09 Sep 2010
by Elainein Eat&Review, Expensive Eats, Married Life & Life Tags: Buffets, dubai eatouts, Iftar dinners
We haven’t tried Iftar dinners before, even after 2 summers here, we didn’t think it was a must until today.
Well, hub’s colleague suggested to meet up, enjoy a good chit-chat and to introduce Iftar buffets to their Danish workmate from HQ.
He decided Al Saffa restaurant at Metropolitan Hotel, along Shekih Zayed Road.
5 of us sat down, browsed the buffet counters… And hastily filled our plates.
There were about 8 trays of mains, one dessert + fruit station and one salad bar… Average varieties for what it’s worth (Dhs 95 per pax).
Most fantastic Iftar buffet deals at quality hotels costs at least Dhs120, so can’t really expect much from Al Saffa.
I was quite disappointed with their desserts, tasted bland and light.
Though i managed to try petite portions of every kind, the overall dining experience was just, vanilla.
By the looks of my servings (above), one can tell i am NOT an eat-all-you-can person!
Erm yes, i did try not eating the whole day before… It didn’t work.
AL SAFFA
Location: Metropolitan Hotel (beside Metroplex Cinema), Sheikh Zayed Road
05 Sep 2010
by Elainein Dubai Info, Eat&Review, Married Life & Life Tags: dubai eatouts, Mexican food, Tex Mex restaurants
“Let’s have Mexican for dinner!”, says the husband.
So off we strolled towards a Tex Mex restaurant, On the Border! We were greeted with wide smiles, walked us to our table and hurried off to bring us the menu. I scanned the room and noticed it’s family friendly ambience, but not impressed with their dim and mellow interior.
Just 15 mins after our orders were taken, the waitress brought us a plate of dates (during Ramadan months only) and cups of soup each for starters. Minutes later, a basket of tortilla chips entertained our bellies while waiting for the mains. Both, were complimentary!
Although the mains took longer than expected, their ginormous portions made it worthwhile. It was large everything dining in here!
In total, we spent about Dhs 88 on ONE main course, ONE starter and ONE jug of fruity to share.
Not the best in town, but a quick Mexican bite during your shopping intervals would satisfy your tummy good!
ON THE BORDER
Location: Festival City Centre (beside Ikea)
29 Aug 2010
by Elainein Dubai Info, Eat&Review, Married Life & Life Tags: budget eats, dubai eatouts, Karama
Our dinner today was to try an Indian/ Pakistani eatery located beside the Karama Metro Station. Though tucked quietly on an old street, it is still visible from the main road.
An added info, Indian expats takes up most of Dubai’s population, and aside from Lebanese/Arabic, Indian cuisine is considered local food. So it’s no surprise to pass by authentic Indian restaurants in every street/ district.
We stepped into Dum Pukht, flipped their casual menu and ordered their Chicken Biryani and Handi (Mutton curry claypot).
Mmm, we love their mutton mini claypot (mild spicy)! Tender chunks covered in thick flavoured gravy was the best i had!
But, I was quite disappointed with their portions, though it did fill us up, their chicken pieces in their biryani were only bite-sized.
Including 2 soft drinks, our bill came to Dhs 52! Cheap.
So, if you happen to walk by Dum Pukht, give them a try.
DUM PUKHT
Location: Karama, Dubai (Beside Karama Metro Station)
27 Aug 2010
by Elainein Design, Dubai Info, Eat&Review, Married Life & Life Tags: budget eats, dubai eatouts, graphic design, Karama
Here’s a map of Karama, (i’ve sketched out using free Inkscape software), a detailed idea of my few foodie trips in this location.
Red dots = Upcoming eats
Green dots = Ate&Reviewed
Yellow dots= Might visit
All red dots should turn green in 2 weekends!
26 Aug 2010
by Elainein Dubai Info, Eat&Review, Married Life & Life Tags: budget eats, dubai eatouts, Karama
Happy Thursday people!
Yet another wants-time-to-go-by-quick day!
I’ve decided this weekend’s Eat&Review post will be about Indian cuisine.
My mini foodie exercise (this Aug/Sept) is to taste popular eateries within Karama town and base on my previous walkabouts, i aim to try 4 more restaurants before my upcoming expensive eatouts.
Burpy months ahead!
20 Aug 2010
by Elainein Dubai Info, Eat&Review, Married Life & Life Tags: budget eats, dubai eatouts, thai restaurant
I’ve been scouting about for budgeted Thai/ South-East Asian restaurant located in Karama for weeks, and found Thai Terrace located just 15 mins (walk) from our place!
Yeah, the busy me never knew there were good dinner venues near us!
Once seated, the friendly waitress handed us their ambitious menu, cooking everything from starters to desserts! Though we walked in famished, it took us 10 mins deciding what to eat.
The husband was voicing his love for SPICY green/ red curries, but I, concluded to try familiar dishes to begin with.
This restaurant was known to be crowded but due to Ramadan month, it grew dim.
We ordered:
1 Pla Rad Prik (Crispy Fish with Chilli Sauce)
1 Gai Phad Prik Gaeng (Chicken and String Beans with coconut milk)
2 Soft Drinks
2 Small bowls of rice
1 Tom Khar Gai (Spicy Coconut Soup)
Total Bill: Dhs 141
Their Tom Khar Gai is a must try… It’s rich coconut flavour still got me drooling while typing this!
Just food alone, i rate Thai Terrace 7/10. A reasonably priced restaurant that will keep you smiling for more.
THAI TERRACE
Location: 2B Street, Trade Centre Road (Karama)
14 Aug 2010
by Elainein Dubai Info, Eat&Review, Married Life & Life Tags: Indonesian foods
If you’re feeling adventurous, head down to Betawi Cafe, a tiny Indonesian dine-in located behind the corner streets of crowded Karama.
The second we stepped in, it felt like we walked into an Indonesian household… Hearty laughters and familiar Bahasa conversations ringing the entire room!
We made small talk with a regular diner and found out that the owners and cooks are Indonesians, so it’s no doubt that we’re tasting genuine Indonesian cooking.
The husband was yet again, elated to order his usual favourite spicy Nasi Goreng and Teh Tarik. And i, decided to try their Opor Ayam (Chicken coconut curry served with rice).
Portion was generous, my bowl of curry was rich and tasty!
We ordered:
1 Nasi Goreng
1 Pepsi
1 Teh Tarik
1 Opor Ayam
Total bill: Dhs 57. Cheap and worth every dirham spent!
Aside from their modest laminated menus, shabby sweaty (wall mounted fans) interior, this is my must-visit eatout venue!
BETAWI CAFE
Location: 4B street (Behind Ministry of Health building), Karama, Dubai.
13 Aug 2010
by Elainein Dubai Info, Eat&Review, Married Life & Life Tags: American/Australian foods, Steak Eaters
I haven’t had steak for a long time, so hubs and i were keen to dinner at the popular American/ Australian Outback Steakhouse franchise in Dubai Festival Centre.
Upon walking in, we were promptly directed to our seats, menus came after and orders taken in a swift.
All along I thought it was a meaty dine-in, until I realized their menu consists of pastas and seafood too.
As we were just admiring their woody interior, the complimentary brown bread board and butter arrived within minutes… Mmmm, warm bread slathered in butter…
We ordered:
1 Mushroom Onion Soup (to share)
1 Bloomin’ Burger
1 Classic steak (Sirloin) in Mushroom sauce with 2 sides, fries and steamed vegetables
1 Passionfruit Mojito
1 Cherry Limeade
Total bill: Dhs 114 (After 30% discount)
Their steaks comes in three different sizes (6oz, 9oz, 12oz), the petite me opt for the 6oz of course.
Overall, I rate this eatout just above average because my medium-rare sirloin weren’t cooked properly, the meat was too rubbery for my molars liking, and the steamed vegetables were awfully salty!
Steak aside, both Bloomin Burger and Mushroom Onion Soup was delicious.
OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE
Location: Dubai Festival Centre (Level 1)
07 Aug 2010
by Elainein Eat&Review, Emotions, Expensive Eats, Married Life & Life
If you’re not too fussed about authentic chinese sauces, dishes or cooking style… The NOODLE HOUSE fairly satisfy your Asian urges. Though i find their foods dull, hubs and i are still regulars simply because it’s a 10 mins walk from our residence.
We found a table at the corner and noticed their new menus, improvised dishes replacing the old. Hubs tried their Chicken Rice and I chose the usual Duck Noodle Soup.
The generous stuffing in the wantons were the only difference, the rest was just average (noticed the dry duck pieces?).
Including 2 refreshing drinks our bill came to about Dhs140. And yes, I considered it expensive too!
But wait…
They NOW SERVE CRABS??! Woot!
Mmm, can’t wait to try it out soon!
NOODLE HOUSE
Location: Burjuman Mall (Bur Dubai)
06 Aug 2010
by Elainein Eat&Review, Emotions, Married Life & Life
Here we are again enjoying their breakfast menu on a humid weekend!
For a change, i ordered the MORE Eggs Benedict (Toasted buns, sauteed spinach, poached eggs, hollandiase sauce, smoked salmon, dollop of labneh and chives)
I’m not a big fan of poached eggs, but for those who love the sight and taste of oozy yokes, this is the cafe for a flawless recipe.
You might have had better Eggs Benedict elsewhere, but the smiley bun indicates I ate happy.
MORE
Location: Mirdif City Centre (Mirdif)
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