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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Sehr Al Bahar - JA Ocean View Hotel - JBR - Dhs 180

[caption id="attachment_3773" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Me having dinner at Sehr Al Bahar restaurant, JA Ocean View Hotel[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3772" align="aligncenter" width="705"] My company at Sehr Al Bahar restaurant, JA Ocean View Hotel[/caption]

I recently got invited to the opening of this new restaurant called Sehr Al Bahar located at JA ocean view hotel which is found at the tip of Jumeirah Beach residence, THE WALK. Sehr Al Bahar has a set menu for dinner between 07:00pm to 02:00am for Dhs 180 which includes combination of hot and cold mezzeh along with mixed grilled composed of beef, lamb, chicken and ends with a fruit platter. Also with the set menu comes complimentary entertainment which is belly dance every 45 minutes by different artists which is one of the highlights having dinner at Sehr Al Bahar. You can pay additional Dhs 80 to enjoy some good sheesha.

[caption id="attachment_3762" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Sehr Al Bahar seatings[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3763" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Sehr Al Bahar seatings[/caption]

This would be the best time to visit an open terrace restaurant as the weather is fantastic and it will get even colder in the coming weeks during the night. The great views of the sea is spoilt due to the absence of day light. You definitely would spend hours here as the set menu is such with a fantastic cool weather. Many people who come here make a point to blow some sheesha while their eye balls pop watching some entertaining belly dance.

[caption id="attachment_3781" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Mocktails - dhs 32 - From left: Marrakesh Express(pomegranate juice, almond syrup, sprite)) and Sobia(dates, vanilla ice cream, honey, cinnamon)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3764" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Fresh vegetable crudities[/caption]

For mocktails you will need to pay additional Dhs 32 and I loved their Sobia drink(dates, vanilla ice cream, honey, cinnamon) which was rich in taste. For the marrakesh express the almond syrup plays a key role and was a pleasant drink but you know milkshakes(sobia) joy is on a different level ;) . The fresh vegetable crudities which is put in front of you as a part of starter was the least interesting one to me.

[caption id="attachment_3767" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Selection of Cold Mezzeh[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3770" align="aligncenter" width="705"] My plate of Cold Mezzeh - labneh toubleh, bettroot moutabal, babaganoush, spicy prawn with iraniansaffron, eggplant stuffed with spicy walnut mixture, stuffed vine leaves[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3771" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Senior Chef posing with my plate of cold appetizers[/caption]

Selection of Cold Mezzeh:

• Lebanese tabouleh with marinated prawns


• Beetroot moutabal


• Babaganoush


• Spicy prawn chermoula with Iranian saffron


• Stuffed vine leaves


• Makdous - eggplant stuffed with spicy walnut mixture


• Mixed Arabic pickles


• Olive oil marinated halloumi with rocca


• Sweet melon wrapped with basturma, drizzled with olive oil


• Rocca and thyme salad with olive oil and lemon dressing


• Labneh with garlic and olive oil

Then came the best part starting from the cold mezzeh. You are eligible to pick 2 cold mezzeh from your package of dhs 180 and pay dhs 18 for any additional cold mezzeh. Interestingly for cold mezzeh you don't have to rely on the menu as they bring you the entire collection of prepared cold mezzeh right in front of you and you can see and choose what you like. This is specially done for tourist who can't really understand much by the menu names. For me the no.1 pick would be their beetroot moutabal. Makdous was pretty interesting in taste with that spice giving you that kick, It's not often I find this one. The only turn off for me was their marinated prawns where I thought the marination could be a better one.

[caption id="attachment_3769" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Selection of Hot Mezzeh[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3768" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Aarayes filled with minced lamb and parsley[/caption]

Hot mezzeh collection:

• Falafel with garlic tahini


• Arayes filled with minced lamb and parsley


• Kabeh filled with minced lamb, onions and roasted pine seeds


• Grilled halloumi with rocca and sumae dressing


• Makanek leabnese sausages flamed with lemon juice


• Lamb sambousek

From the hot Mezzeh you get to pick only one and pay dhs 28 for additional. The Arayes was undoubtedly the most you wanted from this section. Well grilled and great tasting meat. I felt their grilled halloumi could have come a little more thick in size.

[caption id="attachment_3766" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Mixed Grilled of the day - lamb chops, lamb kofta, lamb koobideh, beef skewers, chicken tikka, shish taouk[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3761" align="aligncenter" width="705"] The chefs behind the grills[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3765" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Meat getting grilled[/caption]

Then came the maincourse which is

• Lamb chops marinateed with garlic and thyme


• Oriental lamb kofta


• Iranian lamb koobideh


• Beef skewers with vegetables and grilled red pepper


• Chicken tikka marinated with aromatic spices and yoghurt


• Lebanese sheesh taouk chicken kabab.

The good news for main course is that you get all of them from the menu. The maincourse comes hidden under a pair of spicy red kuboos. The spice on that kuboos was hot and damn good in taste at the same time. The better news would be these guyz know how to cook their meat. The spices and sauces used are also top notch. You can really taste it in their food. Love their meat, it's well done and it has a great flavour to it. The Lamb kofta was my favourite even though I loved the entire plate.

[caption id="attachment_3775" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Grilled tiger prawns mariinated with parsley, chili and olive oil - Dhs 75[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3774" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Grilled tiger prawns marinated with parsley, chili and olive oil - Dhs 75[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3776" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Fish kebab with lemon, coriander an saffron marinated - Dhs 50[/caption]

If you love seafood then you can pay additional Dhs 50 for fish and Dhs 75 for prawns. They also have a lobster for Dhs 180. I did try the Fish Kebab and tiger prawns and they were simply brilliant. The Tiger prawns was quite big and scary but they taste so damn fresh as if they just pulled it out now from the sea. The fish was tasting even more wonderful. It was a white cod fish. You definitely can't be disappointed with any of the meats at Sehr al Bahar :)

[caption id="attachment_3777" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Fresh fruit platter[/caption]

The ending is with some fresh cut fruits. They do serve desserts as well but then again you will have to shell out extra with cheese kunafa selling at Dhs 45, Um Ali Dhs 30 and Mix arabic sweet platter for Dhs 35. Overall it has been a very satisfying experience at Sehr Al Bahar. There is no doubt they make some of the best tasting grills here. Click  here to read more about them on their website.


To view the pictures in full screen view, please click on the pictures below.

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QD's - Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club - Iftar buffet

[caption id="attachment_3099" align="aligncenter" width="705"] We at QD's, Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3081" align="aligncenter" width="705"] QD's - Iftar tent[/caption]

After years of passing by Dubai Golf and Yacht Club I finally managed to land here for an Iftar. At a restaurant by the name QD's. Normally it's an open restaurant but this time for ramadan and considering the heat the entire restaurant is now inside a tent. The daily Iftar buffet offers a selection of traditional hot and cold Arabic mezze, rustic soups and Middle Eastern and international main courses and gourmet desserts with selected juices and traditional Arabic sweets and dates.

Prices for their buffet is

• AED 145 per person (buffet, water and selected juices)


• AED 65 per child (between 6 to 12 years)

[caption id="attachment_3077" align="aligncenter" width="705"] The view of the creek from QD's[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3076" align="aligncenter" width="705"] sunset at QD's - getting ready for Iftar[/caption]

Besides eating at their Iftar menu you also get to try their signature shishas and they had what I very much needed during this time which is wide screens showing the Football world cup LIVE. Yes, you won't miss a scene as they have giant projectors, LCDs from all angles so you can enjoy the match no matter where you sit in this restaurant. What's important is they offer you shisha as well so if you are one of those then nothing like it. It's a great timing too. You break your fast at 07:15pm and by the time it's 08:00pm you are ready and energetic to watch and shout for your team.

[caption id="attachment_3080" align="aligncenter" width="705"] QD's - interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3079" align="aligncenter" width="705"] QD's - interiors[/caption]

You need to grab the seats close to the windows if you want to enjoy the view of the creek and have your meal. But we preferred to choose the seats which had better angles to the giant screen. It's been a busy ramadan with that Football world cup coming in the way. I have been shamelessly trying to watch as many matches as I can. Luckily my office hours are from 11:30 to 18:30 so I have the liberty even to watch the late night match :D. Normally I just watch the first half of the 08:00pm(dxb time) match and after which I leave for prayers. It's the midnight match I get to see completely :)

[caption id="attachment_3078" align="aligncenter" width="705"] QD's - interiors[/caption]

They had different type of seatings and chairs for you. My favourite were those cozy wide chairs were you could sit back, relax and watch the game on their big screen which was placed in the center of the restaurant. It's like dream come true where you have the best match to watch backed by good food and ambience. QD's Iftar buffet is also inclusive of tea/coffee at the end of your meal.

[caption id="attachment_3086" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Nuts[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3083" align="aligncenter" width="705"] cold mezzah - muthabhal, hummous, labneh, greek salad[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3082" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Tabouleh, Baba Ghanouj, Hommous, Moutabel, Labneh with Olive Oil and Greek salad[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3085" align="aligncenter" width="705"] vine leaves[/caption]

I had a good start to my Iftar with their wide range of hot and cold mezzeh. They had a good selection of salads too. I'd say this was the best part(Hot and cold mezzeh) for me at Iftar. My pick from the Hot Mezzeh would be their spinach Fatayer. If you enjoy fatayers like me then can't ask for more as they had fatayers with more than one kind of stuffing :). Ramdan juices mainly were Kamer Aldin, Laban and Jalab. I didn't try all of it but i remember enjoying the jalab very much and so did my guests like it when they sampled from my glass :)

[caption id="attachment_3088" align="aligncenter" width="705"] fatayers and kibbehs at QD's Iftar buffet[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3092" align="aligncenter" width="705"] seafood[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3093" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Make your own shawarma at the shawarma station[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3094" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Rush for Ouzi Lamb[/caption]

Maincourse wasn't as shining as their HOT and COLD mezzeh. However there were a few items that caught my attention. I loved their lamb ouzi. It looked very fresh and just cut! Ofcourse when you see the demand for it you would also want to have a piece of it. Almost everyone made a stop at the ouzi space. The picture on top says it all ;) There was this fish cake shaped in the form of cutlet which was actually hammour and that tasted the best from their maincourse. There was a shawarma booth where you could make your own shawarma which I thought was the least moving. Did see Biriyani as well but already over my limit. I felt their sheesh taouk needed some improvement. It could have been a little more tender :(

[caption id="attachment_3095" align="aligncenter" width="705"] My plate of main course - filled with grilled meat[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3090" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Jumbo sized fries and grilled vegetables[/caption]

I was in total love with their jumbo sized fries. They did have a specific name for it but I can't recall. I used to very much admire the spud fries at Burger fuel but this ones even better. Every time I went to refill my plate I always would pass through the desserts which were beautifully displayed and just couldn't wait to have them....

[caption id="attachment_3098" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Desserts - baklavas at QD's[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3097" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Fruits at QD's Iftar buffet[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3096" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Desserts at QD's Iftar buffet[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3100" align="aligncenter" width="705"] My plate of desserts[/caption]

From their desserts Muhallabia was a good one and so were the arabic baklavas. The Arabic baklavas were fresh and crisp. It was mainly arabic desserts I had the most from here. They also had an interesting item filled in small shot glasses called the energy shot which was mainly a composition of milk, dates, bananas which I thought was delicious. All that cheese was the flop from this section which was the cheese cake and the cheese konafa. But the rest of it were good enough to be happy with.

Click below to view pictures in full screen view.

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