Great British Grub

What's not to love?!

Those who know me well know that I usually eschew most things British here in Dubai. With the exception of one very cute pub, I can't stand the usual haunts where Brits congregate, brunch, get drunk and occasionally fight (I've thankfully never witnessed this but was told about it by a friend of a friend the other night. Horrific).  If I wanted to do that, I'd head to Wetherspoon's on Market Street in Manchester.  Really, what's the point?

But last night that all changed.  There's a great buffet restaurant here, which for the sum of about 30 quid, serves up an enormous spread of food, with free flowing wine.  Each night of the week has a different theme; Indian, Italian, Seafood....I'm not a big fan of stuffing myself stupid (no, really, I'm not!) so I've only ever been a couple of times.  But one night in particular caught my eye....British night.  We decided, for one night only, to embrace all things British...and it didn't disappoint. 

The usual suspects were there: fish and chips, mushy peas, cottage pie, roast beef, lamb, duck and chicken, Yorkshire puddings (divine) and gravy by the bucketload.  And British food is clearly more popular than you might think, the restaurant was packed with all nationalities; Italian ladies were all over the beef and a chinese couple ladled on the mushy peas with gusto.  We stuffed ourselves to the point of immobility and left happy and full as bananas.  It's not something I'd do every week as I just can't stand to eat that much, but the Indian night is tempting me...maybe it's a monthly thing....

Can Cook, Won't Cook....

I've been taking a bit of stick recently for my culinary skills.  Or lack of them.  It's true, I haven't spent a huge amount of time in the kitchen recently, and what time I have spent in there hasn't really centred around cooking (I'll leave that to your imagination).   

My whole family loves food, so as I grew up I was surrounded by great smells, recipes and dishes.  So when I left home at 18 I was always able to whip up a variety of great dishes, as my friends, housemates, and parents can testify.  When I had a live-in partner, I cooked, a lot, whatever time I fell through the door.  So why haven't I been slaving over a hot stove recently?  I laughed a lot when i was sent this as a possible explanation.  Let's be clear, the reasons are much more likely to be:

a) I've been trying to eat a lot less (that bacofoil bikini is so unforgiving) so producing calorie laden meals holds little appeal
b) M introduced me to sardines on toast (hideous but nutritious and no cooking time needed)
c) There's such a fabulous array of amazing restaurants in Dubai which I feel the need to frequent, frequently
d) I've never been the type to try to impress a man with my skills in the kitchen (unless they're non-cooking related, see above)
e) I simply can't be arsed
f) All of the above


I CAN cook, ok?!  Honest....

Spoilt for Choice

A problem with Dubai, if you can call it a problem, is that there's just so much choice when it comes to going out, and eating and drinking. So this weekend the gang decided to try something new. First off we went to Dubai's only blues bar. Blues isn't my cup of tea at all but it made a pleasant change to sit and hear live music. Shame about the cigarette smoke everywhere - it never ceases to amaze me that smoking in public places is still legal here.....

Next up we headed to a Japanese restaurant/bar. Where has this place been all my life?! If I didn't know I was in Dubai I'd have thought I was in Manhattan. Gorgeous, stylish place, with very attractive people...enough said. Where to next?