NOVOTEL Hotels and Resorts, part of the Accor group of hotels in Jeddah, organized recently "Ramadan Food Tasting" in their Palm restaurant. A glamorous and modern restaurant in Jeddah's Novotel puts you at the center of the world with a special Ramadan theme that celebrates international cuisine. The Palm restaurant offers delicious freshly made breads, ice creams and desserts as well as a mix of international, Saudi and Middle Eastern buffet options for iftar and suhoor. The large buffet has everything: High-quality meats, cheeses, desserts, fresh fruits and veggies, yogurts, dips, fresh juices and varieties of salads. Chef de cuisine at the restaurant Saad Trini is a Moroccan national who has worked in leading restaurants and hotels around the world. He is experienced in Arabic, Italian, French, Moroccan and Thai cuisine. For starters, enjoy the smell of cooked Harirah and mushroom soup ladled out of a huge pot. The scent alone is sure to make you eager for iftar. Harirah is a traditional soup from the Maghreb region, consumed in Morocco and western Algeria. It is popular as a starter, but is also eaten on its own as a light snack. There are many variations and it is mostly served during Ramadan. Eating the hot dessert of Umm Ali with a variety of fry fruits as toppings while sipping delicious Turkish coffee after iftar is the perfect end to a sumptuous meal. Umm Ali is an Egyptian dessert containing puff pastry, milk and nuts. Any kind of nuts can be added and you can eat it with a spoon. Legend has it that Umm Ali was the first wife of the Mamluk Sultan Ezz El-Din Aybek. A fresh tasty lamb was served in a huge ornamented steel tray for everyone to enjoy at the buffet. If meat to your liking, the pasta station has choices galore. Pesto pasta was the most delicious and colorful choice with a twist of dried cherry tomato. It is best enjoyed warm and is loaded with protein and fiber. Pesto sauce originates in Genoa, in the northern region of Italy. It traditionally consists of crushed garlic, pine nuts, salt, leaves, Parmesan cheese and olive oil. This year, the holy month of Ramadan falls in the summer, making fasting a tough task for Muslims who abstain from food and drink until sunset. As the body loses liquids, Muslims need to drink more after Iftar in order to avoid dehydration. In addition to the everyday drinks of Ramadan, such as Laban and Vimto, this buffet provides traditional Ramadan drinks that can keep you hydrated. Qamareldin contains enough sugar to boost the digestive system without over-stimulating it. Made from either rolled dried apricot or dried apricot paste, Qamareldin contains digestive aids, metabolism regulators and vitamins. Tamer Hindi is popular in Arabic countries. Tamer Hindi is a very sour drink that is considered the twin of hibiscus as it is made almost in the same way. Jallab is a popular drink around the Middle East, especially in Syria, Palestine and Lebanon. The drink is made of dates, grape molasses and rose water and served with lots of ice and topped with pine nuts and raisins. While the prices at most buffets have gone up considerably in many Jeddah hotels, the quality of food you will find at this restaurant make SR120 a convincing enough spend. The hotel has one restaurant with a capacity of 120 people, modern and trendy lobby. There is also a sky lounge and a roof top café for extended session of Sheesha. One of the advantages of the rooftop is that one can even view Tahliah Street up to Corniche Street. The Novotel Hotel is located at the heart of Tahliah Street, one of Jeddah's most fashionable business and shopping districts.
