Biryani For Berbuka

before i start, it’s biryani, or briyani?

whatever it is, we had that spice-rich fragrant rice for berbuka today. since yesterday we berbuka with italian food, today we decided to go local. for that, we headed on to ‘ma’cik biryani’ at the curve, for pakistani biryani with a baba-nyonya twist!

it’s situated on the first floor of the western courtyard, the curve, right opposite bubba gump shrimp. we went as early as 2.30pm to reserve a table, leave a name, and even place orders for berbuka. the curve can be extremely packed during berbuka, especially so on weekends. i think that’s the best we could do to make sure we have a place to eat!

it has a baba-nyonya feel with the classic marble-top wooden table, old doors that are used as wall decor and divider and green plants often seen in a baba-nyonya setting.

today abah and i were joined by my other two sisters syida and syima with her family. it was also syima’s youngest daughter marissa's birthday, so we bought a cake to celebrate after the hefty biryani berbuka meal.

me holding kazim, azi holding kahfi, syima holding birthday baby marissa with khaleef on front. my bro-in-law din, abah and umi

we ordered biryani lamb, and biryani chicken. interesting enough, the dishes were served in these metal pots with wooden handle, and a nice wooden cover complete with wooden ladle. cute.

it’s easy, you see – cook ‘em in these pots, and hey, why not serve the biryani right from this pot, without transferring them into another container?

the presentation was unique, and i enjoy scooping up biryani rice straight from a pot. now how was the taste?

for a restaurant that doesn’t try to be very indian, or very pakistan, they actually serve very delicious biryani. soft beads of basmati rice, cooked in rich spices, along with chicken, lamb, or prawn immersed into the rice while being cooked.

to me, biryani can be a little too spicy – with too much raisins, or nuts, or other thingamajigs. but this biryani was just right for my picky taste! in fact, i was surprise that the nuts in the rice actually improved the taste of the biryani – and i’m one of those people who prefer their biryani kosong without frills!

the biryani is served with a small plate of acar timun which i love. they partner well with the main dish!

abah also ordered sup tulang, tom yam, a plate of vegetable and pai tee.

once the call for maghrib prayers was heard, it was time for berbuka! suma senyap je enjoying the meal!

khaleef bored. khaleef sipped ice-lemon tree, free with every biryani purchased!

man, it was super-tough eating out with all 3 boys khaleef, kahfi and kazim, especially without their bapak (miss you, honey!).

khaleef would make excuses so that he won’t have to eat any spicy rice. kahfi will demonstrate extreme restlessness, until i sang him the dinosaur song from ice age 3. and kazim – kazim just being a baby!

thanks goodness for my sisters keeping them company! thanks azot and syidot!

good food, great company. thanks to my bro-in-law din for this biryani treat! surprise!

it was a great weekend spent well, especially those times when we hang out at each other’s ‘rooms’ just talking and laughing. these are priceless moments, ones i will take back to dubai with a heavy heart.

also, it was like old times, back in the days when mak was still around…

hey, i know another great place to get really delicious biryani. dubai. and that made me think of *him*. sob sob.