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moneyoriented · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 76

I love good Lebanese, Turkish, Indian and Persian food, but I've heard that Egyptian and Gulf Arab cuisines aren't the greatest.

I imagine in a city like Dubai I'd be able to get all kinds of great food, but what about other cities - Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Kuwait City, Doha, Jiddah, etc.?

And what is the situation in Cairo? Are there lots of great Lebanese, Turkish and Persian places, or is it pretty much just Egyptian food (and what is that like, by the way - I've only heard that it's not so good)?

lall · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 358

There's an Indian restaurant chain (pure vegetarian food) named Sangeetha that has outlets all over the Gulf, particularly in the UAE and in Bahrain. Didn't see one in Oman, though.
Another chain is Gauri Kkrishna (with 2 Ks in the Krishna).
They will temper down the spices to suit the bland Western palate, if specifically requested. You may end up falling in love with Indian veg. food.

moneyoriented · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 76

When you say "Indian veg. food" do you mean South Indian food (masala dosas, idlis, etc.)? I already love that stuff!

Maybe you could educate me a bit on the various Indian cuisines - I'm sure there are more than the two I'm familiar with here in the states (southern, and northern "Mughal" cuisine).

Also, out of curiosity - do you think the northern cuisine is more fattening than the southern? My theory is that bread is fattening, and northerners eat a lot of bread whereas the southerners eat more rice, right?

You can see this in China too, I think - northerners eat a lot of wheat-based noodles, dumplings and bread, whereas in the south is pretty much just rice & rice noodles. I'm not positive, but I think southern Chinese tend to be thinner than northerners.

Then again, maybe it's more related to the weather (cold = you put on more fat) and/or drinking alcohol (seems people in colder climates drink more)?

NadiaK · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 206

In my opinion, Beirut has hands down the best food in the region - not only Lebanese food, but the best restaurants for many other cuisines. (Although for Chinese and Indian, you are probably better off in the Gulf.)

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject:

If you have the money, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are fabulous cities for food. Not for local cuisine, but for just about any international cuisine. The hotels often import chefs and have ingredients flown in daily. I had some of the best Italian food I have ever tasted in hotels in both of these cities.

The local "al shammy" restaurants are also very good. These are mostly what we think of as Lebanese food. Because the pay is so much higher in the Emirates, some of the best chefs in the Lebanon/Syria area live and work in the UAE.

Now I'm hungry... Smile

007 · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:35 am Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I rather like "Foul Madams".

lall · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 358

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Which is why I always spelled it 'fuul' and I love tamaaya - which is also never spelled the same way twice.

Of course, I have the suspicion that Scot47 wasn't referring to fava beans... Laughing

VS

007 · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:05 pm Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Naughty Number should know that his uncle from Scotland abstains from alcohol, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging" as we read in Christian scripture !

007 · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:32 pm Post subject:

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

Griff-James · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:14 pm Post subject:

Any good places in Saudi Arabia?

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

Old Jubail has some great Indian restaurants. One is behind the central shopping center. Sorry, but I can't remember the name of the places, and there is a good hotel up the street from the shopping center, too.