Glimpses of Pam: Ushering in Nowruz at Shayan Restaurant

Living in a place like Dubai, you cannot miss the different celebrations that are observed by the various nationalities here. One of them is Nowruz, the Persian New Year which falls on the first day of spring. In preparation of this, Al Ghurair Rayhaan invited press and bloggers to celebrate at their specialty restaurant Shayan, an event that was just too good to pass up.

Upon approaching the restaurant that evening, we noticed a table that had all sorts of items ranging from a Qur’an, decorated eggs, apples, a mirror, candles, and the one that surprised me the most, goldfish!

Later, it was explained to us that this table was called the Haft Sin, which is a traditional table setting of various symbolic items for luck and good days ahead. Pretty cool, I must say.

Whatever the number of people you are in your group, and whether you would like to sit in the common area or prefer a more private place, Shayan has tables and areas that can accommodate. I especially liked this cozy booth fit for 4

That evening, we were served a variety of traditional Persian dishes.

Persian Bread

Mast O Khiyar and Panir-O Sabzi Khordan
(Yoghurt & cucumber dip and Iranian crudites platter)

Dolme Barg E Mo
(Grapes leaves stuffed with fresh herbs, rice and lentil)

Sabzi Polow ba Mahi
(Baghali rice & fresh herbs accompanying marinated fried hammour fish fillet)

Reshteh Polo
(Persian aromatic rice & noodle layered with lamb)

Golabi Zaferani ba Bastani
(Poached saffron pear served with ice cream)

All of this we savoured while a musician played the santoor in the background.

It wasn't only the delicious food, pleasant ambiance, and soothing music we enjoyed that night; the event gave us the opportunity to catch up with our online friends and meet other bloggers as well.