AS Ramadan enters its final week, we visit two more iftars you'd do well to experience before Eid.
COOL POOL: Ramadan colours give the Vida Downtown a warm vibe
This year there seems to have been more opportunities to break fast across the UAE than ever before.
And, as always, Dubai offers a huge contrast of iftar choices touching on the traditional and the innovative.
And, as always, Dubai offers a huge contrast of iftar choices touching on the traditional and the innovative.
Vida Downtown is rightly renowned for being a chic destination - from artistic décor to food and beverage options, it oozes sophistication. So when it does iftar, don’t expect ordinary.
A LOT OF BOTTLE: The drinks store at 3in1 restaurant catches the eye
For a start, the setting is the modern calm of the 3in1 restaurant, overlooking the pool area and the setting for its popular Picnic Brunch.
The first notable visible change from the usual set-up is the showpiece illuminated wine locker, during Ramadan filled instead with a variety of soft drinks and fresh juices in dinky little bottles.
It’s a striking feature beside a spacious layout that includes a range of attractive cold starters and salads – and some excellent pizza, kept in regular supply from 3in1’s central pizza oven where you can customize.
The first notable visible change from the usual set-up is the showpiece illuminated wine locker, during Ramadan filled instead with a variety of soft drinks and fresh juices in dinky little bottles.
It’s a striking feature beside a spacious layout that includes a range of attractive cold starters and salads – and some excellent pizza, kept in regular supply from 3in1’s central pizza oven where you can customize.
CHIC EATS: There's a fresh and sophisticated look to the iftar at Vida Downtown
Hot mezzeh and breads aren’t in short supply and the beetroot moutabal is addictive and the broccoli soup a tasty opener.
One of the most refreshing aspects of the Vida iftar, however, is the a la carte element.
With much discussion about waste generated by some lavish iftar buffets, here you get a menu of Arabic mains favourites done with a twist, delivered to your table for sharing.
They change daily, but we sampled a moreish shish tawook (poshed up by pomegranate molasses), a gorgeous kofta khashkhash (the spicy lamb lifted by a charred tomato salsa and pomegranate) and chicken potato (given a lovely chili and lemon kick). Chef James Knight-Pacheo has also given fish harra, chicken mloukhieh, vegetables salona and lamb darwood basha the treatment.
One of the most refreshing aspects of the Vida iftar, however, is the a la carte element.
With much discussion about waste generated by some lavish iftar buffets, here you get a menu of Arabic mains favourites done with a twist, delivered to your table for sharing.
They change daily, but we sampled a moreish shish tawook (poshed up by pomegranate molasses), a gorgeous kofta khashkhash (the spicy lamb lifted by a charred tomato salsa and pomegranate) and chicken potato (given a lovely chili and lemon kick). Chef James Knight-Pacheo has also given fish harra, chicken mloukhieh, vegetables salona and lamb darwood basha the treatment.
PAN FAN: Mains are selected from a menu to save food wastage
Serving to order means everything cooked fresh and the kitchen turns out dishes on demand rather than speculatively, – although some guests still seemed intent on over-ordering.
It proved tough leaving space for dessert, but with an indulgent date pudding, baklava crème brulee and karak chai pannacotta among the options, belts were again loosened.
The quality level is high and there’s a peaceful ambience to this contemporary iftar that makes it a treat whether you are fasting or not.
And you’ll find few other places that include a pop-up fashion section in their restaurant.
The display by homegrown agency Fashion Exclusive has been featuring different designers during the holy month. They’ve also put together an intriguing installation in the lobby under the Art in Vida 2017 banner.
It proved tough leaving space for dessert, but with an indulgent date pudding, baklava crème brulee and karak chai pannacotta among the options, belts were again loosened.
The quality level is high and there’s a peaceful ambience to this contemporary iftar that makes it a treat whether you are fasting or not.
And you’ll find few other places that include a pop-up fashion section in their restaurant.
The display by homegrown agency Fashion Exclusive has been featuring different designers during the holy month. They’ve also put together an intriguing installation in the lobby under the Art in Vida 2017 banner.
SWISH DISH: The chicken potato sounds simple but has good depth of flavour
Over on The Palm there’s a more traditional iftar offering at Kempinski Hotel & Residences.
There they’ve set-up the Layali tent for another year, decking it out with formal white furnishings, comfy sofas and a buffet-style setting.
Unlike in some years where the central water features at the rear of the hotel have been incorporated into a tent, the venue has a dedicated large covered area to one side of the garden.
There they’ve set-up the Layali tent for another year, decking it out with formal white furnishings, comfy sofas and a buffet-style setting.
Unlike in some years where the central water features at the rear of the hotel have been incorporated into a tent, the venue has a dedicated large covered area to one side of the garden.
IFTAR EPIC: No iftar is complete without lamb ouzi, such as this huge offering at Kempinski on The Palm
The kitchen here turns out a strong range of traditional dishes, including a line-up of salads as well as popular iftar drinks, such as karadeh hibiscus tea and dried apricots juice qamar el din.
The cold starters are extensive, ranging from a smoked duck salad offering to makdous – eggplant leaves stuffed with walnuts, red pepper and garlic.
These are tangy, taste better than they can sometimes appear and work well with the tomato and green bean salad lubia bil zaite, a rich mosakaa and stuffed grape leaves warak enab bil zaite.
The cold starters are extensive, ranging from a smoked duck salad offering to makdous – eggplant leaves stuffed with walnuts, red pepper and garlic.
These are tangy, taste better than they can sometimes appear and work well with the tomato and green bean salad lubia bil zaite, a rich mosakaa and stuffed grape leaves warak enab bil zaite.
COLOUR COURSE: The salads and dips in the Layali tent are a delicious reward to those breaking fast
The Lebanese lentils make modardam substantial and sit nicely on the plate beside a deliciously crispy spiced fish sayadih and an eye-catchingly orange tikka-style achari macehi fish.
The lamb is rendered tender and pleasantly sour presented as lahem bil laban, the sauce milky and subtle. Lamb ouzi steals the show as usual, but has plenty of competition in this spread.
Leave a corner for the sweet treats. There’s a decent choice on offer in the Layali tent, with highlights including the colourful blancmange-based Lebanese dessert aish el saraya (sometimes known as Egyptian palace bread) and a coffee cheesecake which is good but could do with a touch more coffee flavour.
The lamb is rendered tender and pleasantly sour presented as lahem bil laban, the sauce milky and subtle. Lamb ouzi steals the show as usual, but has plenty of competition in this spread.
Leave a corner for the sweet treats. There’s a decent choice on offer in the Layali tent, with highlights including the colourful blancmange-based Lebanese dessert aish el saraya (sometimes known as Egyptian palace bread) and a coffee cheesecake which is good but could do with a touch more coffee flavour.
SWEET DREAMS: Factor in the eye-catching dessert corner when embarking on iftar at Kempinski
The kanafe is pleasingly stretchy with cheese while the chocolate pistachio cake comes in large portions fit to share.
DETAILS:
VIDA Downtown is located at Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard.
IFTAR is from sunset until 9pm and costs AED 170 per person for adults; 50% off for children aged six-12 years (free for under fives). Suhoor is 9pm-3am; à la carte menu pricing
TO book call 04 428 6888 or email [email protected] or see www.vidahotels.com for more.
KEMPINSKI Hotel & Residences is on the West Crescent of Palm Jumeirah.
IFTAR is from sunset until 9pm and costs AED185 per person. Suhour rates start from AED95 and runs 10pm until 3am.
TO book go to www.kempinski.com/en/dubai/palm-jumeirah
BOTH hotels have outlets and offers on the current Entertainer app.
DETAILS:
VIDA Downtown is located at Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard.
IFTAR is from sunset until 9pm and costs AED 170 per person for adults; 50% off for children aged six-12 years (free for under fives). Suhoor is 9pm-3am; à la carte menu pricing
TO book call 04 428 6888 or email [email protected] or see www.vidahotels.com for more.
KEMPINSKI Hotel & Residences is on the West Crescent of Palm Jumeirah.
IFTAR is from sunset until 9pm and costs AED185 per person. Suhour rates start from AED95 and runs 10pm until 3am.
TO book go to www.kempinski.com/en/dubai/palm-jumeirah
BOTH hotels have outlets and offers on the current Entertainer app.
