Iftar at The Address
The Address Dubai Marina is hosting one of the larger iftars in town. Its Arab-style buffet held in the decorated Constellation Ballroom serves up to 400 people a night, so you're guaranteed plenty of choice. Afterwards, shisha, traditional games and an à la carte suhoor menu are all available in the Terrace Tent. For reservations, call 04 436 7777 or email dubaimarina@theaddress.com.
New cooking website
Cooking with My Mom is a new web series created for Yahoo! Maktoob for Ramadan. The weekly eight-minute episodes feature the chef Eva Halasa Rihani (who has previously appeared on Sabah Al Khair Ya Arab on MBC1) teaching her 17-year-old daughter Emily how to prepare simple recipes such as atayef, chicken fatteh and babaganoush. The episodes have English subtitles and you can also access the recipes in written form. Visit maktoob.ramadan.yahoo.com.
Home-style Filipino food
Among the Filipino expat community, Nipa Hut at the Admiral Plaza hotel in Bur Dubai has developed something of a following. If you fancy sampling home-style Filipino dishes at a very reasonable price, then its daily buffet runs from noon to 10pm and costs Dh49 per person (children under six eat for free). For more details, visit www.admiralplazahotel.com.
Chinese tea ceremony
Royal China Dubai is currently inviting customers to experience a traditional Chinese tea ceremony when they dine at the restaurant in the evening. With a large selection of types and blends (we like the sound of ginseng oolong), the tea is served tableside by hostesses who have been trained in the ritual of the tea ceremony. Royal China, DIFC, 04 354 5543, www.royalchinadubai.com.
Tradition at Al Manzil
In Old Town Dubai, Al Manzil hotel is offering what it calls "a taste of tradition" at iftar. The buffet at Conservatory Restaurant is priced at Dh160 and will be served until 11.30pm. The Courtyard, meanwhile, is serving North African and Middle Eastern dishes and will be open until 3am during Ramadan. For bookings, call 04 428 5888 or email restaurants@almanzilhotel.ae.