Iftar review: NA3NA3 hits the spot with its traditional iftar treats

As I headed into the unusually named NA3NA3 (pronounced ná-ná) at The Address Dubai Mall, I wasn't too sure what to expect, what with the high ceiling and low lighting. Five minutes later, however, I knew I was in for a hearty Arabic iftar, with just the right touch of contemporary.

NA3NA3 (which I later learned is Arabic for mint) stayed true to its name with the soft green decor accentuated with sharp seating. Underlining the contrasts, clinical tableware was laid out on a deep maroon embroidered mat, perhaps reminding diners that they were indeed in for a Middle Eastern experience.

Arabic favourites

We ended our fast with dates and apricots, complemented with creamy laban available right at our table, before diving into an expansive buffet of Arabic favourites: hummus, fatoush, sambousek and a warm tahina-laced chickpea salad that left a lingering taste on our palates.

Across from the salads, live cooking stations churned out more Arabian delicacies: shish taouk, falafel and what might be some of the most succulent grilled beef I've had (it's definitely high on the list).

Further down the spread, NA3NA3 attempted to stray from what it does best with a sprinkling of international cuisine, but the pasta salad, beef stroganoff et al paled in comparison to the traditional treats.

For desserts, puddings, cakes and Lebanese sweets left us spoilt for choice, but after focusing on Arabia for much of the night, I settled for the green tea white chocolate cake, which left me with the smoothest after-taste, a perfect finish to a lavish iftar.