The sight of the UAE’s expansive iftar buffets can be almost exhausting for someone who is fasting, especially if one catches a glimpse before the end of the fast. The Sofitel Hotel’s offering therefore appeared to be especially welcoming because at first glance, the spread looked sizable, yet not unending.
But I should not have let this fool me. By the time we were done with our meal, I simply wanted to curl up and rest from all the eating. As I found out, there were far too many dishes to sample, and many unusual delicacies were neatly tucked into the corners of the salad bar and the buffet stands.
Upon arriving at the tent, the simple yet elegant set up tinged with purple and gold struck me first. We were escorted to a table lit by tea candles burning within Arabian lanterns, and we began our meal with a few quality dates and dried fruits.
I opted for the lamb harira over the lentil soup, and was pleasantly surprised. The broth was spicy, yet the pieces of lamb were soft and comforting. And although bread baskets are ubiquitous, I must make mention of the selection of soft, freshly baked bread on offer.
The salad course was the highlight of the iftar. There were the usual Arabian treats like hummus, moutabel and tabbouleh, and the muhammara’s sweet and tangy taste made me want more of it. The baba ghanoush’s freshness would also rival servings at most Turkish restaurants. What left a lasting impression was the lamb brain salad and the beef tongue salad. The names might make you feel squeamish, but I assure you they are a must-try. The flavours are perfectly blended, and a pleasure to savour.
For the main course, there was a choice of Arabian treats, as well as a number of Indian dishes. The Jordanian mansaf was especially good, as was the range of fish dishes like the hammour. The sumac potatoes were delicious, and when I noticed the foul and pasta cooking station, I only rue the fact that I had no more room to stomach more.
I loved the sweet qamardeen drink which I sipped between courses, but my husband preferred the jallab. Among the desserts, the kunafa nabliyeh was the perfect balance between sweet and chewy, and the baklava was just as good. There were not too many choices for those who prefer Western desserts, but this isn’t really a drawback for a meal that is largely meant to be a celebration of authentic Arabian flavours.
To top it all off, the service staff was perpetually helpful, smiling and hospitable, and helped make a splendid meal simply perfect.
The details
What: Iftar at Layali Al Corniche Tent in Sofitel Abu Dhabi Hotel
Credit Card: Yes
Packages: Dh180++ per person
Iftar timings: 7-10pm
FIVE OTHER IFTARS TO TRY
Where: Manzil Downtown, Dubai
What: Iftar at The Courtyard offers a selection of Ramadan classics, with a collection of the best from across the region.
Price: Dh180 per person (suhour also available a la carte).
Timings: Sunset until 9pm.
Where: Le Meridien Dubai
What: Iftar at the Layali Zaman Majlis is at the property’s Falcon Ballroom, featuring a number of live cooking stations and more than 100 dishes.
Price: Dh165 per person (Dh85 for children 6 to 12 years).
Timings: Sunset until 8.30pm.
Where: The Cove Rotana Resort, Ras Al Khaimah
What: This picturesque resort with its own private beach offers a mix of Middle Eastern as well as international delicasies for iftar.
Price: Dh149 per person (Suhour is Dh95).
Timings: Sunset until 11pm.
Where: Ramada Downtown Dubai
What: Kenza, the multi-cuisine restaurant at this Downtown property, means ‘treasure’ in Arabic. And promises the best sunset supper for big groups and families.
Price: Dh149 per person. For in-house guests, it’s Dh89.
Timings: Sunset until 10pm.
Where: Russo’s New York Pizzeria, Dubai
What: Depending on how hungry you are, the pizza sizes at this restaurant come in small, medium, large and even huge. Yes, it’s an iftar offer after all.
Price: Between Dh45 to 355 depending on pizza size.
Timings: All day (deliveries during the day available).
