/**/ June 2014 - Travel + Decor + DIY

My Dubai Food Blog: Iftar at Na3na3 The Address Dubai Mall

Ramadan officially started and yesterday I was so excited to receive an invitation to try the traditional Iftar buffet at Na3na3 in The Address Dubai Mall.

Na3Na3 is a Middle Eastern restaurant  famous for its traditional Arabic home style cuisines.—- and I must say, Arabic Food + Iftar = Perfection.

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

As me and my friend arrived in the restaurant, we were greeted very warmly and welcomed with a sip of Arabic coffee. This really sets our mood for the night.

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

A table full of of dates, nuts and other dried fruits were present also to kick start the night’s feast. Traditionally, after a whole day of fasting, food are gradually being introduced in one’s body. In order to not shock the body’s system, dates should be eaten first  (somewhat a light appetizer—as far as I know ^^).

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftare

As me and my friend were ushered to our table, I can already smell the strong aroma of an Arabic cuisine. The whole place feels very intimate but at the same time I saw a number of families enjoying the feast (maybe it’s the Iftar vibe).

Just a disclaimer before I start discussing about food. I am not an expert in Arabic Cuisine so I will be blogging mainly on what I experienced and tasted. If any of the food I mentioned was wrongly described (and spelled) please do let me know—- thanks ^^

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

The first thing I grabbed was a plate of salad, feta cheese and hummus (plus a warm Arabic bread). They presented a wide selection of appetizers, dips and rice dishes (mostly I can’t pronounce) . Foul salad, modardara and  mohammara just to name a few.

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

(yey my starter plate—- I love these labneh balls and of course,  HUMMUS!!!)

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

After a light starter, let’s move on to a heavier meal. This time around, I got a chance to try a more familiar Arabic food. A wide selection of meat dishes can be found in the warm food stations.

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

Firstly, you can find some traditional treats such as a very tasty kibbeh, a spinach fatayer, lamb sambusek and a cheese spring roll (I forgot the name of this)—let’s call it a cheese stick.

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

Also, In the same station, I  got excited to see a casserole of already shredded chicken shawarma, shish tawook, chicken biryani and beef shanks (to be paired with cucus).

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

I have to make two rounds to taste all of them and I must admit, even though I already felt full, I was able to finish everything on my plate.

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

Feeling full (as mentioned already), I forcefully convinced myself that I still have room for some desserts. Middle Eastern desserts are known to be one of the best in the world and I for sure will not miss a handful of those during this Iftar.

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

The cheese konafa and the um ali became two of my favorite desserts of the night.There’s something about warm desserts that I found mouth watering (although I am not a fan of rose water—I didn’t mind that night).

Aside from the wide selection of Arabic sweets, they also offer a number of international desserts such as a very cute carrot cake cups (shown below—cute right?) and a shot of  tiramisu.

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

na3na3 the address dubai mall food blog iftar

If you like to experience authentic home cooked style Arabic food, I will highly recommend Na3na3. I truly enjoyed spending my Iftar here. Good food, reasonable price and a very nice location.

Of course, aside from food, Iftar really is a time to bond with family and Na3na3 for sure has a good enough space and food selections for the whole family (and FYI, children below 6yrs old are free ^^)

Iftar buffet price is AED 195 (inclusive of unlimited drinks)

Time: Sunset until 9:30pm

Location: The Address Dubai Mall

Aside from Iftar, Na3na3 also have regular restaurant hours (with doors half open during Ramadan)

Breakfast: 630am -11am (11:30am on weekends), AED 140

Lunch: 12:30pm -5:30pm, AED 155

Dinner: 9:30pm - 11pm, AED 195

to know more about Na3na3, check out their facebook page and website below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theaddressdubaimall

Website: http://www.theaddress.com/en/hotels/the-address-dubai-mall/dining/na3na3.aspx

kenneth surat travel and food blogger dubai

My Dubai Food Blog: Raw Coffee Company. The Ultimate Dubai Coffee Experience

I first saw Raw Coffee Company as a suggested post in my FB account. Ever since, I’ve been curious about it and really wanted to visit and try their coffee offerings. Sadly, because the only info. I got was, it is located in Al Quoz, my not-Al Quoz-friendly GPS mind blocks immediately everytime I am thinking of going to this place.

Good thing, on a sunny Thursday morning, I was assigned to go to our furniture manufacturer and I was excited to see that Raw is directly in front of their warehouse. PERFECT

raw coffee company food blog al quoz dubai uae

Without any hesitation, after finishing my tasks, I went inside and found myself in coffee heaven. If there is a headquarters for hipsters or hipster wannabe, THIS IS IT!

raw coffee company food blog al quoz dubai uae

raw coffee company food blog al quoz dubai uae

raw coffee company food blog al quoz dubai uae

Piles and piles of coffee bean sacks were on display and I am guessing for sale also. The way the warehouse were transformed to create this environment looks so awesome. As an architect/designer, people may seemed to think that creating such environment was easy—they are wrong—-but I must say, for sure they had fun.

raw coffee company food blog al quoz dubai uae

raw coffee company food blog al quoz dubai uae

According to their website (cause I didn’t have time to interview them),

”..we (Raw) started off as boot legers, bringing our beans back into Dubai in our suitcases from favourite roasteries around the world.  We love coffee, and we were seriously tired of the sad old offerings available here ~ Raw was born, established in July 2007 to fill the gap in the market for freshly roasted specialty coffee.”

GENIUS!!!

raw coffee company food blog al quoz dubai uae

So start it off, I tried their lunch offerings. They offer a good selections of salads and quiches. As I am on ‘healthy’ eating spree, I ordered a chicken avocado salad.

It’s a mix of pumpkin seeds, fresh avocado, smoked chicken, cherry tomato, mixed lettuce, parmesan cheese, cold pressed extra virgin olive oil ceasar dressing.

To be honest, it was a bit expensive (AED 40) but delicious nonetheless. I love the mix and the tangy salad dressing.

raw coffee company food blog al quoz dubai uae

To add with the healthy touch, every salad is served with a mini gluten free chia bread roll and a mini gluten free multigrain bread roll.

raw coffee company food blog al quoz dubai uae

Now for my coffee, (disclaimer: I really didnt get that much information on what I ordered) I asked the barista on their bestsellers. I said I want dark coffee, strong but smooth. She then told me bout a filtered coffee through a procedure called ‘chemex’.

I think that is why i didnt get that much information because hearing the term ‘chemex’ I blanked out immediately.

According to my research (aka googling):

Chemex Coffeemaker is a manual, pour-over style glass container coffeemaker. The coffee is brewed by first placing the paper filter and the ground coffee in the neck of the flask while heating the water to a boil in a separate vessel. Then moistening the ground coffee by pouring some hot water a top of the dry coffee……and finally, by pouring the desired quantity of water (number of cups) over the ground coffee, and awaiting it to percolate down, through the coffee and the paper filter, into the flask.

raw coffee company food blog al quoz dubai uae

raw coffee company food blog al quoz dubai uae

The result of this is a strong and smooth coffee blend. I love strong coffee and this one was really strong. For those looking for a lighter blend or a more creamy one, you can ask your barista about it and for sure they will be very much eager to serve you your special artisan coffee.

raw coffee company food blog al quoz dubai uae

raw coffee company food blog al quoz dubai uae

I was very happy with my first Raw experience, Although finding it is a bit challenging at first but the trip will surely be worth it….better if you will buy a coffee bean to take away.

Cheers to all coffee lovers out there! We indeed found our new favorite place.

To know more, check out their website and follow them in their social media:


Website: www.rawcoffeecompany.com


FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raw-Coffee-Company/126866607324618


Instagram: http://instagram.com/rawcoffeecompany#


kenneth surat food and travel blogger dubai