Restaurant review: Lalezar at Zabeel Saray on The Palm Jumierah
Posted on 14 August 2011 with no comments from readers
If you are looking for a restaurant for a special occasion then the Ottoman splendour of the new Jumeirah Zabeel Saray hotel’s Lalezar restaurant is well worth the trek out to the end of the Palm Jumeirah’s western crescent.
Actually the interior of this restaurant is what makes it so outstanding. It is a faithful recreation from the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, a room from the hareem, complete with glazed tiles as works of art, water fountain and beautiful marble flooring.
Faultless service
You can sit either in a reclining area or at more traditional tables and chairs. The service is faultless. The waiter knew the composition of every dish and that is important if you are unfamiliar with Turkish food.
This is of course the gourmet version of this popular cuisine. We began with a traditional selection of hot and cold mezzes, around a dozen small plates from cheese and aubergine rolls to lamb’s liver and fried zucchini.
A friend once observed that it is a shame that all things tasty are not good for you, and it has to be said Lalezar cooking is rather heavy and fried but sometimes you have to take a risk in life.
Main courses include a couple of modern takes on doner kebabs, grilled halloumi cheese, lamb chops, chicken skewers, sea bass and Ottoman style stew of the day. It’s all nicely presented and seasoned.
Leave some room for dessert in this decadent restaurant. This kunefe dough, stuffed with cheese, pistachio and clotted cream rated highly, as did crispy homemade bakalava with Turkish ice cream.
Turkish wine
There is also a nice selection of Turkish wines, served after 8pm in Ramadan. We chose a well-rounded 2009 Merlot available by the glass.
If you have not seen the interior of the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray then you are in for a treat and we will review the hotel itself tomorrow. It is completely done in the style of the grandest imperial Ottoman palaces by Turkish architects and craftsman and arguably the most impressive hotel interior in Dubai.
Go there to experience the Lalezar and you get a combination of a transformation to the sumptuous lifestyle of the Ottoman empire at the height of its power and a really good meal.
