Sponsored: Every year, the luxury hotel’s award-winning restaurants come together to weave a contemporary-meets-traditional buffet with multi-cuisine specialities at the vibrant gathering.
An expansive outdoor gathering, beautiful traditional lanterns at every nook and cranny, a relaxed setting with ambient lighting, upfront views of the glistening dancing fountain and the Burj Khalifa – there’s only one memorable Ramadan experience that comes to mind, Iftar at the Armani/Pavilion. The Ramadan spirit is felt the minute you walk through the Armani/ Ballroom with themed interiors and dim-lit candles on every floor. No matter the table assigned, you won’t miss out on unrivalled views of The Dubai Fountains. With every detail intricately thought through, it’s no wonder that the Iftar continues to be one of the most sought-after in the country.
The highlights
The first mesmerizing site to catch our eye was the Ramadan-themed beige interiors with a faux candlelit setup complementing the soothing sunset. Once seated, we couldn’t help but steal a minute to take in the view of the world’s tallest tower up close. Placed on the table were dried nuts and dates to break fast followed by a selection of Ramadan beverages such as Laban, Jallab, Qamar al-din, and Tamrhendi to quench our thirst.
Diners can embark on a cross-cultural culinary journey with diverse delicacies prepared with sustainably sourced local ingredients. We started off with a wholesome Oriental lentil soup paired with pita bread and a traditional Moroccan harira soup with lamb, dates and lemon. After our first course, we explored the various dishes served at the Iftar stations. Armani/Ristorante features impeccable Italian creations, Armani/Hashi offers flavourful Japanese delights, and Armani/Amal presents aromatic Indian specials alongside a wide selection of Arabic dishes and desserts. Little ones can explore the dedicated Kids’ corner for bite-sized portions such as chicken nuggets, mini beef sliders, and pizza.
Admittedly, the vast array of delectable options made it difficult to decide where to start and if you’re anything like me, I’d recommend exploring each counter and its offerings at a time. We helped ourselves to Armani/Ristorante’s Pepperoni pizza, Saffron mozzarella arancini, an impressive cheese collection, Fritto Misto with lemon and mayonnaise and the irresistible Orecchiette pasta with basil pesto at the live pasta station; followed by Armani/ Hashi and Armani/Amal’s counter brimming with a seafood bar, Maki rolls, Black pepper beef with black bean sauce, Kadai Paneer, Murgh Malai Tikka, Aloo tikki, and more.
The widespread feast called for a quick break before diving into the classic Middle Eastern favourites. We enjoyed soulful Arabic melodies by the resident oud and tabla musicians while marvelling at Burj Khalifa’s breathtaking LED show. Next up, we savoured the Potato chermoula, Chicken tagine, King fish with harra sauce, Roasted whole baby lamb ouzi, Chicken kofta, and Beef kebab.
To conclude the experience, we made our way to the desserts area which displays a Luqaimat station, Turkish cheese kunafa station, Turkish delight shawarma station, and an ice cream corner featuring delightful flavours such as chocolate, mango, coconut, vanilla, and strawberry with various toppings. The dessert assortment further extends to Mohalabia mousse with apricot, Znoud al Sit, Turkish baklava with pistachio, Chocolate dulce de leche, Paris Mumbai profiterole, Tiramisu espresso, and an assortment of macaroons and Indian treats.
Book now
Until April 22. AED365 per person. AED185 for children aged 6 to 11 years old. Children 5 and under dine for free. Contact +9714 888 3601. Visit website.
