Darya

Modern Persian food in Deira Discuss this article

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2009

Darya looks like a hastily converted conference room. Between the functional wooden tables and the sparse surroundings, it is not overburdened with atmosphere. The menu, puzzlingly, lists the ingredients of each dish rather than what they will be turned into. If you strike lucky, the kashk e badenjan is a sweet, flavoursome aubergine drizzled with a garlic, onion and olive oil sauce.

If unlucky, you can end up with the esfenaj nargesi, which sounds like an anagram and tastes like spinach. The main courses are more impressive, thankfully: sweet, buttery, gently spiced chicken that melts in the mouth. But it is back to blandness for the desserts. Neither the sorbet with grated rice topping or bowl of soft ice cream are particularly remarkable.

While it remains acceptable for those staying at the adjoining hotel, there is precious little at Darya to encourage outsiders.

• Previous reviews
  • 21 April,2008- reviewed by Time Out Duba staff

Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.