^^ I think we have moved away from the food topic a little bit so let's bring it back.

A question about the products sold in the American type fast food places: The ingredients, where are they procured from? Is it Halal? If the ingredients are flown in, I can easily see why the prices are exorbitant by Bangladeshi standards.

they are halal and locally produced.

its an irony how tides change these arabs who were the poorest a century ago today are among the richest in the world yet their perception hasnt changed

if i werent a muslim i'd never associate with any sort of arabs.

I don't see why you'd have to associate with any just because of your religion?

I go out of my way to avoid them strictly because of their mentality! My attitude does not stem from the fact how Bangladeshis are treated in their countries, rather owing to my observance of them when I was in college. They were from all over middle east Egypt, Iraq, Israel (Palestine), Jordon, Saudi Arabia, yet as far as behavior, personality and mentality are concerned they were pretty much the same. Mind you, they were all very nice to me and would always make me attend their mindless parties all the time, because they would copy all my calculus and physics homework. That didn't bother me much. It's just their attitude in life ... all I can say is they were a bunch of low life!

I have yet another experience with a UAE native. When my sister used to live in Abu Dhabi, she sent us some stuff through a colleague of my brother-in-law's since the gentleman was going to be in Detroit for some conference. When I met him to pick up the package, he asked me whether I'd be willing to show him around town. I agreed and pick him up one evening, took him to a fancy place for dinner, then drove around to show some key spots/places. Later, he asks me to take him to some clubs, dance clubs in particular. So, I took him to one, but he wasn't satisfied so I took him to few more. He still wasn't satisfied and I was clueless so I decided to call it a night. Then he comes out and asks me to take him to some strip clubs. I tried to take him to one, unfortunately they wouldn't let him in because they'd couldn't decipher his all Arabic id. Now that the cat was out of the bag, he asks me to take him to some of the red light districts around town! To that I played dumb and told him I haven't the foggiest idea where they are. The man was thoroughly disappointed. All this from a middle aged man, in the engineering profession, who had three wives and seven children!

I don't see why you'd have to associate with any just because of your religion?

I go out of my way to avoid them strictly because of their mentality! My attitude does not stem from the fact how Bangladeshis are treated in their countries, rather owing to my observance of them when I was in college. They were from all over middle east Egypt, Iraq, Israel (Palestine), Jordon, Saudi Arabia, yet as far as behavior, personality and mentality are concerned they were pretty much the same. Mind you, they were all very nice to me and would always make me attend their mindless parties all the time, because they would copy all my calculus and physics homework. That didn't bother me much. It's just their attitude in life ... all I can say is they were a bunch of low life!

I have yet another experience with a UAE native. When my sister used to live in Abu Dhabi, she sent us some stuff through a colleague of my brother-in-law's since the gentleman was going to be in Detroit for some conference. When I met him to pick up the package, he asked me whether I'd be willing to show him around town. I agreed and pick him up one evening, took him to a fancy place for dinner, then drove around to show some key spots/places. Later, he asks me to take him to some clubs, dance clubs in particular. So, I took him to one, but he wasn't satisfied so I took him to few more. He still wasn't satisfied and I was clueless so I decided to call it a night. Then he comes out and asks me to take him to some strip clubs. I tried to take him to one, unfortunately they wouldn't let him in because they'd couldn't decipher his all Arabic id. Now that the cat was out of the bag, he asks me to take him to some of the red light districts around town! To that I played dumb and told him I haven't the foggiest idea where they are. The man was thoroughly disappointed. All this from a middle aged man, in the engineering profession, who had three wives and seven children!

Interesting story -- but aren't we putting everyone from that area in the same little box? I have no experience like yours but I've met plenty of educated professional people (CPA's, doctors, engineers) from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan in my mosque who are decent, honest and hardworking family people. Like everything else -- I guess it depends on the person. Womanizing may be more 'permissible' than in our culture socially, but I'd let an Arab person explain it.

Interesting story -- but aren't we putting everyone from that area in the same little box? I have no experience like yours but I've met plenty of educated people from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan in my mosque who are decent, honest and hardworking family people. My experience hasn't been like yours.

I'm sure what you say is probably true. Most of my sister/brother-in-law's (both physicians, not the one who used to be in UAE) doctor colleagues appear to be very decent and family oriented, but my question is, deep down at a personal level, could they be as depraved as were my college buddies? I will never know and therefore ought give them the benefit of doubt but still, makes me wonder. And for all I know, some of those friends of mine could very well be very respected and respectable folks in their countries or where ever they happen to be.

Nevertheless, early impressions can be powerful bias!

Interesting story -- but aren't we putting everyone from that area in the same little box? I have no experience like yours but I've met plenty of educated professional people (CPA's, doctors, engineers) from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan in my mosque who are decent, honest and hardworking family people. Like everything else -- I guess it depends on the person. Womanizing may be more 'permissible' than in our culture socially, but I'd let an Arab person explain it.
i have yet to meet an arab of that kind, anyways these arabs distort the religion, they go for polygamy because they claim it is permissible in islam which is true but on what grounds that they dont follow pick and choose, it is because of them the muslim world is suffering

Guys let us get back to topic, maybe we can continue this discussion in a different thread...

Radission restaurant

http://www.radisson.com/rad/images/hotels/BANDHAKA/food3_450.jpg

Westin Restaurant

https://www.starwoodhotels.com/pub/media/200/she200re.57976_md.jpg

Guys let us get back to topic, maybe we can continue this discussion in a different thread... [/img]

Agreed, every society has its shortcomings, including ours. Let's keep in mind the nature and scope of this forum and avoid generalisations about other people that can easily transgress the boundaries of prejudice. As far as criticisms of other countries or peoples go...we should limit these to what directly pertains to Bangladesh, and even then we must necessarily maintain a low threshold for restraint.

i have yet to meet an arab of that kind, anyways these arabs distort the religion, they go for polygamy because they claim it is permissible in islam which is true but on what grounds that they dont follow pick and choose, it is because of them the muslim world is suffering

I think it is necessary to distingusih between the 2 types of arabs. Arabs from the Levant area (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon) are more liberal, have women working in the media and music industry, speak with a much softer tone, dont wear white robes and red scraves with black cricles on their head, are not such big womanizers and are not awash with petro-dollars. Infact countries like Jordan and Lebanon have barely any natural resources. This scenario is completely the opposite of gulf-countries. You should've seen the Saudi students at my university. They recieved 1400 dollars per month from their government, their education was all free, they would roam around in expensive clothing and cars and on weekends you would see them trying to bring back grils home from the bars and clubs :). Oh there were no female students among them.

The arabs that excelled in science, medicine and astronomy were from the Baghdad area. The gulf arabs till the 1950s were tribal chopping each others heads off. Then they found oil and on one hand got into big spending and womanizing and on the other hand spread wahabiism.

Guys let us get back to topic, maybe we can continue this discussion in a different thread...

Westin Restaurant

https://www.starwoodhotels.com/pub/media/200/she200re.57976_md.jpg

Which floor is this on? It would'nt cost you less than 5000 to eat a meal here.

Which floor is this on? It would'nt cost you less than 5000 to eat a meal here.

This I believe is Bithika at the Sheraton.

This I believe is Bithika at the Sheraton.

I believe you're right, maybe Nayeem can clarify.

Website says Starwood Hotels...

Website says Starwood Hotels...

Westin as well as Sheraton are part of Starwood Hotel chain. Anyways the restaurant is on the third floor..

I checked, it is definitely Bathika at Sheraton. Those pointed arches in the background had already convinced me but here is the link:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/dining/index.html?propertyID=200

The fancy restaurant at Westin is an Italian one called Prego.

Speaking of restaurants, how are the the so-called steak houses in Dhaka such as Flambe, Spitfire? Are they any good? Anybody try them? Can you actually get a T-Bone, NY Strip or a Filet Mignon?

yes you can get them but the tastes arent exactly similar

http://clip2net.com/clip/m7984/1245249091-clip-28kb.jpg

New Restaurant with WIFI internet connection. :)

http://clip2net.com/clip/m7984/1245249091-clip-28kb.jpg

New Restaurant with WIFI internet connection. :)

Could you please blow it up? Can't read a thing.

umm are all the posh restaurants and cafes equipped with WiFi system??

and btw, is there any French/ African/ Russian/ japanese restaurants in Dhaka??

Could you please blow it up? Can't read a thing.

Its no use since I found the Ad in its tiny size. Sorry.

http://clip2net.com/clip/m7984/1245250382-clip-114kb.jpg

Its no use since I found the Ad in its tiny size. Sorry.

Thanks for trying. Do they have a website?

Speaking of restaurants, how are the the so-called steak houses in Dhaka such as Flambe, Spitfire? Are they any good? Anybody try them? Can you actually get a T-Bone, NY Strip or a Filet Mignon?

I found some reviews of Spitfire. Also, this website gives some info:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293936-d894257-Reviews-Spitfire-Dhaka_City_Dhaka.html

http://www.bracnet.net/default.aspx?xid=1173&si=default&sk=1&m=web

They had a feature on them on Daily Star:

http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2004/01/04/coverstory.htm

umm are all the posh restaurants and cafes equipped with WiFi system??

and btw, is there any French/ African/ Russian/ japanese restaurants in Dhaka??

I know that Coffee World has WiFi. Don't know about others.

There are a number of Japanese restaurants in Dhaka. You can also find Mexican, Italian, Lebanese, Korean and Vietnamese food. Not sure about African and Russian food though.

I know that Coffee World has WiFi. Don't know about others.

There are a number of Japanese restaurants in Dhaka. You can also find Mexican, Italian, Lebanese, Korean and Vietnamese food. Not sure about African and Russian food though.

u forgot to mention "Greek" food lol :P

I know that Coffee World has WiFi. Don't know about others.

There are a number of Japanese restaurants in Dhaka. You can also find Mexican, Italian, Lebanese, Korean and Vietnamese food. Not sure about African and Russian food though.

Let me clarify if you don't mind. We have multiple Korean restaurants - Koreana, Sura, Arirang, Doomiok and a few more. We have only one Japanese restaurant in Samdado. However, will definitely be looking forward to try some more sushi, so let me know if any more have sprung up.

Let me clarify if you don't mind. We have multiple Korean restaurants - Koreana, Sura, Arirang, Doomiok and a few more. We have only one Japanese restaurant in Samdado. However, will definitely be looking forward to try some more sushi, so let me know if any more have sprung up.

How do Dhaka folks view/accept sushi? Or do these restaurants stay in business because of the expat Koreans in Dhaka? Do you know where they get their fish, the key ingredient?

How do Dhaka folks view/accept sushi? Or do these restaurants stay in business because of the expat Koreans in Dhaka? Do you know where they get their fish, the key ingredient?
the expat factor, idk

Let me clarify if you don't mind. We have multiple Korean restaurants - Koreana, Sura, Arirang, Doomiok and a few more. We have only one Japanese restaurant in Samdado. However, will definitely be looking forward to try some more sushi, so let me know if any more have sprung up.

I know that Jharna at Sonargaon Hotel used to serve Japanese food back in the day, don't know if they still do now.

How do Dhaka folks view/accept sushi? Or do these restaurants stay in business because of the expat Koreans in Dhaka? Do you know where they get their fish, the key ingredient?

While a significant portion of the guests at Samdado are expats, there is a niche Bangladeshi crowd that appreciates sushi as well. Considering there aren't five Samdados, the place runs quite well.

Was there last night as well ;)

While a significant portion of the guests at Samdado are expats, there is a niche Bangladeshi crowd that appreciates sushi as well. Considering there aren't five Samdados, the place runs quite well.

Was there last night as well ;)

I believe they also serve tempura, Korean pancheon, teppan-yaki and the assorted sashimi as well. I used to frequent that other Korean place in a big house a little North of Gulshan no.2 (a few blocks North of SQ's sales office tower). Now that was a traditional Korean place...

BTW -- Pizza Hut is changing its name for some restaurants and trying to move upmarket...

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/pizza-hut-changes-its-name.aspx?GT1=33009

^^ haha wth, "The Hut" lol...... sounds very odd!

BTW -- Pizza Hut is changing its name for some restaurants and trying to move upmarket...

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/pizza-hut-changes-its-name.aspx?GT1=33009
i dont think it will apply in bd

As with Dhaka Projects - Part 2 this thread exceeded 1,000 post. I will close this thread and open a new one.

Since this thread reached 1,000 posts I am opening Dhaka | Restaurants & Fast Food - Part 2 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=38596970#post38596970). Please discuss all things related, there.