Al Maeda: Levantine and North African Cuisine

Finding a parking space in The Walk JBR sucks big time and the twenty dirhams per hour in the paid mall parking is hefty while the chic hotel valet serves guests only. Surprisingly Al Maeda Arabic Restaurant and DoubleTree by Hilton The Walk have complimentary self-parking with ample spaces. Having said this, please note that Al Maeda offers its guest a valet service as well.



Arriving at the venue, lovely and smiling ladies and gents greeted us and ushered us to the terrace where we met the Food and Beverage Manager Angelikos who talk us through the property. Al Maeda and DoubleTree by Hilton are already at a premiere location. Al Maeda terrace is overlooking a breathtaking sea view and in front of it will soon rise the Dubai Eye, something like the London Eye but three times larger than that, can you imagine?


Al Maeda or "the dining table" presents a pairing concept of Arabic cuisine, Levant and North African to be exact. The menu consists of a variety of carefully selected special Arabic dishes from across the Arab world. Traditional Arabic dishes from cold mezze to main courses and desserts are served in this stylish restaurant.

The restaurant includes a full-service bar, an open kitchen, a private dining area for families or large group,s and an outdoor terrace where guests can enjoy the breathtaking sea view, shisha is available.




I must say the star of the night was the harira soup and the lamb tagine. The soup was warm, light, and homey. You know that feeling that you reminisce about when you drink this soup, that is precious. If you have seen the cartoon film ratatouille when France's top food critic Anton Ego tasted his ratatouille cooked by Remy, that kind of feeling. (yes you can Google that). It simply brings back good old childhood memories.

On the other hand, the tagine lamb dish was sweet and savory with the meat so tender and flavorful. I like how Moroccan dishes use fruits in their dishes to balance the flavor and the use of spices such as cinnamon for that extra aroma. If it was me, I would have it served with the lid on and then the waiter removes it in front of you to add some drama.





We also had grilled halloumi and the cheese lover in me was jumping for joy and smiling from ear to ear.


mix grill (lamb chops, shish tawouk, and kebab lahabi)


This Mediterranean Prawn which is a pan-fried prawn with artichoke ragout lemon coriander sauce in a bed of dill rice is also a winner, anything prawn bring it on.


Desserts came nice and warm on our table and well presented, it would have been flawless if a warm and gooey cheese kunafe was served on the very same plate, there on that space, yeah there! :D. The pretty mint tea cup isn't supposed to be there, I just used it for photography purposes.



All savored of course in the company of wonderful people I met at the event from BBC Good Food and Gulf News TV.


DoubleTree by Hilton has a service culture built around the idea of CARE, which stands for 'Create A Rewarding Experience "where the ‘little things mean everything" quoting General Manager Hassan El Wahidi


Al Maeda has an open kitchen concept headed by Chef Maher Akwan himself, who specialized in Arabic food. Chef Akwan commented, “We want them to see what is being cooked, how it is prepared and then brought to their dining table which is an experience similar to what they have at home.”

with Chef Maher Akwan
Al Maeda is open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm

Al Maeda 
+971-4-4533333
reservations.doubletreejumeirah@hilton.com
www.doubletree.com



My Yellow Bells

Carla is a lifestyle blogger based in Dubai who's thankful to call this ever-evolving city her second home. The pages of this blog are filled with stories about her expat life in the sandpit. It features dining and travel adventures in and around the city and beyond. It also features food recipes, parenting tips, and fashion style.

3 Comments

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Carla

  1. Beautiful restaurant! That mixed grill looks fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a lovely restaurant to dine at. All of the food looks absolutely amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hmm, all these food look delicious. What a beautiful day to go to that kind of restaurant.

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