Where would you go if one member in your family wishes to have Middle Eastern food for iftar, another Thai and yet another Indian? And you want to stay together as a family when you end the fast. It’s got to be Layali Zaman at Le Meridian Dubai on Airport Road.
Layali Zaman lives up to its name, which translated from the Arabic means ‘ancient times’. It takes you back in time, while keeping one foot firmly in the present. The eatery also scores high on three points that make it stand out for that memorable Iftar experience: ambience, attitude and aroma.
The ambience that is warm and inviting. Colourful yet subdued, it has a traditional appearance that will make you linger there long after the food is gone.
The attitude of the staff played a big role in making the iftar a special one. On hand to make sure you are comfortable, the staff were helpful enough to even suggest combinations of dishes and recommend desserts.
The aroma and the quality of food only rivalled the quantity available. With a spread that would make you walk around the place twice before starting anything, the chef ensured that there was something for every palette.
Chef Ramon Salto says he did not want to limit the spread and hence the smorgasbord of choices. Food on the menu is rotated every day so the offering on no two days are the same. But, of course, classics like the ouzi are always available, with a few variations to suit different palettes.
We went slow on the cold mezze and started with the lentil soup, cheese and bread. The Arabic mixed grill of shish kebab, kofta kebab, shish taouk and lamb chops was enticing and tasted just right. Samak Maqli, the deep-fried hammour fillet with grilled bell pepper and garlic sauce, came next and was the foil to the grill. We tried the beef roast which was medium done, and the charcoal flavour chicken and tandoori roti.
We nibbled on pasta from the live station and dim sum from the Oriental station to get a taste of food from different continents.
When told that 15kg of meat goes into making shawarmas for iftar every day, we couldn’t resist trying one.
I held back to try some of the 35 types of dessert on offer, including fresh fruit, camel milk ice-cream, crepes and nougat, and finally finished off with some special juice — Kamardine and Tamar Hindi.
For the food and hospitality that is available, the iftar at Layali Zaman is a steal.
The details
Where: Layali Zaman, Le Meridien Dubai
Price: Dh165 per person. Dh85 for children aged 6-12 years
Timings: Sunset until 8.30pm.
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FIVE IFTARS TO TRY
Where: Ají, Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah
What: The beachside Nikkei-restaurant is offering iftar with a twist with Head Chef Erick F H Oshiro creating a four-course menu, including dishes such as Maguro Tataki salad, Kani Maki sushi, ollas with Sea Bass, Cashew Karaage and Caramel Spiced Cake.
Price: Dh45 onwards per person.
Timings: Sunset onwards.
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Where: Flavours Restaurant at Hawthorn Suites, JBR
What: Head over to this Wyndham JBR property to break you iftar with a mix of traditional and contemporary Middle Eastern cuisine. Dishes include hot and cold mezze, mixed grill, seafood, sweet treats, and more.
Price: Dh99 per person.
Timings: Sunset until 10.30pm.
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Where: Puranmal, various locations
What: Take the family for an outing to feast on a vegetarian Gujarati thali. The Ramadan thali experience comes with four savory vegetable dishes, two sweets, a salad, a choice in rice, and a number of assorted flatbreads.
Price: Dh42 per person.
Timings: Sunset until 11.30pm.
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Where: Sapori Di Bice, City Walk
What: Those looking to expand on their iftar meal can go in for this eight-course Italian tasting menu with an Arabic twist. Traditional favourites with a twist include an Italian interpretation of fattoush, along with chicken machboos served and more.
Price: Dh168 per person.
Timings: Sunset until 2am.
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Where: Al Fanar, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
What: Organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority tuck into an iftar with a contemporary interpretation of traditional designs inspired by the architecture of the UAE during the 1980s and 1990s. Chef Faisal Naser will cook up in Arabic-Emirati fusion cuisine.
Price: Starts from Dh135 per person.
Timings: Sunset until 11.30pm.
