Dinner in the Desert

 




Sometimes, despite Dubai's obvious bright lights/big buildings/excessive shopping appeal, it's very nice to get out and explore the quieter corners of the desert that I live in.

One such corner is Bab Al Shams Desert Resort... This gorgeous hotel is an oasis, hidden amongst the golden dunes, its stone camouflaged amongst the yellow hues of the sand.

Getting there is a bit of a road trip (pack snacks and look out for the camels), taking around 45 minutes from Downtown Dubai and we set off in the afternoon, which conveniently allows for some beautiful photographs in the low sun.



Brightly-coloured Arabic lanterns



Although My Habibi and I only went for dinner and a little shisha, on arrival, my nosy nature dragged me into the main hotel complex which is separate from the restaurants (there are four to choose from). The Arabic-inspired interior instantly conjures up images of genies, lamps, and if your childhood was anything like mine, all things Aladdin.

Candles flicker, alcoves glow with twinkling lanterns and bright cushions invite you into every seat. Bowls filled with oranges add a juicy splash of colour amongst the creamy stone design and dark wood.

Outside, the maze of majlises, pebble-bottomed pools and stone walls allow plenty of room for quiet thought and imagination to sit together.



Arabian nights lit with twinkling lights

Now I feel like I'm on Arabian soil. Amidst the hustle and bustle of Dubai's centre, one could be forgiven for thinking you'd somehow landed in the middle of New York (with a little more government funding). This quiet desert space however, is an entirely different story - it's what I'd call Ali Baba-luxe.The resort has retained an old Arabic feel despite its 5-star polish and its numerous swimming pools with views out onto the desert make you feel that you somehow managed to blag yourself into a sultan's holiday home. It really is that fabulous.

For dinner, we decided on Al Hadheerah which is an outdoor Arabic restaurant with all the appropriate trimmings, think belly dancer, Lebanese singer, falconry display and horses and camels trotting past at times (which can be a little disconcerting, especially when you're stuffing your face with hummous and the lights go out to signal the next performance).



Gorgeous golden tureens...

The food is an all-you-can-eat buffet, but banish any thoughts of Pizza Hut for now if you please. Deliciously presented in golden tureens, amongst sacks of spices and woven baskets filled with dates, we helped ourselves to soft lamb, falling off the bone into cinnamonny rice. Roasted almonds and pine nuts on top give the whole mouthwatering extravaganza some crunch and frankly, taste awesome!

This meat has been baked underground in a nod to the Emirati Bedouin style of cooking before ovens became all the rage, and provides a sort-of history lesson for those interested. Me? I'm just interested in what other delights I can try - well, I'm only being honest, I came to eat after all!

WHAT DID WE EAT?

Hummous (chickpea dip - an Arabic menu staple)

Mouttabal (scorched aubergine dip - yummier than my description)

Labne (yoghurt Arabic-style, with olive oil twirled on top)

Baked rice with lamb (a different variety to the aforementioned - this one looks like mashed potato and is of a similar consistency, which is a little off-putting but tastes lovely)

Lamb, onion and parsley skewers

Shawarma with tahine sauce (sesame paste-based sauce - mmmhmmm)

Slow-baked cardamom-spiced rice with spicy chicken pieces (commonly known as biryani here)

Pickles, olives and other interesting items
on display under the palm trees

DID WE HAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT?

Of course! But then anyone who knows me, knows that I always have room for dessert ;)

We continued our gorging with 'halawet el jibn' (translated, it means 'sweet cheese' and it's basically cheese dough filled with cream and topped with rose jam) and Umm Ali, which translated means 'Ali's mum'. So, I'm thinking Ali's mum was pretty amazing in the kitchen cos this warm Arabic bread and butter pudding (with those yummy baked nuts again) went down a treat (no pun intended, oh ok, you got me).

I think you can tell we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and I've already planned a trip back to try out their rooftop shisha lounge...

For more pics, click HERE for my Tumblr photo blog :)

Love from Arabian Dolly x

Midnight at the oasis...