TRAVEL SPECIAL ....What's Cooking at the Dubai Shopping Festival?

What's Cooking at the Dubai Shopping Festival?
 

The Dubai Shopping Festival calls for hustling around for the best deals. In between all this shopping frenzy, enjoy foodie trails which help refuel for the exciting shopping journey. Besides, what better way to work up an appetite than shopping. With street eats in Deira, a beach side breakfast on Kite Beach, rooftop dining in Dubai Marina, or our very own institution, the Friday Brunch - Dubai satisfies your hunger to shop and eat in style like none other!

MOREISH MANAKEESH!

Al Mallah is well regarded as one of the city's best Lebanese restaurants - not just for the shawarmas (wraps) and manakeesh (flat breads) - but for boasting front row seats to people watching along 2nd December Street. A warning: their shawarmas and manakeesh are addictive, so one may not be enough. Those in a hurry (and with a vehicle) can park out front and place their takeaway order, but we recommend dining in: the hearty mixed grill, kofta and flat bread, washed down with a fresh juice, is best experienced while immersed in local action.

MASTI AT THE BEACH!

Staying true to its name - translated from Hindi as 'fun and mischief' - the food at Masti is a creative ode to the flavours we all know and love. Located at Dubai's hottest new beach front destination, La Mer, the restaurant serves up an irresistible array of sharing plates that combine elements from other global cuisine. Standouts from the menu include duck kheema crostini, sun-dried tomato prawns, sweet chilli glazed lamb chops and its signature version of beef carpaccio with a creamy creole curry aioli. It's all tantalisingly refreshing, and a fitting tribute to modern India.

SUCCULENT KEBABS!

Pars Iranian Kitchen is tucked away at the far end (Trade Centre Roundabout) of the street and is certainly worth tracking down. One of Pars' most popular meals is the Iranian kebab served with a generous heap of rice and accompaniments like tomatoes, pickles, lime and chillies. Take the waiter's suggestion of a plate of mint leaves; they go surprisingly well with the meal. The restaurant is a favourite with families and large groups, so it's best to book ahead of time if you're visiting on a Friday or Saturday (weekend) evening.

THE ASIAN WAY!

Tuck in to the very best of Asia right here in Dubai. Miss Tess at Taj Dubai embraces bold flavours in all aspects - from the restaurant's eclectic decor with a colourful tuk-tuk parked right in the centre to a dinner menu inspired by the fictitious Miss Tess' travels across Korea, Thailand, China and Vietnam. Take a seat and prepare to feast on modern Asian street food, served with a side of theatrical music and dance. Whether you're craving dim sum, spicy noodles, fresh sushi or Korean BBQ, the restaurant more than satisfies using just the right amount of culinary magic. Miss Tess is fun, quirky and always memorable.

SWEET TREATS

Firas Sweets serves generous portions of bright orange kunafa, with just the right balance of savoury and sweet.Most cultures across the Middle East offer a version of this traditional Levantine dish, but all involve a combination of gooey cheese topped preparations with crisp fried vermicelli soaked in a mixture of cardamom, rosewater and sugar syrup. Make sure to try kunafa while it's hot, so the cheese is deliciously stretchy. At Firas, bakers are more than willing to take you through the selection on offer, with plenty of free samples to help you decide.

TOI27DEC18