DOWN ON "THE FARM" Al Barari!

Did you know that Dubai has a restaurant called....

Um, I guess it's kind of hard to read up there, but it is called

"THE FARM".

Al Barari launches 'The Farm', Unique Concept Restaurant

The luxury eco-conscious residential development, Al Barari, located in the royal enclave of Nad Al Sheba, announces the launch of its unique concept restaurant, 'The Farm'. Set in the heart of the 14.2 million square foot estate's naturally lush surrounds, The Farm champions fresh, locally sourced produce for its carefully considered menus and will establish itself as a hub for UAE residents to enjoy a variety of social and entertainment activities.The Farm's philosophy is 'to serve great quality, wholesome food the way nature intended, in a relaxed and tranquil setting'. This ethos clearly shows in every facet of the restaurant, depicting a measured balance of eco-consciousness, superior quality and the contemporary, and always with the customers' enjoyment in mind. Combined, these principles have helped to create one of the most unique culinary experiences in the Middle East.

We met some dear friends there for dinner one evening

and guess what the highlight was for me? 

No, not the food -- even though it was superb!

No, not the restaurant itself -- even though it was amazing!

Would you believe each of us had an

IPad

in front of us that served as the menu!  

   

I just couldn't help myself --

I LOVED looking through the IPad at all the food choices!

 

We sat outside which was fabulous,

but thank goodness for the heaters, cuz it was rather chilly!

Here's where we ate on the outside patio,

which was green (really green) and beautiful!

The inside was beautiful as well -- and a bit warmer!

"The Farm" has a small retail area for 

browsing (and for buying)!

If you live in Dubai or are visiting.....

go on down to "The Farm"!

You certainly will not be disappointed!

Our group only had one small complaint --

no alcohol is served.

And let me tell ya, some of those dynamic entres

just begged to be served with a 

glass of wine!!

Go on.....down to "The Farm" and give it a try!!!    

APRONS & HAMMERS!

Aprons & Hammers?  What, exactly, is Aprons & Hammers, pray tell?  Well, if you like seafood and a real live drink with it(I'm talking alcohol people!), have I got the place for you!  If you're in Dubai, that is!

A new restaurant just opened in the Marina and it's aboard a Dhow that is permanently docked there.  It's name?  Why, Aprons & Hammers, of course!  (If you don't quite get the name, believe me, you will understand it completely after you order a bucket of crab legs!)

We parked the car, walked out on the dock, turned around and took this picture of the Marina.

Then we turned back around and took a couple shots of the restaurant.

So do you understand the Aprons & Hammers name yet?  I thought so!

We hurried to the top deck so that we could capture this beautiful sunset.

And then went inside to our table of ten to talk and eat and drink and have some fun!  No pictures of the talking and eating and drinking and having some fun......the battery in my camera died.  Dang! 

But let's just say it was a delightful seafood dinner in a relaxed, casual atmosphere .... and I might add that I enjoyed my Miller Light down to the very last drop! 

RECIPE FOR THE PERFECT LUNCH!

Here's a recipe for the perfect lunch in Dubai! 

1. AIR CONDITIONING - GOTTA HAVE IT!

2. A TELEVISION SET IS ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE!

3. GOOD COMPANY IS A MUST!  AS IS THE NICE LINOLEUM WALL COVERING!

4. A MENU WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF FOOD OPTIONS IS ALWAYS A GOOD THING!  THE FIRST ENTREE CERTAINLY GOT MY ATTENTION!  THANK GOODNESS WE WEREN'T THERE FOR BREAKFAST!!

 

5. NAPKINS ARE A MUST HAVE!

6.  GOOD DRINKS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED!

7. BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

And that, folks, is the recipe for the perfect lunch in Dubai!



Yum, it was delicious!  And where did this perfect lunch take place? 

You know if it has "Palace" in its name it's got to be good!

Ravi's Palace Restaurant was established in Dubai in 1978 and serves cheap, but excellent, Pakistani meals!  John and I recommend it highly!  When you come to visit, we'll put it top on our list of "must do's"!!!   

YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER!

John had been taken there once for lunch a while back.  But he had never driven there.  He remembered the name and he remembered the tackiness and he remembered the delicious food!  We went in search of this tacky restaurant located in a tacky strip center located behind a gas station.

And this is what we found....yup, tacky little strip center.

A tacky little restaurant.

 

Are we really go in there?

And, yes, the inside was as tacky as the outside! 

The little lamps were quite tacky (but cute) hanging from the ceiling!

And then our waitress brought the menus.....and suddenly "tacky" became something different....."flavorful", "charming", "hysterical", "quaint"......

The place mats were pages ripped out of magazines...

Inside, the signs posted were tacky, wacky, and funny!

I got to "ring the bell" when we were ready to order!!

And then our lunch finally arrived.  Sorry, no time to take pictures as the food was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!  There certainly was nothing "tacky" about the Thai cuisine!  When you come and visit us in Dubai, the Smiling BKK is on our Must Do List!!

Lesson Learned: You Can't Judge A Book By Its' Cover!!