again despite being full,

But leave some room or you’ll be disappointed when you reach the seemingly endless dessert table.

Highlights include the oriental sweets, puddings, pastries, two chocolate fountains (white and dark), fruit tarlets and berry cobblers. Even the fresh fruit selection seemed hand picked as everything was consistent in size, colour and flavour.

But the star of the dessert selection has to be the signature Emirates Palace cake. It is rich, crispy and simply heavenly in your mouth.

Details

Location: Emirates Palace Ramadan Pavilion

Price: Dh265++

Time: 7-9.30pm

Contact: 02-6907999