TRYING to pick an iftar over Ramadan could prove a tough one as the choices are mounting up.
In the second of our iftar previews we head 'in-land' for a fine feed in Dubai Production City aka IMPZ.
In the second of our iftar previews we head 'in-land' for a fine feed in Dubai Production City aka IMPZ.
MODERN DINING: Red Diamond is where you'll find the Ghaya Grand Hotel's iftar offering this Ramadan
Away from the obvious landmark hotels and restaurants some lesser-known names are set to serve up a fast-breaking buffet that could rival the more obvious options.
One of those comes courtesy of Ghaya Grand Hotel, away from the bright lights of the Dubai Marina or Downtown Dubai, at the southern end of the 44.
One of those comes courtesy of Ghaya Grand Hotel, away from the bright lights of the Dubai Marina or Downtown Dubai, at the southern end of the 44.
It showcased its iftar intentions this week with a spread that embraces many Arabic favourites alongside a range of international cuisine.
The hotel’s bright and modern Red Diamond restaurant has plenty of seating options for couples, families and groups, close to the food or tucked away in discreet corners.
The hotel’s bright and modern Red Diamond restaurant has plenty of seating options for couples, families and groups, close to the food or tucked away in discreet corners.
SUNSET SETTING: Simple layout gives access to this modest-sized but varied seasonal buffet
And, situated in an area of Dubai with few hotels on its doorstep but plenty of residents living close by, many of those tables could be occupied during the Holy Month.
So, to the food…
Layout is nice and simple to navigate with cold starters and salads along one side of the serving section.
The kitchen does well with Thai beef salad, tandoori chicken with green lentil salad and a tasty mix of air-dried beef with artichoke and grilled zucchini.
The iftar spread will also be hosting smoked salmon, mussels with ginger and coriander sauce and a smoked salmon salad with mushrooms and green beans.
Tasty slices of rosemary brochette with olive mozzarella, sundried tomato and anchovy paste didn't seem to be not getting the takers it deserved on our visit, but we gladly dived in.
So, to the food…
Layout is nice and simple to navigate with cold starters and salads along one side of the serving section.
The kitchen does well with Thai beef salad, tandoori chicken with green lentil salad and a tasty mix of air-dried beef with artichoke and grilled zucchini.
The iftar spread will also be hosting smoked salmon, mussels with ginger and coriander sauce and a smoked salmon salad with mushrooms and green beans.
Tasty slices of rosemary brochette with olive mozzarella, sundried tomato and anchovy paste didn't seem to be not getting the takers it deserved on our visit, but we gladly dived in.
MUST DO DISH: Final preparation is put into the lamb ouzi, an essential part of the iftar gathering
A sturdy muhammara and rounded hummous demanded a visit to a varied bread section while potato harra and lentil-based moujadara didn’t disappoint.
On the cooked sections, lamb ouzi was drawing the usual queue alongside the regular warm mezze items.
But the best dishes of the night for this palate were a fiendishly good shish barak – Lebanese meat dumplings cooked in a plain yoghurt stew - and chicken musakhan, presented as moreish wraps of Palestinian-style sumac-infused chicken and caramelised onions.
Among the night’s non-Arab food winners reaching – and being finished off - on our plates were a zesty and moist butter chicken and Thai vegetable red curry with a suitably lively kick.
Fish with harra sauce was done nicely and kept its consistency well, which isn't always the case for a dish that can often arrive soggy and over-cooked.
On the cooked sections, lamb ouzi was drawing the usual queue alongside the regular warm mezze items.
But the best dishes of the night for this palate were a fiendishly good shish barak – Lebanese meat dumplings cooked in a plain yoghurt stew - and chicken musakhan, presented as moreish wraps of Palestinian-style sumac-infused chicken and caramelised onions.
Among the night’s non-Arab food winners reaching – and being finished off - on our plates were a zesty and moist butter chicken and Thai vegetable red curry with a suitably lively kick.
Fish with harra sauce was done nicely and kept its consistency well, which isn't always the case for a dish that can often arrive soggy and over-cooked.
PASTA PEN: This old-fashioned snack cart is home to one of the Red Diamond cooking stations
While for yours truly the soupy green chicken molokhia remains an acquired taste, the Arabic mixed grill provided rewarding shish tawook, kebab and kofta.
Besides four varieties of antipasti daily, Red Diamond has a pasta station in a rather cute serving cart – all rather handy if you have younger or fussy eaters who want to keep it simple.
As always, you need a bit of restraint to make it to the dessert section with appetite in tact. Red Diamond, thankfully, doesn’t go overboard with the selection.
There are a few belt-busting familiar names on there, such as katayef bil kashta pancakes filled with cream and syrup, osmalieh (a crispy vermicelli and cream dish), aish al-saraya (a creamy sweet and sour blend with pistachio nuts and cloves) and mohalabiya (milky Lebanese sweet with dried fruit and syrup).
Besides four varieties of antipasti daily, Red Diamond has a pasta station in a rather cute serving cart – all rather handy if you have younger or fussy eaters who want to keep it simple.
As always, you need a bit of restraint to make it to the dessert section with appetite in tact. Red Diamond, thankfully, doesn’t go overboard with the selection.
There are a few belt-busting familiar names on there, such as katayef bil kashta pancakes filled with cream and syrup, osmalieh (a crispy vermicelli and cream dish), aish al-saraya (a creamy sweet and sour blend with pistachio nuts and cloves) and mohalabiya (milky Lebanese sweet with dried fruit and syrup).
SWEET DREAMS: There's no mistaking the dessert section on the final furlong of this iftar offering
A selection of fruit is available to off-set the above or the strawberry cheesecake, carrot cake and various pastries – if you feel that way inclined.
DETAILS:
IFTAR in Red Diamond will be daily throughout Ramadan and costs AED115 per person. Children aged six-12 dine for AED55 while young ones under six dine without charge.
THOSE packages include water, soft drinks and traditional Ramadan juices such as Egyptian tamr hindi qamar el deen (apricot based) and jallab fruit syrup.
TO book call 052-7872-698 or 04-429-3300. Alternatively email: [email protected] or visit www.ghayagrandhotel.com for more information.
DETAILS:
IFTAR in Red Diamond will be daily throughout Ramadan and costs AED115 per person. Children aged six-12 dine for AED55 while young ones under six dine without charge.
THOSE packages include water, soft drinks and traditional Ramadan juices such as Egyptian tamr hindi qamar el deen (apricot based) and jallab fruit syrup.
TO book call 052-7872-698 or 04-429-3300. Alternatively email: [email protected] or visit www.ghayagrandhotel.com for more information.
