Iftar at Ramada’s Orchid Restaurant

This is the view from the Orchid Restaurant’s terrace, located on the second floor of Ramada in Downtown Dubai.

It’s a very humid 42ºC tonight so Masood and I choose to sit indoors. The table with Burj Khalifa view can wait till winter.

We’ve been invited to iftar today, and even after missing an exit just before Dubai Mall, we still arrive on time.

Our hosts are Twinkle and Flor, two very warm and lovely ladies.

A plate of plump dates and three or four different types of water bottles were at the table.

The Orchid Restaurant is a cozy place, with the usual dim, romantic lights and comfortable chairs. The service is prompt, and everyone is very courteous.

Valet parking is free for Orchid Restaurant guests, there are high chairs for toddlers, and dedicated prayer rooms for both men and women.

The Impressive Buffet Spread:

 

 

 

There are so many other delicious food that I couldn’t photograph because there are always people around. There’s the Chicken Fata—a creamy layer of bread, chicken pieces, yoghurt, tahina, and chick peas.

Kebeh Labania—an interesting mix of kibbeh (levantine dish made of bulghur, minced onions and ground red meat, usually beef, or lamb) and yoghurt.

Grilled fish with Mexican sauce or salsa—this is very, very good. I probably have a dozen servings of this fish! I later find out that this is also the chef’s favorite.

And then, there’s this beautiful grilled lamb sitting atop a bed of fragrant rice. This is the lamb madhbi. The lamb is marinated in a mix of Arabic spices and slowly grilled until the meat is so tender it easily falls off the bone. People devoured it so fast that when I reach the table to take a picture, only the lamb’s femoral bone remains.

Dessert!

Towards the end of our Iftar meal, as I return to the buffet area to take note of the names of some of the dishes, Chef Belal Kattan emerges from the kitchen. He asks me how the food was, and after I give him my honest opinion (I only had compliments!) I ask if it was ok if I took down the names of the dishes (I have the tendency to forget the next day!).

“No problem,” he says with a smile, “I’ll even give you the recipe if you want, but the taste won’t be the same because I didn’t cook it myself.” We laugh at his joke but frankly speaking, I feel he has a valid point. I wouldn’t be able to recreate these dishes unless he trains me for a decade.

Chef Belal is kind enough to tell me a little bit about each dish he created. While speaking about the food, one could sense his passion about cooking and food. This love and dedication is what makes the food taste even better.

 

Orchid Restaurant in Ramada is a great place to have iftar with your family, friends, and even business associates.

There is a good variety of food that will surely please every palate. I’m saying this because Masood, who isn’t a great fan of seafood, loved the grilled fish with Mexican sauce.

Iftar buffet is available from sunset until 9 pm, at AED 99 per person.

Kids, 6 years old and below, dine free. 6-12 year olds get 50% discount, and you get 20% discount for groups consisting of more than 15 people.

For reservations, call +971 4 330 7330 or email [email protected].

Click here for the Google map.