• Home
• /
• In The City
• /
• Entertainment

Let's go to the Beach Canteen

Tell us one thing about Dubai that's more exciting than the great weather at this time of the year? Don't know! Take a walk down the beach behind Sunset Mall on Jumeirah Road, you'll know what we're talking about. There's a massive food and fun fiesta going on.
The Etisalat Canteen, part of the Dubai Food Festival 2017, warrants a visit and  it's running until March 11 . What enticed us to the place was the whiff of street food wafting in the air along the beach drive.
Once we walked to the venue, we discovered rows of food kiosks and trucks whipping up delicacies while music and entertaining acts were happening all around. It was a carnival-like atmosphere. Why go to Rio then?
With more than 25 food and drink stalls to choose from you won't go back home hungry for sure. One of the acts that caught our eye was the freestyle juggling circus, courtesy Dubai-based Colombian duo, Joan Nicolas and Javier Rendon. These guys really know how to liven up the proceedings.
Moving on, there are some interesting artwork placed all around the Canteen area. One of theart pieces even offers a photo op. It's next to the kids play area. The piece  has a set of wings painted on a large canvas. All you have to do is place yourself in between the wings and you'd pass off for a birdman.
The other must-indulge in attraction is the al fresco cinema. The place is littered with bean bags for you to stretch out on the sand. Simply lie back and enjoy movies on a giant screen while nibbling through eats. We were told the menu changes with the movie theme. An amusing  concept, we would surely skip dinner when  Jurassic Park screens. The place also has stadium-like seating.
Talking about the food, the Canteen offers innovative fare like the concept Mexican nachos (served in a Nachos pack); meat balls with sauces, potatoes cooked to your choice. Then there's Khaleeji food (Emirati cuisine) - didn't know local short eats taste so good!
The Dubai Food Festival,  however, is not all about eating. There's something here for kids too. The Al Islami Kids Club at Etisalat Canteen offers our young and budding chefs a first-hand culinary experience. On the itinerary for them is cookery demonstrations, cooking classes, food safety and talks on nutrition are all aimed at educating youngsters about healthy eating. Whether you want to get dirty your hands or simply learn to whip up new delicacies, a number of celeb chefs will at hand demonstrating and sharing tips on how to make your kitchen time fun and easy.
Chefs like Francisco Araya, Roya Tarzaban and Chef Kirti Bhoutika will make an appearance at the Al Islami Kitchen Demo Stage from time to time to demonstrate special culinary dishes. This year the focus is on the best of Middle Eastern cuisine.
Here's the list of kiosks at Etisalat Beach Canteen: MOYLOS Burgers
Yamantoe Atelier (confectionary), Mia Strada (pastas), The Stuffed Burger Co.,Moshi Sushi (Japanese), Seven Sands (contemporary Emirati), Wilds & the Moon (health food), Pitfire (pizza), Frings (chicken wings & fries), Wofl (savoury  and sweet waffles), Logma (contemporary Emirati cuisine), Chez Sushi, Kris Kros (culinary favourites with a modern touch), Tresind (molecular gastronomy Indian), Saladicious (homemade saldas & soups), Ka'aK Al Manara (Lebanese) and Hecho En Dubai (Mexican).
For video visit: http://bit.ly/2mVxOz9
michael@khaleejtimes.com