A perfect break to a fast

Tas T. Budds samples an Iftar buffet in a traditional Middle Eastern setting

Al Bustan Rotana Hotel
Al Zaeem Tent

The Holy Month of Ramadan witnesses many hotels offering Iftar buffets for people to break their fast at sundown. The main meal of the day, after over 12 hours of abstinence, has to be nutritious, light but substantial and refreshing. The fare has to be designed to help the body absorb the food without making a person feel heavy and weighed down. It is a tough order to fill, as cuisine from the region tends to involve a high level of fat and sugar content.

My guest, who was fasting and I decided to sample the offerings of Al Zaeem Ramadan tent this week. We walked in to the gentle sounds of a Holy Quran recital, while palm fronds adorned with fairy lights swayed to a cool breeze. The crystal blue waters of the swimming pool shimmered in the lights and hostesses in elegant traditional gowns welcomed people. The tables were draped in rich colours embroidered and edged with tassels. The result was exotic tranquil… you could be forgiven for wanting to spend your entire evening in the relaxing environment.

But, we had more urgent matters to attend to… tasting the numerous platters that had been lined up along the corners of the tent. After breaking her fast on a succulent date and sip of water, my guest opted for a selection of salads. I followed suit, as they looked quite alluring in their dew-fresh greenness.

The cuisine was distinctly Middle Eastern with a variety from the region. We tried the regular staples such as hommous, moutabbel, fatoush, tabboulleh, a range of flavoured vegetables, along with tangy Moroccan creations involving couscous and tomatoes. My guest loved the couscous with its soft body and piquant flavour.

My favourite, which is an Egyptian black lentil and rice salad, was equally good… good enough to make a meal of. Every time I eat it, the taste reminds me of a New York rice and walnut oil deli creation — sharp and fresh.

As a drink, we opted for the Arabic lime juice, which was the same as Indian nimbu pani — sweet with a hint of mint. Herbs are an important part of Middle Eastern cooking, which was reflected in the buffet.

The next course had my guest try a selection of herb-infused Iranian rice preparations, a tiny serving of chicken biryani and a piece of chicken mousakhan, which was very much like an extremely delicate shawarma. She declared each of them to be superlative and satisfying, without being highly calorific.

I opted for a lamb and rice dish, along with helpings of grilled kebabs and a piece of crisp falafel with pickled garnish. The meat was soft and collapsed at the mere touch of the fork — tantalisingly melting and well marinated, it was a gastronomic delight. The kebabs were tender with crisp edges carrying a suggestion of charcoal, just the manner in which grilled meats should taste.

Soups were available, but we decided to skip the stage, as there was a lot to be sampled. The menu is extensive, offering a treasure trove of choices for the discerning diner. Excellent value for money, for it is priced at Dh 89. Even if you just have a spoonful of each creation, it will be enough to make a substantial meal — the body of the spread is in its diverse assortment.

The final course, which was just desserts, offered everything from the cheese-laden kunafah, creamy Umm Ali to fruit tarts, chocolate mousse and creme caramel.

My guest was sold on the mousse, which she said was a chocolate connoisseur's joy. I liked the kunafah with its crisp golden exterior and soft heart, along with the warm Umm Ali.

The evening was declared a success and despite the array of food we had consumed, there was no feeling of over-consumption. We left feeling completely invigorated for a long evening ahead, something that not many meals can achieve.