Dubai: Iftar for two at Seven Sands

Before I went on my US trip, I was invited for an iftar tasting at Seven Sands. I liked what I saw (and tasted) that evening so much, that I decided to go back, after returning to Dubai. It was still Ramadan, so I made a reservation for iftar for Poul and I.

When we arrived, we were told that there were only tables available downstairs. I looked at Poul, he looked at me and then we shook our heads.

Upstairs, Seven Sands is a beautiful restaurant, but downstairs the room is much too bright and the ambience is like a school cafeteria. Though as we were about to leave, the hostess suddenly told us that they had another table ready for us upstairs anyway.

The table they were hesitant to give us in the first place was a big round family table. I think 8 persons would easily fit around that table, but Poul and I had it all to ourselves.

As soon as we sat down, we were offered traditional Ramadan drinks. I had one with tamarind, which was sweet but very refreshing. Then we were served dates and dried fruit to break the fast (though we had only been fasting since lunch, he he) and a mountain of appetizers piled up in front of us.

We hadn’t finished half of our appetizers before the mains were brought in. The gentleman who took care of our table apologized for the rush and explained that most of their fasting guests prefer the food to be served as quickly as possible. He even said that he would tell the kitchen to keep the rest of our food on hold, until we were ready.

Throughout the meal he was very attentive. He told us about all the different dishes, and he readily answered the questions we had. I don’t remember his name, but he was a real star that evening.

I had already tried most of the dishes at the iftar tasting, but this time, I think the food tasted even better. The jisheed (a dish made from minced shark) was my favorite, while Poul liked the lamb thereed (lamb stew) the best.

Both Poul and I are way too immature to have a fish head lying around, but after we had finished playing around with the head (“Hello, I’m Mr. Fish!”) we had a taste of it and found it really tasty.

When the desserts arrived, we were both so full, we could have rolled out of the restaurant, but we never say no to dessert, so we squeezed down the aseeda mousse (pumpkin mousse) and mohalabia (a light, milky rose water pudding) with great pleasure.

Seven Sands was my only iftar experience this Ramadan and now the Ramamdan is over and life is more or less back to normal. It’s still hot outside, but the restaurants are open again during daytime, and you can have ice cream in the sun, chew gum or smoke in public again if you wish.

Poul and I are traveling to Denmark later this week. My dad turns 65 so we’ll be celebrating him, and we’re really looking forward to spend some time in the cooler Danish climate.

I have also tried at another iftar at Seven Sands with The Arab Culturalist

Should you visit Dubai during Ramadan? – My Dubai Blog

Seven Sands, The Beach JBR, Dubai