A lavish Turkish restaurant located in the newly opened Zabeel Saray hotel, guests will quickly be charmed by Lalezar’s stunning Ottoman interiors and gracious staff. Dubai’s first Anatolian restaurant, Lalezar’s  stellar selection of classical Turkish cuisine with a contemporary twist whisks guests back to the spirit of the Ottoman Empire. The ambiance is enhanced through the restaurant’s exquisite period decor; the cuisine is just as refined as the surroundings.

My meal began with a delicious selection of appetizers including Gavurdagi salatasi, a spiced tomato cucumber and spring onion salad with pomegranate sauce; Zeytinyagli enginar, a tasty marinated artichoke with olive oil and pan glazed fresh scallops and roasted pepper tarator; Cig borek, a warm puffy pastry stuffed with minced meat and served with homemade apple compote and lastlya wonderful selection of Lalezar`in Mezelerinden-elegantly arranged bites of Turkish hot and cold mezzes. What stood out was the freshness of the ingredients and the care in which each appetizer was made; the unique flavorings of Anatolia enlivened the senses of taste and smell.

After such a feast of appetizers my guest and I were stunned at the abundant selection of main dishes each arriving with the same exquisite regality. We were first served Adana kebap, named after the city of Adana, Turkey and featuring a Minced lamb kebab dish with butter stirred white rice, grilled tomato and onions. We were served Adana kebap, a delicate minced lamb kebab served with butter stirred white rice, grilled tomato and onions and named after the city of Adana, Turkey. Kuzu pirzola, a dish of lamb chops with spiced pilaf and eggplant salad with yoghurt was a personal favorite; I’m a great lover of eggplant and found the dish to be a perfect blend of spicy flavoring with a sweet yogurt finishing. For those who prefer fish, Lalezar has a wonderful selection of seasonal seafood. A recommended dish would be the Deniz urunleri  sis, featuring seasonal sea food and fish skewer accompanied by potted spinach and garden lettuce was fresh and delightful.

To round off this abundant array of succulent Turkish dishes was the not-to-be-missed selection of sweets. We opted for AyvaTatlisi, baked quince with green apple sorbet and clotted cream and Karisik Tatli Tabagi, a selection of semolina sponge cake, Sobiyet Baklava, baked quince, and rice pudding. Both my guest and I had second helpings on the green apple sorbet, a lovely way to digest the meal with something smooth and sweet. As we plunged our spoons into the second round of AyvaTatlisi, our waiter informed us that world-renowned former Argentinian football player Maradona was entering the restaurant with Sheikh Hamdan, astonishing news after our thoroughly palatable Anatolian dinner. Treat after treat, Lalezar is an mesmerizing experience definitely worth a return.

Lalezar

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray 04 453 0444

Lunch 12.30pm – 3.00pm ; Dinner 6.00pm – 12.00 midnight; Closed on Tuesday