Classic Slavic cuisine aims to charm Dubai

UAE is home to almost 120 nationalities, so why should it be any different for just that many cuisines? Latest to hit shores is food from Russia, Czech Republic, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries have all come together on one plate. Bringing its culture, tradition and palette to share, the newest fine dining restaurant, Vesna serves traditional Slavic food with finesse.

Exuding a larger-than-life interior design, the décor is eclectic with mammoth-sized royal blue sofas, and bold embellished curtains that separate the dining area from the lounge. Massive mirrors reflect the chandeliers giving the place a little royal, a little homely feel. There's never a dull moment if you stop to look around. Amidst all this grandeur I did manage to find a small table with a few flower pots and candle stands hidden away.

Siberian Beef Pelmeni

Located at the Conrad Hotel on Shaikh Zayed Road, the menu is inspired by award winning international chef Angelova Irina, who brings unique elements to Eastern European Cuisine. Chef Maksim Tvorogov heads all culinary activities at Vesna, which means spring in Russian.

Right out of a Russian home

Among the food I tried was the Olivier Salad with Lobster (pictured above) which is a classic Russian salad with a European twist - a blend of baked and boiled vegetables, fresh lobster claw and sous-vide chicken, finished off with diced dill pickles and dressed in mayonnaise and balsamic.

I remember eating it at most family get-togethers where some aunt would invariably bring a bowl of Russian salad. It was refreshing to try the real Russian salad at a real Russian restaurant (...still, reminiscing).

Another dish that made me go back for another helping was the Vinegret Salad (pictured above). Vesna serves it with organic baked beetroot mixed with diced potato, carrot, bell pepper with sunflower oil. It might not sound appetizing, but it's quite commendable the way the ingredients blended. Five stars!

The Siberian Beef Pelmeni was a variant of warm dumplings filled with Australian Black Angus beef served with a cooled sour cream. I'm not sure how I feel about this dish.

The other dumpling served was Vareniki, with a filling of porcini mushroom and potato puree served garnished with fried onions. Delicious or vkusno (pronounced fkoos-na), as the Russians would say!

Thinking of it, this is probably what Vladimir Putin enjoys in the comfort of this sprawling mansion.

The dessert platter was standard with mini chocolate balls and pastries. What did catch my attention though were the bite-sized cakes; they were chewy and sweet and I would, if I could, keep gorging on at least a dozen more.

Verdict: The food tastes local; like it came straight from a native Russian kitchen.

Must try: Vinegret Salad

Cost for two: Dh300

This post first appeared on khaleejtimes.com

American comfort food finds a niche in Dubai

On the side of a narrow street, behind the brightly-lit roads and flashy cars that surround Dubai's iconic Burj Khalifa, sits a restaurant-café, Clinton Street Baking Company. In its quiet element, minimally decorated in shades of red, black and white, with the word EAT painted on the walls, the café serves up a big American menu that reflects the nation's southern comfort food - think waffles and fried chicken.

I know the thought of American food can be daunting with "heavy" and "fattening" being the words that go with it. But let me assure you, the food here tasted American, and still managed to be super light.

At first I was blown away by the Beef Short Rib (pictured above). It was tender, succulent, placed rustically on a base of buttermilk biscuit, and topped with a spicy sauce. It's the kind of food that would get a party going.

Chatting with the co-owner Dede Lahman, I learnt, "all the beef served comes from Australia and they smoke it right here in the restaurant. The salmon too is smoked here."

But, then came along the fried Chicken and Waffle Bite (pictured above). OMG! Think about being blown away twice within 30 minutes. This was the first time I was tried this combination at a restaurant. Sure, back in university I have stuffed my face with chocolate cake and friend chicken in one morsel, but to be served it, took me back to that terrace festivity in Bombay.

The sweetness of the syrup drizzled on the waffle, and the crisp, light spiced chicken works wonderfully. That much of deliciousness is ambrosial!

Kale and Quinoa Salad

I began to fall in love with the non-greasy, breakfast-food serving, all-'merican eatery. The kitchen kept the goodness rolling.

Read: Eggs Benedict for breakfast, please

From the Kale (who even eats it?) and Quinoa Salad that changed my mind; to the Beef Chorizo with Caramelised Onion, Cheese and Apple that kept me going back for more; I found my happy place.

On the dessert front, I would definitely recommend you try the Black and White cake bites (pictured above). They don't look as delish as they really are. As you must've been warned in life, I repeat, "Never judge a book by its cover". The burst of white chocolate takes over the cake, only to be superseded by the milk chocolate again. It's confusing, but the good kinda confusion.

It's a good spot to catch up with friends for coffee, or quick light meal. The staff is a smiling lot, and know their dishes well.

Verdict: Not all American food is fast food

Must-try: Chicken and Waffle Bite

Cost for two: Dh200

At @clintonstdubai trying out s beautiful spread of chorizo, crab cakes, short ribs et more. Waiting on the sweet stuff now #clintonstdubai #dubai #mydubai #review #goodfood

A photo posted by Kymberlee Müller (@kymbeerlee) on Oct 4, 2015 at 9:34am PDT

This post first appeared on khaleejtimes.com

A taste from the table of Indian Royals

Dark wooden furniture, warmly lit interiors, with accents of brass and gold, Gazebo at Deira City Centre whisks you away from the maddening crowd and bright stores that surround it. It makes you feel as close to Indian royalty as you can.

The summer in the UAE can wear you out, and the moment I entered this haven of goodness, I could suddenly feel relaxed. To soothe my parched self I asked for the coconut water with mint leaves and honey. A new twist to the original drink, I thought it would have tasted best if served chilled. Anyway, getting my hands on real coconut water made me happy enough. And for once I didn't associate a coconut drink with the beach and my toes in the sand. It's as elite as coconut water can get.

Then came the Mango Lassi. This was a make it or break it order I'd placed; because Mango Lassi can either be really good, or can go horribly wrong. To my delight, it was spot on. One moment it tasted like a mouthful of mango, and the next it was a creamy sip of lassi. There wasn't an in between, and I wasn't complaining.

(L-R) Mango Lassi; coconut water with mint leaves and honey

So far, my experience at Gazebo was going well. The stillness of the restaurant was only disturbed by the occasional sound of utensils in the distance, by the aroma of spices in the food being served to other customers, and by the waiters' constant politeness. 

For appetizers, I was pretty confused by the vast menu. But the staff was really kind, they not only suggested dishes, but also gave me the time to decide. I knew I wanted the food of kings, and my mind kept echoing "Shahi" (translates to Royal in Hindi). This place just makes you want to taste royalty. So I ordered for Gosht Zafrani Seekh which was minced mutton in spices, flavoured with saffron, skewered and chargrilled. It was spiced perfectly for my palate. It blew my mind - spiced, flavoured, textured. It had every element to make every bite impeccable.                    

Next on was the Kalimirch Kebabs. The chicken was cooked beautifully - think tender, marinated in curd with a right sprinkle of kalimirch (black pepper corns).

(L-R) Gosht Zafrani Seekh, Kalimirch Kebabs

While I waited for the appetizers to arrive, I gorged on some crispy papad and dips of mint + curd chutney, along with some lightly spiced curd. The dips complemented the fiery red Gosht Zafrani Seekh and ever-succulent buttery Kalimirch Kebabs to a T. 

What makes the biryani so good?

I was starting to get quite full up with the rich platter of starters. So I moved onto main course, and asked for the most raved about dish at Gazebo - the Boti Hyderabadi Briyani. To give you an overview it is boneless chunks of mutton marinated in a special Hyderabadi masala, cooked in spices, rice, fried onions and boiled egg. When it arrived to my table, it looked real delicious and tasted just as heavenly. 

Biryani being served

Boti Hyderabadi Briyani

There was this one ingredient I can't quite understand, but it just enhanced all the flavours in that biryani pot. I could taste it, but couldn't pin it. It was a little like ginger, and then star anise, and a little cumin somewhere in between. I asked the waiters, and even the manager and his reply was, "It's the chef's secret." I wanted to pry on this secret ingredient, but am still to find out.

Firni

I ended the meal with a good helping of firni, which is a sweetened rice dessert. It's rich, it's heavy and the one they serve at Gazebo sure melts in your mouth.

I'd been there for two hours and still wasn't ready to leave. There was something that made me want to stay. I wasn't dreading the heat outside, or the work that followed, it had to be the experience that I never wanted to end. Well for the afternoon, at least. 

Verdict: Portions suffice two

Must try: Gosht Zafrani Seekh and Boti Hyderabadi Briyani

Cost for 2: Dh200

This post first appeared on khaleejtimes.com