JEDDAH has seen a huge boom in new restaurants in recent years, with many eateries gearing up for Ramadan by setting up live cooking stations, temporary tents, traditional food stalls and live entertainment. Thanks to loads of competition, customers have never had it so good before: there are several kinds of menus on offer at competitive rates for both Iftar and Suhur meals all over the town. Most South-Asian restaurants cater to a specific number of guests for Iftar parties and offer a traditional Iftar consisting of dates, sambosas, pakoras, fruit chat, tea, chicken rolls, sherbet, channa and milk shakes followed by traditional Indian and Pakistani cuisine. Their hot and spicy dishes are especially popular, since they are located in areas where there is a sizable South Asian populace. “Community restaurants are great places to eat out in Ramadan, because we can easily find every traditional Iftar food item there. We never miss our country, because you can get everything here in Jeddah,” said Nighat Anjum, a Pakistani house wife. Anjum said that she is fond of going out in Ramadan since it means less housework for her. However, she adds, “Nowadays, it's difficult to enjoy Iftar in restaurants like in the past due to the increase in prices which has affected our budget.” People have been hit hard by rising food prices this year, and eating out frequently is getting difficult. “There is a 10 to 15 percent increase in our prices over last year but, my manager denies it because it may affect our business,” said a worker at a five star hotel's restaurant. However, M Hussain, the restaurant manager of Royal Plaza said there are no increases in prices at his restaurant. “We have the same prices as last year, we do not want to charge extra from fasting people in Ramadan,” he said. In spite of the hike in food prices, many people still choose to have Iftar at a restaurant with their families on special occasions, or when hosting Iftar parties. “People come to our restaurant until Suhur. Our cooks prepare everything in the traditional style and all our recipes are personalized,” said Muhammad Ali, restaurant manager of La-Sani. Many expatriates from the subcontinent like to taste traditional Arabic dishes for a change from the usual spicy fare. “Occasionally, I like to have Iftar at Lebanese restaurants. Their menu includes ‘jellab', served with almonds and raisins, soup, fresh fruit and dessert, which is my favorite,” said Wasim Rizwie, a Pakistani businessman. Rizwie recommends ‘Goodies', a Lebanese delicatessen in Coral Mall at Al-Hamra District, which offers traditional Arabian dishes. Abu Ala's in Rawdah District at Darwesh Kayal Street specializes in foul, falafel and humus and is worth checking out, he said. Rizwie's wife, Kulsoom likes to have Chinese food and recommends ‘Wajabah' at Amoudia Market in Khalidiya, which has been serving customers for 26 years. “Pizza lovers also have many options such Pizza Hut which is offering an Iftar meal at SR45 per head, with a variety of salads and other snacks,” said Romana Shah, an Indian student. “However, my personal favorite is ‘Relax' Indian restaurant in Sharifiyah district, which is a great place to unwind and have Iftar,” she said. Sadia Kalim, principal of Dar-ul-Hikmah School loves to eat out but does not indulge herself frequently being conscious about her health. “Food should not become the main focus of Ramadan, we should break our fast with nourishing and filling food that is easy on the stomach,” says Dr. Rakhshanda Puri. “Fried items have a very harmful effect on our health but we can find hardly any restaurant which does not have fried items for Iftar. Fried food has become our culture,” she says. __
