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India fare at Focus Restaurant

Author John Thomas
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Hyatt Place Al Wasl District has a fabulous all day dining restaurant Focus at the lobby level offering some really tantalizing Indian and continental fare.  Restaurant Manager Manish met me and suggested that I try their Indian fare. He promised to offer me an assortment of their Indian curries which he said I would love. And love, I definitely did!  Lunch was a selection of some of their finest Indian curries and appetizers. First off in appetizer was a truly tantalizing plate of Chicken malai tikka which was followed by house special naan, butter chicken curry, dal makhana, fish curry and steamed rice in mains.  In sides I was served with pappad, onion, sliced cucumber, sliced tomato and sliced lime. The taste was totally authentic and true to its roots. Thanks to chef Nayan Kishore who is an expert in this area from a top Hyatt Property in Ludhiana. In dessert I was served with a special baked yoghurt which landed pastry chef and current sous chef Depesh Chauvhan for ProChef award
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Al Mashawai Al Halabiya at Garhoud - An absolute must try if you love good arabian food and shisha

Author John Thomas
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Garhoud area is becoming a mecca of Middle Eastern and Levantine Cuisine in Dubai. With a slew of restaurants and cafes lining the road, one has the privilege to pick and choose a restaurant of ones liking. We were recently at Al Mashawi Al Halabiya at Garhoud. Aleppo Grills is a monicker and if you were to check the map on Google It would show you as Aleppo Grills. Both are the same brand, so don't be confused.  A sprawling restaurant with two levels divided into smoking, non smoking and family areas, Al Mashawi Al Halabiya has enough space inside to seat an entire marriage party. Slick and very well done up interiors with mid eastern tones and touches give the place a very arabian vibe. Even the tables have an interesting pattern,  After the usual temperature check that is part of the new normal in Dubai, we were ushered into their non smoking dining area initially as my dining partner is a non smoker. Later we moved to the smoking part of the restaurant as the vibe was quite dif
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Begin a new journey in healthy eating and healthy living with Let's Organic Cafe - Brand New in Jumeirah Al Wasl

Author John Thomas
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The whole world is moving towards organic food and not without good reason. With so much concern being raised about the quality of food we consume day to day and the risks associated with consuming processed meats and food products have created a global movement towards organic and healthy dining. Dubai too has joined the global bandwagon in increasing push towards inception of more organic, vegetarian and vegan dining concepts that are accessible and affordable for the masses. This explains the sudden surge in demand and supply of organic restaurants in the country.  Let's organic restaurant and cafe is a brand new concept of 100 percent organic food that was recently established in Dubai at Ferdouz complex, Al Wasl, Jumeirah. Ever since it was launched the cafe has gained great popularity within the people living in the community and also the other Emirates.  Blogliterati.com recently had an opportunity to visit the cafe for a review. The team experienced a truly fascinating
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Din Tai Fung

Author John Thomas
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 I have heard a lot about this legendary brand but recently got a chance to finally try it out. I recently visited their newly opened Nakheel Mall outlet.  Me and my dining companion started our gastronomic journey with some hearty drinks. I ordered Passion fruit juice while my dining partner went for lemon juice. Both were refreshing and good.  In appetizers we went for Szechuan mouthwatering chicken and Chinese black mushroom salad.  The Szechuan chicken was literally mouthwatering - very true to its name. Chinese black mushroom salad was a very interesting dish. With a bit of sourness, it made for a flavorsome starter to begin with. In salads we had shrimp lettuce wrap. The lettuce were fresh and it was fun eating this dish.  In Bao, we went for Chicken and Crab Xiaolong bao, truffle chicken Xiaolong bao, and we also ordered Shrimp and chicken pot stickers. The taste was simply amazing and stand out.  Chicken and Vegetable bun was soft, tender and quite flavorful. We downed it all d
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Tantalizing Bites at Dynamite Bites, Kite Beach Dubai

Author John Thomas
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 Dynamite Bites in Kite Beach has created a wave in the market ever since it first launched and has been known as THE place by the beach to have tantalizing Thai and and east Asian food. This week I had visited with a friend for a review. We both were utterly satiated and are sure to visit again in the near future to try out the rest of the menu.  Now that the Dubai weather is toning down, it is a great time to enjoy some beach and sun and also check out the interesting line up of F&B offerings lining the beach side. Dynamite Bites is one place to check. What we had. We started out with some fresh juice. I had Avacado milk shake while my dining partner - a veggie eggitarian had watermelon juice. Both were fresh and refreshing. In Appetizers, we had Dynamite Shrimps, Dynamite Chicken, Dynamite Mushroon, Dynamite Broccoli, and Grilled Shrimp Fattoush. True to their name everything has a bit of dynamite in it. The sauces are home made and special and every dish in the appetizer feaste
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Bandstand at Royal Ascot for great bar bites and nice entertainment

Author John Thomas
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I had visited bandstand with a friend last week and we had a fab time enjoying some fine cocktails and tantalizing bar food.  We started off desi with some Samosa chat - a unique streetstyle dish dished up by the talented chefs at Bandstand. Next, we tried their Koliwada prawns in appetizers. This was quite good. Gun powder fries we ordered was tantalizing.  In drinks we started our evening indulgence with Bombay Sunrise and Aam Panna. Bombay Sunrise was non alcoholic mocktail while Aam Panna was a mocktail of tender mango syrup and tequila. It was quite mild and refreshing. Then on seeing a fellow blogger order, we went for their Paradise cocktail. Three drinks down the line, I was litterally in paradise. The drink was lit. So well made and so enjoyable in every sip. My dining companion went for watermelon mojito on her second round. It was quite good she said. In the main course I went for Chatpatta amritsari machi. Except for the fact that it was slightly salty, the dish was quite t
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Tantalizing Pan Asian fare at Wox

Author John Thomas
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Hyatt Place Jumeirah is hardly a year old property situated in Jumeirah 1, but it is already making some waves because of its restaurant WOX that has appealed to a large section of people who enjoy Pan Asian Cuisine. Last week I had the opportunity to try WOX on two occasions and both times me and my dining partners have had a really remarkable experience in terms of food taste, service and value.  So my dining companion is a food blogger herself and a home chef and she is a seasoned food expert so to say and she asserted that she had one of the most enjoyable meals from WOX. What we tried Dim sum : Delicious. Yummy. Just few words to describe this extremely delicious dish from the far east  asia.  Vietnamese beef noodle soup :  Hot yummy soup that was every bit vietnamese Tom yum soup : I am usually not a big fan of Tom Yum but for the first time I greatly appreciated this soup from the WOX kitchen. It was prepared just perfect.  Wok fried shrimp with tamarind : A tantalizing dish tha
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Nukkad Pe Bhukkad

Author John Thomas
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We were recently invited to try out the punjabi inspired street fare at Nukkad Pe Bhukkad.  We were there on a Thursday night and thanks to the humidity we decided to sit in the car and eat.  They had only out door seating facility i must note here so for us better option was to eat from the car. It was fun and exciting anyways for a change.  We tried the below items  Mutton keema momo Chili garlic noodles Cold coffee Masala sprite  Punjabi masala Maggi Sev poori chat Chilli paneer Out of the all the items i tried, Chili Garlic Noodles was my most favorite.   Their cold coffee is nice and masala sprite is a true refresher. Chili Paneer and mutton momo could have been better. We have shared our feedback with the owner who is a friendly and hospitable gentleman who personally came over to make sure we were well taken care of during the review.   
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Inspired Cuisine at Eat Route

Author John Thomas
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  As part of our food walk, we stopped by at Hor Al Anz to try out the inspired cuisine of Eat Route.  Eat Route has been around for a while and they have an outlet in sharjah which was their first restaurant. Now since a few months, they started here at Al Yasmeen building near the Abu Hail Metro station. Zubin from Zubinology told us that Dubai's best broast chicken is available here. So, decided that we would try that out.  We started off with their arabic shewarma. Really liked it . 4/5 for that. It was creamy, yummy and even the pickles they used tasted so good. Then we went on to try their milk shakes and mojitos. All kick ass kind and enjoyed every drink i tried and i believe i tried at least eight or ten different drinks. All standout quality. Then we tried their french fries with chicken and cheese. Very filling it was. We also tried their burgers which again were good quality stuff. The highlight of the food tasting for me was the broast chicken. I have never tasted such
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Bun Parottas at Baba Chai, Hor Al Anz

Author John Thomas
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As part of the food walk headed by Zubin from Zubinology and Shain Wandering Foodie from Abu Dhabi, we visited Baba Chai to try out their ever famous Honey lemon tea and their Bun Parotta.  I think in the whole of Dubai this is the only place that serves this unique dish. I have heard Dindukal Thalapakkati too serves a dish with this name but it is totally different in taste and form from this. First off we tried their honey lime tea. It had a lot of couscous floating on it and a slice of lime. One sip and we knew that this tea has captured the hearts of people with good reason. It was very apt, had the perfect level of lime and honey and tasted ridiculously good. Moving on to their famous bun porotta which we enjoyed with their heavenly beef onion curry - the taste was next level. I was trying out this dish for the first time in my life and i totally enjoyed it. In fact everyone from our team enjoyed it as much as i did.  Their prices are very reasonable and they have good indoor and
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MERCATO CENTRALE – A SLICE OF ITALY

Author John Thomas
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If Rome or Florence is out of reach, Mercato Centrale brings you Italian atmosphere, delicious food and love of all things good at its new venue in Burjuman Centre. Opening on 9th August, Mercato Centrale will immerse diners in Italian ambience, music and food, all at moderate prices.  Open from 7.30 a.m. till midnight means there is ample time to welcome guests. Seating is generous, with 40 places inside, 48 around the wonderful indoor fountain and, from October 12th, a further 48 on the outdoor terrace. Recipes are 100% Italian, as are the chefs, Giandonato Tafuri and Leonardo Maltese.  Chef Giandonato told of his pleasure of being in Dubai with Mercato: “I cannot wait to cook authentic Italian food for the guests, to show them what real Italian cooking is about. We have created a menu which reflects all this and nothing will give us greater satisfaction than seeing the smile on the face of a diner as they take that first bite.”
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Amritsr - Authentically Punjabi

Author John Thomas
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This week I had the pleasure of trying out Amritsr with a dear friend who is a connoisseur of Punjabi cuisine. We were there on the national holiday so parking was easy in front of the restaurant. The look and feel of the restaurant gave the very amritsari vibe and we met the owner who was also present at the time of our visit. A very friendly and hospitable guy, he took great care of us and the staff were very friendly and hospitable too. Now going to the food, we started with Masala Chaas and Lassi. Both very authentic and nice. We then ordered Aloo Kulcha and Paneer Kulcha... Both were heavy to look at but very light on eating. The kulcha was crispy on the outside and filled with luscious potato on the inside. The same with Paneer ka kulcha. Both equally amazing. We were already food with these two dishes but i wanted to try one of their chat items so I ordered Dahi Bhalla. One hell of a solid dish, it has lots of pomegranate seeds which gave it a very unique taste. By t
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Perfect place to relax

Author John Thomas
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Icon Bar & Lounge at Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City   is offering a perfect place to relax and order a cold pint or a cocktail while you cheer for your favorite team. No matter if it’s football, rugby, or cricket at this Dubai iconic sports bar, they stream it all! Drinks starting from AED29 in Icon Bar & Lounge all day, every day .  
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Toast & Taste! JA Oasis Beach Tower Launches New Middle Eastern Cuisine Menu

Author John Thomas
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To toast the August reopening of modern Middle Eastern restaurant Phoenicia at JA Oasis Beach Tower Dubai, menus by award-winning consulting chef, Greg Malouf have been expertly paired with a handcrafted selection of Arabesque cocktails in a Dubai-first exploration of modern mixology and mezze. The new menu is designed as a Toast and Taste discovery of cocktails and cuisine, with both food and beverage showcasing the famous flavours of Arabia, from zaater to rose to pomegranate and sumac. For just AED 299 per couple, the affordable pairing-tasting menu includes two starters, two main courses and a sharing dessert, with two beverages per course from the inspiring new cocktail menu. Epicurious diners will enjoy an intoxicating blend of fragrance and flavour with a set menu offering mezze such as Malouf’s signature Silky Hummus, expertly paired with a crisp and fruity Hibiscus Spritz; an addictive mix of tequila, hibiscus tea, ginger and Arabian honey. The rich and heady Mahanie
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Cool off with these refreshing and nutritious drinks

Author John Thomas
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Fancy a refreshing drink after a long day or a nutritious burst of energy right after your workout? Don’t worry,  Tropicool  has you covered!     Whether you’re craving a fresh Breeze, a delectable mix of mango, coconut water and pineapple, or wanting to dive into açaí  with a Classic smoothie or are looking for a nutty boost of energy with the cinnamon-infused Cinnamango, Tropicool has the right flavour to satisfy every type of taste!  Every Tropicool smoothie (AED 34) is crafted with the freshest ingredients that help you stay cool.  Don’t forget, for every two  Tropicool s sold, a tree gets planted in the Brazilian Amazon, so go ahead and get one delivered right to your doorstep or head to The Dubai Mall or Cove Beach for your fresh and flavourful fix!      
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Dubai’s favourite Thai street food venue Café Isan offers brand new VEGAN menu

Author John Thomas
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Café Isan, Dubai’s most authentic Thai street food and tea bar restaurant, has launched a bespoke vegan menu, offering all of its beloved, flavourful dishes without meat or dairy. The JLT Cluster B-based outlet, which recently won Best Thai restaurant in the Time Out Restaurant Awards 2020, has revealed an enticing plant-based menu, enabling everyone to enjoy its special regional Thai cuisine without fear of compromising dietary choices or suffering an allergic reaction. Partner and co-owner Lisa Knight says: “Chef New has always used the freshest vegetables in our cuisine, but we decided that as veganism grows and grows, we need to ensure we cater to our plant-loving friends with their own menu. We know how tough it can be when you don’t or can’t eat animal products, and you’re confronted with a confusing array of dishes. Our vegan menu means people can choose authentic Thai dishes without having to compromise on the award-winning flavours Chef New is renowned for.” Some of t
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OUI Your Pants

Author John Thomas
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For a night of laughs that will leave the abs sore, go to OUIBar + Terrace at Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis for a special comedy night. Every last Tuesday of the month starting at 8.30pm, four comedians take turns to make guests OUI their pants with laughter! What’s more, there is delicious food and drinks available through the night – just be careful not to spill anything when the jokes start rolling and the fits of laughter begin. Date/Time : Tuesday 25 th  August at OUIBar + Terrace with the show starting at 8.30pm Price : Minimum spend 150AED redeemable on food & drink on the night
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Themed Brunches and More at Mc Gettigans

Author John Thomas
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If you’re in the mood for some nostalgia, why not head back to school? On  Friday 28 th  August  attend the final McGettigan’s Madness Friday brunch with all its usual feasts and fun, dressed in your best school attire. To mark the end of McGettigan’s Madness the ‘Back to School’ brunch is only  249 AED! Every weekend, brunch customers can feast on unlimited bites, small plates, and main courses, from crispy calamari and cheesy arancini balls to butter chicken curry, rib eye with potatoes and spaghetti Bolognese, there is a dish for every taste bud. Escape from the summer heat one last time, with incredible food, live music and plenty of surprises in the line-up. Receive a ticket on arrival and be entered into the  McGettigan’s Madness  draws. Listen for the klaxon, if your winning number is called, it’s time to spin the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and be in with a chance of winning cash prizes, food and beverage goodies and hotel stays! Stay past 4pm and continue the  McGettigan
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