Iftar review: Olea, Kempinski Hotel

Picking the right iftar is tricky business in the UAE because of the sheer number of establishments serving one. Olea at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates could be one of those places that takes out all the guesswork by ticking all the boxes.

The restaurant is large and inviting, done up in earthy hues. There’s the customary Arabian decoration set up for iftar but it doesn’t try too hard. A nice touch is the live oud music that was a tad loud but added to the lively atmosphere.

The food spread is not massive, which I much prefer, and each dish is executed to a high standard.

The live manakeesh station will allow you have your body weight in the beloved carb-y snack; the cheese and chili paste one is salty and amazing. There’s the customary lamb ouzi, which was delicious, but the chicken freekeh is the one to try. The wheat dish had an almost creamy feel to it and the chicken was moist and had a savoury stuffing.

The grilled meats were all outstanding — tender, perfectly cooked and spiced just right. One dish that I had never tried before got my foodie senses tingling. The maqlouba, an ‘upside-down’ rice, looked almost unappetizing. The rice dish was covered in purple-y brown caramelized onions and chicken that looked like it had a bit too much pepper and oil. On testing it, I was blown away by the tenderness of the chicken and the subtle flavours the onions brought to it.

After all the meat and rice is eaten, the dessert counters await. There’s an area filled with trays of flaky, rosewater-soaked Arabic pastries, kunafa and other sweets. Avoid the kunafa, which was soggy and not nearly cheesy enough, and fill up on the baklava. There’s another counter for cupcakes and candy, if you don’t like Arabic sweets (gasp).

Olea is an uncomplicated affair, with great food, a welcoming atmosphere and enough variety to keep those foodie senses buzzing.

The details

Where: Olea, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates.

Price: Dh175 per person.

Timing: Sunset-9pm.

Call: 04-4095999 or email restaurants.malloftheemirates@kempinski.com