Restaurant Review: Mawal, Al Moroj Rotana Hotel.

In Ramadan, I try to avoid eating out as much as possible. Not only because having Iftar in Ramadan is all about sitting with family members and enjoying a good ol home cooked meal, but also in Ramadan; most restaurants don't offer any decent "iftar experience".

Serving Iftar is any restaurant’s ultimate test to the proficiency of its kitchen, quality of its food and service of its staff. From my Ramadan dining experience in this part of the world, ALL restaurants in Dubai drastically fail when it comes to quality, price, service or (in a lot of cases) all combined.

Except one.

Every year, Mawal proves to be -by far- the ultimate Iftar experience.

It is understandable why in Ramadan majority of restaurants prefer to offer an 'Open Buffet' iftar menu. Tying to serve too many people, too many orders in too little time - is virtually impossible as ‘a la carte’.

On the other hand, asking hoards of hungry men, women and children to queue up for an underserved buffet to wait at least 15 minutes before going back with whatever food is left on their plates, is an Iftar experience many people do not like to go through. especially when most of them had nothing to eat, drink or smoke for the past 12hrs or so.

The guys at Mawal brilliantly avoid that from happening. What they do is very smart. They make sure that 12 to 15 small plates of the best Lebanese mezza you can get in town, is on your table when you arrive.

After a very personal and warm welcome, you are escorted to your table and the same waiter asks for your choice of soup and Ramadan drink. In less than 3 minutes, hot fresh aromatic soup is poured in the bowl in front of you followed by a chilled glass of Jellab, Temer hindi or Qamar el Din.

On you table is a paining of platters. You name it, its there: Foul, Hommus, Mtabbal, Tabouleh, Fattoush, Mussaka'a, Lobiyeh bel hamud wel toom, jwaneh mtaffayeh (Garlic lemon chicken wings), mdardara, kebben neyeah, a plate of assorted fatayer, bamyiyeh, falafel, dates, dried figs and apricots... and of course, what table is complete with out the colorful fresh veggies platter.

Once Iftar times starts, waves of hot, freshly baked Lebanese bread make their way to your table every 5 or 10 minutes. I swear, I never needed to ask for more bread. The minute I start on my last piece, more are added without me noticing.

By doing that, you end up nibbling on a delicious variety of dishes at your table, having your hot soup in joy and quenching your thirst with refreshing beverages - by doing that, you brush off that Lets-rush-to-the buffet-before-its-wiped-out feeling you usually get 5 minutes after Iftar starts in other restaurants.

As for the main course, the entirely accessible buffet offers a variety of grills, pastas and mouth watering Syrian/Lebanese main dishes. When I was there yesterday they were serving Kebbe bel Laban, Kousa mehshi, wara2 3eneb, djaj bel freekeh, kharouf ma7shi and the basics (rice, veggis..etc). They were also serving pasta el forno (Pasta, Chicken 'n Béchamel) and Paella for the non-arabic food lovers.

Oh, and if you don't feel like walking up to the buffet, the waiters are more than happy to get you what you want right to your table.

When you are done with your main mail, 5 plates of Ramadan deserts: atayef 3asafiri, ma3mool, 3awameh and zalabiya, land on the table. Those are followed by a large bowl of fresh cut and carved exotic fruits: pineapple, cantaloupe, kiwi, mango and strawberries.

Not only the quality of food is unquestionably tasty, price is extremly reasonable nor the attentive service is fantastic, the overall atmosphere around you is also very relaxed and inviting. Exactly at the table behind us, Lebanese pop star Dina Hayek and her manager were having iftar as well.

Mawal is my favorite Iftar venue .. what’s yours?