Taste of Dubai '2 for 1' tickets - Foodie Offer!

Taste of Dubai 2011 is only around the corner and thanks to the UAE food bloggers crew a.k.a Famished in Arabia and of course Taste of Dubai - we are excited to bring you an exclusive offer!

Buy 1 standard ticket and receive another standard ticket free of charge! Book online now and type in the code BLOG to avail this offer.

Ticket provides entry to the festival, live music and celebrity chef demonstrations.

Seriously, what more could you ask for? We will see you there!

In other Taste of Dubai news, we hear that the Ivy which is scheduled to open at the Jumeriah Emirates Towers during the spring will have a presence at the event, giving visitors a sneak peak into a few dishes that they will be serving up when it opens and giving visitors the chance to pick up the exclusive Ivy Cookbook and if you like what you taste, you can even book a table for when the restaurant opens.

Gazebo Biryani - Dish of the week

Being a huge fan of Biryani, I have tried most of the popular names: 800-Biryani, Lucky Bandra, Student Biryani in Karama(including the 35 min wait - it's good but not that good) and the favourite so far, Appa Kadai's Chicken Hyderabadi. That all changed recently, when I tried one of the delicious Biryani's (Chicken) at Gazebo in  Bur Dubai.  The Biryani comes in a earthen/clay pot with the traditional aata (wheat flour) covering and is spiced to perfection. 

Best Biryani in Dubai? I'll let you know once I've tried them all, but till then its the current new favourite and the dish of the week!

Gazebo (Next to Sharaf DG) Mankhool Road, Bur Dubai - Tel: +971 (4) 3598555

Tuber's Gourmet Baked Potato in Dubai Marina

With the Gourmet Burger craze sweeping the world, it was only a matter of time before other classics got the 'Gourmet' treatment. This time, its the turn of the classic English baked potato - bought to us by Tubers.

' Tubers offers 'Gourmet Baked Potatoes' for in-dining, take-away or door to door delivery from its first "Food Boutique" in the Dorra Bay building. Gourmet fillings are available in Classic, Fusion and Indulgence categories offering a choice of twenty-two healthy and nutritious recipes. '

The Swirls: Carrot, Beetroot & Speckled Parsley

 

Prices start at 10DHS for the classic butter all the way up to 45 for the Renaissance.. Boiled Eggs, Sour Cream, Caviar, Truffle Oil & Parsle.. not too sure about that one, but the rest all sound delicious.

We tried it, we really liked it - especially the carrot swirl, which was a yummy touch. Great to see a new concept materialise first in Dubai and of course top marks to them for their imaginative menu.

Tubers is in the Dorrabay building, Dubai Marina, End of JBR Walk -  Tel: 800 563

Okku, darling!

High end Japanese restaurants are a bit like Marmite, you either love 'em or you hate 'em. What you can not deny is that they are usually full of beautiful people who seem like they haven't eaten any carbs for a few years and are on a permanent vacation. Okku has a very established clientele - most of whom you will probably spot in the pages of Masala  (yes strangely popular with the well off Desi crowd) and is generally considered one of the places in Dubai to see and be seen.  

Still I suppose the glitterati of Dubai have plenty of places to choose from and while some swear by Zuma, some prefer Caramel and others Okku - all we really care about is the food...

Read more »

Famished in Arabia is now live

The collabarative effort of some 30+ food bloggers in the UAE has resulted in the Famished in Arabia website. The site has only just gone live so there might be a few teething problems and design issues to be sorted so please be patient, it will be worth it.

FiA is a central portal feeding you the various UAE based blogs and is definitely one to have in your bookmarks - and we are proud to be part of it.

UAE Food Bloggers serving up recipes, restaurants, news, tips and pics hot out the oven. Want a slice?

The website is http://www.famishedinarabia.com, the Facebook group is http://www.facebook.com/#!/FamishedinArabia and Twitter @FMSHDinARABIA.

Wrap & Roll by Haandi - Forget the curry's go for the rolls

There is no denying we are quite spoilt for choice when it comes to great Pakistani or Indian food in Dubai. Places such as Ravi's in Satwa or Sindh Punjab in Meena Bazaar or even BBQ Delight in JBR, to name a very few, mean that we can have great tasting food without it hurting the pocket. 

So when I heard about a Pakistani 'Fine Dining' restaurant on Barsha, I was skeptical to say the least. After all, a kadai gosht or a butter chicken is a kadai gosht and a butter chicken - no matter how its cooked, the ambience can often dictate a higher price which is fair enough but Barsha doesn't exactly scream high end. So what did I think? The food was not bad, but the price was perhaps slightly too expensive for the quality and quantity served and their service was absolutely ridiculously slow.

However, the main saving grace of this place is their 'Rolls' - I guess it makes sense considering that's part of their name. You wouldn't think different kebabs wrapped up in a paratha would be so delicious, but they are. There are about 8 non-veg rolls, and 4 veg rolls on offer at the moment. They are priced  between 13-15DHS each and 2 rolls will satisfy most. I have since tried pretty much every variety on offer and our favourite are the Mutton Bihari and the Malai Boti rolls - the aloo roll is also pretty good.

They have recently opened a branch on the Marina Walk, so we don't need to trek all the way to Barsha to get our fix. Their Friday brunch is also very affordable at 39DHS per person, but we haven't tried this yet.

Wrap & Roll by Haandi is at http://www.haandi.ae/ - Tel: +971 (4) 4475561 (Marina) or +971 (4) 4328564 (Barsha)

Singapore Takeout pop-up restaurant expected in Dubai around Oct-Nov 2011

As you might have read in the media, Dubai has been chosen as one of the nine cities for the 'Singapore Takeout' pop-up restaurant, which will be housed within a shipping container and unveiled to the public at the press of a button. It will showcase live culinary demonstrations by celebrated chefs.  As well a helping cement Singaporean food globally through both traditional and modern gastronomy, the initiative is mainly a opportunity for chefs, retailers and buyers to network and exchange ideas with 2 days open to the industry and one day to the public.

The tour will start in Hong Kong in April and run for seven months, ending in Delhi in November. Needless to say we are quite excited firstly that Dubai was chosen and secondly for the opportunity to be able to try world class Singaporean cuisine - being true international equal oppotunities foodies of course.

What you did not read and what we really wanted to know as soon as we heard about the Singapore Takeout, was the date of when it will be in Dubai - expect it to pop-up around October / November we have been told. Don't worry - we will be sure to remind you closer to the time.

Gulfood Conference 2011 - it's franchising time

The Gulfood Conference will be taking place on the 27th Feb - 2nd March and is meant to be the regions utmost influential trade exhibition for the food and beverage industry. The press release is titled 'Gulf food experts to converge on Gulfood Conference to highlight Middle East trends and opportunities'... and the umbrella theme being "Global Trends - Regional Opportunities".


While good for the industry and translating into more international and recognised brand choices for us foodies - we  just hope the more local flavours and home grown brands don't get drowned out in the rush to set-up every possible franchise and its sibling in the UAE.

Gulfood is strictly a trade-only event and is open to business and trade visitors from within the industry only.

Taste of Dubai: 3 - 5th March 2011

In case you have missed the posters around the city, Taste of Dubai is back on the 3 - 5th of March. With a great line up of restaurants, celebrity chefs and music, it's a great day out for any foodie with an amazing 22 restaurants setting up shop in Dubai's Media City.

For more information check out the website: http://www.tasteofdubaifestival.com/

Anyone for 3500 AED Pizza?

Feeling a bit flush? Money burning a hole in your pocket? REALLY love pizza? If so then head over to the rather funky iKandy at the Shangri-la on Sheikh Zayed Road and you can splurge on their 'Millionaire' pizza.. only 3500 AED or around  about USD $1000. Ingredients include Boston lobster, Perigord truffle, Rougie foie gras and Beluga Caviar.

Glossy magazines make up their very unique menu's, while their shisha's pretty good and the neon pink lighting along with the pool side setting make it a very relaxed, yet lively place that stands out from the rest and one of my favourites in the city - even if it on the top of a car park. Not to worry, the rest of the dishes are quite decently priced and the food's not bad either.

IKandy is at the Shangri-La Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road - Tel: +971 4 343 8888

Blog a bad review and get sued! The Benihana Kuwait story

It seem's that nowadays if you have a bad experience at a restaurant, you have to think twice before you blog about it or you might just get sued. Seems like the easier option to take for a restaurant or a business rather then maybe think about what the person is saying and say... learn from it? Nope I am not making this stuff up, there is an on-going case in Kuwait where a blogger decided to check out the new Benihana that opened up and posted his honest opinions and landed himself in court. Not sure what Benihana are likely to get out of this other than negative publicity, especially now that this story has hit the main stream news.

If you'd like to know more, check out the story at Emirates 24-7, UAE Community Blog or My Custard Pie

Dim Sum @ China Club Radisson Blu

All you can eat daily dim-sum brunch at 95 AED? With an array of the fried stuff including soups followed by the steamed dumplings.. that actually get carted around in a proper dim-sum trolley? Followed by deserts? How can you go wrong with that! Well you can't.. The China Club at the Radisson Blu in Diera is apparently Dubai's oldest 5*.and while it might be a bit off the beaten track - their dim sum is definitely worth the trip. 

The portions are on the small side and the trolley once empty takes a while to do another round - so make sure you double up on anything you like the look of. Non-alcoholic flavoured iced tea and Chinese green tea is also included, so it's incredible value for money.  It does get busy on friday's though so make sure you book ahead.

If you are a fan of dim-sum, another place I would highly recommend especially for their great value Friday Brunch is the Long Yin @ Le Meridien Garhoud.

China Club is at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, Tel: +971 4 222 7171

Sher-e-Karachi Karai Mutton Gosht

It doesn't get any more back to basics then the Karahi Ghost at Sher-E-Karachi in Bur Dubai. It's not healthy nor will it do your waist line any favours, but it tastes absolutely amazing. Their standard roti's are the perfect combo to go with this and it's a nice change from the usual Ravi's in Satwa.


Sher-E-Karachi is in Meena Bazaar, Bur Dubai.

Truly.. Scrumptious Cupcakes

 

I first learnt about Anna when she turned up at my door unexpectedly with a box full of cupcakes. They were sent by a very dear friend (even more so now  with cupcakes in the mix) in the UK as a surprise - and what a yummy surprise it was! The cupcakes were absolutely delicious, soft and melt-in-the-mouth!  I was told that Anna had been a pleasure to work with and had been very accommodating, despite being in another country and the entire deal taking place via email. 

I did a bit of research and turns out Anna and her cupcakes are well known at the various markets and school fairs around Dubai. Luckily Anna had included a business card in the box and I was then able to order some the next time I was craving more of those delicious cupcakes.

I used to be a regular of Hummingbird cafe in the UK (If you haven't been, make sure you do!) and was left disappointed that none of the offerings in the UAE matched up or even came close. 

Most of the cupcakes at the stalls in the various malls are often stale and tasteless, as they are mass produced and tend to be  refrigerated - which in my opinion just kills some of the freshly 'baked-ness' (if that makes any sense).. Anyone else left disappointed by Sugar Daddy's? I was really expecting more.

I won't go as far to say that these are the best cupcakes in the UAE -  as I haven't had the pleasure of tasting all the various offerings (with new ones popping up all the time - hey its a tough job but someone's got to do it) - but they are easily some of the best I have tried so far.

She works on a pre-order basis only and doesn't have a retail unit so to speak. You simply drop her a email or give her a call and she works with you from start to finish to give you a fully 'bespoke' cupcake experience. You can choose your flavours, decide on the toppings and even on the size. The cakes are freshly homemade using organic free range eggs, Swiss chocolate and real butter.

The 'fairy' sized cupcakes (pictured) are 10AED and there is a minimum order for delivery of 200AED, alternatively pick up your order from Arabian Ranches. I have also had the pleasure of having Anna's  macaroons and ginger bread men and they have been equally as good. The next time you are having a party, make sure you try them out!

Scrumptious Cupcakes can be found at : http://www.scrumptiousdubai.com and their facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scrumptious-Cupcakes-Dubai#!/pages/Scrumptious-Cupcakes-Dubai/140032498681

Diera Fish Market - Smelly Business

Like any true foodie knows, the freshest ingredients, are the only ones that should ever be used when one is planning any meal and nothing screams fresh (or smelly as in this case) like a bustling fresh fish market. Market's are generally on top of my list of places to explore whenever I am in a new city and have very fond memories of the Fish/Vegetable Markets in Thailand's China Town or the Rialto fish market in Venice.  Having been in Dubai for a couple of years now I thought it was rather shameful that I had not yet ventured to see the Fish & Vegetable market located next to Shindiga tunnel which has been there since 1988 - a lot longer then most buildings or even areas of Dubai.

As any good market goer knows, you need to get to a market (especially a fishy one) first thing in the morning when the boats come in - right? Coming from Dubai Marina, all the way down Sheik Zayed thru Shindagha tunnel is quite a journey, so the alarm was set for 4.30 am (the plan to stay up all night partying and go from there was thankfully ditched) and after the failed first attempt to wake up - off I went bright and early at 6 am. The traders were there and there was certainly a buzz about the place but it was not like any other market anywhere in the world because it was eerily quiet other then the odd trader buying in bulk. 

I asked around only to find out, in true Dubai fashion.. the market is open all day, closes for the Old Dubai standard 1-4(or 5 in this case) lunch and then starts up again for the evening run and is generally more buzzing then! Typical.  Since I had made the trip, I decided it was a good opportunity to take a few pictures, hope you enjoy them.

The market is fairly small, and can easily be browsed from one end to another in 30-40 minutes with enough time to pick up a few bits along the way. There are some great characters in the market but overall mainly due to the heat - I am not sure I would do it again. I also strongly suggest taking a pair of throw away shoes which you don't mind disposing off after wards, as naturally due to melting ice, the heat and general fishy bits lying around you probably won't want to put them on again.

 

Also part of the market is a fresh meat and fruit & veg section so you can pick up everything you would need for a nice meal in one place. To find the market, simply keep an eye out for the brown signs on the right you exit Shindagha tunnel and follow them.

Tribes @ MOE - more than just a great burger

They say that you (blogger, writer, etc.) should, like a good magician, keep the subject engrossed all the way through till the grand finale - which I suppose in this case would be the end of the review. That might be a good idea, but then I wouldn't get to tell you that while Tribes @ the Mall of Emirates might be in a mall, its so much more then your average mall restaurant. Firstly its housed in the new multi-million-Dirham swanky fashion dome extension, it is also right next to Asha's (Asha Bhosle's restaurant - for the non Indian's she is a classical Indian singing legend) and opposite PF Chang's which has been one of my top oriental restaurants ever since I tried it in the US, both these restaurants are.. much more then your average mall restaurants. I also then would have to keep you in suspense about absolute fantastic burgers (best I've tried in Dubai so far) and the delicious steaks and the rather unique dishes such as the Watermelon & Cheese salad and being a true foodie, I hate to wait till the end to find out if I should try a restaurant or not. 

So let's just get it out of the way.. Tribes?  go on and give it a whirl - it's a great mid-priced range eatery. Although the service leaves something to be desired at times, the food doesn't, it is however a truly carnivorous affair - so pure vegetarians might be better off somewhere else.

This African themed restaurant, has .. wait for it.. genuine African staff working there who seem to know their dishes and menu well and do make good recommendations, so if you are not sure what to order - their suggestions are worth considering. One of our party was Kenyan and so was our waiter and when we inquired about a Kenyan specialty, although not on the menu, the waiter immediately said he would ask the chef to prepare it for us, which was a nice touch in a mid-priced restaurant. Tribes might be African themed but what they essentially do is take your classic dishes and add slight hint of 'exoticness' to make them slightly different from the norm but when it comes down to it - it's a great steak/burger restaurant.

The staff also break into song and dance at every opportunity which I suppose in this day and of 'Been there, tried it, seen it' mentality of Dubai and Dubai'ites who lets face it - are spoiled, it is a nice touch. Although this might be the reason their service is lacking at times, its all part of the fun.

They also say that a picture is worth a thousand words so I thought I would let the pictures do the talking, this time.. as it was a great excuse for me to break out my new D-SLR.

The 'welcome' freshly baked bread - it was totally worth breaking my no-carbs-till-next-winter rule for.

The 'tribal' sausage platter including the camel sausage which was worth a whirl but slightly chewy (at least I can say I have eaten camel now)

Watermelon and fried halloumi salad - refreshingly different

Peri-Peri chicken

Pepper crusted sirloin 

The burger - resist the temptation to have it well done & you'll love it

Tribes is at the Mall of Emirates, Fashion Dome - Tel: +971(4) 3950663