AN iftar at La Ville Hotel & Suites was always likely to offer something a little different.
From restaurant design to ambience - and the food on the table - the Chival experience doesn’t disappoint.
ADJECTIVES such as swish, upmarket and refreshing spring to mind on entering Chival – one of the stylish outlets at La Ville Hotel & Suites.
The boutique hotel at City Walk oozes sophisticated charm and easy-going cool. And that’s before the food has even arrived. Contemporary design - from furniture to tableware- conspire with a lots of white interior surfaces to lend the eatery carefully curated modernity.
But a sense of tradition, albeit updated, informs Chef Kinan Ibrahim’s Ramadan menu.
The boutique hotel at City Walk oozes sophisticated charm and easy-going cool. And that’s before the food has even arrived. Contemporary design - from furniture to tableware- conspire with a lots of white interior surfaces to lend the eatery carefully curated modernity.
But a sense of tradition, albeit updated, informs Chef Kinan Ibrahim’s Ramadan menu.
SALAD STYLE: Even fattoush gets an iftar makeover in the contemporary surroundings of Chival
He found inspiration in the homemade dishes from his childhood in Syria to curate a sumptuous culinary journey of Middle Eastern cuisine.
And this is delivered with the style and service that Chival regulars have come to expect.
The sassy dining spot is presenting iftar colour via a served-to-table experience rather than a walk-up buffet. With a focus on family-style sharing, guests receive iftar staples created and presented with flair and finesse.
A moreish garden hummus with radish, a bold in colour and taste muhammara and green lentil moujadara simply look more enticing than usual while delicate lentil soup with carrot potato and onion eases the biggest of appetites in gently.
They are rightly proud of their wood-fired manakish here, delivered with a choice of toppings – za’atar, cheese or lahm bi ajin - all hard to decline when more is offered.
And this is delivered with the style and service that Chival regulars have come to expect.
The sassy dining spot is presenting iftar colour via a served-to-table experience rather than a walk-up buffet. With a focus on family-style sharing, guests receive iftar staples created and presented with flair and finesse.
A moreish garden hummus with radish, a bold in colour and taste muhammara and green lentil moujadara simply look more enticing than usual while delicate lentil soup with carrot potato and onion eases the biggest of appetites in gently.
They are rightly proud of their wood-fired manakish here, delivered with a choice of toppings – za’atar, cheese or lahm bi ajin - all hard to decline when more is offered.
JOINT EFFORT: Lamb shank is an unexpected surprise at this iftar, but served with trademark finesse
Likewise portions of saj, one with za’atar, another with a delicious combination of muhammara and cheese.
Among the hot mezzeh, the combination of pomegranate sauce, garlic and lemon juice lift the chicken liver to another level while the spinach fatayer is light and nicely enhanced with sumac and onions.
Mains choices major on quality over quantity of choice, but contrasting flavours will leave you satiated.
An Iranian mixed grill of moist lamb kofta, shish kebab and taouk chicken is hugely moreish, but just about outdone by sumptuous lamb shank garnished with green peas and nuts.
With its yoghurt base, lamb shish barak here is decadent and full of seasonal flavour with garlic, coriander and pine nuts adding both depth and texture.
At this point, this writer’s waistline was already battling with belt loops, so you’ll have to have either patience or discipline when it comes to desserts.
Among the hot mezzeh, the combination of pomegranate sauce, garlic and lemon juice lift the chicken liver to another level while the spinach fatayer is light and nicely enhanced with sumac and onions.
Mains choices major on quality over quantity of choice, but contrasting flavours will leave you satiated.
An Iranian mixed grill of moist lamb kofta, shish kebab and taouk chicken is hugely moreish, but just about outdone by sumptuous lamb shank garnished with green peas and nuts.
With its yoghurt base, lamb shish barak here is decadent and full of seasonal flavour with garlic, coriander and pine nuts adding both depth and texture.
At this point, this writer’s waistline was already battling with belt loops, so you’ll have to have either patience or discipline when it comes to desserts.
SWEET DREAMS: Desserts also arrive with design in mind for this sassy Ramadan experience
A chocolate fountain will keep the kids entertained, but we found guilty pleasure in a creamy kashta-pashmak, a subtle cheese kunafa and, intriguingly, tiramisu, a perhaps unexpected yet mercifully light addition.
Then there are the dried fruits, Arabic sweets, dates and nuts…
Truly, Chival’s iftar leaves little chance of anyone departing hungry. But by combining contemporary surroundings with sophisticated nourishment it will have you wishing to spread the word – regardless of whether you are fasting or simply feasting with friends this Ramadan.
DETAILS:
IFTAR at Chival happens from sunset until9pm and costs AED 239, including food and a selection of juices (50 per cent off forkids aged six-12).
CHIVAL is inside La Ville Hotel & Suites, on City Walk and bookings can be made by calling 04 403 3111 or clicking on https://livelaville.com/dining/chival/index.aspx
GROUP Iftar menus start from AED 169 per person and you can extend the evening for Suhoor in the courtyard; with the option of shisha priced at AED 60.
Then there are the dried fruits, Arabic sweets, dates and nuts…
Truly, Chival’s iftar leaves little chance of anyone departing hungry. But by combining contemporary surroundings with sophisticated nourishment it will have you wishing to spread the word – regardless of whether you are fasting or simply feasting with friends this Ramadan.
DETAILS:
IFTAR at Chival happens from sunset until9pm and costs AED 239, including food and a selection of juices (50 per cent off forkids aged six-12).
CHIVAL is inside La Ville Hotel & Suites, on City Walk and bookings can be made by calling 04 403 3111 or clicking on https://livelaville.com/dining/chival/index.aspx
GROUP Iftar menus start from AED 169 per person and you can extend the evening for Suhoor in the courtyard; with the option of shisha priced at AED 60.
