Posted by Kanga.
We were checking out another discount store when I discovered these gems.
How could I not buy such an appetizing item. I had to see just what these candy teeth were. At 10 AED ($2.70 USD) it seemed like a cheap enough experiment.
Inside the box were 24 individual bags of 9 or 10 pieces. They are gummy gums (sorry, I couldn’t resist). They are softer than gummy bears and actually quite tasty. I rather like them. Also, notice that they are halal.
Posted by Kanga.
Dear Waitstaff,
Please never utter the word “momsir.” It is two words, ma’am and sir. Also, please use sparingly, not before and after every sentence.
If a plate is completely emptied of food, you do not need to ask if you can remove it from the table. We don’t want to have to give permission for the removal of each and every dish.
If the customer asks for something special, like real lemon or more syrup, you don’t have to overcompensate by bringing more than they could possibly use.
If there is still liquid in a glass, do not remove it, especially if it is an expensive drink. We’d like to finish it, thank you.
If your customer is paying by card, do not hover while they are signing the transaction slip. It will decrease your tip every time.
Please do not have loud conversations with other staff or customers. Especially if you are discussing your private life not so privately.
And, most importantly, do not sing along with the “mood music.” You are not on [insert country here] Has Talent.
We understand that your job is difficult with long hours and small pay. If our stay in your establishment is pleasant, we will try to return the favor.
Posted by Kanga.
It is almost Ramadan and time to stock up on the traditional drink, Tang, in family size.
I’m fairly certain that Disney is not aware that Americana is using Mickey to sell pastries.
Canned cheese (a long term tradition according to this shot from the Dubai Museum.)
Only in an OPEC country would you need to make this distinction. And, if you’ve never heard of ghee, it is a solid oil product, either animal or vegetable based, like shortening. Ghee is used in Indian foods.
Posted by Kanga.
It’s time for an update on our exploration of Fujairah restaurants. Here are the latest fields of inquiry.
Two buildings away, within walking distance, is the Shahrzad Palace Restaurant. Judging from the full parking lot, it appears to be the place to go. Iranian food, beautiful interior and atmosphere, quiet, reasonably priced – great place for special occasion dining. Pictured below is the chicken & corn soup. I also had the cholo kabab barg. The entrée I judge Iranian restaurants by. (My favorite at Special Ostadi. It was as good as Special Ostadi, although twice the price and completely different atmosphere and service.)
Next, is the Ace’s Bar at the Tennis & Country Club where I had the “All American Burger.”
The salad was quite nice and healthy. The fries were crisp (and unhealthy). The burger was passable, but could never hold a candle to the Carolina Alehouse burger.
The bun was giant, but the patty was not huge enough to fill it.
All in all, the food is tasty and reasonably priced. The beers are the lowest price we have found, yet, at 20AED (approx. $5.50)
Last, but not least, is Al Asmak restaurant at the Al Diar Siji Hotel. I was intrigued by the menu description of the Chop Chop Salad, pictured below.
This did not disappoint. It is lettuce, cucumber, mushrooms, cooked carrot, and mango. The menu mentioned pear also, but there was no pear in my salad. Really yummy. I like the contrast of veggies and fruit.
The restaurant was pleasant. The food and service was good. Fresh juices were twice the price they should be. Watch out for the tax and service charges, though. Also, don’t bother with an after dinner cup of coffee. It was not brewed, just reconstituted instant coffee. Not worth the price.
Posted by Kanga.
I have now had the beef stroganoff at one of our favorite restaurants three times. Each time it has been different. It is now something that I must order until the recipe repeats.
First of all, the menu lists it as “ground beef stroganoff,” but it has yet to be made of ground beef. It is always beef chunks. The first incarnation was very like beef stroganoff is supposed to be except that it was heavy on the black pepper, so it had a bit of a zing. This is what I expected the second time I ordered it, but that order turned out to be beef stroganoff without the abundance of pepper. The third version is pictured below and was tomato based instead of cream.
Each one has been tasty. I can’t wait to see what number four will be.
Posted by Kanga.
As I mentioned in my last post, another expat remarked about Fujairah having only one supermarket (in the western definition of supermarket). We beg to differ. So, here are some highlights from one of our favorite stores.
This is the pasta aisle where I found shapes of pasta I’d never seen before. They have all the bases covered.
It appears that Foghorn Leghorn is selling chicken stock these days.
This is the spice aisle where you can get lovely bags of various spices.
I’ve never seen such a large pat of butter before. (Five kilograms – That’s eleven pounds!)
Frozen chicken hearts – don’t they look appetizing?
And the true test – Kinder Eggs!
And this is only the grocery section which is one fourth of the store. There’s also a housewares section and a second floor filled with clothes and shoes for the whole family.
Posted by Kanga.
My fine Indian friends, it is time to educate me. Aside from the colors, these appear to be the same thing. So, what is rossogolla, rajbhog, cham cham, rasgulla, and gulab jamun and how do they differ?
Posted by Kanga.
We’ve begun to identify and collect favorite restaurants in Fujairah. Freddy’s Restrobar in the new Fortune Royal Hotel offers good food at a reasonable price, free wifi, and they know to turn on Bollywood movies when we arrive.
Today, we tried out the Thai Express on the corniche, next to McDonald’s and Subway Sandwiches. The dining area is too small to accommodate the customers it draws. Very good food and reasonably priced. There were actually three chicken breasts on my plate. No skimping on the portions.
Thai Express would not be able to handle a tweet-up crowd and not everyone is comfortable at a bar, so we will keep looking for appropriate venues.
Posted by Kanga.
Let’s play a game.
Can you find the Kaka Fruit?
I think, by elimination, I narrowed it down to the persimmons.
(If you don’t see any humor in “kaka fruit,” allow me to explain that “kaka” in some countries is slang for poop.)
Living the Travel Channel 
