It’s not often that I write about a sweets shop but this one has a makeshift café and sampling area which serves something so yummy I thought I would. Al Baba is a family run Lebanese sweets franchise dating back to 1950. Originally from Sidon, they specialise in Arabic sweets. There are now three branches in Dubai including this spotlessly clean, elegantly designed boutique opposite Deira City Center P3 and the City Avenue Building. I’m a sucker for their delicious, bite-sized Mini Dates Ma’amoul, of which I have found I can consume frightfully copious amounts of; yes, they’re that good. Lovely, a young Filipina girl who works there, makes a really good Turkish coffee (no sugar) which I find is the perfect complement to this traditional dessert. Incidentally, Ma’amoul is an ancient Arab stuffed-pastry or cookie made with dates, nuts such as pistachios or walnuts and occasionally almonds, or figs. In addition to the Ma’amoul, Al Baba has an amazing array of freshly made Arabic sweets easily rivalling Al Hallab. It’s worth a visit for a quick slurp and nibble or to pick up some mouth-watering sweets. I did both.
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Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue.
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