Mays El-Reem re-opens in Dubai

Fri, 5th Mar 2010

Lebanese Restaurant at JW Marriott Opens 

Mays El-Reem, the Lebanese restaurant at the JW Marriott Dubai has been fully restored and is now open for business.

Located on the ‘R’ (Restaurant) level, opposite the Town Square, Mays El-Reem opens for dinner 6 days a week from Sunday to Friday from 7.00pm to 2.00am. It also hosts the Friday Brunch from 1.00pm to 5.00pm. This authentic Lebanese restaurant serves home cooked dishes, grilled meat, saj and mezzeh. Diners will experience a true Lebanese ambience with Oud musicians, Dabkkah performance and Argileh (flavoured tobacco).

According to the hotel’s General Manager Wael Soueid, “Mays El-Reem is an ideal restaurant for families, friends and business meetings. The restaurant is designed of marble and stone floors, stone walls, tented ceiling and oriental chandeliers. It simplifies a rustic Lebanese atmosphere with running water at the entrance. The aroma and the view of making freshly baked bread and the action of the Lebanese chefs in the open kitchen is what makes Mays El-Reem unique. The interior is decorated of huge ceramic pots, rich oriental curtains, portraits on the walls and colourful glass display to give it a cosy atmosphere. The dining area is complemented with a wooden floor for live entertainment. Another section of the restaurant is the Dewan where diners will have the pleasure for a more relaxing environment with comfortable sofas. The wooden tables are in dark oak colour with rich oriental design cushion and the sofas at the Dewan are covered in red velvet cloth with throw pillows for additional comfort.”

“The service is upscale yet casual. The wooden tables, colourful show plate, Arabic lamp add style to the décor. Table switch for the dessert course and special pots for tea service creates a memorable service experience. The uniform designs are traditionally Lebanese with art embroidery on them”, added Wael

Mays El-Reem is named after a small village in Lebanon surrounded by mountains and beautiful greenery. Here the village folks lead a simple but culturally rich life, practising old customs, traditions and authentic homemade cooking. A play was created about Mays El Reem. It tells the story of a young couple deeply in love, but caught between their feuding families - a tale made popular by the famous Fayrouz, a Lebanese singer and performer of high repute who plays the role of Zeyoun.

The story goes like this…one day, a young lady Zeyoun was driving to her village, carrying a wedding dress for her cousin who was getting married. On the way, her car broke down on an estate in the village of Mays El Reem. She was directed to Naaman, the only mechanic in the area, but Naaman had closed his shop after a dispute with his fiancée and her family - both families were against the match. On hearing Naaman’s tale of woe, Zeyoun made it her mission to reconcile both the families while also hoping to get her car fixed. She finally succeeded and both the families agreed to the marriage. Unfortunately, Naaman was then so engrossed in preparing for his wedding that he had no time to fix Zeyoun’s car, and so she stayed on in Mays El Reem.

The play ends with the villagers reminiscing about Zeyoun, her car and her successful uniting of the two lovers.

The menu in Mays El-Reem is varied. From a la carte to set menus including the signature dishes from Mays El Reem. The Beirut Set Menu is AED 250 per person consisting of Cold Mezzeh like Lamb Tongue; Makdous; Basterma, Garlic Labneh, Muhammara and Shanklish Cheese. Raw meat consists of Kebbeh and Frakeh. The Hot Mezzeh are absolutely delicious – Awarma Meat with Egg; Falafel; Soujuk Sausage; Sauteed Meat Cubes; Thick Potato Fries; Grilled Halloumi Cheese and Cheese Rolls. If you think this is enough, think further, as there is plenty more dishes to come. The Mixed Grills is the best part of the meal – Lamb Skewers; Kofta Kebab; Shish Taouk and Arayes Meat. The desserts are to die for. The Halawa Pistachio has a beautiful fragrance with a milky taste. The Fresh Heavy Milk with Honey is popular with the Lebanese. The sticky Figs stuffed with Nuts is a must try and round up the meal with fresh fruits.

For a more elaborate feast, we suggest the Mays El-Reem Signature Set Menu at AED 350 per person. Jumbo prawns, Omani Lobster are included in the mixed grill. For the cold Mezzeh, Batrakh, Goat Labneh, Artichoke are among the dishes served. Chicken Liver, Hoummus with Meat and Makanek Sausage are some of the selections served for the Hot Mezzeh.

This Lebanese restaurant also caters for those who love seafood. The deep-fried Lebanese Sultan Ibrahim fish served with tahina sauce and the Grilled Tiger Prawns are the signature seafood dishes. If you are opting for chicken instead of lamb from the a la carte menu, the Shish Taouk is very succulent as it is Chicken breast on a skewer marinated with fresh herbs, lemon juice and served with garlic sauce. For the hot mezzehs from the a la carte menu the Sauteed fig birds with pomegranate sauce and the Chicken liver in garlic sauce is tantalizing and mouth-watering.

There are a good number of choices for vegetarians from soups, hot and cold appetizers to freshly baked bread.

For non-food diners there is an AED 150 charge for one Argileh with a soft or hot drink.

The restaurant has interesting fruity flavours of Argileh – Strawberry, Apple, Mint, Rose, Grape and Double Apple. Special Lebanese beverages go well with the food.

Mays El-Reem will also hosts the Friday Brunch from 1.00pm to 5.00pm.

For more information on Mays El-Reem and to make a restaurant reservation, call 971 (4) 607977/7009/7588 or log on to www.marriottdiningatjw.ae

  

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