TBK EATS 1- Al Ulstad, XVA and Sherlock Holmes

Welcome to a brand new multi social media series from The British Kabayan, currently in Dubai , called TBK EATS. The TBK brand was built on the 5 pillars of my life post retirement- covering the 5 things I like to do most:

1. TBK Travels- 20 countries so far and counting

2. TBK Cooks- Over 12 different cuisines so far and counting

3. TBK Gives- from the “anaks” I sponsor to Typhoon relief

4. TBK Tries- overcoming my fears of heights etc.

5. TBK Eats- trying new restaurants around the world

TBK tries- the tallest big wheel in the world, postponed twice so far!

The last two are new for 2022. TBK tries launched with trying Ain Dubai- the tallest big wheel in the world. Now we are launching (or should that be lunching, char) TBK eats by eating our way around some of Dubai’s best restaurants. We stated with Brunch in the Observatory on the 52^nd floor of the Marriott Dubai Harbour Hotel & Suites on Christmas day where I became a member of the famous Harbour Social Club.

However it should be remembered that TBK eats is not just about fine dining- we will take you to some of the best value and interesting places to eat across the middle East like “The Frying Scotsman” in Bahrain and "The Arabian Tearooms" in Al Fahidi in Dubai. ( The Frying Scotsman , Bahrain or The Arabian Tearooms ) . Each year we will give you our list of the best restaurants in each country. It goes without saying that once I finally get to Palawan, I will be sharing with you the best places to eat there as well like Kah Lui (Puerto’s best fish restaurant)

Drew and I have dinner at Kah Lui each time I am in PP

So, we launched the series in Dubai in January when I took MK on a tour of some of my favourite eating places. We planned our route and met, with military precision, at 6 pm at Sharaf DG Metro (formerly Al Fahidi) and walked down to Al Ulstad.

In my research before visiting this place for the first time with Erickson back in July I found several “ You Tube” interviews with the guy that runs the restaurant now( Majeed Ansari) and their website.

Al Ulstad Website

Inside Ustad Special Kabab, Dubai's 'celeb' kebab shop - YouTube

Erickson and I eat at Al Ulstad in 2021

According to Google maps it did not open until 630 pm but when we got there, after MK finished work in Satwa at 5.30 pm and I left Adagio in Al Barsha at 5 pm, it was already open, but not very busy. In response to COV 19 they have reduced the number of seats, put screens between the tables and no longer allow customers to have tea after their meal.

A pre COV 19 photo of the Al Ulstad interior

Two of the three brothers that now run the restaurant were there, one eating and one at the reception desk (Majeed) and we were soon shown to a table, given the laminated card with the various kebab options on and selected a dish for two that offered a variety of Kebabs.

The take away menu with a photo of their father who founded the restaurant in 1978

Within seconds the cutlery, plates, salad and raita arrived and a few minutes later the tray of the best Iranian Kebabs in Dubai with Arabic bread. Everything was hot and delicious, with a variety of flavors.

Our meal for two

One of the great things about Al Ulstad is the décor which includes bank notes from different countries under each glass table top, collections of old mobile phones (including the Nokia 6210 I used to have!) and vide cameras etc. on the walls. There are also hundreds of pictures of people who have eaten there from Celebrities, to the Rules of Dubai and customers from all over the UAE, Saudi, Bahrain, Iran and across the Gulf and beyond.

One of the three brothers that run the restaurant today, Majeed Ansari

The second great thing is the constant presence of the owners, from welcoming returning regulars to guiding first timers through the menu, to taking selfies with customers and directing the staff to clear tables, seat customers, bring drinks and so on. I am convinced that this presence of owners and managers is what differentiates a good restaurant from a poor one. They set an example to their team, they give a personal welcome to the guests and make them feel important, they check the quality of their product and can maximize revenues, encourage people to return and get feedback from the customers.

LINK TO CHAI KARAK

Watching the excellent customer service in Al Ulstad reminded me of a book written by a friend in Bahrain, Muhammed Isa called Chai Karak. He sets out the key principles of good customer service and came to Bapco to present a signed copy to the Learning resource centre at the Oil & Gas Academy.

When we left, we watched them grilling the kebabs over charcoal in the window of the kitchen (and on the you tube video above you can see how they marinade them and how they recommend different flavors for different nationalities).

As we walked to XVA we passed the Al Ulstad family room a few doors down the road which by then was getting full as was the location we were eating in. People in the Middle East do not go out to eat until late (9 pm) and restaurants are open until Midnight or later. (Another reason to go to Al Ulstad, where you can eat from 6pm)

TBK at the Arabian tea house

On the way to XVA we stopped at another of my regular haunts when I stayed in Bur Dubai back in July- the Arabian Tearooms. It was part full and now winter has come they have opened the outside section. They have also expanded with a Tearoom at Expo 2020 where Joshua and I ate a few weeks back and we will cover these restaurants in a future edition of TBK eats

The painting I bought of the house that became XVA

XVA was another great find back in July 2021 and is a short walk from the Arabian tearooms in the narrow alleyways that lead from there to the Creek and the Rulers court. It opened in 2003 and occupies the former home of the Seddiqi family. It is the oldest hotel in Dubai. I had hoped to stay there this time but all the rooms were full as it’s a great base for a walking holiday around the Creek and the nearby Al Fahidi historical district. I took Thang and Erickson and others for meals there in July and then early in January returned and bought a painting from the shop for my new home in Palawan ( see above) . The Manager was off duty last time I visited but the Pinay in the shop had passed on my best wishes and he gave MK and I a very warm welcome even though we only dropped by to look around. I promise to cove XVA again in a future edition of TBK EATS!

Inside the Hindu Temple in Al Fahidi

Finally we walked down to and along the Creek and then up through the narrow alleyways past the Hindu Temple and the mosque to the hotel where I stayed for a month in July 2021, The Arabian Courtyard. There are 5 places to eat here and we selected The Sherlock Holmes bar where we were welcomed with free bowls of popcorn! The Nepali barmaid made my favourite Orange juice and seven up ( which she remembered 6 months later- impressive) . The new male waiter gave us the new menus and we selected some Meryenda ( Hot apple pie and ice cream for me and Chocolate cake and Budweiser for MK!). After about an hour at The Sherlock Holmes bar we headed back to Sharaf DG and for our ride home. This time MK guided me at BurJaman where the red and green lines of the metro converge and I have to change from one line to the other.

The Sherlock Holmes Bar which will feature in another edition of TBK Eats

Well, that’s all for now, I hope you have enjoyed the first in our new series and would appreciate your feedback. Please don’t forget to watch the vlog that goes with this blog which you can access here: