IFTAR AT JUMEIRAH AT SAADIYAT ISLAND RESORT 2024
Walking through the beautiful Arabian Nights-style entry, with flowing fabric, arches and twinkle lights, you know you’re headed for something special. The ballroom is sumptuously decorated and features arrangements of dates in perfectly laid towers - definitely arrive early so you have time to take it all in.
THE MAIN EVENTS
This iftar brings us food that’s completely approachable for everyone. A huge silver cloche encases a succulent lamb ouzi, which every guest beelines for and rightfully so: the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender and the rice buttery and full of great textures. The mixed grill station with chicken taouk and gorgeous grilled prawns is also heavily trafficked, alongside the shawarma station, wrapped and ready to go. Don't miss the Kung Pao chicken, an eclectic choice for iftar, but something you'll want to try again!
Another must? Bite-sized shish barak, delicious Middle Eastern meat dumplings cooked in a garlic yogurt sauce that has us in fork wars for the last one on the plate.
DESSERTS
Dessert lovers will be excited by the range of sweet options. More exquisite towers, this time of baklawa and dates, provide the backdrop for a dessert buffet you must save room for.
The highlights for us: the kunafah nests filled with both lotus and ashta are divine, while the creamy banana pudding, delightfully zesty passionfruit and mango cake, outstanding halawet al jibn, and tiny lemon meringue bites all provide a fresh cut through against some of the richer staples.
Put your pride aside and lean into the very fun Turkish ice cream show, and finish off with a piece of warm kunafa, fresh from the pan in all its stretchy-cheesy glory with the perfect crispy contrast and a cup of freshly poured Arabic coffee.
AND …
Ramadan juices are lined up alongside vast tureens of soup (including a great Tom Yum!), a beautifully presented cold mezze and salad bar, and hot mezze ready to go.
We love the variety of vegetarian options, and plenty of different dishes for people whose preference, like ours, runs toward a bit of everything.
The staff are engaging and helpful, and it’s easy to lose track of time as the oud player provides a soothing background to a lovely evening.
This iftar is a delicious feast for all the senses and is one of our must-trys when considering where to break your fast this holy month.
Timing: daily | sunset - 10PM
Price: AED280 per person including Ramadan beverages
Parking: the ballroom is to the left of the hotel as you drive in so either valet
beside the ballroom or park in the covered spaces outside Offside.
Bookings: +971 2 811 4342 or email jsirestaurants@jumeirah.com
Rachael Partington
3/13/2024
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