Luminous Elegance

Passing the streets of Dubai that exuded modernity, opulence and luxury, she arrived at the luxurious hotel. Entering the restaurant, it was as if she had stepped back in time to the Arabian nights. Lavish arabesque carved wooden partitioning, coloured glass lanterns glinted, while musicians sat on cushions expertly played ouds and doumbak drums. At a carved round table attentive waiter festooned her table with indulgent, amber-coloured dates studded with almonds, and a banquet-style array of traditional pastries and sweets. Each a work of art, elaborated with almonds, pistachios, walnuts, honey and dried fruits, with the delicate sweet aromas of orange and rose. Cardamom flavoured Arabic coffee, in an ornate tall coffee pot, was masterfully poured for her in a traditional gold decorated glass cup, filling the air, and her heart, with a flavour of an Arabic bygone era. Dubai the lavish avant-garde city, retaining its culinary traditions of years gone by.