I was privileged this week to attend the soft launch of the recently renovated Al Boom Tourist Center and Zaman Awal Restaurant. And what a pleasant surprise that was!
Let me just say I was over the moon after tasting what Zaman Awal has to offer!
I can’t honestly tell you I’ve had Emirati food that has satisfied my soul and the quest for the true authentic taste of Emirati cuisine. I’ve had lunch at Logma at Box Park and while that is a lovely, hip twist on Emirati food, the cuisine at Zaman Awal just seems to have more of a rustic savor and character. The kind that sticks to your ribs and sustains you for most of the day. The kind that you’d expect when tasting the real “soul food” of the UAE. I’ve also tried Al Fanar, but was not too impressed. In all fairness, it may have been the entrees we ordered.
So here’s the lowdown…
There was the usual elaborate mezze of crispy salads and dips, which were all very fresh and tasty. Next up, the hot entrees. Emirati cuisine tends to be heavy with fish, meat and rice. Food that will keep your engine revved throughout the day. There were quite a few rice medleys that just hypnotize you as soon as you lay eyes on them.
There also were a few things I’d never seen or heard before like:
Foga Fish – Baked marinated fish with yellow rice. Delish! Reminds me of Paella.
Harira Soup – This is actually Moroccan, but who cares – it was fire!
Sago – A gelatinous, warm dessert made up of wheat mixed with ghee, sugar, and cardamom. Was not my favorite due its gooey and gelatinous look and taste.
Assida – Of North African origins, this is a boiled flour pudding cooked directly in water. It’s typically eaten with honey or date syrup and melted butter. There was a tiny bowl of what seemed like an oil to drizzle over your served pudding. This one was pretty good. Sort of like a warm bread pudding of sorts.
I sat – ever-so-delighted – with my food choices and began my journey of tasting food you just know was cooked with love. Right off, your taste buds are treated to a religious experience with the center stage of the flavors of this region. A perfect melody of saffron, cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom, mint, thyme, and lemons. Don’t forget liberal dashes of pomegranate seeds, almonds, and pistachios.
It’s my understanding that Emirati cuisine is influenced by a mishmash of cultures. The rice dishes resemble Indian biriyanis. Hummus and Tabbouli are known to be traced to Lebanon and the Levant. Mr. Google tells me the use of rosewater and lemons is of Persian influence.
All I know is this: Emirati cuisine shows a sense of communication of love and joy through food. I left there feeling blissed out!
Verdict: I have a newfound appreciation for Emirati Cuisine. I predict this restaurant will become legendary!
Zaman Awal is located in the stunning newly renovated Al Boom Tourist Village, neatly tucked away in close proximity to the cultural landmarks of Dubai Creek, Wonderland, and Garhoud Bridge. Google Maps will take you there with no qualms. Little did I know that they’ve actually been there for quite some time – 33 years, to be exact. The airy waterfront will have you in raptures! A perfect place for some outdoor downtime.
The village is re-branded with a whole new look, including the enchanting Freej Village, which boasts an architectural design inspired by the region’s renowned Freej 3-D animated series. The popular sitcom centers on finding humor in Dubai’s rapid growth, the tensions of the old and new, and the nuances of modern-day life in the United Arab Emirates. Freej’s animiated carton’s creator, Mohammed Saeed Harib, presented at the soft launch’s press conference.
And little did I know that the affable gentleman speaking before us is, in fact, a national icon who has been dubbed the Matt Groening and the Seth MacFarlane of the Middle East. Saeed’s cartoon started with an idea while taking an animation course at Northeastern University of Boston. I have to admit I am quite inspired by reading how his career has unfolded. Seems like he just fell into it, like so many of us often do.
The heritage-focused site will be used for festivals, events, sales from a bazaar with traditional merchandise by the Dubai Women Association, and several dhow cruises available for dinner tours around the Creek. A brilliant way to pay homage to Emirati culture, which sometimes seems hard to find a country where the locals are actually the minority. Other cool things in the works are a kid’s cruise featuring Freej characters, a maritime museum and an Arabian inspired coffee shop in the Al Aref boat.
The takeaway: Make a day out of visiting Old Dubai, where you are bound to find a fishing and trading culture still in full swing, and be sure to stop at Al Boom. I promise it will not disappoint!
