The Iftar at Rangoli is a magnificent feast of classic Indian cuisine in a chic and stylish setting.
Having been to several of the Iftar Buffets in Abu Dhabi this Ramadan we were on the lookout for something different and when we heard about this fantastic Indian Iftar at Rangoli we just had to go over and give it a try.
Rangoli at the Yas Island Rotana has always been our go to for classic Indian cuisine form the time it opened and we are no strangers to this exotic venue with its colorful interiors, those lovely little booths with the feather pillows to lounge on, so comfortable you don’t want to leave.
The Food
A carefully curated Iftar menu is served at your table starting with some dates, mezze, soup and drinks to break the fast and then comes a medley of classic kebabs followed by a selection of the best curries form their menu, a fragrant Chicken Dum Biryani and ending with a trio of desserts. There is a QR code you can scan to download the menu so you know what each dish is.
Soon its time to break the fast and a tray of dates with some traditional Arabic Mezze is served along with tangy tamarind juice and pita bread. The Hummus is prefect, creamy and rich while the Fattoush and Tabouleh are fresh and tangy in contrast to the sweetness of the dates making it a perfect and light start to the meal.
This is followed by a delightful bowl of the most flavorful Yakhni Shorba we have ever tasted, a delicate lamb broth flavored with fragrant spices and bits of young wheat giving it a rich and complex flavor which was just outstanding.
We were served a sampler platter featuring some of their best kebabs and a delicate Onion Bhajia which was light and fluffy, one of the highlight of this serving, The Punjabi Murgh Tikka was perfectly cooked, soft and moist and we loved the little bite of the Hammour marinated in carrom seeds and yoghurt. The classic Lucknowi Seekh Kebab brought back fond memories with its prefect balance of flavor and texture.
The curries followed next with a basket of assorted fresh baked naan breads, the garlic and the butter naan were simply divine and complimented the richness of the curries perfectly.
There was a classic Murgh Handi Khorma, delicate morsels of chicken in a rich cashew and yoghurt gravy that was cooked in the traditional dum style. The Gosht Akrut Khorma was a star, tender chunks of lamb in a flavorful walnut and pepper gravy.
The vegetarian selection had a rich Shahi Malai Kofta curry featuring balls of cottage cheese simmered in a creamy cashew gravy and then there was the classic Dal Makhanwala, the smokiness of the slow cooked lentils was just right and the butter and cream make it a rich and delightful dish, we just lapped it up with the fresh butter naan.
The Awadhi Murgh Biryani arrived piping hot and as Toli, our lovely server cut open the top the restaurant was filled with the aroma of saffron and basmati rice. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the flavor of the rice was just right. We loved the little bowl of fresh raita that added to the flavor of the dish.
The Desserts
After all this superb food there was hardly any space for dessert but Toli insisted we take a little break and she was over with the desserts in a short while. There is a trio of desserts on the plate, one is classic Sheer Qurma which is a traditionally Indian Eid dessert made in every household in there own family style. The one at Rangoli was a refined version which was rich but not overly sweet.
The second dessert was a Pista Shahi Tukd, deep fried, crispy bread soaked in sugar syrup topped with a creamy Rabri and pistachios which is a very old Mughlai style dessert. The third was a very interesting cinnamon flavored ice cream that perfectly balanced the sweetness of the other two offering the perfect end to this extravagant meal.
The Verdict
This is is one amazing feast of an Iftar meal, the taste is fantastic, the selection of each dish perfectly compliments the others and then there is the superb ambiance coupled with faultless service. Rangoli outdoes itself in providing an exceptional dining experience and we will definitely be back soon.
The Package
The Rangoli Iftar takes place every evening from sundown to 10.00 PM offering an all you can eat experience across an expertly curated menu for only AED 149 per person inclusive of soft drinks which is a steal.
The Contact
For reservations and more information please call +971 2 656 4000.
