Iftar review: The Farm, Al Barari Estate, Dubai

On the face of it, the setting of Dubai’s newest eatery, The Farm, seems perfect for the busy, brunching la-di-da crowd: Think lush green surroundings complete with landscaped ponds in the middle of the desert. The mostly white décor and ceiling-to-floor glass walls, to take in the botanical garden-like environment (Al Barari, the residential development where The Farm is located, literally means ‘wilderness’ in Arabic), add to that very notion. And oh, menus are on iPads for heaven’s sake.

But one thing The Farm does, and does very well, is in keeping it real, despite its apparent water-guzzling surrounding. During Ramadan, the iPads are done away with (you could still order a la carte if you so choose) and you have a mini buffet that would please the most fussy of eaters thanks to it wide-ranging option. I say mini because compared to the over-the-top-but-little-substance menus at most iftars this time of the year, The Farm’s seem rather low key. But with quality.

From the quinoa salad and the aubergine-based moussaka to the Indian-style jeera alu (potatoes with cumin), lemon rice and lamb ouzi, each item tasted so fresh as if it’s just come fresh off the garden. Served in small ceramic bowls on a heated table, it seemed more like we were casually (and comfortably) dining at a friend’s home rather than at a grandiose ballroom of a five star hotel converted for that purpose.

The bowls, I assumed, would be topped up with fresh food. But my dining partner and I didn’t stay long enough to see that because we were the only ones for iftar that evening - which is unfortunate, considering The Farm’s iftar is one of the best I’ve had this year.

We didn’t leave though before trying the dessert spread, which had quite a selection of cheesecakes and gluten-free chocolate cakes — all served in a very digestible sizes. But the highlight of the evening was the chocolate Umm Ali, one of the best versions of the classic Egyptian pudding I’ve ever had.

If not for its unique setting then, The Farm wins for daring to be different, with its culinary offering and doing it better than the rest.

Where: The Farm, Al Barari, Emirates Road, Dubai

Ambience: Minimalist, airy and light.

Must-have dish: Chocolate Umm Ali and lemon rice

Phone: 04-3925660 (thefarmdubai.com)

*Dh200. Iftar is served until 9pm.