The Olive Root restaurant in the Al Jabri Building in Al Nahda 1 is an award-winning Rajasthani thali specialist franchise from Delhi where there are no less than nine branches. There are actually two completely segregated parts to this well-decorated eatery, a multi-cuisine section and the thali section which I visited.
I take my thali very seriously and can, hand on heart, confirm that the thali at the Olive Root is easily up there with the best in Dubai; I’m talking Maharaja Bhog, Rasoi Ghar and Rajdhani good.
And like these big boys, Olive Root’s dedicated vegetarian kitchen also changes its menu every day, except for its exceptionally good Dahi Vada and Dal Baati, the latter of which I learnt to mix in a little Churma with to create an incredible sweet and spicy taste.
I was also pleasantly surprised to find that, unlike the mildly sweet Gujarati Khadi, the Rajasthani version is savoury but no less delicious. I don’t think I am alone in anxiously waiting till the end of the meal to be spoilt with a little Khichdi, especially when it’s seasoned with a dribbling of liquefied ghee – OMG! Olive Root’s was superb.
Khamma Ghani, the traditional Rajasthani greeting, is what you are welcomed-in with by the pagri (turban) capped Rajasthani staff, one of who even has something of a Rajasthani moustache going for himself. Hospitality comes naturally to these boys, who are all from the same village. Together they will coax and pamper you beyond imagination. It really is an experience. In fact, I have been so impressed with everything at the Olive Root, from ambience and décor to the fantastic food and excellent service, that I haven’t stopped raving about it. Oh, did I mentioned that they drop their already reasonable AED30 price to AED19 three times a week. Worth a detour.
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Xerxes physically visits (and dines at) each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat and drink. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews. What you have read was not influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on: xerxes@dellara.com