< Previous10 April 22 – May 19 2020 timeoutdubai.com Things to do Edited by Amy Mathieson timeoutdubai.com TOP PICK Cook wow-worthy meals at home If you’ve become quite the cook during the self-isolation time – and we’re not just talking banana bread here – it’s time to rustle up some restaurant-quality dishes. Time Out Dubai’s award-winning restaurants have shared their signature recipes to try at home. Spoiler: RÜYA’s much-loved two-cheese pide is online at timeoutdubai.com if you think you’re up to the challenge. O timeoutdubai.com/topics/recipesS FANTASTIC WAYS TO KEEP YOU OCCUPIED Cook recipes from Dubai’s best restaurants, shop The Dubai Mall online and watch stunning shows from your sofa SHOP AT THE DUBAI MALL At home on your sofa The Dubai Mall has teamed up with noon.com to launch a virtual store so you can shop at leading names at home. Current brands you can add to your virtual cart include Dyson, Ted Baker, Reebok, Bape, adidas, Jumbo, Go Sport and many more. O noon.com At home 10 - 11_TOD_1212_THINGS TO DO_11196917.indd 1021/04/2020 17:39:48timeoutdubai.com April 22 – May 19 2020 11 ADMIRE WORK BY FRIDA KAHLO Faces of Frida Google Arts & Culture has brought together 33 museums and art centres from around the world to share their Kahlo works and archives. O artsandculture.google.com/project/frida-kahlo. FREE THINGS TO DO GET FIT FOR FREE Workout at home Homegrown UAE fitness facility GymNation is now offering more than 900 online workout sessions to all UAE residents, and it’s completely free. O @gymnation_uae. WATCH A SHAKESPEARE PLAY The Globe is streaming shows London’s Globe theatre is streaming a classic play every fortnight on its YouTube channel so culture- lovers can enjoy the shows from their sofa. O YouTube.com ORDER IN AN IFTAR From Wakame Restaurants around the city are laying on special iftar deliveries this year. One of which is Asian spot Wakame, which is offering a variety of Ramadan bento boxes from Dhs180. For more, visit timeoutdubai.com/ ramadan-2020. O From Dhs180. Daily until 11pm. Sofitel Dubai Downtown (04 224 6663). DIY barbecue Order in with SALT Burger SALT Burger, the food truck-turned-restaurant, has introduced barbecue kits so you can get in the garden (or kitchen) and get cooking. The DIY kit includes 20 SALT patties, buns, sauces, cheese and more. O Dhs375. Ongoing. Kite Beach, Dubai (055 996 5802). 10 - 11_TOD_1212_THINGS TO DO_11196917.indd 1121/04/2020 17:39:5812 April 22 – May 19 2020 timeoutdubai.com 12 - 19_TOD_2012_RAMADAN_11268898.indd 1221/04/2020 13:11:34timeoutdubai.com April 22 – May 19 2020 13 RAMADAN IS THE holiest month for Muslims around the world and here in the UAE it is a special time of year. At the time of writing, the exact dates of Ramadan in 2020 have yet to be announced, however it’s predicted to start on Thursday April 23 and it lasts for 30 nights. Ramadan begins when the crescent moon (called hilal) coincides with the astronomical new moon. The exact date is decided by the UAE’s Moon Sighting Committee, agreed upon by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and announced through WAM, the UAE’s official news agency. The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain all observe Ramadan on the same dates. It is the ninth month in the Hijri calendar and is classed as the holiest month because it is believed that the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) during this period. Muslims don’t consume any food or drinks between dawn and sunset during Ramadan – timings marked by the morning fajr prayers and the evening maghrib prayers. Once maghrib prayers are concluded, the fast can be broken with the iftar meal. It is thought that the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) broke his fast with water and a date, which is how you will find most people do it today, before moving onto a light meal. A break in eating is then recommended, so the stomach doesn’t get too full, too quickly, before having another light meal. As well as abstaining from food, Muslims use the month for inner reflection, to focus on charity and being grateful for what they have. On the day before the 30th day of Ramadan, the Moon Sighting Committee reconvene to look for the new crescent moon. If they see it, the following day will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast. Below you’ll find some of the most commonly asked questions about Ramadan in the UAE and how it effects everyone, not just practising Muslims. While 2020 looks to be different to most years, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the need to stay at home across the country, Ramadan is still celebrated and if you’re living in the UAE, here’s what you need to know. Why do people fast and when does it end? It’s an exercise in self-restraint and is intended to remind people of those less fortunate and to give those who observe the fast a chance to detoxify the body and mind. It gives people the opportunity to focus solely on one’s faith. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside daily prayer, giving to charity, the declaration of faith and the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. As mentioned above, fasting lasts from dawn until sunset. The fast is broken with iftar and is prepared for with suhoor, a What you need to know about marking this special time in 2020 12 - 19_TOD_2012_RAMADAN_11268898.indd 1321/04/2020 13:12:48Ramadan 2020 14 April 22 – May 19 2020 timeoutdubai.com pre-dawn meal to get people through the day. Usually hotels and restaurants across the UAE offer suhoor and iftar in their restaurants, however at the time of writing, that seems unlikely with all venues closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for people to self-isolate. There are some exceptions from fasting including children, the elderly, anyone who is sick and pregnant ladies. What are working hours during Ramadan? UAE Labour Law dictates that working hours should be reduced by two hours per day during Ramadan, regardless of whether you are fasting or not. However, working hours will be different in the public and private sectors. Are school hours different during Ramadan? Yes, but the timings will likely differ from school to school. This year children are being home-schooled throughout the month but the hours will be shorter. Do paid parking times change? Yes, and the timings will be announced by local authorities before Ramadan starts. Keep an eye on Time Out’s websites for the updates. Also remember that in Dubai you currently need to apply for a permit to leave your home for essential reasons only, so visit www. dxbpermit.gov.ae/home. Are shops and malls open? Local shops tend to close an hour before and after sunset, around iftar time, so it’s best to call ahead and check. Once iftar is over shops will be open as usual, perhaps even a little later than usual. Malls are usually open for an extra hour or so at night, however all malls are currently closed across the UAE. If they open again during Ramadan, it’s best to check their opening hours directly. Are restaurants and cafés open during the day? It depends on the venue, most are open all day with blacked out windows or partitions to make sure anyone eating is not visible from outside. Some venues in Abu Dhabi relaxed this towards the end of Ramadan in 2019, however. At the moment, all venues are shut so some are offering delivery or takeaway. If you do get food from a supermarket, be sure to eat it at home. Tips for fasting Tips from Kcal about how to stay healthy if you’re fasting. Have a healthy and filling suhoor Eat complex carbs including whole grains and protein, which are slower digesting and help maintain energy levels. Avoid simple sugars Leave out refined sugar and flour. They’ll give you a temporary energy boost – followed by an energy crash. Eat protein It takes more time to break down in the body than carbs and provides a longer-lasting energy source. Ditch fried foods Opt for healthy fats for longer lasting energy and to keep you fuller for longer. Drink plenty of water After breaking your fast, drink water regularly to compensate for the hydration you didn’t get while fasting. Combine with foods rich in water: cucumbers, leafy greens, watermelon and tomatoes. Limit your caffeine Fasting causes dehydration. It’s a good idea to take a break from tea or coffee as it will increase water loss in the body. 12 - 19_TOD_2012_RAMADAN_11268898.indd 1421/04/2020 13:13:00Ramadan 2020 timeoutdubai.com April 22 – May 19 2020 15 Dos and don’ts Below is a set of guidelines for how to behave during Ramadan. These are based on a regular situation rather than during lockdown – so please take into account that if the government’s current instructions about leaving the house are still in place, they override the information below. Can I eat, drink or smoke in public? During daylight hours, all people are expected to obey the rules of fasting in public – even if you are not fasting yourself. Chewing gum also counts as eating. If you forget and do eat or drink in public it is likely you’ll get a ticking off at first and an apology should suffice, but try not to do it. Currently you are urged to stay home unless for essential trips, so if you are out, don’t eat or drink in public during your trip. You should also only eat, drink and smoke in your car if it is not visible from the outside. Can children eat in public? Yes, it is allowed. “Some venues are offering delivery iftars this year” Ramadan is a time for coming together and charity 12 - 19_TOD_2012_RAMADAN_11268898.indd 1521/04/2020 17:41:10Ramadan 2020 16 April 22 – May 19 2020 timeoutdubai.com What about public displays of affection? You should always be discreet while in public, but especially during Ramadan as it can be seen as an offence. How should I dress? It is expected that people dress more modestly during Ramadan. Tight or revealing clothing should be avoided. Knees and shoulders should be covered at all times. Can I listen to music? Not loud enough so anyone can hear, whether that’s at home, using headphones or in your car. It’s all about being respectful to others. With that in mind, don’t use bad language, either. I’m not Muslim, can I get involved? Definitely. Even if you haven’t been fasting, you are still welcome to join iftar. Use some of the phrases you’ll find in the box to the right when greeting people, try fasting along with your Muslim colleagues and break fast together at iftar via a video channel such as Zoom and get into the charitable spirit by donating to some of the approved organisations, such as 10 Million Meals. O Visit timeoutdubai.com/ramadan-2020 for everything you need to know about Ramadan, news, iftar deliveries and gifting. Useful phrases When you’re speaking to anyone who is fasting, these phrases are useful and courteous. Ramadan mubarak (blessed Ramadan) Ramadan kareem (happy/generous Ramadan) Iftar shahy (have a good iftar) Mubarak aleik al shahr (may you get the blessings of the month) Kil aam wa inta fee kheir (may each year pass and you be well) Donate to 10 Million Meals Dubai has launched a huge food distribution drive ahead of Ramadan 2020. The “10 million meals” campaign is under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and his wife Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of UAE Food Bank. The campaign is the nation’s biggest food distribution drive, to support low- income families and individuals affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak across the UAE. You can make a donation from your home – anything from Dhs8 to Dhs400 – and the food will be delivered to those in need. To donate, send the word “meal” to 1034 to donate Dhs8, to 1035 for Dhs40, 1036 to give Dhs80, 1037 for Dhs160 and 1038 to donate Dhs400. O For more information visit www.10millionmeals.ae or call 800 4006. 12 - 19_TOD_2012_RAMADAN_11268898.indd 1621/04/2020 13:14:25Ramadan 2020 timeoutdubai.com April 22 – May 19 2020 17 Gifts and sweet treats London Dairy Café The ice cream store and café has new gifts for Ramadan, which include ice cream cakes and gateaux. Ranging in price from Dhs40 to Dhs225 there are flavours including chocolate with crunchy caramelised hazelnut paste and a pistachio cake with vanilla ice cream, pistachio sauce topped with roasted kunafa. O From Dhs40. Available on Deliveroo and ChatFood . Sugargram Dubai’s Sugargram is now delivering bite-sized cupcakes directly to your door. The mini treats are inspired by Ramadan and feature Middle Eastern flavours such as saffron, dates, coffee, karak chai and of course, Vimto – a Ramadan staple. The Sugargram Ramadan boxes are priced at Dhs125 for 25 bite-size cupcakes and Dhs30 for five. O From Dhs30. Available on ChatFood. SugarMoo Perfect for ending your iftar or gifting a friend, these sweet treats can be delivered straight to your door. Orders must be placed 24-hours in advance. Choose between Umm Ali cheesecake, lotus moon cakes, white chocolate and pistachio cheesecake, baklava torte, cardamom, orange and chocolate chip cookies, salted chocolate tahini slices and more. There are also Ramadan gifting boxes and iftar party bundles. O www.sugarmoo.com (800 78427). Iftar deals COYA The award-winning fine dining restaurant has launched a Peruvian inspired iftar menu to be delivered to your homes throughout Ramadan courtesy of Deliveroo. The set menu consists of dates and edamame to start as Break your fast at home this year Iftars and gifts to order in this Ramadan well as a choice of soup and five starters to share including papa y pollo (grilled chicken, bell pepper, huayro potato and botija olive) and maki roll de aguacate (shitake, aji limo, avocado, quinoa and black sesame). You then get a choice of five mains including arroz nikkei (Chilean sea bass, rice, lime and chilli) or costillas de res (beef ribs, sesame, aji limo and spring onion) and finally, a dessert offering of tortell de nata maracuya (passion fruit crémeux, puff pastry, coconut ice cream, kunafa and pistachios). O Dhs230. Daily 7.30pm onwards. Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah (04 316 9600). Fuchsia Urban Thai This popular Thai delivery has two iftar deals to try. You can get a solo bundle for Dhs75, which includes a starter, main and drink. Dishes include spring rolls, papaya salad, corn fritters, and lemongrass chicken wings to start, followed by red curry, green curry, Thai burger, pad Thai or chicken stir fry for main course. If you’re looking to share, you can get an iftar deal for two with two starters, two mains and two drinks, for Dhs160. O From Dhs75. Barsha Heights: Sat-Wed sunset- 11.30pm, Thu-Fri sunset-midnight. Bay Square: daily sunset-midnight. Available on Deliveroo, www.fuchsiame.com. LPM Restaurant & Bar This famed restaurant – which is Time Out Dubai’s Best French Restaurant 2020 – is offering a special iftar menu this year. The sharing meal for two is Dhs490 and starts with an assortment of dates and is a set menu of two starters, one main course and dessert, plus a choice of soft drink. It’s delivered to areas including DIFC, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, JBR, JLT, Palm Jumeirah and more. O Dhs490. Daily 5pm-7.30pm. Available on Deliveroo (04 439 0505). O’Pao DXB Serving up Indian street food and sliders, this cool budget spot in Karama is delivery iftar this year. The iftar menu includes a selection of Indian sliders, rose milk and fresh dates, with the signature Kit Kat chocolate mousse for dessert. It’s Dhs29 for one, and Dhs89 for a family pack. Dishes include butter chicken pao, kheema pao, cheesy jalapeno pao, or paneer bhurjee pao. O From Dhs29. Available on ChatFood (04 349 6726) Ramadan Nights by Dish The event is usually a pop-up from Dish Catering, but due to this year’s restrictions, Ramadan Nights is becoming a delivery. The three-course menu is Dhs200 per person, with a minimum of four people, so it’s ideal for families living together at home. It comes with ten dishes to try, including roast beetroot hummus, pumpkin and nigella seeds served with Arabic and toasted flatbreads, sumac- marinated chicken wrapped in kunafa with mango chilli relish and the signature slow- braised shoulder of lamb in Middle Eastern spices, served with scented pilaf and confit garlic yoghurt. There are vegan options, too. O Dhs200 per person (minimum four people), half price (kids aged six-12), free (kids under six). Order 24 hours in advance. Daily from sunset (056 128 3247). Vietnamese Foodies Time Out Dubai’s Best Budget Restaurant 2020, is offering a special at-home iftar deal for Ramadan. For just Dhs99 you’ll get a four-course Vietnamese iftar to enjoy in your own home, and it’s being delivered to more than 60 neighbourhoods in Dubai. The iftar stars South Vietnamese dishes and you’ll get a starter, salad, soup and main for just Dhs99. And there are vegan and gluten-free options, too. Dishes on the iftar menu include chicken satay, beef brisket pho, prawn pad Thai, yellow chicken curry and tofu and aubergine claypot. O Dhs99. Daily 5pm-8pm. JLT and Downtown Dubai. www.vietnamesefoodies.com or call (04 565 6088). Also available on Deliveroo, Zomato and Uber Eats. Visit timeoutdubai.com/ramadan-2020 for more. SugarMoo 12 - 19_TOD_2012_RAMADAN_11268898.indd 1721/04/2020 17:41:23Ramadan 2020 18 April 22 – May 19 2020 timeoutdubai.com THINGS MIGHT BE a little different this year and we may not be gathering together as much as we like but that doesn’t mean we can’t pause and reflect and enjoy some good food too. When the sun sets and it’s time to break your fast, here are some of Dubai’s top places to order Middle Eastern food from to enjoy iftar at home. Al Hallab Restaurant & Sweets This family restaurant was set up in Lebanon in 1881, and arrived in Dubai in 2002. And with the word sweets in the name of this established restaurant, you’ll want to try the traditional desserts here. But you’ll be missing out if you don’t check out the savoury dishes too. The hummus is delightful – chunky, garlicky and tangy – and a real treat when dipped up with hot, pillowy bread. If you only order one thing… Opt for a classic chicken shawarma. Cheap, cheerful and tasty – Mezze and more – Middle Eastern takeaways to try this Ramadan Mama’esh You’ll get traditional dishes if you order from here. Dishes include Palestinian musakhan rolls, maqdous with walnut and deliciously squeaky oven-baked halloumi. Mama’esh bakes with organic flour only and the quality in its ingredients sing with the larger-than-life mama’esh. With prices averaging between Dhs13 to Dhs17 per mama’esh or Dhs17 to Dhs23 for fatayer, you can fill up here even when payday has been and gone. If you only order one thing… Labneh and zaatar mama’esh. labneh and za’atar mama’esh. This doughy delight is worthy of iftar or suhoor this month. O Various locations including Al Wasl, DIFC, Umm Suqeim & Business Bay (600 548 287). Mantoushe From traditional hummus to more exciting flavours such as sriracha, guacmous (an Dishes on-demand this one will fill you up and leave a smile on your face. O Various locations including Garhoud and The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, www.alhallabrestaurant.com (04 330 8828). Al Safadi From falafel to shawarma, all the classics are on the menu of this chain, which is a Time Out Dubai award-winning restaurant. The salads are fresh and plentiful and the grills are tender and tasty. Al Safadi serves up an excellent Levantine breakfast, too. If you only order one thing… Fatteh with yoghurt. This traditional dish comprises chickpeas, fried bread and yoghurt. Sounds simple? That’s because it is. But don’t overlook it, you can add meat if you prefer, both options are packed with flavour. O Locations include Palm Jumeirah and Sheikh Zayed Road, www.alsafadi.ae (04 343 5333). Operation Falafel 12 - 19_TOD_2012_RAMADAN_11268898.indd 1821/04/2020 17:41:37Ramadan 2020 timeoutdubai.com April 22 – May 19 2020 19 range of freshly baked saj wraps, rice boxes, manakish and more. If you only order one thing… What do you get if you combine falafel and guacamole? The falafa-guac, of course. A saj wrap crammed full of crispy falafels, homemade guacamole, tomatoes, lettuce, and tahini sauce. It’s hearty, vegan and it’ll keep you filled up. O Various locations including Dubai Media City & Jumeirah Lakes Towers, www.mantoushe.com (04 277 8170). Mezza Lebanese Kitchen This family-started business prides itself on authentic Lebanese food. The salads here are fantastic (try the tabbouleh) and all dishes are fresh and fast. There’s a large range of mezze, as you’d expect, and it’s all decent value, too. If you only order one thing… Shish taouk plate. Tender cubes of chicken are marinated in a garlicky paste, and it’s served with served with hummus, Arabic salad, and your choice of fries or rice. A bargain meal at under Dhs50. O Cluster Y, JLT, www.mezzalebanesekitchen.com (04 554 5872). Operation Falafel Famous for its falafel, this Middle Eastern street food spot serves up high quality, fresh food for as little as Dhs16 – which will get you a wholesome falafel saj with tahini, pickles and more all crammed inside. Elsewhere on the extensive menu you’ll find a whole bunch of wraps, sandwiches and chickpea-based dishes. If you only order one thing… Forget the falafel and get the mixed cheese flat bread. This carby treat is something dreams are made of – a mix of five different cheeses on flatbread. O Various locations including Dubai Media City, JBR and Motor City, www.operationfalafel.com (600 530 006). s’wich Sort of like a gourmet sandwich-shawarma combo, crammed full of meat, veggies, cheeses and a huge range of sauces. There are also salads, loaded fries and sharing boxes, if you’re eating with your family. If you only order one thing… Get inventive and build your own. Pick a filling from the likes of duck confit, marinated chicken and falafel and then get stuffing with fillings including salad, veggies, pickles and even hot potato cubes. Make sure you don’t forget your sauce, though choosing it might take a while. O Various locations including Business Bay, Dubai Marina, and JLT, uae.myswich.com (800 79424). The Hummus House As you’d hope from the eponymous chickpea- obsessed restaurant in JLT, hummus is done well here. From carrot and coriander or sundried tomato versions, to those topped with foul – if you love hummus, pop The Hummus House on your list. There are also sandwiches, falafel (including ones stuffed with mozzarella) as well as salads and more. If you only order one thing… Go for the jalapeño hummus. This mezze classic has a sharp peppery kick to go alongside its creamy base. Choose from one of the restaurant’s ample range of manakish to dunk in the dip and you’ll be happy. O Cluster Y, JLT (052 877 5594). Zaroob This cool street eats spots does a mean delivery service. After carbs? Opt for the fateer, a cross between a stuffed manakish and a fluffy, layered paratha, these baked, rectangular beauties come loaded with fillings ranging from cheese and mixed meat to Kraft cheese and sweet, sticky honey. If you only order one thing… Combine two of the top Middle Eastern dishes and what do you get? Shawarma hummus, of course. O Various locations including Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Marina and Ibn Battuta, www.zaroob.com. For more options visit timeoutdubai.com/takeaways and timeoutdubai.com/ramadan-2020. avocado and chickpea hybrid), beetroot, jalapeño-mint and sundried tomato, you can’t go wrong with a place that has a whole section of its menu dedicated to hummus. If you’re not a fan of the chickpea dip there’s a whole Zaroob 12 - 19_TOD_2012_RAMADAN_11268898.indd 1921/04/2020 17:41:46Next >