What's On Auh - October 2021

WHAT’S ON LOCK IN WEIRD & WONDERFUL CAFES DINING IN THE DARK

EXPO 2020 DUBAI THE WORLD'S GREATEST SHOW IS FINALLY HERE

TO READ MORE TURN TO PAGE 21

CONTENTS FEATURES

IT’S SHOWDOWN

UFC FEVER HITS THE CAPITAL WITH BIG NAMES IN TOWN P15 21 EXPO 2020 What to expect at ‘The World’s Greatest Show’

30 WACKY CAFES Where to enjoy a cup of coffee with a weird side of whimsy

35 THE BIG STAYCAY

30

Join us for the final edition of the What’s On Lock In

Page 21

35 What’s On_3

CONTENTS COVER

REGULARS 10 Yalla!

Quick fix of news

12 UAE Famous Ramie Murray – The laidback oysterman

62 Last-minute staycation Can Address Beach Resort deliver an unforgettable stay?

41

Cover: Sheila Deocareza

Stay in touch

39 CONSUME 41 EAT Cheesy goodness at Raclette; award-winning dishes at the new Nolu’s. Plus, a novel dining in the dark concept launches in Abu Dhabi

56

47 BRUNCH Sayed, inside Emirates Palace, is our ‘brunch of the month’

49 CULTURE

Page 50

58

55 ACTIVE

50 AGENDA Unmissable art events to attend this month

52 REGIONAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

56 EVENTS

Meet the next local music sensation: Shébani

Upcoming sporting events in the UAE

57 WELLBEING

52

New spa treatments and deals in the capital

58 TRAVEL

57 4_What’s On

WhatsOn.ae Our stunning website is packed with news, restaurants, culture, shopping, sport and spas. It’s your online destination for stuff to do in the UAE. Get clicking.

Exploring Uzbekistan’s top culinary delights

What’s On Digital Your essential guide to what’s happening in Dubai is also available on the App Store.

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There’s never been a better time to visit Abu Dhabi. The UAE capital is back and better than ever with a wide range of events and offerings that would rival other major cities in an ordinary year, but this is no ordinary year!

It’s time for a new adventure, and Abu Dhabi truly has something for everyone. In one day, you can cruise around stunning natural islands, feel all the Gs on the world’s fastest and tallest rollercoasters, hang out with beloved characters from Warner Bros and DC Comics, zip around the iconic F1 track at Yas Marina Circuit or shop till you drop at any one of the city’s glamorous shopping centres. And when the sun sets, this vibrant city comes to life with dining and nightlife offerings featuring famous chefs and restaurants from around the world.

Now, is the time to…

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CYCLE ABU DHABI’S FAMED CORNICHE

RECONNECT WITH NATURE IN THE PRISTINE MANGROVES

FEEL HISTORY IN THE MAKING AT THE SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE

SEE YOURSELF VISUALLY REPRESENTED AT LOUVRE ABU DHABI

Walk, jog or cycle this 8km stretch of stunning coastline.

Kayak around the natural mangrove forests and have a chance to see a flamingo or two.

Tour one of the world’s largest mosque with massive architectural work

Be captivated by this museum’s dome, then explore its fascinating universal collection.

SCHMOOZE WITH YOUR FAVOURITE COMIC BOOK CHARACTERS

SLIDE INTO WET AND WILD FUN AT A MEGA WATERPARK

CONQUER THE DUNES ON A QUAD

RECONNECT AND SPEND QUALITY TIME TOGETHER DINING OUT

Let the rides get your adrenaline pumping and then take pictures with favourite characters at Warner Bros. WorldTM Abu Dhabi.

Splash around on the world’s most epic waterslides and wettest rides at Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi.

Conquer the desert dunes on a quad then watch the day turn vibrantly into night as you dine under the stars.

From lively daytime brunches to street-foodinspired haunts, there is always epic meal around the corner from you in Abu Dhabi.

FORGET THE MALDIVES, ESCAPE TO THE PRISTINE BEACHES OF ABU DHABI

SOAK UP NEW SOUNDS AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY ABU DHABI

FEEL THE Gs ON THE FASTEST ROLLER COASTER IN THE ENTIRE WORLD

GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR INNER LEWIS HAMILTON

You’ll never be at a loss for pristine coastline, natural islands or cool azure seas to choose from in Abu Dhabi.

Keen to experience new sights and sounds? NYUAD Arts Center brings acts from around the world to inspire you.

Of course, you can find the world’s fastest roller coasters in the world at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.

Try them both and then take home world class bragging rights.

Not only can you watch race car drivers on an F1 course, you can unleash your inner driver on an unforgettable hairpin turn when you take a race car driving lesson at Yas Marina Circuit.

10.21 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Obaid Humaid Al Tayer MANAGING PARTNER & GROUP EDITOR Ian Fairservice

HEAD OF CONTENT – WHAT’S ON Laura Coughlin laura.coughlin@motivate.ae DEPUTY EDITOR Elise Kerr elise.kerr@motivate.ae ONLINE REPORTER Miles Buckeridge miles.buckeridge@motivate.ae ONLINE REPORTER Lauren Fletcher lauren.fletcher@motivate.ae JUNIOR ONLINE REPORTER Aarti Saundalkar aarti@motivate.ae SENIOR VIDEO EDITOR Surajit Dutta surajit@motivate.ae CONTENT CREATIVE ARTIST Joachim Guay joachim.guay@motivate.ae WEB DEVELOPER Firoz Kaladi firoz@motivate.ae ART DIRECTOR Sheila Deocareza sheila@motivate.ae JUNIOR DESIGNER Remy Thokchom thokchom.remy@motivate.ae

CONTRIBUTORS

Iain Akerman; Liz Totton

GENERAL MANAGER – PRODUCTION Sunil Kumar sunil@motivate.ae ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER Binu Purandaran binu@motivate.ae PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Venita Pinto venita@motivate.ae

CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER Anthony Milne anthony@motivate.ae PUBLISHER David Burke davidb@motivate.ae GROUP SALES MANAGER Varsha Bhatia varsha@motivate.ae SENIOR SALES MANAGER Taran Singh taran.singh@motivate.ae SENIOR SALES MANAGER Violeta Popescu violeta.popescu@motivate.ae DIGITAL SALES DIRECTOR Sabir Khodabux sabir.khodabux@motivate.ae

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8_What’s On

EDITOR’S LETTER

THERE WAS A SHORTLIVED MOMENT IN TIME WHEN I WANTED TO BE THE NEXT RONDA ROUSEY…

… then I actually fought in a ring, sported two black eyes for my efforts and nearly broke my nose. What did I learn from my short stint as an amateur boxer? That I prefer noncontact sports. Sign me up to play padel, ping pong, or quite frankly any other sport that poses far less risk of permanent injury.

Yet despite my reluctance to get in the ring myself, I love to watch a good fight, and the cards on this month’s UFC 267 look gnarly. For your fill of everything to do with Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, turn to page 15.

Another event that’s found its way into the social fabric of the UAE is the What’s On Lock In. It’s our capital finale and we’re going out with a bang at the incredible Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. Find out more about our brilliant staycation weekend on page 35.

And should you decide to leave Abu Dhabi town this month, our little nation is only hosting the world’s greatest show down the road (page 21). Yes, Expo 2020 Dubai is finally here and we for one can’t wait to check it out.

Enjoy the issue,

Get in touch twitter.com/ WhatsOnAbuDhabi facebook.com/ WhatsOnAbuDhabi instagram.com/ WhatsOnAbuDhabi tiktok.com/ WhatsOnDubai

What’s On_9

BRILLIANT THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN OCTOBER

EXPO 2020 DUBAI

When: From October 1 until March 31 It’s here. Expo 2020 Dubai welcomes visitors from across the planet to ‘The World’s Greatest Show,’ complete with global dining, stunning country pavilions, family fun, record-breaking entertainment, activities and much more. See p21. q expo2020dubai.com

WHAT’S ON LOCK IN

When: October 8 to 9 Get ready for the grandest of finales as we takeover Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers for the last Lock In of 2021 in the capital. q whatson.ae

10_What’s On

LIMITED EDITION MENU AT JONES

When: Throughout October Ten dishes, created by some of Jones The Grocer’s back catalogue of top chefs, feature on the special edition menu. q @jonesthegrocer

HORRIBLE HISTORIES: BARMY BRITAIN

When: October 20 and 21 Family-fun theatre telling the horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in. q @theatrebyerth

ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

When: October 13 to 16 Luxury super yachts, family fun activities, affordable watersports equipment up for sale and more. q adibs.ae

MARK RONSON AT SEMI PERMANENT

When: October 14 The British Grammy-winning music icon performs at design and creativity festival Semi Permanent in Manarat Al Saadiyat. q semipermanent.com

LADIES’ NIGHT RETURNS TO VAKAVA

When: Tuesdays 7pm to 11pm The Buena Onda ladies’ night includes three drinks and one Latin bar bite for Dhs99. q @vakavaabudhabi

ALFRESCO DINING AT WEST BAY LOUNGE When: Throughout October Chef Niko’s whipped up a new, enhanced menu to accompany the lounge’s drinks lists making it a capital sundowner spot. q @westbayabudhabi

UFC 267

When: October 30 It’s a title fight double header on Fight Island when Jan Blachowicz faces Glover Teixeria and Aljamain Sterling looks to silence Petr Yan at Etihad Arena. q ufc.com What’s On_11

RAMIE MURRAY THE LAIDBACK OYSTERMAN

for itself so it was a matter of putting the hard yards in visiting as many restaurants as possible.

Once chefs tasted the oysters it was an instant triumph, especially considering the highly discerning and cosmopolitan culinary scene of the emirates,. We were going shoulder to shoulder with the best imported oysters.

What makes Dibba Bay Oysters so unique?

Dibba Bay oysters are unique in a few ways, mainly by their distinctive shell and their meaty texture.

Thanks to the unique conditions of the ocean, which made Arabia world-renowned for its lustrous white pearls, the Dibba Bay oyster showcases the heritage of the region through its distinctive and vibrant white and gold flecked shell. This is due to the high levels of calcite in

U

AE Famous is a What’s On page focusing on people out there making the scene.

They’re out there around town, shaping the UAE into what it is, creating the culture, food and life around us. We asked them what’s good in the UAE. We asked them what’s bad in the UAE. We asked them to tell us more, more, more about their wonderful selves…

Who are you, and what’s made you UAE famous?

I’m Ramie Murray, I am an oyster farmer and I founded the first and only gourmet oyster farm in the Middle East.

12_What’s On

“NOTHING REALLY STRESSES ME OUT – I’M JUST A LAIDBACK OYSTER FARMER” Where are you from originally and how long have you been in Dubai?

I am originally from Scotland and I have been in Dubai for almost 30 years.

Dibba Bay Oysters are the go-to for many of the UAE’s top restaurants. How did all this happen?

When we first launched we had to do a lot of work to introduce the product and nothing but face-to-face tastings and explanations were required to convince chefs to take a locally grown oyster seriously. Thankfully the quality of the product spoke

the water, which come from the limestone cliffs in Dibba.

The unique qualities of the waters of the emirates, which have been historically shown

through the legendary white pearls, now live on through the Dibba Bay oyster shell.

How do they taste?

Our oysters are exceptionally meaty and tremendously plump. Thanks to abundant phytoplankton supply in the water, our oysters have an unusually high meat-to-shell ratio and are often almost 30 per cent higher in meat than other oysters on the market (depending on the season, of course).

In your opinion, what’s the right way to eat an oyster?

Dibba Bay oysters offer three of the four major flavour profiles; umami, sweetness, and salt, in a very well balanced way so you can happily eat them on their own.

However, a dash of acidity adds the fourth major flavour profile, which works with lemon, lime or a vinaigrette.

I say, try a pomegranate vinegar with finely chopped shallots for a regional twist on the French classic.

What do you love about the UAE? The melting pot of cultures and cuisines make it a culinary superstar in the world.

What stresses you out about the UAE? Nothing really stresses me out – I’m just a laidback oyster farmer.

Do you reckon Dubai is your forever home?

Very much so. Having grown up here and my three children being born here, I will always be connected to this city. q @dibbabayoysters

Above: Tucking in at the shack

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with all the latest news, reviews and activites to help you discover what the Kingdom has to offer

WhatsOnSaudiArabia.com whatsonksa

O

ne of the most exciting UFC events returns to the capital with another blockbuster event on Saturday October 30 when light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz who, going for his second successful title defense, and No. 1 ranked contender Glover Teixeira face off for UFC 267 in the Etihad Arena on Yas Island. In the co-main event, UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling looks to settle the score with former titleholder and No. 1 ranked contender Petr Yan. To get visitors and residents pumped for the headline fixture, Abu Dhabi Showdown Week is hosting another series of events, parties and a mega concert leading up to the big fight. Here’s your guide to the big ticketed events…

What’s On_15

THE BIG FIGHTS UFC 267 | Saturday, October 30 | Etihad Arena

Jan Blachowicz Vs Glover Teixeira

VS BLACHOWICZ

TEIXEIRA

Blachowicz (28-8, fighting out of Warsaw, Poland) looks to build on his recent momentum that not only saw him capture UFC gold, but also hand middleweight champion Israel Adesanya the first loss of his career.

A 14-year MMA veteran, he holds spectacular KO wins over Luke Rockhold, Dominick Reyes and Corey Anderson. Blachowicz now has his sights set on taking out another dangerous finisher to continue building his legacy atop the 205-pound ladder.

Teixeira (32-7, fighting out of Danbury, Conn.) hopes to make good on his second UFC title shot by stopping Blachowicz in emphatic fashion. A decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with heavy hands, he has delivered memorable victories against Thiago Santos, Anthony Smith, Rashad Evans and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson. Teixeira is now gunning for his sixth consecutive win by dethroning Blachowicz to achieve his dream of becoming UFC champion.

OTHER EVENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR… 16_What’s On

OPEN WORKOUT SESSIONS The series of interactive activations will start with an open workout session at

W Hotel Abu Dhabi on Yas Island between 5pm 6pm on October 27. Fans will have the opportunity to see fighters on

the UFC 267 card train in preparation for their fight night on Saturday and interact with fans in an exclusive Q&A session.

PRE-FIGHT TALK Held at Etihad Arena on October 28, fighters from the main-event and co-main event will take

the stage to trade some ‘friendly’ pre-fight talk with their opponents.

Spectators will also get the chance to ask questions.

IT’S SHOWDOWN!

Aljamain Sterling Vs Petr Yan

VS STERLING

YAN

Sterling (20-3, fighting out of Uniondale, N.Y.) plans to cement his UFC bantamweight championship reign by delivering a dominant performance in the rematch against Yan, who he defeated via disqualification in March. A skilled grappler, he has earned notable wins over Cory Sandhagen, Pedro Munhoz and Jimmie Rivera. Sterling now vies to put his rivalry with Yan to bed by netting another showstealing submission victory.

Yan (15-2, fighting out of Yekaterinburg, Russia) is gunning to avenge his disqualification loss to Sterling by reclaiming the UFC bantamweight championship.

A master of sport in MMA and boxing, he has secured thrilling KO victories against Jose Aldo, Urijah Faber, Douglas Silva de Andrade and Teruto Ishihara. Yan now intends to get the last laugh against Sterling by finishing the New Yorker and once again taking his spot at the top of the 135-pound division.

WEIGH IN ON THE PRE-FIGHT TALK On October 29, all fighters will return to Etihad Arena for the pre-event weigh-in, from 5pm to 7pm.

ESCAPE AND EVOLVE IN ABU DHABI On October 29 and 30 Evolve Sports Solutions is hosting a new workout staycation called Escape and

Evolve featuring a series of workshops and training sessions with Coach Firas Zahabi and the region’s MMA rising star Mounir Lazzez.

Packages start at Dhs1,800 and includes a stay at Hilton on Yas Island, lunches, breakfast and four training sessions with MMA stars.

What’s On_17

TRIED & TESTED

WHAT’S ON GOES FULL THROTTLE Here’s what happened when our very own Miles Buckeridge owned a supercar (for 24 glorious hours), thanks to Luxury Supercars Dubai

Miles Buckeridge

W

hen I was growing up, my brother used to have a poster of a Lamborghini on his wall. It was a phantom white Countach, a model the luxury Italian car manufacturer has just remixed and relaunched for the car’s 50th anniversary. We – my brother and I – made a pact back then that one day he’d have his Lamborghini and I’d have a Ferrari. Together we’d fight crime and never steer away from any sweet jumps. Today, I get to steal my brother’s dream.

As I drive towards the pick-up location, I confess, there’s a mix of apprehension and excitement.

The only supercars I’ve ever driven have been entirely constructed from pixels.

Luxury Supercar Rentals Dubai has its hub at Gulf Court Hotel in Business Bay, and as I approach, it feels like I’m entering the Toretto 18_What’s On

family garage. It’s not uncommon to see a supercar outside a Dubai hotel, but when you see 10 or 12 all lined up, either there’s a crypto convention in town, or something very special is going down.

And it is special. Luxury Supercar Rentals Dubai offers an elite fleet of fantasy horsepower, from McLarens to Rollers, to G Wags kitted up to the nines with Brabus swag, available at prices from Dhs1,000 per day.

THE RIDE I’m picking up a 2021 model Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder (Dhs4,500 per day) in canary yellow. It’s outrageous.

A straight 10 on the audacity scale, it looks like it’s been driven straight outta 2031, and growls like a cornered wild cat when I plunge my finger into the ignition well.

THE DRIVE After a brief orientation session, I’m free to roam, but where does one go in 1.5 million dirhams’ worth of automotive sass? I ask myself ‘where would James Bond go?’ I mean, if his route wasn’t dictated by having to stalk dubiously-accented carnagemongers. ‘The desert’, I decide.

So off to Al Qudra I go.

This Lambo has a V10 engine, pushing out around 630BHP, and can hit a speed

of 100kph from a standing start in about 3.5 seconds.

All of this means (*Jeremy Clarkson voice*) that it moves quicker than your stomach after a dodgy shawarma.

But it doesn’t have to. In the fully automatic mode, it glides gracefully through lunch hour Business Bay traffic. It even has a Q-Branch approved nose lift for getting over speed bumps delicately. It feels measured, precise and elegant, like a neatly coiffured pedigree greyhound.

Whilst stopped at red lights, I keep expecting that guy from TikTok to come up to me and ask what I do for a living, and I’d either have to come up with a lie on the spot like ‘I’m a financial transpondster’ or I tell him the truth and he walks away with a vastly unrealistic expectation of regional journalist salaries.

Thankfully, he never materialises and as the roads blend into the solace of surrounding dunes, and the cars become as infrequent as clouds in the Dubai sky, I slip into the semi-manual flappy paddle mode and that debonair greyhound transforms into a slathering timberwolf.

Immediately after hitting the gas, my body is thrust into a rollercoaster corkscrew of jowl-clapping Gs. My internal organs feel like they’re trying to rearrange themselves into the shape of the ‘wow’ emoji.

It’s quite literally breathtaking, but never, not even for a fraction of a second, does it feel like control is slipping away.

For legal reasons I stress, we’re only talking about going up to the governmentally prescribed speed limits of course, and although the acceleration feels intergalactic, the same engineering that enables such jumps into hyperspace, also keeps you perfectly stable.

With the sun’s light leaking into the desert sands, it’s time to hand this poetic little beast back. Whilst it’s truly been an honour to go out and road trip with such a sophisticated date, the background anxiety of being responsible for something that’s worth more than your annual salary, never completely vanishes.

This experience was certainly one of the most enjoyable and

spectacularly extra I’ve had the pleasure of indulging in in the UAE. It was above all else Fast and I’m now Furious I have to drive home in my 2.0 litre Renault Captur. Slowest.

Commute. Ever.

“MY INTERNAL ORGANS FEEL LIKE THEY’RE TRYING TO REARRANGE THEMSELVES INTO THE SHAPE OF THE ‘WOW’ EMOJI.”

HOW TO RENT YOUR VERY OWN SUPERCAR Visit the Luxury Supercars Dubai showroom in Business Bay. Prices start at Dhs1,000 per day depending on the model. For more information, visit luxurysupercarsdubai.com

What’s On_19

THIS IS IT: The eyes of the world are on Dubai as we host ‘The World’s Greatest Show’. Running for 182 days from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, Expo 2020 is here and ready to knock your socks off

What’s On_21

EXPO 2020 DUBAI

Expo 2020 is divided into three districts: Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity, each with their own mega Pavilion and a mix of Country Pavilions.

AT A GLANCE

3 TOP COUNTRY PAVILIONS IN SUSTAINABILITY DISTRICT

Sinagpore Pavilion Enter a rainforest and meander through the canopy up to the Hanging Garden.

Brazil Pavilion Walk through a waterfall and take in the sounds of the Amazon basin.

The Netherlands Pavilion Check out an innovative cone-shaped vertical farm growing mushrooms.

Sustainability District As you explore the Sustainability District, complete with solar energy trees, you’ll see some of the world’s most advanced technology in action, and learn what countries are doing to champion sustainability, and experience how the human race can enjoy living in harmony with nature in a high-tech future.

Main Pavilion: Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion. Wander through forest roots, explore the oceans and learn how to help preserve our planet for future generations. In keeping with the sustainability theme, Terra is also home to a number of plant-based restaurants, manned by celebrity chef Matthew Kenney. Look out for XYST and Veg’s vegan restaurants and Mudrá, a beautiful rooftop bar with amazing views over the Expo site.

22_What’s On

AT A GLANCE

3 TOP COUNTRY PAVILIONS IN MOBILITY DISTRICT

Australian Pavilion Explore 60,000 years of Australian astronomy and immerse yourself in the beautiful country’s landscapes.

Mobility District Ride in an autonomous vehicle; learn about the latest developments in space exploration; and see innovative mobility devices in action all within the Mobility District.

Main Pavilion: Alif – The Mobility Pavilion. See how mobility will continue to transform the way we live, connect with people, understand different cultures, and exchange knowledge and ideas. Befitting the movement theme, look out for Abu Dhabi-based chef Jessica Queitsch’s Alif Café by farm2table, which shines a light on ingredients sourced along the silk route.

Botswana Pavilion Journey into the wilds at Botswana’s VR and 4D experiences.

Republic of Korea Pavilion Take a mobile-guided tour through the country’s most interesting architecture.

AT A GLANCE

3 TOP COUNTRY PAVILIONS IN OPPORTUNITY DISTRICT

Switzerland Pavilion Experience a VR world where visitors hike through the Alps surrounded by real fog.

Monaco Pavilion Walk through a kaleidoscopic garden evoking the sights and sounds of the French Riviera.

UK Pavilion Contribute your own words to the AI sculpture on the UK Pavilion’s stunning exterior.

Opportunity District The Opportunity District hopes to inspire a desire to create a better world. Exchange ideas, learn from social innovators and feel empowered to make a change.

Main Pavilion: Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion. Learn about real life heroes who are changing their own communities for the better. With a significant emphasis on food and drink producers, look out for Mission Possible’s dedicated working space, which is home to Emirati coffee roastery Canvas by Coffee Culture.

What’s On_23

EXPO 2020 DUBAI

Nothing brings different cultures together more easily than the breaking of bread and, with hundreds of outlets preparing to serve over 50 global cuisines, Expo 2020 promises to be a true feast for foodies.

HOMEGROWN UAE FAVOURITES

Alkebulan African dining hall Curated by former opera singer-turnedrestauranteur, Alexander Smalls, Alkebulan is a celebration of African cuisine and features almost a dozen chef-led concepts from across the African continent. Each counter and concept has its own unique design that honours the individuality of the region, cuisine and chef. Highlights include Afro Street Eatery, which champions West African street food, Penja, the award-winning pop-up concept, and Seven Seafood offering a contemporary look at East African seafood. q @alkebulandininghall 24_What’s On

A host of homegrown talent will feature heavily in the line-up of eateries at Expo 2020, spanning cuisines from India to Ireland, and including classic UAE brands such as Arabian Tea House, Indian gem and biryani specialists Al Farwania, Filipino hotspot Dampa Seafood Grill, Lebanese stalwart Al Reef Bakery; and Hanon Feras Sweets, renowned for its traditional Middle Eastern dessert, kanafa. The six-month spectacle also features Pakistani street food go-to, Ravi Restaurant, Maraheb Yemeni Restaurant, and Sarouja Restaurant & Café, a popular Syrian and Mediterranean spot.

Rising Flavours dining hall Inspired by the countries of the GCC, Rising Flavours’ threestorey dining hall – decorated by GCC artists – highlights the range and creativity of the Gulf region’s ever-evolving food scene. The ground floor features a rotating line-up of chefs from the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and beyond, including Douha Abdullah Al Otaishan, Saudi Arabia’s first female executive chef, Bahraini restaurateur Roaya Saleh, Hattem Mattar, the Arab world’s first pitmaster; Emirati Musabbeh Al Kaabi, and many more. The first-floor restaurant is a licensed fine-dining venue hosting a chef ’s table and theatrical cooking show.

You’ll also find live performance, from the traditional to the contemporary.

THE MASTERCHEFS 1 David Myers Californian Michelin chef David Myers, better known as the Gypsy Chef, is bringing a slice of LA’s Abbot Kinney Blvd to Dubai with his hugely popular ADRIFT Burger Bar.

2 Geoffrey Zakarian The celebrated Armenian-American chef is set to debut The National Bar & Dining Rooms – his vision of a grand café, offering modern bistro cuisine from breakfast to dinner.

3 David Thompson Joining the heavy hitters at Expo 2020 is David Thompson, who has made cooking Thai food his life’s work, famous particularly for his Thai street food chain Long Chim.

4 Matthew Kenney Recognised as one of the leaders in plant-based cuisine, American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney brings three of his restaurant concepts from the US to Expo 2020.

INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTS

5 Rohit Ghai

Other tasty arrivals include British concept – and bakery school – Bread Ahead, specialising in doughnuts and gluten-free and sourdough breads; Beirut’s neighbourhood joint, Baron, bringing passion to the plate with fresh ingredients from farm and sea for its Mediterranean-inspired menu; and Kojaki, a fusion concept that melds Japanese and Korean cuisines, with signature dishes such as Korean barbecue and Japanese robata.

One of the culinary world’s most in-demand chefs, Rohit Ghai brings his acclaimed restaurant Kutir from London’s Chelsea to Expo 2020.

Expect an authentic yet highly experimental menu.

What’s On_25

EXPO 2020 DUBAI

Like your meals utterly bonkers with a side of immersive theatrics?

Check out The Future of Food: Epochal Banquet at Expo 2020 – a neverbefore-seen, multi-course experience cooked up by Harry Parr and Sam Bompas, owners of multi-sensory experience studio Bompas & Parr…

For the uninitiated, who are Bompas and Parr exactly?

At Bompas & Parr we describe ourselves as experience designers or ‘architects of taste’.

Ultimately, we want to choreograph a sensational experience related to food and drink. The studio started over 14 years ago through our shared interest in jellies.

Tell us a bit about it your dining experience at Expo 2020.

We are creating a Universal Museum of Food set 300 years in the future in pre-eminent scientist James Lovelock’s hypothesized Novacene – the age of hyperintelligence. When there you’ll then eat your way through future culinary history as part of a theatrical three-course dining experience. There are numerous scientific collaborations with pre-eminent scientists that are being debuted. Some will go on to shape how we eat in years to come. Taste the future.

You’re described as the UK’s reallife Willy Wonkas. Is that a fair assessment?

Well, over the years we’ve created a number of wild food creations, some of which feature in Dahl’s work such as chocolate waterfalls, flavour changing chewing gum and non-melting ice lollies.

For one project we even worked with the Roald Dahl Museum and fermented a beer with living matter swabbed from the author’s writing chair. I was at my most nervous serving it to the full Dahl family on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Tell us about some of your most memorable food installations?

Over the years these include things like multi-sensory fireworks where a live audience of a quarter of a million people at London’s NYE firework show experienced the world’s first flavour fireworks.

However, The Future of Food: Epochal Banquet will be our most ambitious project to date.

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And they’ll be some world firsts, too?

Absolutely – there will be transgenic glowing starters, a crisp of 1,000 flavours, vegan bone marrow, herbs grown in atmospheres of the year 2220 and chocolates that shape your dreams.

When it comes to creating, what inspires you?

This is changing all the time. We relish looking at what you can learn from different disciplines and countries. So, for Expo 2020 it has been phenomenal to be able to speak to the UAE Space Agency about their work on future astronaut food that might fuel a trip to Mars – then to create a canape inspired by this for the show.

What do you hope people will think or feel during and after the experience?

We’d love people to feel the same sense of awe and wonder we’ve all probably experienced when gazing up into the night’s sky. Mixed with the joyful contentment of feeling satiated by the feast and hopefully inspired to go on to shape the future positively.

The two-hour dining experience costs from Dhs550 and tickets can be purchased via expo2020dubai.com. @bompasandparr

EXPO 2020 DUBAI

From its line-up of regional musicians, eclectic weekend music festivals, and celebration of dance worldwide, Expo 2020 is set to become an entertainment epicentre. Here’s a handful of highlights, with a number of huge acts to be announced soon…

LUDOVICO EINAUDI When: October Known for his simple minimalist piano works, acclaimed Italian pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi brings a contemporary edge to classical music. Combining emotion and intimacy into his melodies, he enraptures his audiences and creates a transcendent experience beloved by millions.

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FIRDAUS ORCHESTRA When: October-March Formed exclusively for Expo 2020 Dubai and mentored

by Oscar-winning composer and songwriter AR Rahman, the Firdaus Orchestra is an eclectic, 50-member ensemble comprising talented female musicians from across the UAE and wider MENA region.

Playing on the Jubilee Stage, and forging new paths for female musicians in the Arab world, the Firdaus Orchestra will also compose music for the much-anticipated Expo 2020 Opening Ceremony.

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01 Ludovico Einaudi 02 Al Wasl Plaza 03 Sergio Catalan 04 UAE-based As Per Casper 03

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INFINITE NIGHTS When: October-March Al Wasl Plaza – the beating heart of Expo 2020 and home to the world’s largest 360-degree projection surface – will stage a star-studded line-up of global and regional performers for its Infinite Nights series, kicking off with Arab singing sensation Kadim Al Sahir on 15 October. These innovative ‘phygital’ show experiences, featuring state-of-the-art entertainment technology, will see several toptier artists bring their unique energy, creativity, vision and values to Expo 2020. Log onto on expodubai2020.com for upto-date info.

LATE NIGHTS @ EXPO From 10.30pm to 1am every Thursday and Friday, the Jubiliee Stage hosts Late Nights @ Expo, featuring never-before-seen collaborations from artists from across the world. Performers include Syrian music songwriter Iyad Rimawi with his orchestra, Jordanian singer-songwriter Dina Stars, and Chilean musician Sergio Catalan.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! Make the most of Expo’s opening month with the October Pass. Enjoy unlimited access for just Dhs95. Offer available until October 15. For more info, visit expo2020dubai.com

WE LIKE OUR COFFEE LIKE WE LIKE OUR WEEKENDS – CHILLED AND TOPPED WITH A DOLLOP OF WHIMSY. THANKFULLY, ABU DHABI PROVIDES...

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W I L D A N D WA C K Y C A F E S

The capital is home to a thriving bean scene, with a variety of cafes offering home-roasted blends and internationally-applauded gourmet brews. But there are some venues that pour their Java lava in such deliciously extra surrounds that they make for 24 karat Instagram gold. Here are eight of our favourites...

03 Transit Terminal Food

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Boomah

Boomah in Abu Dhabi casually refers to itself as ‘the region’s first owl cafe’. Admittedly, the connection between the celebration of Hedwig and primo frothy frappuccinos is a tenuous one but in the grand tradition of pioneering spirit, we’re here for it. The adorable flock of hooters at Boomah comprises 10 different species, each with those deep soulful eyes. The café’s beaked baristas (who are free to fly at night) have assistance in the form of qualified specialists. Importantly, you can also get pretty good coffee at Boomah as well as croissants, acai bowls and cookies. a Boomah, Next to AlSeef Village Mall, daily 2pm to 10pm, Dhs70 entry fee. @boomah.ae

This new capital cafe pays homage to the part of air travel that is almost nobody’s favourite – the dining experience. On the plus side, the meals here look far more substantial than the sort of microwaved panini you’d expect from an Easy Jet redeye to Faliraki. The menu is pretty varied too, based as it is, on the international passport of world cuisine. It’s a lot cheaper than international travel, the leg room looks pretty decent, and the cafe’s faithful replica cabin interior will make for some funny ‘gram snaps. But why did they have to recreate those foldaway handrest tables? a Transit Terminal Food, Center Ville hotel building – Hazaa Bin Zayed The First St – Al Nahyan, 7.30am to 12.30am. Tel: (02) 550 0443, @transitterminalfood

02 Brunch with big cats at Emirates Park Zoo

Emirates Park Zoo has an incredibly diverse population of animal inhabitants, some of them cuddly, some of them decidedly less so. It also has opportunities to get up and close and relatively personal with certain species. The Big Cat Brunch lets you eat lunch in the company of an actual leopard and there’s even a private expert-led tour. Too wild? You could always try breakfast with a giraffe instead. a Emirates Park Zoo, 12th St – Al Bahyah, 1pm to 2.30pm, Dhs156 per person (minimum of four people), which includes zoo admission. Tel: (02) 501 0000, emiratesparkzooandresort.com

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WILD AND WACKY CAFES

04 Forever Rose Cafe

The stunning Forever Rose Cafe sketches out a flat monochrome 2D environment from 3D tables and chairs giving it a real fairytale feel.

Its menu is just as whimsical, with gourmet coffees, elegant pastries, and sophisticated sweets such as the New York Cheesecake (Dhs30) and Pistachio Milk Cake (Dhs38).

Find your happily ever after there, at The Galleria Mall. a Forever Rose Cafe, Lower Ground Level, Opposite Art Hub, The Galleria Mall, Sat to Wed, 10am to 10pm, Thur to Fri, 10am to midnight. Tel: (02) 4937400. @foreverrosecafe

06 Arthouse Cafe

05 DRVN

Dmitriy Grekhov spent time at the handsome Café Rider in Dubai before branching out to Abu Dhabi. His stylish two-storey café in Al Rawdah combines his love for coffee and cars with both an in-house roaster and a collection of rare classic cars encased in glass. The baristas roast their own beans sourced from the best farms from around the world. Food options run the gamut from shakshouka to acai bowls, but we suggest you take full advantage of the in-house pizza oven and order something doughy. A new branch has just opened on Hudayriyat. a Al Rawdah and Hudayriyat. Tel: (02) 441 7774, @drvn_coffee 32_What’s On

Art on the walls, art on the plates, art in their heart. Abu Dhabi’s Arthouse Cafe is all about providing a passionate experience, and the dining element is at the core of that. It has a massive menu but its famous shakshouka is probably our pick of the brunch. Every inch of the café feels like a truly inspirational, creative space, surrounded by botanical greens and abstract scenes. And because it’s a place that celebrates the creative spark, you can go full Picasso on a plate for Dhs20 with the option to paint masks (Dhs30) or a miniature brick painting (Dhs10). a Al Huwelat St, Bateen Area, Opp Al Bateen Villa No 15, 10am to midnight. Tel: (02) 666 0175. @arthousecafead

WEIRD WORLD

These four eateries take wacky dining to the next level MODERN TOILET

07 Local

Local isn’t just your casual neighbourhood coffee shop. It offers fresh fades and cool kicks alongside freshly ground coffee. This supertrendy chop shop wears its street style all over the walls – find skate paraphernalia, limited-edition urban fashion pieces and arty little nicknacks dotted all over the place. Haircuts start at around Dhs110 for a basic back and sides, and beard trims begin at Dhs60. Like the speciality coffee (from Dhs15) that is served in-house, the products used in the styling are all top-quality brands. Local has just opened its second capital location at Mamsha Al Saadiyat, also serving elite cuts, cappus and creps. a Local, Al Raha Beach, Sun to Thur 11am to 9pm (closed Mon), Fri to Sat 8am to 10pm, Mamsha Al Saadiyat 8am to 11pm. Tel: (02) 5553339. @_localuae_

08 Soo Matcha

You may have noticed a new green food taking over your Instagram feed. That’s matcha, one of the buzziest food trends going. Matcha lovers say the powder has loads of superfoodlike benefits so why not give it a try at Soo Matcha, the UAE’s first all matcha inspired café located on Al Banadir Street, Muroor. You’ll find everything on the menu from matcha morning yogurt, matcha ice cream, matcha and coconut milk iced lattes, and more, all which use ceremonial Japanese grade of matcha green tea. a 20 Al Banadir St, Sat to Thu 11am to 11pm, Fri 2pm to 11pm.

WhatsApp: (050) 566 8085, @soomatcha.uae

Taipei, Taiwan While most respectable people would suggest you don’t poop where you eat, Modern Toilet flushes that rule right down the loo. Toilets hang on tiled walls, your crockery’s shaped like toilet bowls, and your chocolate ice cream takes the shape of... you know. q moderntoilet.com.tw

FORTEZZA MEDICEA RESTAURANT Volterra, Italy At this behind-bars eatery, you’ll be served your one square a day by actual inmates; and you’ll eat said meal, fittingly, with plastic cutlery. Dinner costs about 25 euros, includes a glass of wine, and is made up of fairly simple but delicious dishes. q facebook.com/cenegaleotte

HELLO KITTY CAFÉ Hong Kong Inspired by the everpopular cartoon character Hello Kitty, this place is not just a case of feline-themed décor, many dishes are actually cat-shaped. Guests can tuck into Hello Kittyshaped fried eggs, pizzas shaped like the cat’s face and Hello Kitty cappuccinos. q @hellokittycafehongkong

VAMPIRE CAFÉ Tokyo, Japan The dark and gloomy decor in Tokyo’s Vampire Café make it feel like something straight out of an Anne Rice book. There are two rooms, a coffin room and a ceremony room, both modelled after the tales of Dracula. The staff are dressed as vampires and the menu is as vampire-themed items, with some dishes served in mini coffins. q facebook.com/VampireCafe.ginza

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OCTOBER 26, 2021 TABLES AVAILABLE ENQUIRES: VIOLETA.POPESCU@MOTIVATE.AE

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VARSHA@MOTIVATE.AE

WHATSON.AE/EVENTS/NIGHTLIFE-AWARDS

PARTNERS

BEVERAGE PARTNER

AUDIO VISUAL PARTNER

VENUE & ENTERTAINMENT PARTNER

VOTE PROCESSING PARTNER

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PRESENTED BY

Get in on the action as we level up at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers SAVE THE DATE! October 08 to 09

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WHAT’S ON LOCK IN

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his is it. The last What’s On Lock In of 2021, and boy, are we going out with a bang. We’re taking over the legendary Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers for a truly unforgettable weekend from October 8 and 9. What’s a Lock In?’ you say. Oh, only the best staycation deal in the UAE, where a mere Dhs699 brings you a weekend full of fun for you and your roomie.

There’ll be a phenomenal brunch at Nahaam, a killer Friday morning workout from the Strike Fitness Abu Dhabi team, free treatments for boys and girls courtesy of Anahata, games by TEPfactor, an after-brunch soiree at Ray’s Bar, a deliriously excessive amount of free drinks to help you power through an action-packed weekend and loads more.

This is the big one, folks.

Come join us, won’t you?

A sweaty workout and pampering fun Spend your first hour at the What’s On Lock In getting all sweaty with our friends from Strike Fitness, conquering a hardcore HIIT session. From there, head to the orientation room for free welcome drinks, then take it to Anahata for Her or Anahata for Him for free blow-dries, beard trims, manis and more, or check out Conrad Spa for free head and shoulder massages. Limited spot available.

Level up at Ray’s Bar After all those great eats, make a final stop at Ray’s Bar where late night antics – and a whopping five free drinks – await.

An awardwinning feast If you come hungry, you’ll leave happy. The food feast at Nahaam is legendary, known for offering a collection of world cuisine, alongside a few special fine dining set pieces. Wash it all down with wellexecuted house 12.30pm drinks.

to 4pm

Recover brekkie or wellness activities Feeling foggy? Stumble down to Rosewater where the hotel’s culinary team will be whipping up a breakfast of champions until 11am. Alternatively, take on a BoXStrike class with Strike Fitness, or make it a mindful meditative morning with Zakia Kazi.

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A day by the pool

From 11am

The afternoon culminates at Lillet Pool Bar & Beach with a chilled pool session complete with relaxed beats, food packages and more. Lock In guests are also welcome to stay on until 6pm and have pizza at Sole for an additional Dhs149.

Friday, October 08 10am

Guest arrival and check in at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers Visit the lobby to collect your keys. Pick up your wristband and orientation pack and play games with TEPfactor.

10am to 12.30pm

Pampering sessions Blow-dries, beard trims and more courtesy of Anahata for Her and Anahata for Him. Plus, free head and shoulder massage from Conrad Spa.

11am

Strike Fitness HITT workout Torch a few calories before brunch at this boutique gym. Limited spots available.

12.30pm to 4pm

Brunch bonanza at Nahaam Fill your boots at Nahaam’s award-winning foodie extravaganza with unlimited drinks, house music and buzzing vibe.

4pm to closing

After-brunch at Ray’s Bar Five more free drinks, and lots of f&b deals to keep the fun going.

Saturday, October 09 6.30am to 11am

Rosewater brekkie Rise and shine for the perfect ‘morning after’ breakfast.

10am to 11am

Wellness and pamering Box yourself fit with Strike Fitness’ BoXStrike class, or meditate with Zakia Kazi. Anahata for Her and Anahata for Him reopens for more free treatments. Limited spots available.

11am to 2pm

Sunshine sessions Sunbathe by the Lillet Pool Bar & Beach and soldier on with f&b packages.

2pm

Check out … or stay on until 6pm, and enjoy pizza at SOLE for as little as Dhs149 per couple.

Find a member of staff for more details.

Book your room now! Visit WhatsOn.ae What’s On_37

EAT + DRINK + SHOP RATING FOOD A+ to CVIBE Family Friendly Party Casual Romantic Fancy PRICE (FOR TWO) Up to Dhs249 Dhs250 to Dhs749 Dhs750+

PA G E 47

Sayad

A regal gem at Emirates Palace RACLETTE p41 DINING IN THE DARK p44 What’s On_39

JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL SUPPERCLUB AT TURTLE BAY BAR & GRILL Hey there Abu Dhabi, how’s your October shaping up? We’re guessing it could probably use a lot more fun and free food, right?

Well, you’re in luck, because we have another installment of What’s On The Menu? – a special evening of gastronomic delights at some of the capital’s top venues.

Our next stop is Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas’ beautiful Turtle Bay Bar & Grill. Some 20

foodies will get the chance to try a specially curated six-course menu featuring a range of surf, turf and grilled delicacies that have made Turtle Bay one of the most elegant restaurants in the capital. Highlights include a foie gras sumac terrine, poached seabass kiwi meuniere, and a wagyu beef with pan seared foie gras and potato mille feuille, with a lemongrass and kaffir lime crème brulee to finish. RSVP to bag an invite.

SIGN UP!

Wednesday, October 27 7pm to 10pm at Turtle Bay Bar & Grill RSVP to taran. singh@motivate. ae

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C O N S U M E

EAT // REVIEW

RACLETTE

More than gooey cheese courtesy of the Beirut Sur Mer team ny and every meal we seem to be discovering lately along Soul Beach’s serendipitous seaside promenade is an occasion, and our recent lunch at Raclette was no exception.

Even though it was still a bit too warm to dine alfresco, the new restaurant’s interior is fun. In fact, this spot’s aesthetic alone is worth a visit; it’s something akin to African Island bohemia meets Montmartre charm. It was almost enough to make us forget that we couldn’t sit outside on the enticing seaside terrace – but by the time this review reaches your hands, you, dear reader, will.

The seating layout is unusual, but it somehow works. The bar is perched high above in the faux jungle treetops and offers stellar people-watching and sea views.

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We could envision ourselves at this spot in cooler climes sitting outside by the sea warming up with some molten raclette.

Until then, we’re here to explore its other dishes…

We opted for the vol-au-vent au champignon and a burrata salad as starters.

Both were delicious, but the vol-au-vent was outstanding. With ingredients like cheese, cream, mushrooms, garlic and fresh herbs, this theatrical way of cooking up the wild mushroom fricassee in a Parmesan wheel was set up for success.

Though it would be hard to follow that show, we opted for the tenderloin served with Café de Paris sauce, delicate shoestring fries, and an effervescent side salad composed of lettuce and walnuts in a tangy lemon and Dijon dressing, which really had no place being relegated to the side.

That was good, but the signature sea bass was superb. Oven baked, over a bed of artichoke and vegetable niçoise, crusted with crispy dough. Its menu description does not do justice to just how artfully it’s served as well as its mega-portion size.

Aside from being delicious, it was great value.

Finally, the desserts. There’s a lot to like, including a tarte tatin that sounded delightfully nostalgic – we’ll also leave that one for the cooler weather. Instead we shared an exquisite pavlova with crisp meringue, a zingy berry reduction, delicate cream and so on.

Don’t bother trying to make this at home, instead leave it to the experts at Raclette. a Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, daily 9 am to midnight. Tel: 056 996 6898. @racletteuae RATING Food ����������������������������������������������������������������A Atmosphere ���������������������������������������������������� Price ��������������������������������������������������������

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C O N S U M E

EAT // REVIEW

HAKKASAN

Two decades old, but forever still Peking... akkasan is one of those names that carries a strong sort of culinary currency. The high-end Cantonese cuisine brand, known for its innovative, artistically executed menu and unimpeachably chic interiors, now operates across 12 restaurants on three separate continents.

The Abu Dhabi venue was one of the first to land outside of London, making its royal debut at Emirates Palace in 2010. And although it draws on recipes that stretch back into ancient China, Hakkasan as a brand is a fresh-faced and energetic 20 years old this year. To celebrate, they’re throwing a party in the shape of a special menu, and we’ve come to the fabled Abu Dhabi soiree spot to pay our respects to a legitimate fine dining dynasty.

After entering the restaurant, we’re whisked through a geometric grid of neon blue alleyways to our table for the night.

The low lighting, deep house playlist and permeable partitions that surround the dining nooks provide a pleasant balance between a privileged sense of seclusion, and vignette views of the busy restaurant beyond. It is its own vibe.

Our waitress politely explains the format of the menu, and the sequence the dishes will be brought in. Trying to choose the seven courses that represent 20 years worth of kitchen excellence, must have been an incredibly tricky task, but only slightly more difficult than choosing the 500 or so words to review it.

We start with a classic trio of seafood dim sum, that arrives with on-brand immaculate presentation. If you’re alumni of the shumai finishing school, you’ll appreciate as we do, that not all dumplings are made equal. And this scallop shumai is top of the class, the bite-to-juice ratio is spot on, and the meaty scallop option is a

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cut above the prawn filling we now feel like we’ve been fobbed off with elsewhere.

The langoustine har gau is deliberately less delicate. There are delightful pockets of aromatic piracy, that Shanghai the palate in exciting ways. The abalone and chicken parcel is dense, but filled with rich savoury gravy, and somehow the most dainty item of the three.

A clutch of steamed, hand-dived scallops with brown butter sauce arrive next. They’re served with shrimp tuiles and glass vermicelli. There’s a bittersweetness to the deconstruction of this dazzling plate, framed as it is by shell and coral-mimicking tuile, but its flavour profile describes a perfect case study for how to do subtle umami-play right.

The oatmeal sea bass, stir fry black pepper rib-eye beef, golden mixed vegetable yam ring and supreme stock braised lobster with egg noodle nests are presented simultaneously as the follow on.

We can understand the reasoning behind why each of the dishes made the 20th birthday cut, but the lobster noodles stand out for us, and probably rank as one of the best plates we’ve tried this year.

Our final course is a dessert that centres around caramalised chocolate cream, plum sponge, plum sorbet with vanilla foam. It’s round and late summer orchardy, rich, subtly-sweet and it serves as a perfect send off.

VERDICT: The aesthetic element of the courses at Hakkasan is important, yes, but the art is indistinguishable from the eating. It’s all about the holistic experience.

The chef is speaking through the food, and whilst we can try to describe it here, the only way to hear this beautiful mantra is to try it, which you really rather ought to. a Emirates Palace, Corniche Rd W, the 20th anniversary meal is Dhs488. Tel: (02) 690 7739, @hakkasanabudhabi RATING Food ���������������������������������������������������������������� A Atmosphere ���������������������������������������������������� Price ���������������������������������������������������������

C O N S U M E

EAT // NEWS

Taste of India Pepper restaurant launches new south Asian theme night Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan restaurant, Pepper, has just launched a very spicy, low-on-pricey deal for a south Asian theme night called Taste of India. Taking place every Thursday between 6.30pm and 10.30pm, there is a huge menu of aromatic Indian salads, hot starters, naan and tikka marinades fresh from the venue’s tandoor oven, as well a kebabs, soups, jalfrazis, biryanis, curries, stews and a selection of prime grilled cuts. Best of all, it’s a steal at just Dhs229 for the house drinks package. a Novotel Abu Dhabi Al, Thur 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Tel: (0)2 501 6444. novotelabudhabi-albustan.com

A pizza the action Antonia opens ‘by-the-slice’ pizzeria on Saadiyat Island

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here’s a new gourmet pizzeria bringing pizza al taglio to Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island. A Roman variety of our favourite flatbread, al taglio (which translates to ‘pizza by the slice’) traditionally comes in squares and makes for some epic street eats.

The ‘by-the-slice’ concept also means that you can mix and match your topping choices, allowing you to blend classic pizza experiences.

This pizzeria will be using a base blend using organic Italian flour and sourdough.

Away from sliced squares, Antonia also serves up hearty portions of authentic pasta, cold pizzas, calamari, fresh salad options, suppli (a gorgeous species of gooey risotto croquette), and sweet pizzas (with Nutella of course). Rumour has it that it’s also licensed. a Soul Beach, Building 9 Mamsha al Saadiyat, daily noon to 11pm. antoniarestaurant.com

Monster milkshakes on Mamsha Saadiyat Island welcomes newest branch of Black Tap Black Tap, the cult New York burger and shake joint, has opened its newest beachfront venue on Saadiyat Island. This New York burger chain’s craft bun and shake game is already legendary in the UAE, and is currently five joints strong. Captains of burger audacity, its signature stacks, face-sized sandwiches, innovative taste combos, and freak shakes are guaranteed to bring all the boys and girls to the Mamsha yard. a Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to midnight. blacktapme.com

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C O N S U M E

EAT // NEW OPENING

Dining in the dark Pitch Black Dining opens in Bab Al Qasr

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t’s been said that when you shut off one of the senses, the others are heightened, opening gateways to entirely new perceptual experiences. That’s a central part of the philosophy behind Pitch Black Dining, a new culinary adventure at Fresh Basil restaurant, Bab Al Qasr.

The five-star hotel’s director of food and beverage, Elias Saad, is the creative mind behind this — Abu Dhabi’s first ‘dining in the dark’ experience, and it is now open for bookings, with packages starting at just Dhs249, for limited seatings Monday to Friday.

In the dark

Although what’s served on the night can be tailored to accommodate ‘preferences and allergies’, in keeping with the in-the-dark theme, the luxe three-course menu conceived and created by executive chef Yvan Marclay and head chef Gayan Rupasinghe, will largely remain shrouded in mystery. This avoids curious 44_What’s On

diners forming any experiencealtering preconceptions.

Part of the predinner ritual involves handing over all lightemitting gadgetry. Items such as phones, smart watches and cameras will be temporarily stored safely away, too. This is to ensure the pitch black room, remains as advertised, and to enhance your own chewing pleasure.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The format for Pitch Black Dining unfolds over 60 to 90 minutes in three distinct experiential phases:

01 ARRIVAL Before entering the umbral abyss, you’ll be treated to a short briefing by your hosts in the reception area, paired with a welcome drink and canapes.

02 DINING EXPERIENCE After your orientation session, you’ll be led into the complete darkness of Fresh Basil restaurant. The staff are kitted out with high-tech night vision equipment allowing them to get you to your table without any stubbed toe theatrics.

What follows is a threecourse meal designed to pluck at a variety of sensorial strings.

The restaurant’s chefs have primed the flavour palette to lead you on a tour through heightened taste country, and if you do manage to miss your mouth, at least your date won’t be able to see. What happens in the dark, stays in the dark.

03 THE REVEAL Every magic trick must have a third and final part, where what was snatched from sight is now returned. And it’s here where the chef will quiz you over what you thought you ate, and let you in on the details for each of the three courses.

a Fresh Basil, Bab Al Qasr, W Corniche Road, Mon to Fri 7.30pm to 10pm, prices from Dhs249 per person. Tel/WhatsApp: (00971) 56 992 2078, @babalqasrhotel

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C O N S U M E

EAT // NEWS

Where to find: Keto burgers in the capital Because, Keto doesn’t have to mean a burger veto…

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f you’re a card-carrying member of the carb-dodging ketorati, or you’ve been considering a switch to see if it might work for you, it’s likely you’ve already written off the idea of splurging on burgers any time soon. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a few substitutions, it’s possible to turn this poster boy for complex carbohydrates into a lean, mean, ketosis-pedalling machine.

01 Burger Fuel This New Zealand export was one of the first to spot and celebrate the cut carb craze, offering a stripped back ‘Low Carbinator’ version for each of their 100 per cent grass-fed, antibiotic-free beef, and chicken burgers (we recommend the American Muscle — cheddar, pickles and mustard). It’s basically a lettuce wrap, which, full disclosure, can make the eating ritual a messy affair. q @burgerfuel_uae

03 Pickl One of our favourite homegrown smashed patty burger joints, Pickl understands that not all of us are, ‘about that bread’. It offers the option, on delivery and dine-in, to replace its potato buns with a lettuce wrap. Its gnarly chicken sandos are going to require a hefty slab of lettuce though as those fillets are absolute beasts. Look out for a Pickl branch opening on Saadiyat imminently. q @eatpickl

02 The Cheesecake Factory Pro tip: Head straight to the ‘Skinnylicious’ section, and ask for the Skinnylicious hamburger (from Dhs55) sans bun (sans sauce too if you’re feeling extra brave). It already comes with a side salad. q @thecheesecakefactoryme 46_What’s On

COMING SOON

MEET THE CHEF

WALTER DEE JOSEPH In talks with the specialty outlet chef at Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas

Like most chefs, I started working at a young age in a small restaurant. I started out in Malaysia washing dishes. I felt the sense of camaraderie despite it being really hard work.

When I moved to Kuala Lumpur, I worked in five-star hotels while simultaneously studying at culinary school. It was working in real kitchens that I learnt how to work under pressure.

I would like to think that I’m a humble chef. It’s important to be respectful towards mistakes and ideas from my peers and junior colleagues. We all started somewhere and we each learn new things every day. I treasure that.

My proudest achievements?

I’ve been very fortunate to have won many culinary competitions. A highlight was the highly recommended head chef at the Middle East 2019 awards.

The dining scene in Abu Dhabi has undergone rapid transformation. It’s given foodies a number of great options to choose from, from cuisines all around the world.

Last day on Earth? Well, I’d throw any diet out the window and eat all of my favourite foods. I’m not going to live to see the consequences tomorrow am I? a Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Abu Dhabi. rotana.com

BRUNCH MONTH O F

T H E

Sayad at Emirates Palace A regal gem is worth its royal postcode Big international buffets have their place on the brunch stage. There’s an undeniable joy in trotting past food stations, and crafting your own personalised menu through a impulse plating.

But there’s a lot to be said for the long, lazy sit-down set menus, too. It removes the burden of choice and you follow the chef ’s curation.

We’ve just arrived in the grand lobby of Emirates Palace on the way to Sayad, to see how well the chef here puts together a brunch experience by proxy.

Just beyond the restaurant’s threshold there’s an impressive aquarium, a little like the one in the party scene of Baz Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet.

Our waitress guides us past an arrangement of Greek tile-work on the turquoise walls, and under a hanging botanical ceiling feature, then we stop before a shaft of soft light breaking through yonder window.

“This is your table,” our waitress explains “we’ve given you one with a view”.

The easy Mediterranean vibe follows faithfully through into the kitchen craft.

Our nine-course set menu is a coast to coast affair, zig-zagging through a series of fair cities, all alike in culinary dignity.

Sayad’s opening gambit comes in the form of focaccia and a smashed avocado dip — the execution is exquisite. Oysters

come next, served with a French shallot vinaigrette. They’re paired with a tuna ceviche (emboldened by sharp green apples), and a burrata platter. This is a menu that celebrates quality of produce.

The burrata is that distinguished sort, creamy but offering faint flavour nods to provenance.

Parcels of lovingly prepared porcini mushroom ravioli follow. This is an accomplished effort, perhaps the stand-out dish of the ensemble, the fungi provide a series of umami levels that are a Montague to the sun dried tomato Capulet.

Then we receive our paella, topped with a medley of seafood. It’s fractionally heavy on the seasoning, but bursting with Valencian perfumes of saffron.

A Mediterranean mixed grill follows alongside skin-on fries topped with fondant raclette, poured table-side.

The parting desserts are all sweet, no sorrow — a honey parfait and assortment of sorbets. We’re left with one last lingering thought — Sayad might seem an odd title for such an authentic Mediterranean restaurant but, after all, what is in a name? a Emirates Palace, Fri 1pm to 4pm, Dhs295 with soft drinks, Dhs375 with house drinks. Tel: (0)2 690 7999. mandarinoriental.com What’s On_47

ART + THEATRE + FILM + MUSIC

PA G E 50

Art attack

Unmissable culture events this month REGIONAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT p52

THE AGENDA Our pick of the top culture-related events this month around the UAE

For more cultural plans happening in the UAE, visit whatson.ae

ABU DHABI /

EXHIBITION

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Dragon and Phoenix – Centuries of Exchange between Chinese and Islamic Worlds The history of cultural exchange between the Islamic world and China will be unearthed in Louvre Abu Dhabi’s latest exhibition, detailing the interactions between Chinese and Islamic civilisations from the 8th to 18th centuries.

Explore cultural connections through more than 200 artworks from the collections of Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Musée Guimet and 12 international institutions, alongside a wider cultural programme.

Until Feb 2022 a Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island. louvreabudhabi.ae 50_What’s On

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THEATRE

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12 Angry Jurors Actors from The Junction performing arts centre head to the capital to stage 12 Angry Jurors at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Based on the courtroom drama 12 Angry Men, written by Reginald Rose, the play contemplates the huge responsibility of 12 ordinary

people as they deliberate the conviction or acquittal of a young adult defendant on the basis of reasonable doubt. After a very long trial, tempers flare inside the jury room as they try to reach a unanimous decision.

October 7, 8 and 9 a Manarat Al Saadiyat, . Tel: (0)2 657 5800. manaratalsaadiyat.ae

CULTURE

DUBAI /PERFORMANCE/

Meet the Beatles The ultimate fab forgery, Meet The Beatles is one of the finest UK tributes to beloved band. Hear the play on the QE2 as they deliver the most authentic sound and look since the sixties.

Expect a magical mystery tour of the Fab Four’s career from The Cavern days, through the psychedelia of Sgt Pepper to the final farewell 1969 concert.

October 28 and 29 a Theatre by QE2, Dubai.

Tel: (0)58 838 3107. theatrebyqe2.com

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EXHIBITION

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The Cherry On Top The works of art on display here by Jordanian visual artist Khaldoun Hijazin expose the complex network of control and manipulation that frames our existence. Using dark humour, the artist dissects structures of power and dominance in realms from the political to the social. Expect large scale works of art among other impressive paintings.

Until October 31 a Tabari Artspace, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai. Tel: (0)4 323 0820. @tabari_artspace /

PERFORMANCE

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Astana Ballet Theatre Kazakhstan’s leading ballet company, Astana Ballet, travels to the UAE to premiere two masterpieces at Dubai Opera this season: The Legend of Love (October 27 and 28) and Sultan Baybars (October 29 and 30). Both extravagant productions promise spectacular choreography, beautiful scenery, and enchanting oriental and Middle Eastern melodies.

October 27 to 30 a Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai. Tickets start at Dhs233, shows begin at 8pm.

Tel: (0)4 440 8888. dubaiopera.com What’s On_51

CULTURE

The world according to Shébani

Flash Entertainment continues its Regional Artist Spotlight initiative to champion regional music talent

MUSIC

S

hébani has come a long way in her musical career since dancing to music videos in her bedroom.

The talented Iraqi R&B singersongwriter has launched a successful YouTube channel, released several killer singles, and performed not only on the UAE’s top stages, but internationally, too. But it’s her drive to create positive change that’s really making her stand out from the crowd…

How did you first get into music?

Memories of my childhood are filled with singing and dancing to music videos and dance movies in my room. I was a performer before I even realised it could be my profession. Luckily, I grew up in a very creative household.

My older sister was my biggest inspiration. I regularly watched her perform in talent shows. By 18 I was singing everyday, but I never performed in front of anyone until I signed up for a singing competition at uni. Things picked up after graduation – I launched my YouTube channel and began uploading covers. I got involved in jam sessions, open mic nights and a few performances here and there.

In 2016, I took the plunge and released my first work, the Alter Ego EP. The rest was history…

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How would you describe the music that you make?

My music is vulnerable and honest.

I’m strongly driven and inspired by my thoughts and the way emotions work.

I’ve experimented with a lot of sounds and I’m still trying to figure out who I am as an artist. I definitely don’t think it’s an overnight achievement. We tend to learn more about ourselves in our personal and social lives. The same goes for music. I’m always learning and growing, and that inspires me. I write

about my learnings, feelings, happiness, pain, struggles I’ve overcome, love and all the things that make us vulnerable humans.

Who are the artists that inspire you?

Any artist who has found the perfect balance of self-awareness, kindness and determination to get through the hard days. I’m inspired by people and artists who leave an impact and create value in what they do. I’m also inspired by sounds, voices and aesthetics. But

Which one of these releases is your favourite and why?

It’s hard to choose, because every release I had was like an important moment in my life. But if I had to choose, I’d say my favourites are the unreleased ones. It’s my biggest project thus far, and it’s therapy to me.

music to me is more than just the way it sounds or how it looks. I like to get deeper and really understand the intention behind everything. NAO, Banks, Julia Michaels, Gallant, Aaliyah, James Blake and Jon Bellion are some of my all-time favourite artists.

What are your latest musical accomplishments?

I’ve done a lot of things that I’m proud of. I’ve crossed so much off the list but there’s still a lot to do. I can give an easy answer and say maybe supporting Jorja Smith and Liam Payne in 2019 for DSF’s 25th anniversary show.

But I believe that the hardest thing I was able to do is decide to take a break from releasing any music and start working on my debut album.

I’ve gotten so used to releasing singles that I’ve become desensitised to it. It’s been over a year since I’ve released my last single and I’ve been on a nonstop process of writing, creating and allowing myself to mould a new sound.

That excites me more than anything, and I’m really proud of how it’s all coming along.

What is your creative process like?

Has it changed since the pandemic?

Yeah, a thousand per cent. My creative process used to make me anxious. I felt like I had to be quick with everything.

Where have you performed?

I’ve performed in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, Lebanon and Jordan. The most performances I’ve done are in Dubai. I’m so grateful for shows like Sole DXB, DSF 2019, the Beat DXB and much more. They’ve shaped me tremendously.

Some of my favourite venues to perform at were Under The Bridge and O2 Academy Islington in London. When Ed Sheeran started out, he was one of my biggest inspirations to become a songwriter, and I had heard that in his beginnings, he performed at a venue in London called The Bedford live. So during my musical studies there, I called them up and asked if I can put on a show. They said ‘yes’. I don’t know how

“I WANT TO LEAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE WORLD...”

The pandemic taught me to slow things down. You can’t rush good music. The best fuel for music is to live your life away from it. How else are you going to make stories to write about? I find that that really helps me with writing.

Technically speaking, my creative process always begins with an idea or an emotion I’m feeling in the moment.

I write it down on my notes if it’s lyrics, or record it on my voice memos if it’s a melody. This one single and small idea then turns into a whole song. My process is definitely gradual, and I find that journalling is the best way to get ideas out.

that happened, but I was so humbled to be on that stage. It wasn’t big, but you can feel all the history and the incredible moments that were created on it. That’s irreplaceable.

What does your involvement in the Regional Artist Spotlight mean to you?

I love to see more women get involved in the music industry. I love to see women write songs and get in the studio to make projects happen. I love to see new producers, artists, songwriters, managers, DJs get out there and take up space. But regardless of gender, here’s the bigger picture: I believe that the more we speak out as artists, the more we inspire others to come out and join the field. I don’t only want to shed light on my music and accomplishments and call it a day. I want to leave a positive impact in the world and make sure it’s known that it’s not wrong to pursue a creative outlet. If all it takes is for me to be loud and present, then that’s the easiest way for me to create a ripple effect and help others believe in themselves and what they have to offer.

One day I want to be on someone’s “top five artists who inspire you” list.

What is your top five afterparty playlist?

1. Anything by NAO. All of it.

2. Alternative R&B 3. Best of James Blake 4. Byfaith (a playlist curated by my sister) 5. All the throwback playlists (‘90s R&B, ‘00s R&B) q @RegionalArtistSpotlight; @shebanimusic

What are your latest releases and what are the stories behind them?

I haven’t released any music for a while, but I’m currently working on my debut album with Berlin-based artist and producer James Chatburn.

He’s incredible and I’m so happy to be creating with him. This is a project that I am truly ready for. I’m so excited to share it with the world soon.

What’s On_53

B

ird

ies

* Beers *

at Br

s

Celebrate Oktoberfest with Golf Digest Middle East

We’ll sort the brews, brats and pristine golf course. You take care of the birdies and banter!

Individual stableford, 1pm shotgun

2x German brews and a cheeky shot in your golf cart on arrival

Free Bratwurst and traditional pretzel

Competition prizes including Pro-Am spot in October’s LET Dubai Moonlight Classic

WHEN: Thursday, October 14, 2021 ENTER AT: GolfDigestME.com/oktoberfest

On course activations

SPORT + WELL-BEING + TRAVEL

PA G E 56

Hang tough

Desert Warrior Challenge in RAK TENNIS NEWS p56 OUTDOOR YOGA p57 What’s On_55

A C T I V E

SPORT // NEWS

Sand, sweat and tears Desert Warrior Challenge Ras Al Khaimah returns

Smashing tennis

Mubadala World Tennis Championship tickets on sale now

T

he ace in the region’s tennis calendar — the Mubadala World Tennis Championship – makes a smashing comeback this year.

After skipping the pandemic year to ensure the safety of players and fans, the starstudded tournament will be back for 2021 from December 16 to 18 serving the UAE’s tennis fans with a rallying slice of oncourt action.

Six of the world’s top male tennis talents, and two of the strongest female players will fly in to contest the crowns, although names are

not confirmed yet. In 2019 Maria Sharapova toppled Ajla Tomljanovic for yet another trophy in an already prolific career; whilst Rafael Nadal overcame Novak Djokovic in a thrilling final, to claim more silverware for his own glittering cabinet.

Tickets are on sale now and start at Dhs100 for adults and Dhs50 for children.

Get yours at ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. December 16 to 18 a International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, from Dhs100. ticketmaster.ae

The UAE’s first homegrown obstacle course returns to Al Marjan Island for its 10th installment on November 19.

Promising to be bigger than ever, expect over 20 obstacles to overcome across the 10km course, including the ‘Quarter Pipe’, the tallest pipe obstacle in the region.

The event features the Fearless Warrior course with 12+ obstacles plotted along 5km, the Ultimate Warrior Course with 20+ obstacles along a 10km, and a 1km and 2km Junior Warrior course for kids six and above.

November 19 a Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, 7am, Dhs411 (5km), Dhs470 (10km). desertwarriorchallenge.com

Football fever

Rent-a-pitch now available on Hudayriyat Island A few leagues up from ‘jumpers for goalposts’, 321Sports centre, on Abu Dhabi’s adventure island Hudayriyat is now open for football fun. You and your squad can rent one of the outdoor pitches, or the five-a-side pitch inside the centre’s inflatable 56_What’s On

dome. Prices start at Dhs375 for outdoor half pitch rental, up to Dhs790 per hour for the full pitch. Also available for hire are basketball, tennis, padel and badminton courts. a Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi.

Tel: (0) 691 0256, 321sports.ae

Seven Wellness – beach and park

01 Louvre Abu Dhabi Louvre Abu Dhabi offers a twice-weekly day of calming contemplation. ‘Yoga under the dome’ costs just Dhs90 and is a mere cobra stretch away from a culturally immersive stroll around one of the world’s finest museums. The 75-minute yoga sessions take place on Sundays and Tuesdays at 10.15am and 5pm. a Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Sun and Tues at 10.15am and 5pm (but you’ll need to arrive 15 minutes in advance), Dhs90. Tel: (600) 565566.

02

This wellness collective describes itself as the ‘ultimate urban retreat for the soul’, but amongst the huge variety of wholesome activities on its books, you’ll find a few shala-without-walls experiences. At Seven, you can book alfresco yoga classes in two locations — the cool and verdant Umm Al Emarat Park, as well as the emirate’s gorgeous new boho beach club, Cove Beach Makers District. The Wednesday Umm Al Emarat Park sessions are free and focus on Vinyasa, ending with a guided group meditation.

There are three Cove Beach trips each week (Dhs65 for non-members), one of which is a ‘Fusion’ class (Sunday), one comes under the label ‘Strength’ (on Tuesday), and a final Friday class offering an hour of ‘Serenity’. a Tel: (056) 407 5405, book on sevenwellness.ae

A C T I V E

WELL–BEING // NEWS

Four to try

Namaste balanced with these Abu Dhabi yoga adventures…

Bodytree at Saadiyat Beach Club

03

Bodytree Wellness Studio offers a selection of its guided yoga and Pilates sessions at Saadiyat Beach Club, so you can get those zen gains on the grains. You can choose classes such as Restorative Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Total Body Care Pilates all within the soothing reach of blue horizons and onshore breeze. a Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, single classes available from Dhs95, there are discounts for Saadiyat Beach Club members and booking in batches. bodytreestudio. com

04 The Studio — beachfront yoga Popular flex-hub, The Studio offers beachfront field trip classes at top five-star ‘flop and drop’ spots, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas and Beach Rotana. You can select hatha sessions, sunset yoga, chakra cleanses, yin and yang yoga, forgiveness yoga (perhaps of particular interest for those observing Ramadan), full moon yoga, pink moon yoga and more, for as long as the weather holds. a Tel: (02) 621 0000. thestudiouae.com What’s On_57

TRAVEL: UZBEKISTAN SPOTLIGHT

EXPO SPECIAL

UZBEKISTAN: A CULINARY JOURNEY To celebrate Expo 2020, What’s On explores the culinary delights of Uzbekistan – one of Expo 2020 Dubai’s leading pavilions…

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U

zbekistan is a fascinating mashup of cultures and contrasts – a country where modern developments sit along ancient mosques and roads wind from frenetic bazaars to breath-taking landscapes. Threads of the ancient Silk Road still run through the historical cities of Uzbekistan, including Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. The people, ideas and goods that travelled the route have become part of Uzbekistan’s culture and cuisine.

Located at the heart of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan’s culinary tradition blends the east and west making it a perfect destination for those with a palette for exciting flavours and tastes where fragrant spices, aromatic green tea, sweets, thousands of delicious fruits and vegetables combine with heartfelt Uzbek hospitality.

Read on for nine Uzbek dishes worth trying at Voha Restaurant located at Uzbekistan Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai.

ADVERTISEMENT

01.

Plov

Arguably the country’s most popular dish. Each region cooks plov in its own unique way with over 60 recipes listed on record. Its ingredients typically feature lamb, rice, onion, carrot and spices, but can sometimes feature less traditional ingredients, depending on the festivities, including horse meat, pheasant or quail. Uzbek plov has been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO.

02.

Kebab

08.

Sunflower halva

A favourite, of course, in much of the Middle East, the faithful kebab is also a beloved dish in Uzbekistan. Standard variations include mutton, beef, chicken or liver.

03.

Katlama

Katlama is fried Uzbek bread cooked with a variety of toppings. It is crispy, crunchy, buttery and full of flavour.

04.

Samsa

You’ll find Samsa, also known as Uzbek samosas, everywhere from street stalls and fancy restaurants to family homes.

These triangular pastries are wrapped around finely minced lamb soaked in fragrant spices and baked to golden perfection.

05.

Dolma

These finger-shaped wraps of grape leaves are crammed with a medley of veggies and typically cooked in spring, when the grape leaves are young and soft and not hardened by the hot rays of the Central Asian sun.

06.

Kazan Kabab

One of the more unique kebabs from Uzbek cuisine, pre-salted bone-on lamb and beef are cooked in the kazan (a cast iron casserole dish), and served with crispy potatoes.

A key part to Uzbek cuisine is its sweets and halva is one of the country’s most popular desserts. It’s essentially ground up sunflower seeds that are heated briefly, pressed down into a pan, and then chilled. The result is a dense, sweet, and nutty bar that is usually eaten on its own.

09.

Shurpa

A popular starter in Uzbek cuisine, shurpa is a thick and comforting soup.

A rich, fatty broth is combined with generous pieces of lamb and vegetables, and slowly cooked with fragrant spices and herbs.

07.

Uzbek manti

A delicacy in Uzbekistan, manti is made using delicately thin dough filled with meat and steamed in a special pot.

TRY THESE AT… VOHA Restaurant

A huge draw to the Uzbekistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, VOHA is an elegant yet traditional restaurant serving the best in Uzbekistan cuisine.

What’s On_59

WIN!

A FUN SEASIDE GETAWAY TO FUJAIRAH AT LE MERIDIEN AL AQAH

You’re in for the perfect adventure at beloved Fujairah landmark Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort. Your trip includes a night’s stay in a deluxe room with breakfast at Views restaurant. With excellent snorkelling opportunities, a beautiful beach, and laidback restaurants, it’ll feel like a tropical island escape.

q For your chance to win, go to whatson.ae/win

WIN! A STAY AT

SWISS-RUN REVIER DUBAI HOTEL One lucky reader will be making their way to the brand new Revier Dubai Hotel in Business Bay next month.

Earn bragging rights as one of the first to sample authentic Swiss hospitality in the city at this edgy, cosy and tech-driven hotel. You’ll stay in the hotel’s ‘My Pad’ room with breakfast for two included.

q For your chance to win, go to whatson.ae/win 60_What’s On

WIN! A TWO-NIGHT STAYCATION AT INTERCONTINENTAL ABU DHABI We’ve teamed up with InterContinental Abu Dhabi to give one lucky reader and a guest the chance to experience a two-night stay at one of its stunning marina view rooms. You’ll also have a full buffet breakfast, dinner at one of the hotel’s award-winning restaurants, and complimentary access to the Bayshore Beach Club included with your stay. T&Cs apply.

q For your chance to win, go to whatson.ae/win

What’s On_61

LASTMINUTE TRIP Can the recordbreaking Address Beach Resort hotel deliver an unforgettable stay?

JBR’s skyline became even more impressive when Address Beach Resort opened last December. But even more wow-worthy is its Guinness World Record-breaking infinity pool, located on the 77th floor. The hotel has 217 rooms and suites, six food and beverage outlets and 100 metres of pristine private beach.

The location If you’re talking about prime locations, it doesn’t get much better than this. Set right on the beach of JBR, facing Bluewaters and Palm Jumeirah, the views are out of this world, and the higher your room, the better it gets. Around you, there’s a plethora of dining and nightlife options, as well as a private beach, sparkling ocean and the world’s tallest observation wheel, Ain Dubai.

The look and feel In keeping with Address’ signature style, the property is sleek and modern, with elegant touches. Externally, the vast structure has a unique ‘frame’ shape with an adjoining sky bridge that hosts the famed swimming pool. The ground floor hosts more pools, which families can enjoy at leisure while soaking up the sun.

The rooms We stayed in a deluxe sea view room with a balcony. Spacious and bright, Address Beach Resort offers a chic home for the night, with the option of either marina or sea views (the latter is worth the extra expense). The bathrooms are large, with a warm colour palette and separate bath and shower. The only thing letting the amenities down was the absence of Nespresso capsules for our morning brew.

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“ADDRESS BEACH RESORT IS PLEASANT, BUT IT’S THE POOL THAT TAKES IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL” The facilities Record-breaking infinity pool aside, Address Beach Resort is pleasant, but it really is the pool that takes it to the next level. The view is breath-taking, and its clever design means that the view isn’t hindered by glass panels. The pool is only open to hotel guests, and even then only to adults, which means it’s calm and uncrowded. Truthfully, the food and drink menu was more pricey than we expected (and we’re used to Dubai prices), which limits the amount of fun to be had throughout the day. Also, the pool closes precisely at sunset. A bit disappointing given that surely it would be best to actually see the sun set. We begged security to let us stay a little longer.

Thankfully, they obliged.

The restaurants The Beach Grill was the surprise of the

staycation. A lovely beachside restaurant with thoughtful nautical design and friendly waitstaff. The food was supreme and well-priced, making it a place that we’d come back to outside of a hotel stay.

Li’Brasil was our dinner destination.

Sadly, it was too hot to sit on the pretty terrace. The menu, although it has Portuguese names, is far more Lebanese than Brazilian, as confirmed by our Carioca companion. Portions aren’t overly generous but the dishes are tasty enough.

The room rates A night at Address Beach Resort in October starts from Dhs2,025. Room types vary from standard, to rooms with a balcony and executive suites (in case you want to push the boat out). a Address Beach Resort, JBR, Dubai.

Tel: (0)4 879 8888. addresshotels.com/en/ resorts/address-beach-resort