Feast your eyes on these Ramadan treats

As we head into what could be the most low-budget Ramadan in recent times, hotel industry expectations are high that the season will offer respite from the dry summer.

As our story on page eight shows, restaurants across Dubai have been offering all sorts of value deals to bring more customers through their doors. Yet, while some restaurants are closing for renovations and rebranding, the overall mood is still positive.

"We believe that although there is a smaller market this year we should capture a higher share than we experienced over the summer," says Kevin Wills, Director of Food and Beverage at the JW Marriott Dubai, one of the city's traditional seasonal hotspots. "We are forecasting a 30 per cent increase in business overall in 2009, mainly because we had so much wonderful feedback from Ramadan last year and inquires and reservations are higher than at this time last year."

Across town, the InterContinental and Crowne Plaza hotels at Dubai Festival City (DFC) have ramped up their offerings, says Steven Greenwood, hotel manager of InterContinental Dubai Festival City.

"Our prediction is definitely for business to go up. This year we've had more time to prepare for Ramadan, so we're going bigger and better and while we enjoyed very healthy occupancies over the summer, our dining outlets are destined to see more footfall during Ramadan," he says.

The DFC properties are also attempting to bring in more tourists this year, adds Greenwood, by teaming up with airline and tour operators in Austria and Germany to offer cultural package deals.
With a lean summer and relatively stable business numbers to look forward to over Ramadan, hotels have had more time to prepare and market themselves. "We see this time as an opportunity to capture more market while other competitors are cutting services to make up the losses," says Wills.

As we have seen over the summer, there are sweet deals aplenty. Iftar buffets, for example, are cheaper than they were last year. But better yet, at venues such as DFC, diners at the InterContinental tent receives a voucher offering 40 per cent off treatments at the hotel spa. Now there's an incentive worth heading out for.



Iftar Top 5

1 JW Marriott Dubai Beat the heat and cosy up in the large indoor Ramadan tent in the Town Square of the hotel. Its lavish iftar buffet features live cooking stations serving traditional delicacies including kharouf, shawarmas and saj.

While sampling this mouthwatering fare, diners can either jump into an impromptu cooking class as expert chefs whip up some delicious Arabic sweets, or they can watch the latest Ramadan soaps on the TV. The iftar buffet costs Dh150. Call: 04 607 7977


2 Cascades At The Fairmont Hotel Break your fast under a soaring atrium where an extensive iftar buffet showcasing a delicious Arabic themed menu at Cascades awaits. Guests can enjoy an assortment of cold and hot mezzeh, juicy grills, traditional ouzi and roasted veal with zaatar and vinegar.

Those with sweet cravings can indulge in traditional Middle Eastern confectionary, including konafa, basbousa and katayef. The iftar buffet is open until 8:30pm for Dh145. Call: 04 311 8316


3 24th Floor, Dusit Thani Dubai Travel 22 countries in less than three hours as you sample your way through the scrumptious delights on the 24th floor where Dusit Thani spreads out its Ramadan feast fit for a king.

The menu will vary daily, allowing diners to enjoy familiar favourites and discover new delights. Examples of these delicious dishes include whole lamb ouzi, shawarmas, dajaj al fassai, chicken mougrabiah and much, much more. Dh129. Call: 04 317 4515


4 Al Mansour Dhow, Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek Set sail aboard Radisson's famous Al Mansour Dhow this Ramadan and sample its special five-star international and Arabic iftar buffet accompanied by free-flowing soft drinks. Live entertainment is provided by Jemal, a mastermind with the traditional oud.

Available only for group bookings, prices start from Dh120 per person, with a minimum booking of 30 people. To reserve call: 04
205 7333


5 Ushna, Abu Dhabi Take a trip down memory lane as Chef Amrish Sood transports you to Old Delhi's famous Chandani Chowk. On growing up there, Sood says: "I remember an array of food stalls. Bicycles would zip past with pans of biryani and haleem (lamb porridge)."

Sood is recreating his childhood by capturing those succulent flavours during Ramadan. For just Dh155, sample a menu fit for a king. Kakori kebabs, awadhi dal, Rogan Josh and date halwa will whet your appetite. Call: 02 558 1769

Suhoor Top 5

1 Park Hyatt Terrace Head down to this creekside property to enjoy Ramadan Nights at The Terrace. Relax at the beautiful waterfront, where the menu includes cold and hot mezzeh, traditional favourites and a variety of freshly baked saj bread, as well as shawarma and falafel sandwiches.

Choose from two suhoor set menus, priced at Dh170 and Dh190, which include a selection of sweets and soft beverages. Shisha charged separately. From 8pm. Call: 04 317 2222


2 Levantine At Atlantis The Palm As the hotel indulges in its very first Ramadan celebration, the Levantine restaurant stands out with its scrumptious suhoor set menu for just Dh165.

Sample a selection of hot and cold mezzeh, saj, chicken shawarma platters and assorted fruits and special sweets. Once you've satisfied your hunger, sit back with your shisha and enjoy the festive atmosphere with a live Arabic band. Bliss! Suhoor runs until 1am. Call: 04 426 2626


3 Al Majlis Beachside, Madinat Jumeirah Nothing beats a balmy evening by the beach, so why not while away a lazy evening with friends and your favourite hubbly bubbly flavour at the Madinat?

At the Al Majlis beachside Ramadan tent, enjoy the delicious suhoor á la carte menu. All the classics are available, but the tent is only open to those aged 21 and over. Every evening during Ramadan, from 8.30pm until 2.30am. Reservations are recommended. Call: 04 366 6730


4 Fashionably Late Menu At Verre, Hilton Dubai Creek Verre's "Fashionably Late" menu offers a twist to the Ramadan suhoor. Traditional Arabic cuisine takes a back seat in favour of five taster-style courses served up from Chef Gordon Ramsay's kitchen.

Gastronomic delights to indulge in include the tartare of beef with poached quail egg, marinated salmon and crème fraiche with Baerii caviar and much more. From 9.30pm, starting at Dh350 per person. Call: 04 227 1111


5 Layali, Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort and Spa Get away from the city for the weekend and enjoy suhoor at the foothills of the Hajar Mountains in Fujairah. Open till 2am during Ramadan, Layali serves up traditional Arabic delicacies prepared by the hotel's famous Arabic chef, flown in for the occasion.

The extensive menu includes hot and cold mezzeh, along with juices, tea/coffee, sahlab, helba and karkade, topped off with shisha. Call: 09 244 9000

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