Dunes cafe - Shangri-La Dubai - Iftar buffet - Dhs 165

[caption id="attachment_3284" align="aligncenter" width="705"] My friend enjoying his pick at Shangri-la Iftar buffet - Dhs 165 per person[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3285" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Our table in Dunes Cafe at Shangri-La hotel, Dubai[/caption]

EID Mubarak to ALL! Finally I am here writing about my last Iftar buffet for ramadan 2014. Sorry for being late but this happened on the last day of ramadan.The last time I was here was at their Friday brunch which was impressive so I was quite confident about being satisfied for their Iftar buffet. It was mainly middle eastern specialties starting from traditional beverages, hot and cold mezzeh, maincourse and all the way to the desserts. Iftar buffet happens at their ground floor in Dunes cafe. I love the ambiance and never had to be waiting in the line for their buffet.

[caption id="attachment_3271" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Cheese fatayer(left) and chicken shawarma(right)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3275" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Bun filled with meat and egg[/caption]

They had around 5-6 ramdan beverages like qamaradeen, laban, jallab..etc Ofcourse I went for their Jallab and it tasted authentic. Every table had nice big dates ready. You could also find expensive dates such as Ajwa in their dessert section. Right after dates I went after their cheese fatayers. They felt just out of the oven and the cheese inside it was even better. The next very interesting item where their mini cut shawarmas which again was superb. Another specialty that I enjoyed was their kibbeh with yoghurt sauce. They also had a bun filled with meat and egg. In a buffet sometimes you need to strategize as there is ample to eat and you can only fill yourself to a certain extent.

[caption id="attachment_3278" align="aligncenter" width="705"] carrot, beetroot and eggplant salad[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3277" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Salad bar at Shangri-La Iftar buffet[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3267" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Salads - eggplant, couscous, beetroot, labneh[/caption]

There salad bar was awesome. This is one of those buffets where I had more salad. Whatever they had on the counter tasted great and was of great quality. Muhamara(ingredients mainly being fresh or dried peppers, ground walnuts, breadcrumbs, and olive oil) was one of my favourites here and I made the most of it :) Items like Makdus(tangy eggplants stuffed with walnuts, red pepper, garlic, olive oil and salt) which I normally don't enjoy else where was very appealing to me here.

[caption id="attachment_3276" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Arabic Grills - chicken(sheesh tawouk), lamb cubes and kebabs[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3274" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Chicken dish[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3273" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Chicken(left) and Fish(right)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3272" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Ouzi - whole baby lamb with oriental rice[/caption]

Some of the highlights for their maincourse would be their grills, lamb dishes such as Ouzi, cauliflower Maqlooba. They did have a few indian curry and rice on the side which didn't look appealing at all. Their middle eastern cuisines ran the show which was good enough. They had two types of chicken dish as well. Overall they've got a good collection to satisfy your cravings.

[caption id="attachment_3286" align="aligncenter" width="678"] My plate of desserts[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3283" align="aligncenter" width="705"] arabic sweet - Cheese kunafa[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3282" align="aligncenter" width="705"] arabic sweet - katayef[/caption]

Ah yes, the desserts were a great site at Shangri-La. You see it right at the entrance of Dune's cafe. Infact that's the first place you stare for a while before you start visiting other stalls. For some reason the cheese kunafa and katayef were placed in a different space. I doubt if everyone noticed them on that side. I have a mixed reaction for their cheese kunafa. It looked very impressive but after having it I'd say the top part was done right but the bottom part of the cheese kunafa could have been better. So I ended up just scraping the top side of the cheese kunafa :(

[caption id="attachment_3281" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Arabic sweet - Katayef filled with kashta[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3280" align="aligncenter" width="705"] arabic baklawas[/caption]

I always enjoyed their baklavas. It's one of the best you can find in a buffet. One thing I'd like to highlight here is that not all desserts remained for long. The desserts I saw earlier was not available later and some other desserts came in it's place. So there is no assurance that you will find the same if you came back later. Besides the baklavas, their eclairs, tarts and chocolate cake were some of my favourites in this department.

[caption id="attachment_3279" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Arabic baklava[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3287" align="aligncenter" width="705"] My plate of desserts in close up view[/caption]

Iftar buffet at Shangri-La has been a satisfying one. Waiters were quick on their toes and willing to help you with whatever you need. You can also read about Shangri-la Friday brunch here.

You can know more about Dune's cafe at Shangri-La here

Click below to view pictures in full screen view.

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Mayrig - Downtown Dubai - Iftar Buffet - Dhs 140

[caption id="attachment_3237" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Entrance to Mayrig at Downtown Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3239" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Our table loaded with Mayrig Iftar menu - Dhs 140[/caption]

After being at many arabic buffets this ramadan I finally am in a restaurant that served me arabic with a different taste. Mayrig, an armenian restaurant that serves popular armenian cuisine along with influences from lebanese and Mediterranean cuisines. It was a wonderful experience. Actually I thought very few people knew about this restaurant but the day I was in for Iftar, it was running at 90% capacity. Such was the demand for their cuisine and after having my Iftar I am not surprised that I want to come back here for more.

[caption id="attachment_3236" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Lentil kebbe(left) and potato kebbe(right)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3240" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Lebanese Fattouch[/caption]

We made a reservation before we went to the restaurant so as soon as we got in the restaurant, our table was all ready with Iftar starters. The interiors very much stuck to their tradition with distinct pillars, colorful wall and lights. Once we sat they asked what ramdan drinks(laban, qamaradeen and jallab) we preferred. This was the day I had jallab the most. I probably would have had alteast 3 glasses of their Jallab as it was well made. This was the first Iftar in a restaurant that I comfortably sat through out my Iftar hour without having to get up frequently to fill up my plate. Everything was brought to our table one by one as we finished. As I've never been through their menu before, it was quite exciting anticipating each of their upcoming dish.The servers have been very kind describing each dish to me.

[caption id="attachment_3238" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Kebbeh stuffed with marinated Eggplant)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3241" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Armenian Tabouleh(left) and Hommos Basterma(right)[/caption]

Their starters and appetizers were the catchy ones on their Iftar menu. We could select either of the 2 soups which was vegetable and lentil soup. Surprisingly I enjoyed their vegetable soup more than their lentil soup. They make excellent tasting vine leaves. If you are one of those who don't enjoy vine leaves then maybe you should come here and try this one. The lentil kebbe was an interesting one too. They had some aremnian specials like the aremnian tabouleh or the kebabs with egg plant on it which was different and tasted great. It surely is some good healthy food and felt great in the stomach.

[caption id="attachment_3242" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Mayrig Delicacies (Assortment of Printzov Keufteh, Lahme Bi Ajine and Missov Keufteh)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3243" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Layered Pastry stuffed with cheese[/caption]

My children enjoyed their Keufteh very much. The layered pastry stuffed with cheese was easy to eat and nicely presented. There is no arabic without cheese I guess ;) There was also something called spicy potatoes which was pretty good but I generally try to avoid potatoes.

[caption id="attachment_3245" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Kabab with wild cherries(in the front)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3246" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Meat Brochettes with yogurt and rice(left) and Shrimps with Rice(right)[/caption]

Then came their maincourse. The kebab with wild cherries surely stole the show. I am not a big fan of cherries but I did make sure I completed the kebab in it :D I preferred the rice that came along with shrimps which was on a bed of little vegetables. In short I felt there wasn't much spice in their food and me being an Indian I am  a die hard fan of spicy food. So to me it was a little too blank in flavour but surely it's very healthy and great feeling. The meat brochettes was well done and very tender.

[caption id="attachment_3248" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Ashtalieh Ice cream[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3247" align="aligncenter" width="705"] pastry filled with ashta[/caption]

Their Ashtalieh Ice cream was freshly made in house and tasted great! but their pastry which was filled with ashta didn't reach up to it's killer looks. The pastry skin felt a little dead to me. Maybe it was the sugar syrup on it that kills it but the inner ashta was delicious.

It's been a wonderful Iftar at Mayrig and surely a restaurant that you must try if you generally enjoy arabic food. To view pictures in full screen view click on any pictures below.

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Nutella Bar - Eataly - Dubai Mall

[caption id="attachment_3230" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Nutella Bar at Eataly[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3223" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Some of the Nutella specials at the counter[/caption]

There was a time when it was nutella everyday but after a certain age I suddenly stopped having it. I still see them everywhere especially in hypermakets in different sizes and in a cute packing. The brand is still the same but slowly with age we begin to change our eating habits. I thought I've passed the nutella age until I bumped into the nutella bar in EATALY at Dubai Mall. My whole theory is now broken and I am no more able to control myself like in my school days.

[caption id="attachment_3221" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Making of nutella crepe[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3227" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Nutella Crepe - Dhs 22, addtional 5 dhs to add bananas[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3228" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Me munching Nutella cookies - Dhs 19[/caption]

The most happening item here was their Nutelle crepe. You can see fresh nutella crepe being made at their LIVE cooking station. Almost every table was having it. The moment I had my first bite into the crepe I was like WOW. Nutella never tasted this good before. From there on I didn't care much about my diet for the night and carried on trying few more of their other items I found at their counter.

[caption id="attachment_3224" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Cookie (Dhs 19-left) - Tart(Dhs 16 - right)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3225" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Going for the kill - Tart(Dhs 16) and cookie (Dhs 19)[/caption]

After the nutella crepe, my favourite was the nutella tart. Although I had high hopes when I ordered the cookie, it turned out that the tart was much better. The cookie was too sweet by itself, maybe that was the problem. It's amazing how that nutella would continue to melt in your hands and mouth. My son went crazy with nutella cream that he started licking off the nutella from everything he tried. Like if he touched the nutella filled tart before me then I end up with a tart without a nutella :( , that was the tension for me on the table :p

[caption id="attachment_3226" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Saccotinno - Dhs 17 - croissant filled with Nutella[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3229" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Marochinno Freddo - Dhs 20(left) and Affogato - Dhs 22[/caption]

Another interesting one was their thick square shaped croissant filled with nutella. Actually they call it a square pastry made from the same dough used for croissants. Recently I've been having cravings for chocolate croissant and this was even better. The square pastry was fresh and the nutella spread inside it made it taste better. The nice part about eating here is you also get to order drinks from illy coffee counter which is located just next to the nutella bar.  I really enjoy their coffee and my all time favourite is their Affogato which is a cold ice cream on top of a hot shot of espresso, covered with whip cream and cocoa powder. The other drink you see is the Marochinno Freddo which is milk, powdered cocoa, cane sugar and a shot of illy espresso topped with thick froth of cold milk. Marochinno Freddo was ok to me though it sounded exciting in it's description.

Nutella bar inside EATALY seems to be a win win situation for both. I've never seen the front seats of Eataly this full before. To view photos in full screen view, click them below.

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3in1 Restaurant - VIDA Downtown Dubai - Iftar Buffet - Dhs 170

[caption id="attachment_3171" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Entrance to Vida Hotel[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3198" align="aligncenter" width="678"] My little one can't resist his temptations[/caption]

After passing by VIDA hotel several times in Downtown, I finally manage to be in here and unexpectedly for an Iftar. I am glad I was here as it was a lovely experience eating at this wonderful restaurant 3in1 located inside VIDA Hotel. For their Iftar buffet it was an extensive line up of International and Arabic dishes along with some good quality arabic desserts. The Iftar buffet is priced at Dhs 170 per adult where kids would pay only half the price.

[caption id="attachment_3199" align="aligncenter" width="705"] 3in1 restaurant - Interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3189" align="aligncenter" width="705"] 3in1 restaurant - roundtables, suitable for a group of people[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3190" align="aligncenter" width="705"] 3in1 restaurant - Interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3191" align="aligncenter" width="705"] 3in1 restaurant - Interiors[/caption]

The interior was beautiful with comfortable seatings. I love those chairs that gives me a nice back support as well as hand rest. They had candles on every table. It is a perfect place for a romantic dinner. Quite and peaceful. Infact, you actually feel you are having Iftar at home. Most importantly you only find good quality food in here.

[caption id="attachment_3180" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Nuts, Dates and Dry fruits[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3177" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Nuts, Dry fruits and Dates[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3181" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Hot Mezzeh - cheese manakish, lamb fatayer, bread, zaater manakish[/caption]

For the drinks they had fresh juices such as apple / orange and as ramadan drinks they had Jallab, tamarind, laban and one drink which I don't see often is the Qamardeen. Infact I enjoyed the Qamardeen the most from their ramadan drinks. Just 5 mins before Iftar we were hovering around their dates and nuts stand. If you are full of nuts then this is the best place for you to come and get over your cravings. You will find all types of them including pecans, cashews, pine nuts, pistachios, peanuts, Almonds, walnuts, hazel nuts..etc. Then you have this Hot Mezzeh space where you can choose some fatayers with filling such as lamb or spinach and manakish with cheese or zaater which they would readily heat for you in their furnace.

[caption id="attachment_3178" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Salad Bar[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3179" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Cold Mezzeh[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3176" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Fruits[/caption]

Then they have this wide collection of cold mezzeh which includes hummus, mouthabel, muhammara, mousaka, loubieh bil zeit, babaganoug, stuffed vine leaves, labneh with mint, zaatar and rocca salad, fattoush, tabbouleh. One of my favourite from here was a purplish beetroot salad(not sure of the exact name but definitely the content was beetroot). In other words you won't miss any of your cold Mezzeh favourites here. They do have a nice big collection to keep you happy and most importantly they all tasted genuine.

[caption id="attachment_3192" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Arabic Mix Grill[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3193" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Chicken Molokeya, and Daud Pasha[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3194" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Lamb Ouzi[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3196" align="aligncenter" width="678"] 3in1 Iftar - Arabic Mix Grill[/caption]

For the maincourse they had a different format which I haven't seen before for a buffet. They have a pre set menu which they would bring to your table once you are ready for maincourse. For today they had Mix Grill, Chicken Molokeya, and Daud Pasha as the special of the night. From the mix grill I enjoyed the sheesh taouk and Lamb chops. I was having for the first time the Chicken Molokeya and to me it was more of a soup. With a sore throat I was very happy having the hot chicken Molokeya. It was nice too, the leaves as well as the tender chicken inside it came out great.

[caption id="attachment_3183" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Assorted katayef and Mammoul[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3173" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Arabic Desserts - znoud el sit[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3174" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Arabic Desserts - znoud el sit[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3184" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Arabic Dessert - Mafrooka[/caption]

The arabic desserts were my favourite part here. They had some of the best quality arabic desserts. Like I've tried Katayef from many other places but this one is the best I could enjoy in taste. Sometimes they are either too hard or cold but this one was just perfectly made. I love their katayef with cream filling in it. I could only look at the assorted mammoul too full by the time I reached here. Their mafrooka was another special. Normally you don't get this quality until you visit an authentic arabic sweet shop and I am very impressed for a buffet they did have some true quality dessert and it was not just added for the namesake ;)

[caption id="attachment_3185" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Desserts - sago and chocolate panna cotta[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3187" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Date pudding[/caption]

Besides the arabic dessert they did have some international desserts. Some nice red velvet cakes, carrot cakes etc. Their sago pudding was very good. There were many more but these are some of the interesting ones I can remember. You could scoop yourself an ice cream. Infact more than the ice cream I was in the love with their ice cream cones :D. The date pudding was sticking to each other so I just didn't bother to dig in further. Have already had too much desserts for the day.

[caption id="attachment_3197" align="aligncenter" width="705"] My plate of desserts - Arabic dessert(left) and cakes(rights)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3186" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Red velvet cake and Carrot cake[/caption]

This is definitely a restaurant you must try. I've not been here otherwise. Not sure how their menu looks after Iftar but looking at their standards I doubt if they can ever be disappointing. If you are looking for some nice Iftar buffet then this is definitely worth a visit.

VIDA DOWNTOWN website: http://www.vida-hotels.com/Home.aspx

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