I’ve been to Liwan restaurant for many times already and so far, it maintains an impression of providing good Arabic cuisine.

This restaurant in Al Ghurair Rayhaan Rotana has one of the best ambiance among all iftar dining I’ve been to. The camel figures, the counter with traditional dates, dried fruits and nuts, the colorful lanterns and Arabic table mats, and the lively instrumental band taking care of the background welcome guests to the buffet.

It was a very busy night.  It was a feast.

One of those ‘Dressed Appetizers’

The buffet features a wide range of Arabic, few international choices and traditional Ramadan specialties and juices, in addition to dressed appetizers, mezzes and dessert.  Food is okay – almost the exact similar taste as last year’s.

The maki rolls are great –  can’t remember how many times I returned to this counter

The Indian Bazaar and the Maki and Sushi Bar are the obvious international flavors added to the Arabian indulgence.

I should’ve more room for dessert – but I checked the sweets corner too late I guess

A good selection of fruits, cakes bite slices, mousse and wide range of traditional Arabic sweets and dates were available.

Very berry yogurts – a a yogurt fan, I tried and liked all 5 flavors of them

Although iftar is over now, you can always go to Liwan for any day dining. For more info and reservation, you may call +971.4.2933000 or email fb.alghurair@rotana.com.

And as they say, Ramadan is a month of giving, the management had some cool surprises for diners that night. Prizes from dinner vouchers to hotel stays were drawn and given away.

Here are more snaps from the night:

After ushering us to our table, she handed us 2 thin purple strips of paper called tanzaku and a pen. Apparently, we have to write our heartfelt wishes and hang it at the bonsai tree anytime during our dinner.

Tanabata festival is happening at Toko – the hip and posh restaurant at the heart of the premier dining precinct at the luxurious Vida Downtown. Its picturesque Japanese-style garden, complete with flamboyant water falls and fountains, floating umbrellas and bonsai trees, and stylish lighting accents create a vibrant atmosphere that sets a mood for an extravagant dining experience.

Tanabata, which means “evening of the seventh”, also known as the Star Festival, is a Japanese festival originating from the Chinese Qixi festival. It celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively). According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar.– Wikipedia

The dishes quickly came one after the other as they finish preparation in Izakaya – the contemporary Japanese-styled bar counter where food and beverages are delicately prepared.

Izakaya originated from sake shops that allowed customers to sit on the premises to drink – a type of informal Japanese drinking establishment that serves food to accompany the drinks.

Let’s roll with more tongue-twisting gastronomic vocabulary now, shall we?

Edamame

A bowl of Edamame is ahead of the pack. These soy beans are so tasty and perfect with just the Maldon sea salt in it. I could munch ’em longer but the next serving came in no time.

Okaki Maguro

Okaki Maguro, a tuna portion with truffle oil in a crispy rice served in a swish Japanese small plate. The soft tuna nigiri pairs well with the crunchy glazed bite-sized rice piece.

Sake No Miso Tarutaru

Sake No Miso Tarutaru is salmon tartare in wasabi miso and sweet potato chips.  It comes with a tobiko (flying fish roe) on top. A heavenly teaspoon portion of the tartare is a very good match to the crackers.

Omakase Osashimi and Toko Signature Maki

Omakase Osashimi and Toko Signature Maki are the chef’s selection of maki rolls and sashimi. The selection for the day includes Red Snapper, Yellow Fin Tuna and Salmon. California Maki and Spicy Maguro Maki complete the rolls. Look at the very elegant presentation where the fresh sashimi slices sit in the bed of ice, with a sea shell mounted in it giving it the shimmer.

Hone Nashi Tebasaki No Miso Butter Zoe

Hone Nashi Tebasaki No Miso Butter Zoe is not the typical boneless chicken wings I was expecting. It comes in 2 bite-size portions dipped in smoked miso butter and has a slice of red radish on top.  It’s not easy to feel the chicken taste at the first bite but you’ll know it when it’s gone.

Hotate No Jalapeno Amazu Zoe

Hotate No Jalapeno Amazu Zoe, pan-fried scallops with sweet pickled apple and jalapeno garlic on top.  We like it. The pickled sauce complements the tender seafood taste of a clam.

Ebi No Chii Sai Tempura

Ebi No Chii Sai Tempura is a rock shrimp tempura with a not-so-spicy mayonnaise dip. Almost all Asian restaurants have versions of this dish but this one is exceptional. The prawns are mildly breaded yet remains tender inside and crisp outside. One of my favorites.

At this point, we almost got no room in the tummy.

Avocado No Am Jyouju Lime Zoe

Avocado No Am Jyouju Lime Zoe is a grilled avocado with a subtle teriyaki sauce (sweet soy lime). It comes with rock salt and lime. The thought of teriyaki over a fruit is weird, and it was served in the middle of main courses too. But surprisingly, it’s so good I almost finished it ’til its peel. They have perfectly selected good avocados, not stringy and not too hard to scrape. As an avocado lover, this one’s a winner.

Sake No Aburi Yaki

Sake No Aburi Yaki is a medium-rare smoked miso salmon with house pickled ginger. I like that it wasn’t dried from being grilled. I’m a sucker for salmon especially this one where its skin remains a little crispy even if it’s the last part I eat of it.

Angus Grainge Rib-Eye

Last on the mains comes the stocky Angus Grainge Rib-Eye, a 180 grams serving of a 150-day grain-fed beef. It comes with a parsley vinaigrette dip and a salad with wasabi.

At this point we’re really full. I had to call for a tea, green tea, while waiting for the dessert.

It takes about 10 minutes to prepare the Toko Dessert Bento Box chef’s selection. Yes. Desserts on 3-layered bento boxes. I had the luck of seeing how they serve this in another table. So “a note to self” I must take a video when it gets to our table. (Video below)

The dry ice effect makes it more dramatic.

First box has assorted fruits – dragon fruit, pomegranate, pineapple, grapes and variety of berries, and 3 scoops of sorbet in coconut, mango and raspberry flavors.

The second box has a familiar lava cake with a warm fudge choco filling and a vanilla ice cream scoop by the side – proven a perfect match at all times.

Yuzu Cheesecake and Strawberry Coconut Panna Cotta made up the third bento box. Yuzi resembles lemon or lime. You know we’re already full so these were really too heavy to take in, but the flavorful cheesecake was just so hard to resist. Panna Cotta was foamy on top but very berry deep into it.

Here’s the video. Warning, this is really tempting:

No doubt, the dining experience is at the top. In addition to the excellent food and ambiance, the service is remarkable.

Our polite  servers, Alex and Zyra, know by heart every item they bring to our table. They also keep us informed the whole night about Toko – that it is indeed a frequented spot by international celebrities, with special mention of Kim Kardashian.

Oh, and to cap the night, we hanged our wishes at the bonsai trees as we leave the room. They say they’ll pick one on the 7th (tonight) and reward the person with a dinner for four. How about that?

Great place. Amazing food. Very engaging experience.

“It is the first time we are hosting Star Festival at Toko and we are excited to give guests the opportunity to partake in the festival by hanging up their wishes while enjoying their favourite Toko dishes,” Tony Lina, General Manager

Thank you for inviting us to your first sumptuous Tanabata festival.

An elegant convergence of 3 award-winning restaurants in Dusit Thani Dubai has transformed its amply-spaced 24th floor lobby into a festive banquet.

Specialties from Benjarong, PAX Ristorante and The Californian has added flair to a usually traditional Arabic iftar buffet. As we’re just making our way up, the thought of having dishes from these 3 restaurants tells me that I’ll have Pad Thai, Pasta and (maybe) Yakisoba on my plate.

An inviting ambiance of shiny linens, colorful lamps and the noticeably earthenware glazed pots welcomed us and delicately guided our senses to what seems to be a celebration of dining and tradition. Add the smiles and hospitality of the staff we already had a warm start.

We were guided to sit at The Californian – the perfect spot for a breathtaking view of Burj Khalifa and The Downtown.

We got settled on the table 15 minutes before Maghrib – a prayer after sunset that signals the breaking of the fast.  Most of the guests already took turns on the buffet and prepared their choices on their own table – and so we did the same. We were all just patiently staring at our plates until we hear the Maghrib signal on TV.

The traditional Arabic cuisine on the buffet includes hot and cold mezzeh, variety of dates, dried fruits and nuts, deliciously marinated meats, the very tasty lamb ouzi, and of course, Ramadan orange and rose juices and Kawha (black Arabic coffee).

There’s a shawarma stand – which had me one of the best I’ve tasted in Dubai. Next to it is the live cooking station for pasta selections – where my little girl enjoyed a creamy mac Penne and Cheese.

As expected (read: I’m really craving for it) I indulged so much in Pad Thai.  Since it is served in a clay pot, I had to mix the sauce and noodles very well before taking a serving. Very satisfying. I’m biased, but sorry it’s my favorite.

There’s a few other Thai curry dishes available as well.

Dusit has one of the vastly spread dessert counters I’ve been to. Different flavored cakes, tarts, puddings, mousse and tiramisu in shot glasses, creams, and Arabic sweets. Umm, Ali can I have more Umm Ali? I seriously took more time here than in the mains.

There’s a whole lot more on the spread. Imagine yourself in a rigodon of savoury delights, that’s how the circular setup of buffet feels for me.

Below are more photos from the evening which will tell the story.

Iftars will be running ’til 17th July more or less. 

If you’re still searching for a great dining experience, stop here. I highly recommend this feast. For AED 149 per person, your only problem will be, how to make more room in your tummy.

Reservation is recommended, so call +971 (4) 317 4515 or e-mail dine.dtdu@dusit.com.

(Thank you ate Danelle for the invitation, allowing us to experience a royal iftar of sorts.)

Here are more photos:

Fellow blogger JiveWithDeepti, hosted us at Centro Sharjah for a pre-tasting of the hotel’s iftar offering. Not only that, we had a rare opportunity to prepare 2 of the most popular items in Arabic mezzes – Fatoush and Tabouleh, in a cook-off.

We were divided into 2 groups and given a table each with the necessary ingredients already prepared.  We got insights from the chefs but it’s up to us how much of which ingredients to mix up. Thankfully we had great foodies and creative people in the team, we won!

A crowd of cold mezzes welcomed us at the tasting proper. Prawn salads, eggplant, potato, spinach “cake”, hummus and moutabal among others were at the table.

Lentil soup which is one of the famous starters on iftar was good and smooth.

The mains came in mouthwatering serving. There’s a mixed grill of chicken, beef and lamb kebabs, the saucy Kofta Bil Foren in tomato dressing, roast chicken with oriental rice (which is usually lamb), and fried fish with tahina sauce. All of them leaves a good taste in the mouth seriously, especially the chicken kebabs.

Another thing I like about c.Taste is their wide range of desserts. Having a sweet tooth, I always appreciate the options on the table – they have variety of cake flavors, pudding, tiramisu, Arabic sweets and the traditional Umm Ali.

They have an array of Middle Eastern cuisine for iftar and suhoor including hot and cold mezzes, slow roasted lamb Ouzi in oriental rice, house made Arabic sweets and traditional Ramadan drinks available for AED 109 and AED 75 respectively

There will be lots of fun for diners during this auspicious month too as c.Taste offers meal discounts and contests to win free iftars and weekend holidays to Salalah Rotana Resort in Oman and Art Rotana Hotel and Resort in Bahrain.

“We are altogether committed towards giving our guests an experience that embodies a fine synergy of contemporary and cultural affinity towards the Emirate of Sharjah, the epitome of Arab Tourism.  Ramadan is that time of the year for us to reflect and give back to the society we operate in. This year we shall be hosting Iftar Gatherings for the old people’s home and Manzil, the centre for people with special needs.”– Michael Kasch, General Manager, Centro Sharjah

It was the first day of Ramadan, our first iftar invite and the destination is the sports-themed Monte Carlo Stars Restaurant in the stunning Dubai Marina Waterfront.

As we make our way down the long stairway from the valet, my eyes were glued at the interiors inspired by Monaco Grand Prix and other motor sports. A huge red, blue and white star with more tiny stars and diamonds welcomes guests at the entrance.

There’s a real race car hanging at the ceiling. Frames of sports celebrities are on the hallways. Special seating areas have long glass tables with the actual motocross suits of retired racers underneath the glass, and the chairs are real reclinable car seats. That’s where we were asked to be seated.

An ample soft play area for kids, and video games arcade are also available for diners.

Smoking and non-smoking areas are properly designated. There’s also an air-conditioned sheesha lounge since the humidity outside is unbearable these days.

Talking too much about the place now. Let’s talk food.

The iftar buffet was mainly traditional Arabic cuisines ranging from hot and cold mezzes, few main courses and desserts selection.

Mains weren’t bad. It’s an assortment of traditional Arabic dishes, save for pasta. Mansaf Kharouf, roasted lamb with savoury rice is the star.

Fruits, pudding, Lebanese sweets and Umm Ali make up the desserts serving.

The iftar platter costs AED 95 per person and AED 55 for kids under ten. Kids under 5 years eat for free.

Here are more photos from the restaurant:

The little one allowed us to eat well because she’s enjoying her time in the play pen

Stars and diamonds

One of those tables with real sporting uniforms

Choose your color. About 5 semi-private tables come in different vibrant colors with little stars illuminating the arch.

The arcade area

Each dining area also shows streaming of motor racing or other sports

Where we were seated. The car seats are reclinable. The foot space though could’ve been more comfy for my size

If not photo frames, there are huge decals like this on the walls.

Photos of celebrities who have been to the restaurant are on display in the hallways

Unlike other fruit shake stands in almost every corner of Dubai, this one in Deira really stands out. I learned about it through Facebook – lots and lots of Facebook photos that really pulled my curiosity plug. The photos tell me it’s a huge playground of fruits.

Juiceworld was founded in Saudi Arabia and is operating for more than 2 decades now. According to its website, it is an international company known for making the freshest juices, falaudas, fruit salads and fruit bouquets. They claim to prepare more than 150 kinds of juices and fruit bouquets.

What else to do but go see for myself right? So I brought the gang down to Al Rigga Road, just a block away from Rigga metro station, to experience both the juice and the “world.”

It was a jam packed day, in and out. Interestingly, there’s a longer queue at the hanging fruit decorations than at the counter.

The fruit display only occupies a small room – thanks to the mirror reflection making it look more spacious. With everyone snapping here and there, it’s quite not easy to find the right time to click (so you know, there’s not much other people in the frame).

Having the fruits arranged into decors is a very brilliant idea. I mean, instead of just storing them in the fridge or stock room – like what other traditional fruit shake kiosks does – they found a way to make these reserve fruits work for them, to lure visitors and eventually convert the visits into sales. Innovative.

We love it. The natural smell of fruit swings and rings are really inviting.  There are avocados, apples, oranges, pineapples and pomegranates to name a few.

No wonder, residents and tourists alike troop this place for photo shoot. You haven’t been to Dubai if you have no picture at Juiceworld.

Because it was really crowded at the time we visit, we had to take away. I ordered my favorite Avocado smoothie. One 1.5 liter costs AED25. Better than frap hmm.

I like it not too sweet that I had ordered the same several times already.

Here are few other fun photos we had:

I finally got time to post about this.

The popularity of Middle Eastern cuisine is cleansing the pallet of many tourists who take a trip over to Qatar, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates. The menus in restaurants in KSA and throughout the Middle East are varied, contemporary and idiosyncratic, and are increasingly tailored to the styles of the modern day traveler. This guide aims to highlight some of the best eateries in the region.

Restaurants in Dubai

Pierchic: A restaurant set on a bedecked pier jutting out into the Arabian Gulf, this venue serves some of the most diverse and wonderful seafood cuisine in all of the Middle East. Pierchic is far away from the densely populated cities and has more of a focus on displaying the tranquil serenity of the sea.

Margaux: Executive Chef Julian Mercier first opened Margaux after learning under the legendary wing of triple Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse. The cuisine offered by the restaurant is of Mediterranean and French origin, and its décor is inspired by the same aspects of European culture.

Zheng He’s: Award-winning culinary artists at Zheng He’s present dishes that are drenched in Middle Eastern culture, whilst still retaining some of the old Chinese flavours. The setting, which is by the dockside, gives off a peaceful ambience which reflects the restaurant’s character.

Restaurants in Riyadh

The Globe: Romantic, sophisticated and elegant, The Globe is one of Saudi Arabia’s most prestigious eateries. Situated atop the Al Faisaliah Tower in a glassy orb, this fine-dining institution offers its guests traditional Saudi Arabian cuisine along with many European options.

Elements: The chefs at this restaurant like to involve the customer, as they present cuisine from all over the world in an interactive and lively environment. Elements serves breakfast, lunch and an a la carte menu, which can cater for even the fussiest of palates.

Karam Beirut: If you’re looking for a taste of Lebanon, look no further than this highly rated establishment. Popular dishes include the lamb cutlets and the mezze, as well as the traditional dish of fattoush. The restaurant is a popular destination for locals and travelers alike, so leave plenty of time to get a table.

Restaurants in Doha

The Cellar: This restaurant has mastered the art of serving distinct Spanish tapas, whilst simultaneously being able to offer guests a range of Mediterranean delights. Although the venue has expertise in serving tapas, it does offer a full range of fare to suit everyone’s tastes.

Ruby Wu’s: In the Doha Raddison Blue hotel lies a hidden gem known as Ruby Wu’s. Expertly prepared dishes that span the full culinary map of China are served with care and skill. The quality of food in the restaurant is always of the highest standard, and it is a great place to eat out before sampling all the sights that Doha has to offer.

Ric’s Country Kitchen: A far cry from the countryside, Ric’s Country Kitchen is situated in down-town Doha. The rather low-key venue is extremely popular with locals and tourists alike. Importantly, its homemade food speaks for itself, and it can all be enjoyed in a homely and welcoming atmosphere.

Sponsored post. Photos by Brian G. Wilson and acezz3000, used under the Creative Commons License.