Food review: Zafran, Dubai Marina Mall

Enjoy the new Jashn-e-Kebab menu on one of the most ambient terraces in town.

Regular readers can attest that when it comes to certain restaurants in Dubai, there are some that no matter how many times we return, never disappoint. Zafran is just such an eatery and now has two further reasons to visit.
The first, as the temperature gauge drops below 'unbearable' in the evenings, is the superb terrace overlooking the Marina that Zafran possesses. Spacious, welcoming and comfortable, it provides the perfect platform upon which to enjoy Zafran's excellent Indian cuisine.
Which brings us to the second enticing element. For a limited time the restaurant will be offering its Jashn-e-Kebab menu, celebrating traditional Mughal recipes and flavours in a very contemporary setting.
With chicken and lamb options including Murgh Pudina Tikka - char-grilled chicken breast in a yoghurt, lime and mint marinade along with Raan-E-Zafran - a tandoor roasted leg of lamb in a cinnamon and malt marinade, the recipes are as succulent as they are more-ish. One helping never quite seems sufficient as the tender meat arrives on a hot plate.
Vegetarian options include the Tandoori Bharwan Aloo - roasted barrels of potato stuffed with cashew nut and raisin and Palak Anjeer Ki Tikki - pan grilled spinach patties stuffed with fig and almond.
Seafood lovers can enjoy Malai Jingha - char-grilled prawns in a cream cheese and cardamom marinade along with Angaar Machhi Tikka - a tandoor grilled white fish marinated with red chili, turmeric, yoghurt and mustard oil.
Favourites have to include the lamb in cinnamon; the unusual taste creating a unique sensation unlike any other dish readily available around town. Prawns are always greeted with open arms (and mouths) and these did not disappoint. The cream cheese sauce, again, was atypical and for that reason scored highly.
Even if kebabs are not enough to tempt you down to the property, Zafran's regular menu will do more than suffice. One of the best Bengali prawn coconut curries should be at the top of every visitor's list, as should the thick dal Bukhari, which when mixed with a bit of buttery naan, is a taste sensation.
Prices start at Dhs38 for the kebab festival and it's on until the end of December in both the Zafran Dubai Marina Mall and Mirdif City Centre locations.
Call: 04 399 7357 (Marina Mall)
david@khaleejtimes.com

• Food and Dining