Iftar at The Californian Restaurant at Dubai's Dusit hotel makes for a memorable meal.
Although the view of Shaikh Zayed Road from the 24th floor is great, the food is the highlight.
Apart from shawarma, Italian and Chinese dishes, prepared to order, there's the international buffet, which includes many traditional Arabic dishes.
For appetisers, the fresh tabbouleh, tasty okra with tomato sauce, and juicy corn salad all stood out.
But leave some room for the mains. The stuffed squash, served with fluffy rice, and the minced meat, cooked in tangy tomato sauce, were both delicious, and you cannot fail to appreciate the fine fillet steak.
However, it was the succulent stuffed lamb, roasted in the oven and decorated with almonds, pine seeds and pistachio that really won out.
The umm ali came a close second though. With its rich, milky taste and satisfying texture it has to be one of the best in Dubai. Another suggested desert is ward al sham (flowers of Sham, or "Syria"), soft layers of crispy pastry stuffed with cream and decorated with crushed pistachio.
- Where: The Californian Restaurant, The Dusit Thani Hotel
- Call: 04-3433333
- Must-have: Umm ali
- X Factor: The view!
- Cost: Dh149
