Treat yourself: Have a cheat day with these 9 sweet treats in the UAE

Saeed Saeed / The National

Photo by Ann Marie McQueen

Photo by Aarti Jhurani

Photo by Jessica Hill

Photo by Ann Marie McQueen

Courtesy of Mikado Cafe

Saeed Saeed / The National

Courtesy Fortnum & Mason Dubai

You’re exercising, eating right and keeping up with all your other new year’s resolutions, whatever they may be. But life is nothing without a nice treat here or there, right? And we all get cheat days. So here are nine fun ways, some healthy, some not so much, to do it right.

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Banana ice cream, Wanna Banana

Of course I was sceptical of an ice cream made entirely of frozen bananas. Yet when I tried a big premium blend scoop of Wanna Banana – "the any hour snack" – from the Dubai company's booth at Meet d3 earlier this month, I was sold. It was particularly tasty mixed with some peanut butter and topped with chocolate sauce. Dh22 to 25, depending on the type of scoop, plus Dh3 for toppings that include blueberries, pomegranate seeds or a shot of coffee. Chocolate and date syrup are free. In addition to their roving kiosk, there are locations at Kite Beach and Sports City (Canal Residences). And we can only hope very soon one to follow in Abu Dhabi. Follow them on Instagram @wannabananasnack

* Ann Marie McQueen

Sahlab at Cafe Blanc

Described as the “hot chocolate of the Middle East”, sahlab is the perfect cup of yumminess to keep you warm during the winter. Said to be introduced to the region by the Ottomans, sahlab takes its Arabic name from the powder that comes from the grounded roots of orchids. When stirred with hot milk, it becomes deliciously thick so that it can either be consumed using a spoon or in long and slow sips. Now most people will tell you their own favourite spot to have sahlab, a lot of times that decision is made by the “extras” the venue chooses to add such as coconut shavings, raisons or nuts. I like to keep my sahlab minimal with only a sprinkling of cinnamon. For that I go to Cafe Blanc at Eastern Mangroves. Served with minimum fuss and maximum taste (for Dh25), it’s my go-to liquid to sit back and unwind – the serene view of the mangroves doesn’t hurt either.

* Saeed Saeed

Nutella espresso cone, Steroid Cafe

I've been spotting this confection all over Instagram and recently dropped by the out-of-the-way Al Maqtaa area cafe (beside MProve Fitness) in Abu Dhabi to try it for myself. It is just what it says it is: a hard ice-cream cone, dipped in Nutella, filled with espresso or caffe latte, for Dh24. It's delicious and fun, and precarious – with the hot beverage inside you can't really set it down until you are done – and probably shouldn't nurse it. Follow them on Instagram @steroidcafe

* Ann Marie McQueen

Rose Falooda, Haji Ali Juice Centre

Tucked away in a corner of Najda, Haji Ali Juice Centre (yes, the one from Mumbai) serves up some of the most-delicious fruity desserts. Their faloodas are their most popular, and while there are multiple flavours available, I prefer the decadent Rose Falooda. Served in a glass, it contains strawberry ice cream, vermicelli, basil seeds, milk, rose syrup, jelly, cashews and raisins, and costs only Dh17. It is just as sweet as it sounds and is absolutely delicious, and the experience is heightened due to all the textures mingling in your mouth – the soothing rose milk with the chewy vermicelli and basil seeds, coupled with crunchy cashew nuts. Big enough to constitute a meal in itself, this decadent dessert calls for a nap after. Haji Ali Juice Centre is located near the Adnoc petrol station in Najda, Abu Dhabi.

* Aarti Jhurani

Banoffee pretzel milkshake, Giraffe Restaurant

The concept of a milkshake with popcorn and pretzels floating in it sounds like the sort of drink my children would create if I were to let them loose in my kitchen. However, this odd combination seems to work. The Dh33 shake, which also contains banana, vanilla ice cream and butterscotch sauce, has a taste more reminiscent of “salted caramel” than banoffee, perhaps because of the salt from the added savoury snacks. Just fish out those floaters before they get too soggy, and try not to make too much mess while you are at it. Giraffe is at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi and at Dubai International Airport.

* Jessica Hill

Red Velvet (rosa) latte, Il Caffe Di Roma

I was told this latte had actual red velvet cake mix in it, but when I asked, it turned out it’s actually red velvet powder. Also called a “rosa”, this coffee is Dh22 for a medium – very red, very sweet, quite delicious and a big hit with Emiratis. This is not a wake-me-up coffee, though. It’s another lotsa-calories-splurge, time-for-a-nap treat.

* Ann Marie McQueen

Matcha Roll Cake at Mikado Cafe, Abu Dhabi

The Matcha Roll Cake (Dh40) is so pretty and entrancing to look at that minutes would sail by in reverie before you pick up the fork. Once you do, it is an adventure – visually and for your taste buds. The cake’s spongy texture makes it look more like a mini pillow than a dessert. Its green exterior, made from matcha powder (a finely grounded and processed green tea) and creamy filling, is perfectly balanced and fortunately not sickly sweet. It’s the kind of dessert you take when you want to give yourself a pat on the back, or to impress someone with your eclectic palette.

* Saeed Saeed

Chia Seed Pudding, Fifth Street Cafe

Treating yourself with sweets is not only an emotional thing, it can also be a physical sensation. This is why I always keep going back to the Chia Seed Pudding (Dh35) at Fifth Street Cafe at The Marriott Courtyard, Abu Dhabi World Trade Center. It’s all about the texture with this dish. The chia seeds, served with a healthy dose of yogurt and honey, feel bubbly and deliciously slippery on the tongue. Topped with crunchy granola, banana, strawberry and blueberry, the whole affair is fresh and zesty. It's a great way to start the day.

* Saeed Saeed

Afternoon tea sundae, Fortnum & Mason, Dubai

In keeping with the tea trend, Fortnum & Mason introduces this exceptional twist on the Knickerbocker Glory. The sundae is drizzled with tea syrup, layered with cucumber ribbons and cucumber and mint sorbet, followed by strawberry ice cream studded with bits of Fortnum’s scones, slices of fresh strawberries and a sprinkle of popping candy, followed by rose ripple ice cream and Italian meringue that has been blowtorch-glazed. The Dh130 creation is topped by half-a-rose eclair and half-a-scone, topped with jam and clotted cream.

* Ann Marie McQueen