7 minute read
Reviews
Our take on the food, service and the whole dining experience
(Photo credit: Tabu Restaurant) 37
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Rixos Bab Al Bahr getaway – a journey into Turkish gastronomy
The cool December breeze has descended, ushering in the arrival of the much-awaited desert winter and weeks of festive season fun.
We decided to go on a staycation getaway at Rixos Bab Al Bahr in Ras Al Khaimah, an “ultra all inclusive” resort, as the classy five-star Turkish brand puts it, that is just an hour’s drive from our place in Dubai.
Arriving, we all had that feeling that our days will be that of pampering, enjoying the sea and indulging in great food – a journey into Turkish gastronomy.
We were not mistaken!
Lunch was divinely superb with a sumptuous eclectic selection at Seven Heights all-day dining restaurant. Food was all over the place. Indeed, a weary and hungry travellers’ dream. Roasted beef, grilled chicken, salads…the whole line-up.
There is no shortage of things to do at Rixos Bab Al Bahr. For one, you can play volleyball on the pristine Marjan Island white sands next to the sea, or hit the gym then enjoy sauna in the spa.
By nightfall, we had once again built up an appetite and were soon on your way to the epicentre of the fun thing: the entertainment square, which has a stage by a swimming pool and is in the middle of at least five dining venues: just perfect.
On our first night, we were treated to a lemon-flavoured salmon gravlax, prawn saganaki, grilled salmon and fish ‘n chips at Fish Bone restaurant. This, while enjoying backto-back performances on stage, including a breath-taking balancing act, a captivating pole dance and soothing music by a violinist.
The next morning’s breakfast at Seven Heights was a culinary experience of cheeses, crepes, salads, eggs and cold cuts, plus the all-time favourite Turkish pide made with beef and egg; and a spinach pide.
Ready for another big day, we took a stroll across the sprawling property highlighted by its somewhat pyramidical structures and the glistening sea.
Lunch was at the L’Olivo Italian restaurant where we indulged in – yes – pasta, pizza and lots of olives.
That evening, we decided to lose our way to the Lalezar Turkish restaurant where we were treated to gavurdagi salad for starters, saray katmeri, described as a “beautiful medley of flavours and a traditional savory layered pancakes with spinach, cottage cheese, robust mushrooms and jalapenos.”
We also had Turkish mucver for appetizers.
Mains was a splendid dish of mashed eggplant, bechamel sauce and sautéed lamb – hunkar begendi or Sultan’s Delight, indeed a fitting name.
Of course, cold mezzes were everywhere, among them yaprak sarma – grape leaves stuffed with
aromatic rice, fresh Mediterranean herbs and spices.
And as in the previous evening, the live, world-class, signature Rixos performance under a full moon was enthralling, to say the least.
Indeed, our Rixos Bab Al Bahr getaway was one for the books! Can’t wait to be there again.
A winner dinner at Little Bangkok
By Hungry Peter
It was a weekend, so we thought of no other better way to indulge in good food than in Little Bangkok, which was having it’s “Unlimited Weekend” promo, where you order anything – or everything – on the menu for only AED153 per person, including tax.
Yes. It was unbelievable; even insane, if you will. Average prices of the selections on the menu range from less than AED50 to AED100. So, on a regular day, you would only have at least two or three dishes, depending on your choices, and a drink for AED153.
But it was “Unlimited Weekend,” so we ordered away.
We started with the Khao Pad Sapporod Talay Pao, which is yummy and flavourful AED96 Thai fried rice with egg; diced, grilled chicken, cashew nuts and raisins served artistically in a halved pineapple with at least four jumbo prawns and two mussels on the side.
We paired this with everyone’s all-time favourite Pad Thai, priced at AED53; a Mixed Thai Platter of crispy pepper prawns, sun-dried beef, vegetable spring rolls and a green papaya salad which would have cost AED76; and a AED 44 Tom Kha Gai, which is spicy and sour coconut soup with chicken, mushrooms and slices of galangal for extra flavour.
And we were just getting started!
Next batch was the AED 69 Aromatic Roasted Duck Plate; and the AED 77 Ped Tod Sauce Makkam, crispy roasted duck with dried chili, shallots and sweet tamarind sauce – divine!
Doing the math, it would have cost us AED670 to consume all 10 dishes! We paid AED306 because it was the “Unlimited Weekend” deal.
Thai food is so full of flavours, indeed and so we went on to order for more: a AED 67 Pla Rad Prik, crispy fish fillet with traditional sweet, sour and spicy sauce; the AED 79 Kataron Duck, which is quarter roasted duck with chestnut and vegetables tossed with aromatic sauce and served on a sizzling plate; a AED40 Prawn Toast; and the AED69 mixed dimsum.
Dessert was the sinful AED36 Full Moon Party, sweet, sticky rice with coconut cream served in taro jam and Thai traditional toppings.
All this while enjoying Thai Milk Tea!
There were just two of us. We got in at close to 8pm. We were done by 10pm. Doing the math, it would have cost us AED670 to consume all 10 dishes in two hours! We paid AED306.
Isn’t that something?
And where did all that food go? Hahaha!!
Buy 1 get another free on beverages at Le Bar in the Le Meridien Fairway
Le Bar, the latest chill spot in Al Garhoud located at the Le Meridien Fairway just three minutes from the GGICO Metro Station, has rolled out a special deal: buy one and get another free on selected beverages from the 7pm to 10:30 pm happy hour.
The bar and lounge, certainly a hidden gem, also has an awesome Filipino band performing in three sets on stage from 8pm to 11:30pm.
The band, named Trio Vibes, is composed of seasoned guitarist, Max, and two professional belters – Ems and Cleo. On their playlists are anything from songs by Dua Lipa to those by Tracy Chapman, Santana, Sting and Alanis Morissette, to name a few. The band also accepts requests. And, if you feel like getting into the groove, you may want to try your singing prowess on stage, too.
This experience and an array of international dishes make Le Bar all the rage these days.
The cosy, dimly lit bar and lounge, perfect place to unwind after a really long day at work, has a corner pool table for enthusiasts. It also is not so crowded – just perfect for a little after-hours chat with colleagues while enjoying a meal and soothing music.
On the menu are irresistible mains like Beef and Pepper Pie, Falafel Wrap, Spicy Chicken Burger, Beef Burger and Nasi Goreng. Salads include Chicken Caesar and Fattoush. Le Bar also offers pizzas and warm apple pies.
Come as you are and hit the spot as you listen to Sting’s “Englishman in New York” while you indulge in Butter Chicken Pie or pepperoni pizza and a drink at Le Bar.
