Ramadan treats: braised beef short ribs

The iftar is touted as the "perfect alternative to the traditional iftar buffet", as the Argentine steakhouse Gaucho Dubai serves up some of its internationally renowned signature dishes for Ramadan this year. So while dates are offered at the start of the meal, they are accompanied by the soft, cheesy pan de bono bun - Latin American bread, best had with the parsley-garlic-olive oil-infused chimmichurri sauce dip.
Likewise, traditional varieties of teas and coffees are served at the end of the meal alongside a South American alfajor - a cookie sandwich with sweet fillings served with the toffee-like dulcet de leche, literally caramelised "candy of milk".
Competitively priced at Dh295 for the dates, breads, soup of the day (we had a sweet tomato, onion and black pepper broth), one starter and main course from a set menu, a dessert sampler (the hazelnut cheesecake was only slightly better than the apple cinnamon doughnut, and both were better than any I've tasted) and teas, coffees and alfajores.
But back to the braised beef short ribs: these came from one of Gaucho's carefully selected ranches on the South American Pampas, known for their grass-fed, zero-hormone beef. The ribs, which were served with a tangy chicharron sauce and pickled jalapeño, dissolved with one touch of the knife.
These beef ribs are braised for four hours in a blend of smoked paprika, coriander seed, chilli flakes, dry oregano, salt and pepper. Once removed from the oven, the meat is removed from the bones, dusted in seasoned flour and flash-fried at a very high temperature, rendering it sufficiently crispy on the outside and scrumptiously soft within.
Although we had a little bit of everything - chilli calamari with mango vinaigrette, various empanadas, shrimp chicharron, truffle risotto, grilled monkfish and even the famed Gaucho burger - the succulent chops of meat, part of the starter's list, made it an iftar to remember.
. Gaucho Dubai is at Gate Village 05 at Dubai International Financial Centre. Iftar is from 7pm to 11.30pm and costs Dh295 per person, not including taxes. Call 04 422 7898 to make a reservation
pmunyal@thenational.ae