With Dubai's sprawling selection of culinary destinations, it's really hard to pinpoint which is the best. Some claim that they are, while some say otherwise.

When I got an invitation to try this place out, its catchy name made me immediately say yes and I had been wanting to capture a "The Hungry Coach at The Hungry Monkey" photo since then. Hahaha!

Mark and I are seafood lovers! I'm a sucker for shrimps and crabs while Mark loves mostly fish (he loves shrimps and crabs too but he's just too lazy have them shelled). I remember how we would always be on a seafood feast every weekend when I was still back home. Since I moved in to Dubai, my dad's crab and prawn specialty were just some of the foods that I missed. Mark, on the other hand, has been craving for seafood for the longest time now. A seafood feast is what usually welcomes him home but he hasn't come home to the Philippines for almost 3 years now.

So imagine my delight when I got an invite via email from Mr. Crab! We actually just had some seafood fix the night before, but we didn't mind having another much needed seafood feast at Mr. Crab.

Seafood overload!!!

Ramadan is about to end in a little over a week from now. What seemed to have started just a couple of days ago is actually more than halfway through. While I do not observe fasting and abstinence, I make sure to embrace the Ramadan season by joining Iftar invitations. Apart from the feeling of togetherness during Iftar feasts, with generosity being a basic tenet of the month of Ramadan, I enjoy it even more if it's an Iftar for a cause.

The holy month of Ramadan is the fourth of the ‘five pillars’ of Islam. Ramadan is marked by a fast, which lasts for the ninth month of the lunar year. The true spirit of Ramadan is not only to fast physically but also to practice faith in righteous manner.

While generosity is considered to be a basic tenet of the month of Ramadan, Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha shares its abundance and blessings with needy each year through its CSR initiative: Break your fast with us and help to feed the needy.

Ms. Roxana Jaffer, CEO of Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha, has pledged that every Iftar meal at The Gem Garden restaurant enables funds to feed FOUR needy persons. Diners of Iftar at The Gem Garden this Ramadan will have the satisfaction of knowing that they have generated a donation to support needy people around the world.

Holiday Inn Dubai - Al Barsha being the member of United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) practices 12 of their 17 sustainability goals in helping to transform the world. Below are the list of UNGC goals practiced by HIAB:

   •   No poverty
   •   Zero hunger
   •   Good health & well-being
   •   Quality education
   •   Gender equality
   •   Clean water and sanitation
   •   Affordable and clean energy
   •   Decent work and economic growth
   •   Reduced inequalities
   •   Sustainable cities and communities
   •   Responsible consumption and production
   •   Partnerships for the goals

This initiative is part of our endeavor to make the world a better place for everyone.

With our strong desire to feed the hungry and play a humble role in eradicating poverty, please join our hands at The Gem Garden, this Ramadan to share from our abundance and blessings.

Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha launched the “Loves You Campaign” in 2007 as part of the hotel’s endeavor to go beyond the bottom-line to demonstrate Corporate Social Responsibility. The backdrop of the campaign “Life isn’t worth living unless its lived for someone else” has allowed the hotel to inculcate within the staff members an ethos of giving and making a difference in the lives of others who they can see are less fortunate than themselves.

‘Loves U Campaign” is unique in its appeal that all members of the staff, regardless of rank, color or creed, come together to achieve its objectives. The backdrop being Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) words ‘Life is only worth living if lived for someone else’ helps to inculcate an ethos of giving of themselves, of putting another person’s needs before oneself, that in turn reflects into service accorded to the guest that in turn helps to deliver the business objectives.

In the eight year’s since its initiation, the hotel staff have triumphantly held numerous awareness and fund-raising drives under this remarkable campaign thus providing, in their own small way, to building civil society in the UAE whilst aiding the needy.

“With your help, we have been able to feed 250, 000 children through the World Food Progamme. Our goal for 2016 is to support emergency food assistance in most needed countries. In –house guests can help us to feed starving children around the world by making a voluntary donation of AED5 upon check-out to feed 5 hungry children. In 2014 we had emergency food assistance delivered to 16, 500 people affected by the conflict in Syria. In 2013 we provided 115, 000 packs of high energy biscuits to the victims of typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. In 2012 we donated 74, 165 school meals around the world. This year, 2016 up to Ramadan, we have managed to sustain over 50,000 people who suffered in the Nepal earthquake. Our work continues ....”

Diners can experience the true spirit of Ramadan while enjoying a sumptuous Iftar buffet at The Gem Garden for only AED 109 per person with special rates for bookings of 10 persons and above.

The Gem Garden at Holiday Inn Dubai - Al Barsha will be offering a traditional Iftar Buffet featuring a lavish selection of Arabic and international dishes. Guests will enjoy, amongst other culinary delights, a wide array of salads, soups, main courses including grilled items. Making it extra special are refreshing Ramadan juices and a delectable variety of desserts.

The authentic Middle Eastern ambience, beautiful setting and traditional music will further complement the experience of diners at the restaurant.

HOLIDAY INN DUBAI - AL BARSHA
Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha 1
PO Box 115443, Dubai
United Arab Emirates

While Filipino restaurants are gradually being known in the Dubai food scene, gastro-pubs and bars that are Filipino-themed come not very far behind. Tucked in The Q Underground in Holiday Inn, Al Barsha, which just recently opened its doors to the public, Bodega Garage promises to take you to Manila with their entertainment, food, and drinks.