Claypot - CityMax Hotels - Burdubai

[caption id="attachment_2546" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Mutton Biriyani - Dhs 45[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2553" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Me with restaurant Manager(extreme left) and chefs of Claypot[/caption]

Here I am again at a second North Indian restaurant this month. Like I always say I can never get tired of Indian food specially north Indian. Claypot restaurant is found inside CityMax Hotels which is located at a nice location in BurDubai away from traffic. Keep in mind you need to search for CityMax hotel while you drive on the mainroad and not Claypot. Parking is not an issue as it's taken care by CityMax Hotel itself.

[caption id="attachment_2544" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Claypot - Interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2554" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Claypot - interiors - where we sat![/caption]

This restaurant is a big one. Spacious with nice comfortable seatings. I love those lifted cabins next to the curtains. Nice and cozy. We visited this restaurant for lunch and we had the option of going for buffet or a la carte. We opted to order from their menu. The restaurant had mainly Indian diners while I was there.

[caption id="attachment_2537" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Pappads with chutney and pickles - on the house[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2536" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Mango Lassi - Dhs 20[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2535" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Mocktails - dhs 25 - Fruit punch and Cindrella[/caption]

Their was something nice about their pappads that came complimentary. Their pappad along with their spicy green chutney tasted one level up compared to other restaurants. For the drinks we ordered their mocktails such as:

• Cindrella - Lemon juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, ginger Ale


• Fruit punch - Pineapple, Orange, Mango, cream along with a dash of grenadine

Fruitpunch was my favourite here specially the cream in it but my guests enjoyed the Cindrella. I couldn't taste the fresh juice in Cindrella Mocktail it was more of a flavoured fizzy drink. Mango Lassi looked very attractive but it was not tasting pure and that's when i find out they've added a pinch of grenadine syrup which I thought was unnecessary :(

[caption id="attachment_2538" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Murg Chaat - Dhs 24[/caption]

I am not a big fan of chaat normally but this one was a premium chaat with tandoori chicken, onions and chilli in a tangy dressing. It came to our table and the whole plate got empty in a minute. It's from their menu called chaat - e- claypot. Really good and if you are coming here it's a must starter that you don't want to miss. You won't find this kind of a chaat even in the legendary Bombay chowpatty chaat house ;)

[caption id="attachment_2541" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Mili Juli Mansahari Peshkash - Chef selection of prawns, fish, chicken and mutton on a sizzler - Dhs 65[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2542" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Mili Juli Mansahari Peshkash - Chef selection of prawns, fish, chicken and mutton on a sizzler - Dhs 65[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2540" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Mili Juli Mansahari Peshkash - Chef selection of prawns, fish, chicken and mutton on a sizzler - Dhs 65[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2539" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Mili Juli Mansahari Peshkash - Chef selection of prawns, fish, chicken and mutton on a sizzler - Dhs 65[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2543" align="aligncenter" width="705"] My plate of starters - Minced lamb, prawns, Hammour fish and yoghurt chicken[/caption]

Then came to our table the sizzler platter of starters. It was a combination of prawns, fish, chicken and lamb. It's 4 pieces of each which makes it 16 pieces on the platter.

• Chicken tikka marinated in yoghurt and cheese.


• Lamb - Mala Maal Kebab - Minced Lamb coated with cream cheese and saffron cooked on a slow fire.


• Mahi tikka - Fish marinated with yoghurt and ajwain cooked in a charcoal oven


• samundar - e - khaas - Prawns marinated in a spicy red masala white ginger and garlic extract.

All that meat that came on this platter was outstanding. Lovely spice and well cooked. The chicken tikka marinated in youghurt and cheese was the children's favourite. They would quietly ask for more and this white chicken would easily melt in the mouth. The prawns was the next deadly one. The secret to the taste is the spice they use on them. If you enjoy spice, you are sure to enjoy at claypot. They use some brilliant spices for their dishes.

[caption id="attachment_2547" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Tawa - E - Murg - Dhs 40[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2549" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Assorted bread basket - Dhs 20[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2548" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Mutton Biriyani - Dhs 45[/caption]

The chicken curry which was chicken cooked on a tawa was interesting. When I ordered the curry, my assumption was it would be served in a bowl instead it came served in a flat pan with chicken pieces in the middle surrounded by thick gravy. The curry was just the type I like. Thick, limited and moderately spiced. The biriyani was delicious too. The lamb inside it was tender and nice. Their rotis were standard and my favourite was the garlic naan from this section.

[caption id="attachment_2552" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Desserts at Claypot[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2550" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Desserts - Dhs 22 per type - Gulab Jamun, Rasmalai, Gajjar Halwa, Moong Dal Halwa[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2551" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Malai kulfi ice cream - Dhs 22[/caption]

It was a grand ending too. Their indian desserts were top notch and you could really enjoy any of them. One of their speciality is the Moong dal Halwa which they have mastered to make it well. I loved their rasmalai too. Soft, fluffy and had the right taste in it. Everything is made in house is what they say including the Kulfi Ice cream. Overall the lunch has been very satisfying here and surely will want to come back here again.

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Hottie's Handbook - LOSE 10 Kgs in 10 weeks included 40 healthy recipes

[caption id="attachment_2516" align="aligncenter" width="705"] HOTTIE'S HANDBOOK - Dhs 135[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2520" align="aligncenter" width="705"] HOTTIE'S Handbook - cheatsheet[/caption]

Just before you even begin to think, this book is not mine! I hardly follow or even read any book in my life. My wife recently got this book and when I had a sneak peak it looked very interesting and thought it would be a good idea to share this new book with my viewers. The book is written keeping only women in mind. So either the author thinks we men are always fit and handsome or we are hopeless when it comes to following rules. By the way the Author Ahlaam Ali is a UK certified Lifestyle weight loss consultant and an NLP practitioner living in UAE.

[caption id="attachment_2521" align="aligncenter" width="705"] HOTTIE'S Handbook - 10 week journal[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2522" align="aligncenter" width="705"] HOTTIE'S Handbook - tips[/caption]

The book has great content such as tips, techniques, recipes, meal plans for breakfasts, mains and desserts, 10 weeks journal for you to keep track of your progress. I like the quality of the book. Nice thick sheets, big fonts that makes it easy to read and colorful pages, vibrant colors used throughout the book. Makes you feel young as you read. Nicely written and takes you through a plan that you understand. Lot of useful tips from head to start. One interesting page for me was the cheat days. In fact as per the book I've been cheating every day :(

[caption id="attachment_2523" align="aligncenter" width="705"] HOTTIE'S Handbook - recipes[/caption]

The book also includes 40 healthy recipes with each full page dedicated to a full size photograph of the dish and other other page dedicated to it's recipe. The 40 recipe pages can be broken down into

1. Breakfasts


2. Mains for veg, seafood and chicken


3. Desserts

So my wife decided to make me some from this book. Here's a little of what she made following the recipe instructions mentioned in this book.

[caption id="attachment_2518" align="aligncenter" width="705"] HOTTIE'S HANDBOOK - recipe tried at home - Zesty quinoa salad[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2517" align="aligncenter" width="705"] HOTTIE'S HANDBOOK - recipe tried at home - Pesto Fish[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2519" align="aligncenter" width="705"] HOTTIE'S HANDBOOK - recipe tried at home - Healthy Apple crumble[/caption]

This book is available at Virgin Megastore for Dhs 135. Ahlaam Ali herself will be available at Virgin Megastore in Mall of the Emirates on April 23rd, 11am-1pm. She will also give you a free personal consultation while you enjoy some complimentary refreshments and snacks. So make it if you are interested. ;)

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25 Degrees North - Al Barsha, Tecom

[caption id="attachment_2500" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Me with restaurant manager and chef of 25 degrees north[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2486" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Me with Speciality Kebab platter - Dhs 79[/caption]

And so here I am at 25 Degrees North. I'd say this indian restaurant has got the coolest indian restaurant name. Different from the typical Indian restaurant names that we hear. The name tries to reflect itself as a modern Indian restaurant. I am sure some of you smart ones would have already guessed their focus is on authentic north indian cuisine. I can never get tired of Indian food and nothing like north indian ;)

[caption id="attachment_2495" align="aligncenter" width="678"] 25 degrees north - interior[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2499" align="aligncenter" width="705"] 25 degrees north - interior[/caption]

It's a decent sized restaurant but not a big one. This restaurant faces the main road but it's on a tricky side of the road which can confuse most of you if you don't often drive to greens. To my luck it's located close to my office so it was easy for me to locate. I was recommended by few of my colleagues who have been visiting this restaurant. Surely it's an indian restaurant you can add to your list of Indian restaurants that you need to visit. Their menu was cheaper last year and prices have been increased along with the rising cost of Dubai :(

[caption id="attachment_2482" align="aligncenter" width="705"] welcome drink - mango mint[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2480" align="aligncenter" width="705"] On the house - pappad and chutneys[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2481" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Drinks - From left Jal Jeera Dhs 10, Mango Lassi - Dhs 15, Salted Lassi - Dhs 12[/caption]

As expected like most indian restaurants they gave us the pappads and chutney to begin with. Interestingly they had a welcome drink too which was mango and mint which I did enjoy. But ofcourse that was too little to suffice so we did order few other drinks. Out of the 3 drinks Jal Jeera was the special here. It's a cumin and mint flavored drink that's get you tuned for your meal. It's the right drink at the right time.

[caption id="attachment_2483" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Paneer Makhmali Seek Kebab - Dhs 32[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2484" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Speciality Kebab platter - Dhs 79[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2487" align="aligncenter" width="705"] My plate of starters - Mutton sheekh kebab, Noorani Tikka, Murgh safrani tikka, Paneer Tikka[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2485" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Speciality Kebab platter - Dhs 79[/caption]

We then tried some of their kebabs. Some of the characters in the kebab plate would be as below:

Murgh Saffrani Tikka - Boneless chunks of chicken delicately marinated in saffron flavored yoghurt.
Barrah Kebab - Pieces of lamb marinated with special lucknowi spices cooked in tandoor.
Mutton Seekh Kebab - Minced mutton marinated in North Indian spices and herbs
Noorani Tikka - Fillet of Hammour marinated in green chilli, mint and coriander paste
Paneer Makhmali Seek kebab - Marinated cottage cheese skewered and grilled over charcoal.

If I were to pick just two of them I'd say it was the Murg Saffrani tikka and the Noorani Tikka(fish) that was one level up of the others when it came to taste. The Paneer makmali seek kebab was a little different from my expectation. I mean I've always been having the tandoor version of paneer and it was the first time I was getting served a paneer grill as pearl white. To me always the sweetness of paneer and the tandoori masala was a lovely combination so this was a little different. But if you enjoy paneer generally you should have it with no complaints.

[caption id="attachment_2491" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Dum Pukht Mutton Biriyani - Dhs 46[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2492" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Boondi Raita - Dhs 17[/caption]

The Dum Pukht mutton biriyani was really good. Dum cooking meaning aromatic basmati rice cooked with layers of meat in a heavy bottomed pan, sealed with a dough on a low heat. The juices and steam allows all spices and herbs to nicely infuse with meat and rice. I could really taste the flavor in the biriyani. I normally don't eat much biriyani but here I did eat quite a bit so I would surely recommend you guyz to try their biriyani. I love the mutton in it was well. Juicy and tendor.

[caption id="attachment_2489" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Butter chicken - Dhs 39[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2490" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Dal Mahkani - Dhs 29[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2493" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Dum Nariali Prawns - Dhs 55[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2494" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Dum Nariali Prawns - Dhs 55[/caption]

Some of the curries we tried were:

Dal Makhani - Black lentil and kidney beans cooked with assorted indian spices and creamy butter sauce.
Butter Chicken - Boneless chicken pieces cooked in butter, coriander, tomato and ginger.
Dum Nariali Prawns - Juicy marinated prawns cooked in a blend of spices and coconut milk served in tender coconut.

Their butter chicken was yummy. If you like chicken and you plan to order a curry then I think you should try this curry. Dal Makhani even though it looked very appealing, it tasted ordinary to me. Nothing really outstanding about it. The curry that really stole the show was the chef special which was Dum Nariali Prawns curry. It also arrived on our table very differently. The server would then tear open the tender coconut for us to reach the curry inside it. As soon as it's cut open there is steam rushing out with nice sized prawns popping out of the curry. Once I tried a spoon, this curry was my favorite for the day. The fact this curry is a little different and not something that you see elsewhere I'd recommend you order this one specially if you have any special guest on the table to impress :)

[caption id="attachment_2488" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Roti Basket - Dhs 24[/caption]

They've got a big collection of roti. You can pick any four for your Roti basket. One of my favourite was the Onion Kulca as well was as the butter naan. The crisp and thin naan was the peshawari Naan which I thought came out very well.

[caption id="attachment_2496" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Shahi Tukda - Dhs 19[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2497" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Rasmalai - Dhs 15[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2498" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Firni - Dhs 17[/caption]

Some of the desserts we tried were:

Firni - Rice pudding flavoured with cardamom and saffron. Topped with pistachio and almonds.
Shahi Tukda - Fried bread soaked with syrup of milk cooked with sugar, cream and rose water topped with nuts.
Rasmalai - Sugar cream-colored balls of dough and a creamy sweet malai.

Shahi tukda needed some improvement. It has a nice malai on top but that fried bread was not very appealing to me. Firni was my little ones favourite and rasmalai was taken over by me :)

To know more about their restaurant you could visit their website: http://www.25degreesnorth.com. Telephone: 04-4527779

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Vogue Cafe - Shoe District - Dubai Mall

[caption id="attachment_2454" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Vogue Cafe - Dubai Mall[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2462" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Me at Vogue Cafe - Dubai Mall[/caption]

You know I've been to Dubai Mall a 100 times and it's surprising that I've never noticed this cafe before. Well partially it could be because it's hiding between these luxury shoes at the shoe district in Dubai Mall, which most of us wouldn't dare to enter unless you got a great bonus that night. A premium space with those ultra luxurious brands and golden interiors guarded by extremely well dressed human beings. Well that's where this Vogue Cafe is located, in the center of this million dollar shoe business. A slipper that caught my attention had a price of Dhs 1850. You know after that I was only looking at my food at Vogue Cafe.

[caption id="attachment_2453" align="aligncenter" width="705"] weekend Dj @ Vogue Cafe[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2466" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Vogue Cafe team[/caption]

They have a part time DJ who would play music every Thursday and Friday. The atmosphere is nice. You are just sitting here in between these premium brands and people. People who visited this cafe was definitely trendy, rich and stylish. Vogue cafe did have some good menu to offer and you'll find out more as you scroll down.

[caption id="attachment_2447" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Mocktails - Berry blast(Dhs 38 - left) and Mango Melody (Dhs 42 - right))[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2448" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Bocker glory - Dhs 42 - vanilla ice cream blended with white chocolate bar[/caption]

Berry Blast is Raspberry, blackberry, cranberry and lemon juice topped up with soda and lemonade.
Mango Melody is Mango, strawberry and cranberry blended together with passion fruit.
Bocker Glory is Vanilla ice cream blended with chocolate bar and chocolate sauce.

They make lovely drinks. I very much enjoyed the Mango Melody but bocker glory was my favourite ;) You could taste that blended chocolate in that thick vanilla shake and the taste was awesome! It's some of those drinks that you don't mind gaining that extra gram :) Berry blast was too much of a blast of berries for me but my wife loved that one.

[caption id="attachment_2451" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Vogue garden Salad - Dhs 57[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2449" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Lightly curried lentil and chicken soup - Dhs 49[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2450" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Zaatar chicken strip and pomegranate dip - Dhs 67[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2452" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Zaatar chicken strip in pomegranate dip - Dhs 67[/caption]

The lentil soup was not as thick as I expected but decent in taste. Out of all their salads I ordered their Vogue garden Salad just because it had the tag name vogue next to it. It was very pure and contained basic vegetables with nothing really fancy in it but it had that right combination to make it a good tasting salad. Zaatar chicken strip was the real winner here. The Zaatar chicken strips were flying in everyone's mouth easily and that pomegranate dipper made it even better.

[caption id="attachment_2456" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Grilled organic salmon with broccolinim stuffed gnocchi and cherry tomatoes- Dhs 142[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2455" align="aligncenter" width="705"] New York sirloin with beetroot, green beans and caramelised onion - Dhs 179[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2458" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Grilled Lamb chops with harissa spices, cucumber mint raita and chick peas - Dhs 175[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2457" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Grilled Lamb chops with harissa spices, cucumber mint raita and chick peas - Dhs 175[/caption]

The actually shocker came for the main course. I felt the portion size for the amount charged was a little too less specially the Lamb Chop. By the way this was one of the thickest lamb chop i've had recently. Normally I get it served thin but this was ONE thick piece. The meat was also cooked well and any meat lover would enjoy it but I doubt if he'll be happy with the portion size. The New York steak came dead to me with a matt finishing. Normally I like to see them come to me juicy and glossy but here the sirloin came looking dry. It was nice in the mouth but the presentation could be better. Salmon was pretty much standard. They just taste the same for me anywhere I eat.

[caption id="attachment_2461" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Hot Chocolate pudding with cherry hibiscus sorbet - Dhs 56[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2460" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Banana walnut cake with toffee sauce and butterscotch - Dhs 48[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2459" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Strawberry Cheesecake with whipped panna cotta and strawberry balsamic ice cream - Dhs 53[/caption]

They had some interesting desserts. I loved their cheese cake here and that panna cotta along with strawberry ice cream on top makes that cheese cake go rock n roll. The cherry hibiscus sorbet made that hot chocolate fondant taste better. I typically try avoiding fondants but here the sorbet convinced me to have more of it. Thanks to the banana walnut cake my stomach was complete. A filling one. Luckily the main course portion was less in size so was able to enjoy the banana walnut cake to the maximum.

[caption id="attachment_2465" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Tea - Black current and hibiscus - Dhs 26[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2464" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Mochacchino - Dhs 29[/caption]

You know when I come back here the first order for my drink is definitely the hot mochacchino. You could really taste the premium chocolate in that hot cappuccino. One of the best i've had. A must try this one :)

The black current tea was a great sip after our meal here. It was a pretty tea with a pretty taste. It had that unique taste which was very rejuvenating.

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