Dubai's best Kunafah has been discovered

Sweet, crunchy, flavoursome and aromatic, the Künefe, hands down is pure bliss. And then you get those hints of blueberries. Divine!

Desserts are the make or break course of any meal. And Dubai has finally been served the best Kunafah, yet. Kunafah, an Arabic dessert, is a cheese pastry soaked in sweet sugar-based syrup.
The first time I tried this sweet delicacy was off a shelf at a Carrefour store. It had me gobbling down a few instantly. I still pack a box before I leave for Bombay, because the folks back home love it just as much. It can get quite addictive, but too many and you might feel ill (like most things overdone). 

At Big Chefs Studio, located at Box Park in Al Safa, Dubai, they do it a little differently. Firstly they call it Künefe, highlighting the café's Turkish roots. The baked kadaif (thin noodles) is stuffed with a glorious fresh blueberry compote and mozzarella cheese, and served with a light ice cream.
Sweet, crunchy, flavoursome and aromatic, the Künefe, hands down is pure bliss. And then you get those hints of blueberries. Divine!
If it weren't for the all the deliciousness dished out before dessert, I could've gone through at least a couple more plates of Kunafah.
As you get comfortable in the café + brasserie you will notice a very warm feel to it. With a pop of coloured furniture blended with wooden accents, the lighting inside will amaze you. Hundreds of tiny lamps hang from the rustic ceiling.and if you look at them long enough they begin to look like stars.
A wall converted into a book shelf is a great addition to keep customers engaged. I couldn't connect to the WiFi, and I was OK with that (what a surprise!). What caught my eye was the simplicity in design.
The choice of music was a little bossa nova, a little slow reggae beats mashed up with popular tracks from artists like Eminem and Sting. If I find the music, I will share it right here. So, come back in a few days.

Now let's go to the start, the appetizers. First I indulged in a blushing raspberry mojito and a platter of tapas - of mini kebbes, vine leaves rolls with minced meat, samosas, meatball yakitori, fried goat cheese, BBQ chicken skewer, fried beef sausage with fi lo pastry, served with yogurt-mint dip and salsa sauce.
The platter had a very distinct taste, and would take a little getting used to.
Flavours first. Always.
Of the other items off the menu, I thoroughly enjoyed the Fried Goat Cheese Salad (served in a bowl of mixed greens, orange wedges, cucumber, raspberries, walnut, raspberry vinaigrette). I didn't tire of eating it.

Another dish that stood out was the ever-flavourful Yogurt Kebab. It was a bowl of beef sautéed in light spices, buttered fl atbread, eggplant purée, and yogurt, and dressed with a tomato sauce. "The dish doesn't look appetizing," agreed Head Chef Abhijeet Patil, but you have to reach the core to get all the flavours. I would suggest you toss it up right before you eat it.
For the health-conscious there are fresh salads and grills that pair with vitamin boosting beverages like Strawberry Surprise or Pineapple Sunshine.
It also caters to children with a dedicated kids menu featuring main courses like junior schnitzel and mini burgers, desserts like junior banana split (below) and milkshakes such as Banana Kong and Berry Monkey.

The menu is vast and I have only tried the Arabic-Turkish variety yet. Big Chefs Studio bakes about 15 types of breads, so I will need at least a few more visits to try them all.
Verdict: You can taste the freshness
Must try: Künefe
Cost: Dh200
kymberlee@khaleejtimes.com

• Food and Dining