Taste of Wafi - Wafi Mall - Saturdays

[caption id="attachment_4806" align="alignnone" width="660"] Mammoul from SaudiArabia[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4809" align="alignnone" width="660"] Heartmade cheese buns with either original cheese/olives/zaatar - dhs 90 for 25 buns[/caption]

It's the TASTE OF WAFI season at Wafi Mall. This is their 3rd year which happens every Saturday from 10:00am to 07:00pm until June 13th, 2015. The event mainly offers a wide selection of locally produced savory and sweet delicacies mainly dominated by local Emirati entrepreneurs. You will find Taste of Wafi happening in Colonnade area at Wafi Mall. The entry is free to public.

[caption id="attachment_4800" align="alignnone" width="470"] Polvoron cookies - Dhs 20 for a box filled with homemade cookies, marsh mellows and popcorn[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4801" align="alignnone" width="660"] ranjeena finjans - Dhs 20 per cup, Date pistachio brownies - Dhs 50 per 6 pcs, Date Jam - dhs 30[/caption]

The nice part about taste of wafi is the savoury and sweets that you find here is unique and not something you've seen before. Interestingly most are homemade, some with the finest ingredients from cakes to biscuits, chocolates to fresh organic produce. There were many stalls. Now it's difficult to show off all of them here, so I chose to showcase some of them which were my favourite at the event.

[caption id="attachment_4802" align="alignnone" width="470"] Good Habit - cakes - Dhs 30 and Dhs 35[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4804" align="alignnone" width="470"] Toma cake pops - Dhs 150 for 20 pcs and 15dhs per piece for customization[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4807" align="alignnone" width="470"] Bodbod cookies - dhs 200 for 24 pcs, filled with premium chocolate and topped with crushed biscuits[/caption]

The other nice part is many of them offer you samples before you buy. Out of those I tried some of the memorable ones would be:

Homemade Polvoron cookies  had a unique taste and deserved a thumbs up.

HeartMade cheese buns which are gluten-free snack made mainly with tapioca flour and a special combination of premium cheeses were handmade. Free of preservatives and all natural is what they claim. They come in frozen packs in small size of 25 buns or regular size of 50 buns. Dhs 90 for 25 buns.
click here to visit their facebook page.

Ranjeena finajans - Dates mixed with special sauces were amazing. They did have few other interesting items like jams and date brownies but the one really rocked was surely their ranjeena finajans. A must try if you are here. I felt the date brownie never stood a chance next to the chocolate brownie.

Saudi Mammoul by Dawaaq which had a blend of coffee was again an impressive one.

Toma's cake pops looked very pretty and perfect for occasions. Priced at Dhs 20 per piece and 15 dhs per piece if you want a custom design.

[caption id="attachment_4805" align="alignnone" width="470"] Mammoul with coffee[/caption]

Click here to know more about TASTE OF WAFI on their website. Click pictures below to see them in full screen view:

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Zafran - Dubai Marina Mall

[caption id="attachment_4716" align="alignnone" width="660"] Zafran's Times of Delhi menu[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4731" align="alignnone" width="660"] Desserts at Zafran[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4733" align="alignnone" width="660"] Me with zafran team[/caption]

The first time I bumped into Zafran was at Mirdiff City Center and remember having their mutton biriyani(which tasted better than their chicken) since then I wanted to come back a second time to try a wider range of their menu. They seem to have launched an additional menu this time called TIMES OF DELHI which mainly composes of famous Indian snacks or lets say street food which you would normally find in metropolitan cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta.

[caption id="attachment_4732" align="alignnone" width="470"] views from Zafran restaurant balcony[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4735" align="alignnone" width="470"] Zafran Interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4734" align="alignnone" width="470"] Zafran interiors[/caption]

The restaurant was mainly occupied by tourists and Arabs. You can opt to sit inside the restaurant or outside in their balcony with beautiful views of Dubai Marina. The heat is actually building up so I noticed people prefer to sit inside the restaurant during afternoons.

[caption id="attachment_4719" align="alignnone" width="470"] Drinks - dhs 22 - From left: Mango Lassi - dhs 22, watermelon and mint smash, Berrylicious(mixed berries, yoghurt, ice cream and strawberry syrup)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4718" align="alignnone" width="660"] On the house - pappads and pickles[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4717" align="alignnone" width="660"] Dal Shorba - Dhs 28 - lentil soup, lemon, coriander and toasted cumin[/caption]

We had a nice start to our lunch with a fine Dal Shorba soup and their berrylicious drink(mixed berries, yoghurt, ice cream and strawberry syrup) was a mesmerizing one. Actually the frozen berrylicious got better with time as opposed to Mango Lassi which was better tasting in the beginning than at the end. I didn't find anything special about the watermelon smash except watermelon. For the same price, their Berrylicious is a clear winner to me.

[caption id="attachment_4721" align="alignnone" width="660"] Pao Bhaji - Dhs 21 - Mashed vegetables cooked with onion, tomatoes and butter, served with Pao[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4720" align="alignnone" width="660"] Dahi bhalla katori - dhs 24 - combination of savory crisp, stuffed with a punjabi lentil dumpling[/caption]

The two items above are from their newly launched Times of Delhi menu. I've had these before from other restaurants but these were one level up in taste. Specially the Dahi Bhalla Katori which came so pretty that you would just stare at it before you dive into it. What's hidden behind the white yoghurt and green chutney is our well known vada. Both Dahi bhalla katori as well as the Pao bhaji has been very satisfying from quality and taste perspective.

[caption id="attachment_4722" align="alignnone" width="660"] Mixed Grill with seafood - Dhs 120 - Murgh malai tikka, chicken tikka, rampuri seekh kebab and tandoori prawns[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4723" align="alignnone" width="660"] Mixed Grill with seafood - Dhs 120 - Murgh malai tikka, chicken tikka, rampuri seekh kebab and tandoori prawns[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4724" align="alignnone" width="660"] Mixed Grill with seafood - Dhs 120 - Murgh malai tikka, chicken tikka, rampuri seekh kebab and tandoori prawns[/caption]

I hear this sizzling sound behind me and that's when I see Mixed grill has arrived at our table :D Some were really spicy like their seekh kebab and their prawns which were thick and juicy were my favourites. I felt their chickens found in the grills could have been better, it wasn't as supple and soft as like the ones you find at Gazebo.

[caption id="attachment_4727" align="alignnone" width="470"] Curries - Dhs 59 each - Butter chicken and Lal Maas (mutton)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4728" align="alignnone" width="660"] A mix of Roti - Garlic Naan, stuffed kulcha(paneer), Paratha[/caption]

If you are a butter chicken fan then you should definitely come here to try this curry. It's one of the best butter chicken curries I've had. Infact they have a secret to it, they add honey to their butter chicken. Didn't have anything to complain about their mutton curry as well. Actually I enjoyed their mutton pieces found in Lal Maas than the chickens found in their butter chicken. But from the curry perspective, butter chicken was better than the two. We tried a mix of their Roti and they've been fine and crisp.

[caption id="attachment_4730" align="alignnone" width="660"] Kulfi Falooda - Dhs 22[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4729" align="alignnone" width="660"] Dessert platter - Dhs 36 - strawberries, gajar halwa, rasmalai, gulab jamun, kulfi with saffron and pistachio[/caption]

The Dessert platter is the way to go. Some of the best indian desserts in one plate. I doubt if that strawberry stood any chance next to those indian desserts. Their Gulab Jamun is one of the best I've had. The milk in the rasmalai could have been thicker. For the kulfi part, I actually enjoyed the malai kufi found in the kulfi falooda than the saffron and pistachio kulfi in the dessert platter. The kulfi falooda was surely attractive, but I felt it needed a little more content to call it a Falooda. If you've tried the Kulfi Falooda at Bikanervala you know what I am talking about. You can click here to see it.

To see pictures in full screen view, click on pictures below:

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Zafran - Guess and Win competition

Happy to be hosting another competition. My recent lunch was at Zafran restaurant which serves contemporary Indian cuisine. I love Indian desserts especially the ones made from milk. The moment I had it, I thought it would be great if I could treat these desserts to some of my readers. So here is a chance for you to eat all that dessert you see in this picture below. Simply guess to win. There will be 3 winners for this competition.  Participate below, so you get a chance to have these irresistible desserts by yourself at Zafran. Winners to be announced next week.

[caption id="attachment_4731" align="alignnone" width="470"] Desserts at Zafran[/caption]

To win the competition simply do the following:

1. LIKE Dubaicravings facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dubaicravings


2. Name the desserts you see in this picture and tell me which one's your all time favourite Indian dessert?

Here's a tip: To make it easier, you can check out Zafrans menu here

[contact-form][contact-field label='Full Name' type='name' required='1'/][contact-field label='Email' type='email' required='1'/][contact-field label='Mobile Number' type='text' required='1'/][contact-field label='Guess the desserts in the picture and which is your favourite Indian dessert?' type='textarea' required='1'/][/contact-form]

Casa de Tapas - Dubai Creek Golf and Yatch Club - Deira

[caption id="attachment_4661" align="alignnone" width="470"] Me with Restaurant manager of Casa de Tapas[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4655" align="alignnone" width="470"] Paella Mixta - Dhs 80 - rice, chicken, mussel, clams, prawns, squid and vegetables[/caption]

Want to experience some authentic Spanish dishes then Casa de Tapas restaurant is the place to visit. The Spanish experience is not just limited to it's dishes but rather a collective effort by their Spanish staff, chef, the Spanish music played in the background, interiors, even the spanish TV channels all contribute in giving you that little bit of Spanish experience in this Arabic city, Dubai.

[caption id="attachment_4644" align="alignnone" width="470"] Casa de Tapas - interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4643" align="alignnone" width="470"] Casa de Tapas - interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4642" align="alignnone" width="470"] The view from Casa de Tapas[/caption]

Besides the Spanish cuisine, people come here to enjoy their meal and open their minds with some fantastic view of the sea and the city. You've got the best views in this restaurant, no doubt on that. There is two sides to the restaurant. One side is dedicated to smoking where the surrounding is more open. The other side is non smoking and felt more private with sofas and dedicated TV for each table. The ambiance is a very healthy one with lot of laughter and happiness seen between diners at Casa de Tapas.

[caption id="attachment_4641" align="alignnone" width="470"] Complimentary bread with dipper(made from tomata and olive oil)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4640" align="alignnone" width="470"] Mocktails - Dhs 25[/caption]

I love their hot bread along with their dipper (a combination of olive oil and tomatoes). Bread was fresh, soft and just perfect for a bite. We tried 3 of their mocktails. If there was something that they need to improve then it's definitely their mocktails.  It just didn't have enough taste that you'd expect from a mocktail. Probably they need to work on their syrup formula.

[caption id="attachment_4645" align="alignnone" width="470"] From left: Boiled eggs with tuna, mayonnaise and spring onion - Dhs 25, Tempura vegetables with a classic salmorejo cordobestomato dip - dhs 35[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4646" align="alignnone" width="470"] Prawns cooked in garlic, smoked paprika and chili - dhs 45[/caption]

We tried some of their hot and cold tapas. As I write, I realize some came to our table and some were forgotten :( The most ordinary tapas were the boiled eggs with tuna which was good but nothing different. The vegetable tempura was fun. You find different types of vegetables once you break them like egg plant, spring onions, capsicum etc and that dipper that came along with it was made the tempura even better. Although you feel a little guilty when you feel that oily vegetable tempura in your hand but who cares that's what you should expect from a fried item! The hot tapas which was prawns cooked in garlic, smoked paprika and chilli was magical in taste. It's that curry of garlic, smoked paprika and chili which makes this hot tapas prawns irresistible. We didn't spare any bit of this curry that came with the prawns.

[caption id="attachment_4654" align="alignnone" width="470"] Paella Mixta - Dhs 80 - rice, chicken, mussel, clams, prawns, squid and vegetables[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4653" align="alignnone" width="470"] My guest excited to jump into her Grilled fillet steak (180gm) - Dhs 120 served with mixed vegetables and chimichurri[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4651" align="alignnone" width="470"] Grilled fillet steak (180gm) - Dhs 120 served with mixed vegetables and chimichurri[/caption]

Their paella was the favourite part for me and I recommend everyone to order it without fail, If possible try the same one you see above(Paella Mixta). This is the best Paella I've had so far. Last time I tried Paella from Real Madrid Cafe which was really not up to the mark. I am definitely coming back to this restaurant to have more Paellas from here. The Grilled fillet steak was cooked perfect. Tender and would just melt in the mouth.

[caption id="attachment_4647" align="alignnone" width="470"] whole sea bass baked in rock salt served with oven roasted potatoes - Dhs 185[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4648" align="alignnone" width="470"] Uncovering the rock salt from whole sea bass which is baked in rock salt served with oven roasted potatoes - Dhs 185[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4650" align="alignnone" width="470"] flesh taken out of the whole sea bass baked in rock salt served with oven roasted potatoes - Dhs 185[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4652" align="alignnone" width="470"] whole sea bass baked in rock salt served with oven roasted potatoes - Dhs 185[/caption]

I've eaten sea bass before but never was served in such a fashion like at Casa de Tapas. The whole sea bass came covered in rock salt, it seems they cover the fish with rock salt, bake it in the oven and then bring it to your table. Right in front of us they uncover the fish from rock salt, remove the outer skin and serve the flesh on a separate plate along with oven roasted potatoes. The good part is you don't put any effort here besides watch them do the hard work while you eagerly wait like a cat. Of course the fish tasted fresh as ever and you can never be more satisfied.

[caption id="attachment_4657" align="alignnone" width="470"] Volcan de Chocolate - chocolate fondant with valley cherry ice cream - dhs 40[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4659" align="alignnone" width="470"] Chocolate fondant with valley cherry ice cream - dhs 40[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4658" align="alignnone" width="470"] cacao and cinamon churros with white chocolate - Dhs 28[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4656" align="alignnone" width="470"] Pan fried bread soaked in milk and tio pep, serve with dulce de leche ice cream - dhs 32[/caption]

They surely had some lovely desserts. I still want to have more of their bread pudding. A little different and very good. You cannot miss to order churros at a Spanish restaurant but the one here was served with white chocolate sauce which I thought was not a great idea. I am sure their churros would have tasted better with a dark chocolate sauce instead. The hot chocolate fondant was my second favourite which came with a hot chocolate crust, you break open and then chocolate fondant is flowing out. The ice cream makes a great pair with their hot chocolate but I just thought the ice cream scoop was a little too small.

[caption id="attachment_4660" align="alignnone" width="470"] Enjoying her dessert (churros dipped in white chocolate) - Dhs 28[/caption]

It's been a lovely treat of spanish food at Casa de Tapas. An authentic Spanish cuisine. The strong points are their hot tapas, main courses specially their paella and nice desserts to end with. You can eat with fantastic views of the creek and NEW DUBAI. Nice desserts to end as well. Click here to visit their official website and click below to view pictures in full screen view:

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Studio Masr - Box Park - Al Wasl Road

[caption id="attachment_4605" align="alignnone" width="470"] Studio Masr Restaurant at Box Park, Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4602" align="alignnone" width="470"] Lunching at Studio Masr[/caption]

This week I was at Studio Masr restaurant located at Box Park. Wonder how many of you is even aware of Box Park in Dubai. Box Park is located in Al Wasl road, Jumeirah and is the latest of Dubai's project which adds urban district theme to its portfolio. At Box Park the first thing you notice is the design and urban look to the venue. All retail shops, restaurants, cafes are located in these modern designer containers. Otherwise the concept is pretty much the same as you find in CITY WALK.

[caption id="attachment_4592" align="alignnone" width="470"] Studio Masr - interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4590" align="alignnone" width="470"] Studio Masr - interiors[/caption]

Studio Masr brings Egyptian food to the table with an atmosphere playing tribute to classic cinema of Egypt. The restaurant wall is well covered by actor and actresses of the great black and white era of arabic cinema. The wall paint and table lamps give you a feel at home. The restaurant is small in size but there is a good demand for their food as there was a good flow of customers throughout the afternoon while I was having my lunch in Studio Masr.

[caption id="attachment_4594" align="alignnone" width="470"] From left: Guava(dhs 15) and Studio Masr Cocktail(Dhs 17)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4593" align="alignnone" width="470"] Fresh Egyption bread along with 2 different types of cheese, olives and pickles[/caption]

For drinks they had fresh juices mainly and I suggest just go for their Studio Masr cocktail which is a mix of fruit juices along with grenadine syrup. Their complimentary bread was a little different from the usual which came a bit thick and rough on one side. More than their bread, I loved their cheese dippers that came along with the breads. One was a little spicy than the other one but yummy and irresistible.

[caption id="attachment_4595" align="alignnone" width="470"] Selection of oriental appetizers(tamayeh, vine leaves, taobula, sambosak, hummus, moutabel, motabel, besara) - Dhs 42[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4596" align="alignnone" width="470"] roka with grilled halloumi cheese - dhs 29[/caption]

Then came our favourite plate of appetizers. It was the best of hot and cold mezzeh in one plate. For Dhs 42, it's a plate of great value and quality. By default it does comes with beef liver which we swapped for vine leaves.  I just can't wait to get back to this restaurant just to have this plate of appetizers once again. The Roka leaves along with grilled halloumi cheese was a great pair. Probably the green food I most enjoyed eating in sometime. The leaves and the grilled halloumi cheese were outstanding.

[caption id="attachment_4597" align="alignnone" width="470"] Studio Masr Grill shawaya - Dhs 119[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4598" align="alignnone" width="470"] Studio Masr Mixed Grill shawaya(selection of Kebab, kofta, veal cutlets, lamb chops, chicken breast, shish tawouk) - Dhs 119[/caption]

The Mixed Grill came in an interesting setup. Most of us would mistake the burner for a jewelery box. A nice way of presenting the grills and the burner from below ensured the grills remain hot to an extent. Presentation has been classy, a nice way of impressing your guests ;) I don't have anything to complaint about their meats. They were well cooked and tasted great.

[caption id="attachment_4599" align="alignnone" width="470"] Chicken Mansaf - Dhs 42 - Rice Fattah with chicken, fried bread and yoghurt[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4600" align="alignnone" width="470"] Shrimp Freekoto Taagen - Dhs 44 - wheat grain with shrimp topped with parmesan and mozarella cheese[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4601" align="alignnone" width="470"] Shrimp Freekoto Taagen - Dhs 44 - wheat grain with shrimp topped with parmesan and mozarella cheese[/caption]

Chicken Mansaf and Taagen was my first time. Never had these before. Healthy food specially the mansaf and the taagen was loaded with cheese, vegetables and 200gms of shrimp . I was enjoying the Taagen more for it's taste, the Mansaf had less flavour to it as it was dominated by yoghurt.

[caption id="attachment_4604" align="alignnone" width="470"] Arak El Balah - Dhs 24 - Hot date pie with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and nuts[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4603" align="alignnone" width="470"] Kashtaleya with honey and bananas - Dhs 28 - fresh cream pudding with ice cream, honey, nuts and fruits[/caption]

Dessert portion size was very generous and filling especially their kastaley and milk pudding. Mind you both Kashhtaleya and milk pudding is more or less in the same line, probably should have tried their signature A'aelat Zizi instead but then when I read 5 scoops of Ice cream, I thought it will be a little over dose of ice creams alone. Milk pudding is only dhs 12 which is a pretty good deal. The biscuit of the hot date pie was quite hard, you need to put that extra effort to get it cracking.

[caption id="attachment_4606" align="alignnone" width="660"] Me with Studio Masr team[/caption]

Overall it's been a wonderful treat here. Good food and I thought it was priced reasonable compared to other arabic restaurants in Dubai. A new location, a new restaurant I think this should be your next spot for your weekend feast ;) Click here to visit their facebook page. Click pictures below to see them in full screen view.

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