A PRIVATE EXPERIENCE
Escape to Dubai’s polo resort Meliã Desert Palm Dubai. Gather your family and opt for an in-villa iftar package where guests can sink into the tranquility of a two-bedroom private pool villa for three hours to break the fast with their loved ones. The culinary offering during iftar includes hot and cold mezze dishes such as hummus, fatayer, sambousek and stuffed vine leaves along with traditional harira and lentil soups. Indulge in hearty cuts of meat or fish straight off the Asado, oakwood-fired grill. There’s plenty of outdoor space as well, so you can choose to dine al fresco in lush surroundings, or relax on the poolside cocoon beds. You can extend your stay starting at Dhs2,000 per villa.
To book, email reservations.dp@melia.com
HYPER-LOCAL IFTARS
During the Holy Month of Ramadan, you are spoilt for choice with a variety of iftars. This year home-grown businesses and chefs are whipping up their versions of this special meal. An exciting collaboration between DIFC-based BOCA and local food tour company Frying Pan Adventures (FPA) is serving up an eight-dish menu, with creations inspired by the restaurants of Old Dubai that feature on FPA tours. Boca’s Matthijs Stinnissen worked closely with FPA duo, Arva and Farida Ahmed, to pay tribute to tour favourites, including a version of a Palestinian tour hit, chilli and sumac stuffed falafel, and charcoal grilled mackerel and pomegranate molasses à la Iraqi masgouf.
Book via boca.ae/boca-x-fpa
Meanwhile, UAE home-grown chef and award-winning cookbook author Zahra Abdalla will be showcasing the best of Arabian food and hospitality at The Roman Lounge, Caesars Palace Dubai in close collaboration with the hotel’s in-house chefs. The creative menu delights with authentic Middle-Eastern dishes that have been given a fresh twist including yalanji with Yemeni wildflower honey, lamb makanek, cherry kofta, a kookoo sabzi platter, a watermelon and feta salad and more.
Book via caesars.com/dubai
Kave at Alserkal Avenue is sharing the spotlight with local chefs through a series of supper clubs with a different menu each night of the week. The iftars are set to be zero-waste, and chefs who will be featured include Ahmad Halawa, Haya Bishouty, Dulce De Mirchi’s Priyal Mehta, and Kave’s Mama Maymoush – each presenting their own unique style at the intimate meals. Haya, for example, is known for her Palestinian food, and will be showcasing her family recipes and unknown dishes from the land.
Book via thestoryofthings.com
LATEST READ
The Arabesque Table by Reem Kassis
This stunning tribute to Palestine’s culinary heritage by Reem Kassis follows her 2017 release, The Palestinian Table. Packed with recipes, research and stories from her family, The Arabesque Table delves into the history of Arab cuisine through 130 dishes organised by their main ingredients. Explore dishes such as narjissiya (a fava bean and egg hash) and makmoora (a layered chicken, onion and pine nut pot pie), but also dabble in modern interpretations of classic favourites, such as Reem’s tahini cheesecake and the caramelised butternut squash fatteh with za’atar.