Eat. Share. Love.
That is Al Maeda Restaurant's tagline. And that is exactly what we experienced when we went there for lunch last weekend!
Location
Al Maeda is an upscale Arabic restaurant tucked inside Doubletree by Hilton Dubai - Jumeirah Beach. The hotel stands in a fantastic beachfront location at the end of The Walk - JBR. Thus, the dining venue offers amazing views of the Arabian Gulf and the nearly done Ain Dubai!
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Ambiance
A traditional and vibrant Middle Eastern atmosphere welcomed us to the restaurant. The interior is embellished with ethnic patterns which reminds me of Morocco. No, we haven't been there yet, but I'm currently drooling over photos of intricately tiled riads in Marrakech! The traditional setting is complemented with elegant modern touches.
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| Al Maeda restaurant in Doubletree by Hilton Jumeirah Beach |
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| The tables are fitting for special family get-togethers. |
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| Al Maeda has a blend of traditional and contemporary Middle Eastern atmosphere. |
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| It is beautifully accentuated with potted plants and stylish pieces. |
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| The restaurant has an outdoor terrace where guests can relax and have shisha. |
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| view from Al Maeda's outdoor terrace |
Service
What I love most about Al Maeda is the open kitchen. We were able to see the chefs working on their specialties and even interacted with them. I felt the warmth and transparency. At one point, it all seemed like I was invited to a friend's kitchen to see them cook and get served with a delicious homecooked meal later on!
Al Maeda's service crew are also amazing. They were always smiling and always ready to attend to our needs.
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| We saw the chef making some bread in the kitchen! |
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| That's a clear indication that we get nothing but fresh in Al Maeda! |
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| Fresh from the oven: soft and chewy pita bread |
Food and Drinks
Al Maeda's food offerings are served family-style; implementing the essence of sharing and the traditional way of serving Arabic cuisine.
For starters, Ed and I shared a selection of salads and mezze. Our wooden table brimmed with lively colors. All dishes are beautifully presented! I adore how they keep up with the modern times by infusing contemporary touches to classic Arabic recipes! Take the hummus, for example, this Arabic staple was further enhanced with a pistachio twist! But of course, if you're an old soul, the classic hummus is also available.
Along these mouthwatering appetizers, we had Al Maeda's signature cocktails - Granada Rosa and Classic Lemon Mint Cooler. Both are refreshing and not too sweet. My drink, Granada Rosa - a blend of fresh pomegranate, orange blossom water, and cardamom syrup, complemented the taste of the savory starters and cleansed my palate before the mains were served.
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| Now, this is the most vibrant lunch table I've seen! |
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| Fikrih and quinoa salad (Tomato, diced cucumber, pomegranate seeds, lemon juice, olive oil) |
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| Pistachio Hummus |
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| Beetroot Mutabal |
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| The Classics: Fattoush, Kibbeh, Sambousek, Fatayek |
For the main course, we had Chicken Rotisserie served with Oriental Rice and Mix Grill. These dishes are served in sharing platters too.
My husband raved about the Chicken Rotisserie and I wasn't surprised! The chicken meat is well-marinated with spices and the skin (Oh the skin!) is crisp and golden brown! On the other hand, the Mix Grill - a selection of lamb kofta, lamb kebab, shish taouk - is straightforward, aromatic and delicious. Exactly how I want it to be!
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| Chicken Rotisserie with Oriental Rice |
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| Mix Grill |
For dessert, we had Mango Muhalabiah and Basboussa Cheesecake. The former is elegantly served in a cocktail glass. It is a creamy and classic Middle Eastern dessert with a surprise twist - sweet mango cubes - in the center!
Ed and I considered the Basboussa Cheesecake as the cherry on top of our amazing lunch in Al Maeda! It is kept in a white chocolate dome which slowly melted when a warm strawberry sauce was poured on top! It is a visually appealing and lusciously tasteful dessert!
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| Mango Muhalabiah |
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| See what I mean when I said we had a traditional-meets-modern Arabic lunch? |
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| Basboussa Cheesecake |
Overall
Al Maeda Restaurant is a great dining venue for intimate gatherings and relaxed lunch/dinner dates. It is the place to go to when you want traditional Arabic meal, and when you're up to some pleasant surprises in between! The ambiance is fantastic and the service is just as excellent! Considering the cost, each dish is reasonably priced as it is fit for sharing.
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| Al Maeda Restaurant menu |
Love brunch? Al Maeda has a Friday and Saturday Brunch with complimentary pool & beach access.
Brunch price: AED 314 inclusive of soft drinks / AED 399 inclusive of house beverages
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Al Maeda Restaurant
Doubletree by Hilton Jumeirah
The Walk - Dubai
Contact +971 (4) 4533333
Website: doubletree3.hilton.com
We were invited to dine at Al Maeda Restaurant.
Opinions in this blog post are my own.
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