Iftar Series: Liwan, Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana

Next in line for my Iftar Series is Liwan Restaurant in Al Ghurair Rayhaan. I got invited along with some other food bloggers and media agencies to try out their Iftar Buffet. It was my first time to try the buffet in Liwan so once I received the invitation I said yes right away. I went with my friend Zheena and also another blogger who specializes in lifestyle (including parenting) Candice of www.theisaacsjournal.com.

The night started with an Arabic music performance. It was a nice way to welcome guests and It actually became one of the focal point inside the buffet hall (plus we sat next to them, so definitely, we'll notice them).

[caption id="attachment_3015" align="aligncenter" width="800"] LIVE ARABIC MUSIC[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3016" align="aligncenter" width="800"] WELCOME TREATS[/caption]

There were a lot of guests that night and the whole restaurant looked so lively. A great mood to end the whole day of fasting.

On our table placed an array of dried fruits and nuts which are what you eat to prepare your body before a heavy meal (if you are fasting). I think it is a good touch to add in the mood and feel.

[caption id="attachment_3024" align="aligncenter" width="800"] SOME DRIED FRUITS AND NUTS ON OUR TABLE[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3017" align="aligncenter" width="800"] JUICE SHOTS[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3023" align="aligncenter" width="800"] TIME FOR SOME APPETIZERS[/caption]

Like most of the Iftar buffets around Dubai, Liwan offers an international selection of dishes plus some Ramadan Specialties (I guess these are the Arabic selections).

What I loved about it is that, even though there are a lot of people the night I've visited, it didn't feel too crowded.

[caption id="attachment_3018" align="aligncenter" width="800"] THE ARABIC SECTION OF THE BUFFET[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3020" align="aligncenter" width="800"] SLOW ROASTED LAMB. I GUESS THIS IS PART OF THE RAMADAN SPECIALTIES[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3021" align="aligncenter" width="800"] JAPANESE!!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3022" align="aligncenter" width="800"] INDIAN!!![/caption]

I loved the variety of food that they are offering. There was certainly a hit and a miss but in general it was a decent Iftar Buffet. I personally enjoyed the Chicken Biryani, which my friend Candice said tasted home cooked (her husband is Indian, so she knows her biryani). Also I enjoyed the moroccan tea that will be poured in front of you will a dash of flare. ^^

[caption id="attachment_3019" align="aligncenter" width="800"] THE MOROCCAN TEA BAR[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3025" align="aligncenter" width="800"] I MUST ADMIT, AS SIMPLE AS POURING THE TEA GRABBED ALL OF OUR ATTENTION. HE WAS AN INSTANT STAR. HAHA[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3026" align="aligncenter" width="800"] TEA ANYONE?![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3027" align="aligncenter" width="800"] MY SHAMEFUL ( VERY FULL) BUFFET PLATE[/caption]

If there is one thing that for me was a missed, it was the dessert selections. It fell short in terms of selections and taste. I am a bit picky with desserts because I have a sweet tooth, so if my friend knows about Indian food, I can say that I know my way around sweets.

[caption id="attachment_3029" align="aligncenter" width="800"] DESSERT STATION[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3028" align="aligncenter" width="800"] TRADITION ARABIC DESSERT[/caption]

All in all it was a great night. Ferry was a great host and he made sure that we were all taken care of. More than the food, I love going for Iftar after a long day of work because you can unwind and talk to your friends/family over a feast. What can be better than that (sleep? haha).

[caption id="attachment_3030" align="aligncenter" width="800"] GREAT FILIPINO BLOGGER FRIENDS[/caption]

[blockquote source="Liwan Al Ghurair Rayhaan"]"...Join Liwan for an Iftar buffet for 149 net per person, including a selection of international and Ramadan specialties while enjoying Live Arabic entertainemtn. Or settle down and unwind over Suhour starting from AED 95 net per person, while enjoying a traditional bubbly at Liwan Terrace. While a special Persian Iftar set menu awaits you at Shayan Restaurant for leisure diners too."[/blockquote]

Contact Liwan Restaurant Here:

Location: Al Ghurair Rayhaan, Deira Dubai

Phone: +971 (0)4 293 3000

Email: fb.alghurair@rotana.com

Iftar Series: Dusit Thani Dubai

The season of Ramadan is here again and it means that most of the food establishments will be closed at daylight, in respect for those who are fasting for the whole month(especially in this part of the world, where the majority of the population are Muslims).

In line with this, every night, restaurants are providing Iftars (evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset) as their special offer this holy month of Ramadan. As a food and travel blogger, I've received several invitations (mostly from the restaurants that I have reviewed before) to try out their Iftar offering. For the whole month, I will be posting number of food blogs that will focus on this.

First stop, Dusit Thani Dubai.



My very first invitation came from Dusit Thani Dubai along Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road. I have tried two of their restaurants before, Benjarong and Pax Ristorante and so far I enjoyed both. Check out my blog about it.

Ok, back to Iftar. Dusit Thani Dubai is offering an Iftar buffet that features traditional Arabic cuisine and a mix of international dishes (Italian, Indian and Thai mostly). These selections are arranged at the hotel's 24th floor with the panoramic view of Dubai's skyline from their restaurants, The Californian, Banjarong and Pax Ristorante & Lounge.





The time for the Iftar buffet is from sunset until the 8:30pm and after that, the hotel restaurants will resume to it's a la carte menu. Because of the limited time, I was running from work just to get there the earliest possible time. You see, I finish work at 7pm and sunset is normally at 7. In my mind, if I will calculate the time that I will commute, I will only arrive there at 8pm, meaning, I will only dine for 30 mins. As someone who loves to eat, this is a very short time.....whew..........Because of all the running, I arrived a few minutes past 7, perfect to enjoy an hour of selected dishes.

I was welcomed with a big smile by the hotel attendants and immediately ushered to my table. I found several of my food blogger friends already enjoying their appetizers.







Traditionally, to break the fast, one should first eat some dates and yogurt, but because I didn't fast, I went straight to the soup and salad station.

I got a soup with vermicelli and some green salad to start it of. It was a good time to catch my breath and also to have a chitchat with my blogger friends. I haven't seen most of them for quite some time, so we TALKED a lot.





After a few bites, I went ahead to the main dish area. If you have been reading my blog before, you already know that I am in love with Thai food. For this reason alone, my first station was the Thai buffet section (which is at the center of the lobby). My favorite was the Duck Curry (I can live with this alone). The rest was alright for me.

Because of the limited time, I wasn't able to try a lot of the selections so I just zoned in to those that looks interesting and a bit familiar for me. Aside from the duck, I went for the braised beef and a creamed fish dish (I forgot the exact name). Also, I took a shawarma and a spaghetti bolognese. I was so full after finishing my overflowing plate. I love buffets but the feeling after a buffet is something that I dont like (#fooddieproblem).





Realizing that we only have 15 minutes left to get a dessert, we all wrapped up our time for the main dish and jump straight for desserts. I saw that they have a traditional Kunafa (is a Levantine cheese pastry soaked in sweet sugar-based syrup) so in my mind already, this is the one that I will get (^^).

I was a little dissapointed with their kunafa as it was already cold and hard. I love it when it is still very soft and the cheese is stretchy and goooey. Good thing, I enjoyed thier Umm Ali (Middle Eastern version of a bread pudding) and cheesecake. We've partnered it with a cup of peppermint tea---- aaah this is the best way to end a full meal.

In general, I enjoyed our meal. The only downside was the time limit as I thought it would have been nice to take time and enjoy the evening and not rushing to get as much food as you can just to get your money's worth. In all fairness, I love the Thai selections from Benjarong, only with this, you got your money's worth already.

Aside from Iftar, Dusit Thani Dubai is also offering Sohour Set Menu which is available from 12am - 4am through room service.

OFFER DETAILS

Iftar Buffet

Cost:  AED149 I Time: Sunset - 8:30pm I Location: 24th Floor Lobby

Sohour Set Menu

Cost:  Varies I Time: 12am - 4am I Location: Room Service Only

Group Iftar Menu

Cost:  Starts at AED119/ Person for groups of 50 or above

For Reservations and Inquiries

Call: +971 (4) 317 4515 or Email: dine.dtdu@dusit.com