Category Archives: Cuisine

© 2015 . All rights reserved.

Should Every Restaurant Perfume Their Biryani with Rosewater?

I have finally tasted a biryani that is worth talking about. Not because it’s the best biryani I’ve ever had – that credit unsurprisingly goes to mum and a few other mothers and private chefs in Hyderabad and Dubai – … Continue reading

© 2015 . All rights reserved.

For the love of Fattet Magdous.

If you’re having one of those days where you want to bolt out of the office, grab the first available garden hose and spray-silence the blockhead sitting across from you in the meeting room – only to realize that your office … Continue reading

© 2015 . All rights reserved.

A Trail of Crumbs: Diving into Traditional Bread Baskets across Dubai

Be it the pillowy pita or the raggedy injera, breaking bread across the many ethnic communities in Dubai is an incredible way of experiencing its melting pot – or heart-warming oven – of cultures. At this junction of the Middle East, Africa … Continue reading

© 2015 . All rights reserved.

When sorrow over Safa Park strikes, distract yourself with this food trail.

After being in the food tour business for two years, I don’t know what on earth I’ve been doing writing about one-off restaurant experiences in backstreet here, or hidden alley there. I eat, live, breathe food trails every day of … Continue reading

© 2014 . All rights reserved.

Nigerian cow’s tail, fishy cookies, camel meatballs and other food moments to celebrate.

Since my last post on greasy comfort-laden strips of Turkish doner, I’ve had a couple of memorable food discoveries that I have to share with anyone who cares to know. These are food memories that have connected me ina deep, fulfilling … Continue reading

© 2014 . All rights reserved.

Tahtah Malleh – Preserved fish and rice made by the gifted hands of an Emirati mother.

In Emirati lingo, Malleh means preserved fish – from the word ‘Milh’ or salt. It was the natural way of preserving fish back in those days when desert dwellers didn’t have refrigerators. And while I’ve eaten malleh a few times … Continue reading

© 2014 . All rights reserved.

Help keep the new Taiwanese ‘Honey Ice Cream Dessert Shop’ alive.

28/10/2014: The sinister niggling feeling in my heart played out folks, this place has shut down. A real tragedy that we won’t be able to support the Taiwanese taro-ball maker anymore.  Two months ago, a bubble gum-pink sign and fairy lights popped … Continue reading

© 2014 . All rights reserved.

Hotpot haunt in Nasr Square, Deira that’s totally worth the hunt.

The last time I truly enjoyed Chinese hotpot was three years ago on Baniyas Road. Despite its worn walls and tired décor, Xiao Wei Yang assures the sort of eccentric experience that has made it a widely known ‘secret’ for … Continue reading

© 2014 . All rights reserved.

Finally, more pocket-friendly ways to fix that Thai Curry craving.

  A spectacular serving of pineapple fried rice trumped the list of dishes that I’ve consumed over the past two weeks. Every grain was plumped up with the sort of savoury curry flavour that makes you salivate just thinking about it, with … Continue reading

© 2014 . All rights reserved.

Popular Emirati dishes served up in a dusty overlooked corner of Qusais.

I escape the blinding rays of an urban desert sun and falter into the hushed, dimly lit restaurant. Dazed, burnt, colour-blind. A few faces hover around the waiting area, all men, one familiar, two unfamiliar peering out of a pitch-black kitchen window. … Continue reading

© 2014 . All rights reserved.

The lamb chops you should have been eating for the past 30 years.

Scratch your dinner plans tonight and try the lamb chops in Karama. SMOKY and BUTTERY are two of the most overused words when it comes to describing grilled meat. After trying the ones at Karama-born Dimyati, I’ll be wary about … Continue reading