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CON TE N TS
08 14 26 FACT FINDS
SOCIAL DISTANCING
COVID-19 COLUMN
37 48 54 RAMADAN 101
LOCAL ARTS
HOTEL HOTSPOT
63 69 79 ISLAND RIDES
FASHION FOCUS
NEW IN TOWN
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• THE EDITOR
#StayHome
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FACT Magazine Abu Dhabi Edition • APRIL 2020 VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. - Helen Keller
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e finally made it to April. I was beginning to think that we were going to see the 93rd day of March, and whilst the memes were doing their funniest to keep us all going, there’s a much-welcomed renewed sense of hope in the feeling of moving forwards with the turn of the month. Where do we begin? A global pandemic has turned our lives upside down. We’ve had to adopt a lifestyle change akin to something that is completely film-worthy. Quarantine, lockdown, isolation and curfew – I have never typed those words so much more in my entire life than I have in the past few weeks. Nevertheless, I can’t help but feel extreme gratitude for being here, in the UAE capital – where numerous initiatives to tackle the coronavirus outbreak have been put in place with urgency and immediacy. And on day 14 of quarantine, even though I was on my fifth re-run of a Lord of the Rings marathon, I had nothing but immense appreciation for the people, the companies and the leaders of this city. With that in mind, we were more determined than ever to make sure that FACT’s April issue brought to you all the tips, tricks and words of encouragement to get through this unpredictable time. Turn to p15 and let us help you bust the boredom out of social distancing. We highlight some great ways in which to make the most of your time indoors – get creative, slow down, reconnect – there’s so much out there to keep you entertained! Have you tried all the recipes from every social media platform? Fear not. Abu Dhabi’s restaurants have stepped up their game with amazing offers and special takeaway and delivery menus to make sure you can still eat all your favourite foods in the comfort of your homes. Support them by ordering direct – we’ve put together a list of 24 places to get you started (p18). And what better way to enjoy the food you just ordered than curling up to start some of the best series on streaming services? Check out our list of 20 must-watch shows to get you through quarantine like a marathon. We’re unsure of where we’ll be in a few weeks’ time, but we took the liberty of looking ahead and bringing you a sneak peek of the best Iftar and Suhoor offers in town (p37). Hopefully, based on the directives of the authorities, we may even see you – from a distance of course – at one of our favourite spreads later this month. That would, really, be the dream. It goes without saying that all the great food, arts, and culture features throughout the issue will apply to the everyday life we’re all trying to get back to by helping to flatten the covid-19 curve. I can’t stress enough the need for everyone to do their part and stay home. More than anything, we want to say a big thank you to all the first responders, healthcare professionals, volunteers, supermarket workers, delivery drivers and all those who continue to go to work to make sure that you and I are safe and comfortable. The past month has been both a hurdle and a triumph for every single person who has stayed home, stayed safe and stayed hopeful. Whatever lies ahead, we’re going to see it through together. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy month ahead. ☺
Shabana Adam Editor-in-Chief shabana@fact-magazine.com Insta: @shabs_a 4
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GREG HUGHES PUBLISHERS EDWARD SMITH RAMI KHALIL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SHABANA ADAM (shabana@fact-magazine.com) ASSISTANT EDITOR ELANUR SENGEL SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS SYED MUHAMMED RAIHAN JYOTI RAWAT CONTRIBUTORS AMAL SALAMEH DAVID TAPLEY PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION AJIT KUMAR NEIL MAHMOOD SALES MANAGER NARIMANE HASSAN SALES COORDINATOR KIA MARIE PLACIDO ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES narimane@fact-magazine.com PRINTED BY UNITED PRINTING PRESS
All Rights Reserved. Opinion expressed within does not necessarily represent the opinion of the publisher. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy of the information within this publication. However, FACT M.E. FZ-LLC cannot accept legal responsibility for any erroneous content or omissions. FACT M.E. FZ-LLC, Office 907E, TwoFour54, Park Rotana Complex, P.O. Box 769328, Abu Dhabi, UAE License Number: D.L. 361/17/A
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Your one-stop culture fix for life in Abu Dhabi | First for local talent, arts, fashion, dining and all the coolest events in the city | We’ve got tech, travel, motoring and exclusive interviews with all the industry and celebrity-world movers and shakers too | Get your copy of FACT Abu Dhabi in local supermarkets now!
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Strong Today. Strong Tomorrow. Strongest Together.
ISSUU.COM FACT Abu Dhabi 72,456 reads of the March issue If you need your FACT fix pronto, flick through our monthly online edition on issuu. com for all the best features, including local culture, arts, fashion, food, motoring, tech, travel and more in Abu Dhabi.
OUR FAVE FEATURE • SOCIAL DISTANCING P15 •
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FACT FINDS
Staycation Goals EXCELLENT DEALS FROM BEACH ROTANA ABU DHABI…
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hose looking for a short break, some relaxation and pampering have two options at Beach Rotana. Either to enjoy access to the Beach Club for a day or book themselves in for an unforgettable staycation. Beach Club Day Pass - enjoy a day at the Beach Club with family or friends including credit for food and beverages. Weekdays: Single - AED120 (including AED80 to be spent on food and/or beverages); Double - AED220 (including AED160 to be spent on food and/or beverages); Kids - AED60. Weekend: Single - AED180 (including AED120 to be spent on food and/or beverages); Double - AED300 (including AED190 to be spent on food and/or beverages); Kids - AED60. Staycation Package - book your stay for a minimum of two nights and get 50% off your room rates. Additional benefits include 15% off dining, 25% off massage treatments and 20% off laundry services. Members of Rotana Rewards Exclusive and Rotana Rewards Select will also be able to use their membership cards to earn points and enjoy membership privileges. ✤
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GO: CALL (0)2 697 9302 FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION.
LISTEN UP •
BRING YOUR OWN FRIENDS Friday brunchin’ is made all the more fun when you get to eat and party with all your favourite people… AT MARRIOTT AL FORSAN Abu Dhabi, Fridays are for celebrating good food and weekend vibes with your nearest and dearest. Gather your bffs and head to Appaloosa to experience the B.Y.O.F (Bring Your Own Friends) Brunch where it’s all about platters galore. Enjoy salads to start with delicious concoctions including Roast Chicken Salad with caramelised walnut; Shrimp, Greek feta and pumpkin as well as 70’s Prawn Cocktail and Grilled Flat Bread with house made dips. The B.Y.O.F Brunch is a unique experience featuring tasty sharing platters of pub-grub and munchies and unlimited house beverage for four hours. The selection of platters includes indulgent delights such as Salmon Churros, Crisp Camembert, Mushrooms on Toast, Lobster Roll sliders, Rib and Cheese sliders, Pie and Chips, Bangers and Mash and so much more. This brand-new concept offers a fun atmosphere with different game alternatives such as beer pong and a pool table plus live music. Served from 1pm to 5pm for AED222 per person. ✤
GO: CALL (0)2 201 4000 FOR RESERVATIONS AND FOLLOW @ MARRIOTTATFORSAN FOR MORE INFORMATION. fact magazine
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• LISTEN UP
FRIDAY SAKURA BRUNCH The premium Japanese restaurant has launched a weekend feast featuring authentic flavours, stunning views and free-flowing beverages. MATSU, THE PREMIUM JAPANESE dining destination on Yas Island, is set to elevate Friday brunch to the next level with its exquisite new Sakura Brunch. Every Friday, between 1pm and 4pm, guests are invited to experience authentic Japanese cuisine, made with quality ingredients and using traditional cooking techniques, alongside free-flowing beverages and beautiful views over Yas Links Golf Club. A concept dedicated to ’hanami’, a traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the beauty of transient flowers and specifically the seasonal cherry blossoms, the Sakura Brunch is designed to exude authentic Japanese culture and tastes. Featuring a lovingly crafted menu from Executive Chef Roy and Chef Yuji Abe, the whole experience is the perfect embodiment of Omotenashi, or the spirit of Japanese hospitality. Transporting guests to Japan with a cultural experience that includes traditionally dressed staff and an authentic Japanese household ambience, Matsu is offering a brunch experience unlike any other in the capital. Guests can choose to accompany the mouthwatering dishes with free-flowing soft drinks for AED399, house beverages for AED499, or with premium beverages for AED599. 10
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Diners will begin their culinary journey with a selection of light bites such as traditional Miso Soup, Seafood Tartar to Hiyayako (diced tofu in katsuo soy dressing), Matsu Salada (cherry tomato, grapefruit, mixed leaves and miso dressing) and Potato and Kani Salada (crab meat, mash potato, carrot and cucumber with Japanese mayo dressing). Further options include delicate tempura dishes like Volcanic Shrimp and Spicy Calamari, plus spectacular main courses such as Chicken Tori Teriyaki, Gyuniku (chargrilled beef steak with harrisa butter), Shoyu Zukesake (grilled salmon with butternut squash puree), Tuna Steak and the perfectly creamy Japanese Coconut Curry. All dishes are accompanied by a choice of delicious sides that include rice, udon noodles, soba noodles and asparagus skewers with sesame dressing. The Matsu Sakura Brunch offers a totally unique gastronomic journey, guaranteed to delight all tastes, while offering a fantastically authentic, Japanese culinary experience. ✤
GO: CALL (0)2 556 0096 FOR RESERVATIONS AND VISIT WWW. MATSU.AE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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HELLO, ROSEMARY… Bab Al Qasr Hotel & Residences, renowned for its beachfront location and Arabian-elegance, has added an exciting new Mediterranean-fusion restaurant named Rosemary to its line-up of international and Arabic dining options. LOCATED WATERSIDE OVERLOOKING THE Arabian Gulf, Rosemary features a selection of outdoor and indoor seating with a series of private dining options for social and corporate gatherings alike. Rosemary’s carefully curated menu has been designed to be ‘shared’ with the aim of creating a fun, warm atmosphere where families, friends and communities can come together and truly connect whilst enjoying the distinct flavours inspired by the seaside dining of the Mediterranean. The restaurant will be led by Samer Saleh, Director of Food & Beverage, a strong advocate for the increasingly popular ‘shared dining concept’. Nemo Acimovic, General Manager at Bab Al Qasr Hotel & Residences commented, “Just like what you’d expect when dining waterside in the Mediterranean, patrons of Rosemary will have an array of sharing platter to choose from in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
“Whether it is our signature seafood paella, our 24-hour braised black Angus beef spare-ribs or our caramelised crema Catalana, we’ve carefully designed a menu full of Mediterranean favourites and ‘crowd-pleasers’ using only the freshest of locally-grown ingredients,” he added. “Giving the gourmands of Abu Dhabi a real taste of Rosemary’s Mediterranean culinary delights.” Rosemary will also unveil a new drinks menu featuring the largest line-up of Sangria flavours to hit Abu Dhabi with thanks to their inhouse mixologist, along with a wide array of other colourful refreshments including a signature Rosemary-infused mocktails. Rosemary is open daily for dinner, from 7pm to 10.30pm. ✤
GO: CALL (0)2 205 3201 FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION. fact magazine
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• LISTEN UP
TOP 7: VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN Burgers, comfort food, super bowls, smoothies and much more - discover fantastic dishes at the family dining destination, The Fountains at Yas Mall… The Fountains, located between Yas Mall, Clymb and Ferrari World, invites guests to try its extraordinary, mouth-watering vegan and vegetarian delicacies, offering a huge range of delights to suit all tastes. Whether guests are craving fast food or a healthy bite, The Fountains offers an array of vegan and vegetarian dishes to suit dietary preferences, with everything from breakfast dishes, starters, salads, main courses and desserts.
1) Black Tap Guests can now try the UAE’s first-ever Impossible Burger, made using the world-famous plant-based meat replacement. Meanwhile, the tempting Vegan Burger comes with a special sauce and vegan bun, while the veggie option is completed by the addition of cheese and Black Tap's signature mayo. Finally, to finish things on a sweet note but without going too overboard, the new Vegan Cakeshake is created with soy-based chocolate shake, vanilla frosting made from almond milk, chocolate chips and topped with a black-and-white cake made with apple sauce.
2) Burger Fuel The popular fast-food chain offers the ultimate experience in gourmet burgers, incorporating delicious, fresh and natural ingredients. Two kinds of gourmet vegetarian burgers are available, offering the perfect treat for those who are craving healthy fast food options. The Beyond Beleaf burger features a plant-based patty with melted vegan cheddar, salad and the signature BurgerFuel vegan aioli, while the V8 Vegan stars crumbed pumpkin, carrot, chickpea and ginger bites, melted vegan provolone, miso pea mash, raw grated beetroot. These treats are free from GMOs, gluten, dairy and are also naturally high in iron and protein.
3) Café Bateel The healthy bowls at this charming café are full of bold colours and vibrant flavours. The signature Superfood Bowl is totally vegan friendly and boasts a wholesome mix of quinoa, lentils, beetroot, butternut squash, baby spinach, kale and broccoli, and comes topped with mixed seeds, walnuts and avocado dressing. Another totally plant-based option is the Green Bowl, offering a delicious mix of quinoa, greens, peas, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, tomatoes, French beans, mixed seeds and moringa dressing. Both offer all the energy and nutrients visitors need to make the very best of their day out. Additionally, Bateel offers a selection of delectable vegan soups served with freshly baked bread (gluten free available on request) and salads made with the finest ingredients and served with an assortment of signature dressings. 12
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4) Al Fanar Emirati restaurant Al Fanar specialises in creating delightful salad bowls filled with crunchy vegetables and quality ingredients. Of the many highlights on the menu some of the best wholesome bowls are the Salatat Jarjeer mix of rocket and cucumber, the Salatat Al Fanar, featuring seasonal fresh mixed vegetables and topped off with signature Al Fanar dressing, and finally the Salatat Hamba Wa Jarjeer, starring fresh rocket, sweet mangos and juicy tomatoes. Plus, to add some extra vitamins and goodness, guests can also add a fresh orange, mango, pineapple or watermelon juice to their energising meal.
5) Yu Shang Fang Guests who are in the mood for Chinese food should head over to casual outlet Yu Shang Fang. The feel-good, comforting dishes also cater for vegetarians and the Deep-Fried Tofu, StirFried Mushrooms & Long Beans dish will keep both vegans and vegetarians coming back for more time and time again.
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6) Berry Bang Berry Bang is helping visitors on their way to achieving a fit and healthy 2020 by offering a huge selection of delicious juices and smoothies packed with fresh fruits and nutrients. With energy filled and thirst-quenching options made from tropical fruits such as strawberries, mangoes, kiwis and pineapples, vegans and vegetarians looking for a welcome refreshment will find plenty to choose from.
7) Rasoi Ghar The Fountains promises to deliver a memorable and wholesome dining experience by offering guests something new every time they visit. Soon adding to the line up of favourite restaurants and cafes, Rasoi Ghar, the popular Indian restaurant is set to open, bringing the best vegetarian dishes and exotic delicacies from across India. ✤
GO: VISIT WWW.THEFOUNTAINS.AE FOR MORE INFORMATION. fact magazine
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BOREDOM BUSTING TIPS FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING Social distancing and self-quarantine might sound like the dream for many – after all, who doesn’t love to work from home in their pjs? But when the work is done, we’re here to tell you how to play this self-isolation game with our top tips to get through your days indoors… 14
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SOCIAL DISTANCING •
QUARAN-TINGS Self-care in self-isolation!
1. LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE
3. BYE, BYE, BYE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Have you been meaning to brush up on your Arabic skills? Or maybe you want to hone your Spanish pronunciation? How about starting from scratch and tackling a new language altogether? Self-care is all about enriching yourself with new skills and there are so many great apps and tools out there to kickstart your linguistic journey. Try Memrise, LinguaLift or Duolingo to begin.
In the age of information overload and online fatigue, it is imperative that we all monitor our time on social media and in front of a screen. Set limits on how long you spend on Tik Tok (as addictive as it might be), Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram each day with the Pyxsee app or using Screen Time (on an Apple device), or make use of the Digital Wellbeing option on your Android phone.
2. WORK (OUT) FROM HOME
4. GET CREATIVE
More than anything, it seems that a lot of the community is missing their daily gym visits. Fear not, there are plenty of digital workouts to help you stay healthy and fit from the comfort of your living room. If you’re a member of Fitness First (www. fitnessfirstme.com), you’re well taken care of with online classes, whilst ClassPass (www.classpass.com) subscribers can enjoy a number of at-home workout videos, from yoga to HIIT, abs and more. There are also some great FREE online apps such as Fiton (@fiton) and HiitButn (@hiitburn). You can even follow Greg Dagnall, an MNU Certified Nutritionist, for advice and nutritional fitness (@gregdagnallfit).
Make Pinterest your new best friend and be inspired by, literally, thousands of ideas. Creating something beautiful can be soothing for the soul. Whether it’s a mood board or knitting something special, a drawing or painting, or even writing a short story – wherever your creativity flows, let it pour out! Alternatively, create a vision board, explore new business ideas, and set new goals.
5. RECONNECT WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS At a time when the whole world is united and going through exactly the same experience, hopping on a video or phone call fact magazine
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• SOCIAL DISTANCING
with loved ones ensures that you feel less lonely but also gives you all unlimited time to catch up and share stories that you may have been wanting to talk about but haven’t had the time. Reminisce on the good times or put a plan in place for things to look forward to once it’s safe to travel again – whatever the conversation, there is no better time than now to have it!
Masterchef with your kids for inspiration and then head off to the kitchen. Or bake that cake you’ve wanted to do try for a while, prepare a fresh, vibrant salad to accompany your meal or go all out and prepare an entire dinner from scratch. Whatever you choose, now is the ideal time to put your culinary flair to the test.
9. LET YOU IMAGINATION RUN WILD 6. PLAY ALL THE GAMES Scrabble, Monopoly, Guess Who, the list is endless. Most board games are now available online or have been made into a FREE app. Live alone? Not a problem. A number of board games can be played with friends and family online. Plus, there’s plenty of other games such as Convo and Chill or Heads Up and even Charades which can be enjoyed with others over video call. The options are infinite!
Start a good book and be transported to another world. Don't have any good books at home? Don’t fret and download the Kindle app, or Audible which has a FREE trial, or BookHub which has FREE PDFs of the latest books. On Audible, kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. And reading is not just an activity for young ones, grown-ups can curl up with their perfect read and take some time out as well.
7. REFLECT We don't often get time to press pause on our lives. Let us use this opportunity to find a quiet spot, take a very deep breath and start to relax. Prayer and/or meditation is a great way to balance your chakra and soothe the mind at this uncertain time. Seeking clarity and reflection will help you to appreciate and be grateful for all the small things in life.
10. JOURNALING There are so many things to be grateful for during these times. Writing down your thoughts, feelings and emotions is a good way to make sense of the world as it is right now. Plus, what a time to document and live through – looking back, your journal will make for a reminder of gratitude but also a way to tell the story of social distancing from 2020, in the future!
8. UNLEASH YOUR INNER MASTERCHEF Dust off your recipe books or google your favourite cooking sites and take joy in creating a delicious meal. Watch junior 16
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11. BINGE TO YOUR HEART’S CONTENT Need we say more? Remember all those series you’ve added
SOCIAL DISTANCING •
to your watch list on Netflix and Hulu, or even Disney+, now’s the time to get comfy and get acquainted with some new story lines and new favourite characters. Feel-good series and films, shocking documentaries and acclaimed dramas are all available to watch in abundance; some of our recent favourites include The Good Place, Brooklyn Nine Nine and the very heartwarming Anne With an E. To top that off, Netflix Party (www. netflixparty.com) is a new way to watch Netflix with your friends online. Netflix Party synchronises video playback and adds a group chat to your favourite Netflix shows. Link up with friends and host long distance movie nights and pyjama parties!
12. QUARANTINE AND CLEAN Usually, time is of the essence with busy schedules and it may have been a bit difficult to get the house squeaky clean. But now, with extra downtime, you can squeeze in a cleaning supply run and put forth the energy to wipe everything down. Follow that up with decluttering your wardrobe or putting some unwanted items up on Dubizzle! Nothing like a little bit of organisation. ✤
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• SOCIAL DISTANCING
QUARANT-EATS
Order for collection or delivery, and help to support local businesses. Call direct and place your order today!
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99 SUSHI BAR
EMIRATES PALACE
@99sushibar_ad Recommend: Lava Rock Grilled Scallops
@emiratespalace Recommend: Mashawi Grill and Palace Cake
BURRO BLANCO
BLACK TAP
@burroblancouae Recommend: Justin’s Fire Burrito
@blacktapad Recommend: Chilli Cheeseburger and The Cake Shake
SOCIAL DISTANCING •
HANOI
BIRYANI POT
@hanoinaturally Recommend: Braised Tofu and Tomato with Rice
@biryanipotme Recommend: Quinoa Prawn Biryani
MAGNOLIA BAKERY
DINO'S BISTRO ITALIANO
@magnoliabakeryuae Recommend: Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Pudding
@pearlrotana Recommend: Risotto Gamberi and Pizza Burrata fact magazine
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PIZZA DI ROCCO
BREATH CAFÉ
@pizzadirocco Recommended: Diavola Pizza
@breathcafe.ae Recommended: Shakshooka
COYA ABU DHABI
SHISH SHAWERMA
@coyaabudhabi Recommended: Pollo Anticucho and Arroz Nikkei
@shishshawerma Recommended: Zataar and Cheese Manakeesh
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SOCIAL DISTANCING •
SUPER POKE
PANDA BAO BAO
@superpokeuae Recommended: Teriyaki Tuna Poke Bowl
@panda_baobao123 Recommended: Pan Fried Chicken and Shrimp Bao
SUSHISAN
BOMBAY CANTEEN
@sushisanad Recommended: SushiSan Platter & Ultimate Dynamite Shrimps
@bombaycanteenauh Recommended: Himalayan Momos fact magazine
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THE CHIPPY
FREEDOM PIZZA
@the_chippy_uae Recommended: Cod and Chips
@freedomdelivers Recommended: Fired Up Pizza
BURGER 28
ZAHRAT LEBNAN
@weareburger28 Recommended: Naar Burger
@zahrat.lebnan Recommended: Fatteh Kawarma
SOCIAL DISTANCING •
CAFE 302
% ARABICA
@cafe302 Recommended: Superfood Bowl or Lamb Ragu
@arabica.uae Recommended: Iced Spanish Latte
TAMBA
SUSHI ART
@tambarestaurant Recommended: Paneer Tikka and Billionaire Biryani
@sushiartarabia Recommended: Scandinavian Rolls fact magazine
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IMMUNITY WARRIOR With a little help from online retailer Kibsons, you can keep up a healthy and strong immune system as four Immunity Warriors’ DIY Boxes can be delivered straight to your door…
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he old saying “an apple a day can keep the doctor away” may have some truth behind it after all. A strong immune system is vital to keeping a person healthy and eating lots of nourishing foods that are rich in certain vitamins and can help your body fight off unwanted viruses and infections.
IMPECCABLE BERRIES – AED50 This Impeccable Berries Immunity Warrior DIY box will fill you and your family with key antioxidants to keep you all fit and healthy. Blueberries are among the most nutrient-dense berry, bursting with vitamin C and vitamin B6! Complimented by the delicious and nutritious strawberries and watermelon, this fresh and flavoursome juice will be loved by the whole family.
MIGHTY GREEN – AED20 Kale, spinach, lemon, ginger, apples and kiwis… Yes, you guessed it – it’s the Mighty Green Immunity Warrior DIY Box! Packed with plant nutrients and chlorophyll (aka liquid sunshine), this Mighty 24
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Green juice strengthens your immune system, helps control inflammation, increases red blood cell production, and helps enhance your cells' ability to carry oxygen throughout your body. What more could you want from an at home recipe?
ENERGISING BEETROOT – AED10 Packed with essential nutrients, beetroots are a great source of fiber, vitamin B9, manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C, combining all of this goodness with the other tasty and as nutritious fruits and vegetables included in this DIY box, this juice becomes a powerful blend of nutrient-rich goodness that will benefit both you and your family.
POWER GINGER – AED 10 This Power Ginger Immunity Warriors DIY Box will help keep your immune system high and give you that well desired spring in your step. Packed with vitiman C rich fruits and vegetables, this juice will leave you feeling fresh and healthy and will pay an important part in your overall health! ✤
SOCIAL DISTANCING •
GO: ALL OF THESE IMMUNITY WARRIOR DIY BOXES ALONG WITH ALL OF KIBSONS OTHER FRESH PRODUCE IS DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR DOORSTEPS. VISIT WWW.KIBSONS.COM TO ORDER TODAY. fact magazine
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HOW SOCIAL DISTANCING HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES An early ode to a year that’s putting us through our paces…
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oday is day 12 of self-quarantine – a sentence I never thought I would be saying this year. I woke up feeling unsure. What should I eat for lunch? What time should I work out, and does it even matter if I don’t? Can I go out for a walk around the block to stretch my legs and get some fresh air whilst keeping a minimum two metre distance between myself and other daily exercisers? It seems like just yesterday when I could wake up and arrange to have long leisurely lunches with friends. I would book group exercise classes through my gym’s app – sometimes back-toback workouts on the same day – and the simple idea of walking out of the front door, was not something to seriously deliberate – I just did it, without blinking. My days were spontaneous and filled with excitement. I would attend client meetings in beautiful hotels, and arts and culture events for enrichment (oh how I miss spontaneous trips to 26
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Saadiyat), whilst acquainting cute coffee shops with loved ones for a catch up was one of my favourite pastimes. But what I really thrived at was making plans. I would browse through hundreds of offers on Booking.com for hours, wildly saving every hotel in all corners of the world, that I wanted to visit, to my wish list. I talked about travel plans and birthday parties, summer wedding invitations, wellness weekends and beach days, all the normal things in life that we never thought could be halted with the snap of a finger. Alas, no more. You came in as strong as Thanos’ Infinity Stones with a global pandemic that has forced the world’s population to re-evaluate everything around us. Personally, and as my family and friends will tell you, I am in general an optimist (with a dash of realism). As the whole world is at a standstill, I am – like millions – doing my best to make the most of this sudden adjustment of pace and lifestyle. Naturally, my fight-or-flight mode switch
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for getting through covid-19 went straight for the positive bulb. We’ve been reminded to slow down, show gratitude and, above all, unite. In short, 2020, you have changed my life. Positivity in the face of adversity is not easy, but you have taught me, and the world, a lifetime’s worth of lessons in a mere few weeks. You have taught us to take better care of the environment; we have all seen the satellite images of clean air over China, the return of fish to the lagoons and canals of Venice for the first time in decades, and a colossal reduction in our carbon footprint with air travel paused in many countries. You have also taught us to check in on our neighbours and connect with our loved ones. In the UK, communities are displaying red (need help) and green (all is good) cards in their windows to indicate the status of residents in a household. I have a teacher friend who has found that working from home has been a blessing in disguise – she is more social now than ever before; making lengthy video calls and sending podcast-worthy voice notes to her family overseas. Social distancing made hundreds of people in Spain and Italy take to their balconies and sing songs together in a shared gesture of solidarity and courage. People are reading, and baking, and painting, and resting. You see, 2020, we are rediscovering the power of music, arts, books, eating healthy, sleeping right, sharing moments with those who matter and, above all, the meaning of nature and its impact on our lives. These are the true remedies. I don’t blame people for panicking. Uncertainty is frightening. But it is also a great opportunity. We are beginning to understand
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WE ARE BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THAT KINDNESS TRULY HAS A RIPPLE EFFECT, THAT PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PROFITS AND THAT THERE IS AN UNDENIABLE STRENGTH IN ENCOURAGING POSITIVE THOUGHTS.”
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that kindness truly has a ripple effect, that people are more important than profits and that there is an undeniable strength in encouraging positive thoughts. When bloggers and influencers band together to support small and local businesses, and when these same venues offer free drinks and special offers for first responders and healthcare workers, who in turn put in the hard hours to make sure that you, me and the wider community are safe and comfortable, that is the real triumphant spirit of humankind at its best. I am grateful for being here, in Abu Dhabi. A place where the leadership and authorities have tackled the coronavirus outbreak with urgency and grace. Our supermarket shelves are fully stocked, all of our favourite restaurants continue to deliver food straight to our doors – albeit with extra safety guidelines – and there is a genuine sense of connection between every person who is practicing social distancing. In fact, 2020, the most important lesson we’ve learned from you so far is that of humanity. When it comes to covid-19, discrimination does not exist. The virus has impacted the working class and the elite with the same force. From office personnel to politicians, cashiers to film stars, and whether you’re sat in a cottage in France, a beach hut in Bali or a high-rise apartment in Dubai – we are all convened in the same quarantined basket. I thank you, 2020, for reminding us that social status is simply an idea and geographical borders are an abstract construct. For the first time in a very long time, we are connected to communities everywhere by the same common threat, but also the same solutions. The incalculable emotional and social impacts on the world are only bringing people closer together – and I am here for it. 28
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I don’t say it often, 2020, but you have been a year of learning, awareness and acknowledging privilege. And without my family and friends, I would not be half as strong and hopeful as I am right now. I want to thank them all for their support and reassurance sent via daily virtual hugs, lovely long voice notes, abundant calls and texts, and, truthfully, the best lockdown memes a girl could ask for. Please, keep them coming. To all the DJs who have cheered up my isolation evenings with playlists and live sets from your living rooms, the fitness venues sharing digital workouts that I try to implement daily (honestly, I really do), and every single person who has shared a food recipe, a Netflix recommendation, an activity, and a prayer – you are all champions and 2020 has nothing on you! Most of all, thank you to every single doctor, nurse, volunteer and hospital staff around the world who are working tirelessly to combat and contain the pandemic. You are the true definition of heroes. Perhaps there has never been a better moment in modern times than right now to put a value on our collective resilience. Each day we are closer to resolving this. Until then, 2020, you can’t break us. I will continue to dream of my future travel plans and bookmark every single destination of interest, patiently staying at home and waiting for the silver lining at the end of this long tunnel.
Yours for better and through the worst, Shabana Adam fact magazine
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AMAL SHINE With the award-winning and leading voice of fashion and lifestyle in the UAE capital, Amal Salameh SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAYING HOME Given the global outbreak of COVID-19, it’s essential for us to practice self-distance and stay at home. During my home-sweet-home quarantine life, I’ve picked up a few best practices along the way to make the most out of the situation from embracing more podcasts, streaming yoga workouts from YouTube to picking up that book on the shelf that I bought two years ago. The more I stay at home, the more I realise how fast-paced life was and the things I have been putting off, so I’m taking this as an opportunity to declutter my beauty space and finally get rid of makeup products that I never reach for anyways – which not much to my surprise turned out to be expired. Same with my Carrie Bradshaw closet filled with clothes that I haven’t worn in the past six months which went to the donation pile. These things got me thinking of the unnecessary purchases made from my end and it turned more cringe when I saw some items with tags still on them. I took this as a mental note and moved on to the kitchen to realise I have all the tools and ingredients to cook up a gourmet lunch but no actual cooking skills since I am always eating outside. So, I’ve made it a daily activity to learn an easy recipe via YouTube and start my amateur chef life. Far away from a Michelin outcome, I was happy with the humble results and my efforts to start a new habit which is not only healthy but economical too, so it’s pretty much a win-win situation. While I do miss my daily routine and grabbing coffee from my barista, dining here and there, and all social interactions in the outside world – the time being spent indoors has opened my eyes to the things we postpone far too often than we should. Stay safe, and I’ll leave you to wash your hands. We’re in this together. ✤
Yours fashionably, Amal 30
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TOP 3: HAIRCARE AT HOME AESOP The Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturising Masque by AESOP is an intensive, conditioning treatment designed to restore vitality, lustre and softness to the hair. A luxe treatment formula with a specially designed formula with floral, warm and woody notes for a pampering session that will leave strong, rejuvenated hair. Order online at www.ounass.ae AVEDA The Speed of Light Blow Dry Accelerator by AVEDA aids in detangling your locks while reducing breakage and protects against thermal damage from blow-drying. This is a 90% naturally derived multi-benefit blow-dry primer that cuts blow dry time, leaving hair perfectly primed for styling. Order online at www.sephora.ae JO MALONE Scent your hair at home with Jo Malone Hair Mists. Their Velvet Rose and Oud edition is suitable for coloured hair and formulated with naturally-derived Argan Oil, Pro Vitamin B and Vitamin E and enriched with nourishing and softening ingredients for a playful finishing touch for your hair. Order online at www.namshi.com
GO: KEEP UP WITH AMAL ON INSTAGRAM: @AMALSHINE fact magazine
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QUARANT-BINGE FACT’s Elanur Sengel picks 20 couch-calling series on Netflix and Apple TV to make sure you’re living your best quarantine life! This award-winning post-modern romantic comedy follows the dreamy exploits of Dev (Aziz Ansari), an easy-going commercial actor living in New York City, who tries to jump-start his acting career and elevate his dating game with help from his eclectic group of friends. A truly fun sitcom and some kind of a roadmap to dating for a new generation.
1. THE IRISHMAN Run Time: 209 min IMDb: 8.6/10 If you have watched and love Goodfellas or Casino, there’s no doubt you’ll love The Irishman, too. This fictionalised crime thriller, based on true events, follows Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), a former labor union high official and hitman who was working for the Bufalino crime family. Now as he looks back on his life, he considers his involvement with his good friend Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance in 1975.
4 THE PLATFORM Run Time: 94 min IMDb: 7.0/10 The Spanish science fiction horror-thriller is set in a large, vertical-style prison that has only one cell per level and two people per cell. The inmates are fed by means of a food platform that gradually descends the levels of the tower — a system that is an absolute nightmare if you are in the bottom levels where the food barely arrives and where you can’t trust anyone except your guts. The Platform delivers its moral message brilliantly with the mechanics of a lean thriller.
2. ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK Run Time: 59 min (per episode) IMDb: 8.1/10 Orange Is the New Black has become Netflix's most-watched original series, and for good reason. It will make you laugh and think, and sometimes, it will break your heart, too. The story takes place in a women’s prison and is based around Piper Chapman, a woman whose past with a drug dealer causes her to be sentenced to 15 months behind bars. Piper faces the reality of how life-changing prison can really be, surrounded by many hard-hitting home truths. ´
3. MASTER OF NONE Run Time: 30-60 min (per episode) IMDb: 8.3/10 32
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5. THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY Run Time: 60 min (per episode) IMDb: 8.0/10 The Umbrella Academy is an American superhero show based on the comic book series of the same name. The show follows the story of seven kids, all born on the same day to mothers
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who didn’t even know they were pregnant. They’re adopted by a mysterious billionaire and trained to use their supernatural abilities to fight evil in the world, but when they grow up, their dysfunctional upbringing catches up with them, and they’re left struggling to live normal lives.
8. GRACE AND FRANKIE
6. BATES MOTEL Run Time: 45 min (per episode) IMDb: 8.2/10 If you’ve ever watched and loved Hitchcock’s iconic movie Psycho, then you will want to see the contemporary prequel to how Norman Bates became the serial killer that he was. Set in modern times, Bates Motel travels through the psyche of a teenager who moves into a Motel with his mother in a rural town after escaping from a suspicious event that left his father dead. With a fresh start, Norman’s mother struggles to find normalcy as she constantly must hide her son away from speculation that is a result of mysterious deaths occurring in the town.
Run Time: 30 min (per episode) IMDb: 8.3/10 This Netflix original re-teams Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as Grace and Frankie, two ladies that actually are rivals for as long as they can recall. However, when they learn that their husbands have fallen in love with each other and want to get married, everything around the ladies is coming apart. Realising that the only people they can really rely on is each other, they move in together to start a new chapter.
9. SEE
7. DYNASTY Run-Time: 40 min (per episode) IMDb: 7.3/10 This modern-day Dynasty begins with billionaire heiress Fallon Carrington who is unhappy about her right to the throne being threatened. Her father’s engagement to Cristal, a rival employee at the family company proves to be the obstacle. While things at the dysfunctional family’s mansion have a way of remaining harmonious, the Carrington’s quickly find themselves involved in the suspicious murder of Cristal’s former lover, Matthew. Don’t miss out on this hilarious drama to see what kind of bizarre family relationships a crisis can uncover.
Run Time: 60 min (per episode) IMDb: 7.6/10 Curtain up for Apple TV’s brilliant original See. Hundreds of years on in a dystopian future, a fraction of humanity has survived a deadly virus that caused everyone to lose their eyesight. Tribes and kingdoms have found new ways to interact, build, and hunt for survival. The concept of eyesight has become a heretic topic, which all changes when a set of twins are born which have the power to see. You will be on the edge of your seat while joining the Alcan Race in their evasive journey from the Payan Kingdom who seek to eradicate all heretics who claim to acknowledge the gift of eyesight.
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10. BOJACK HORSEMAN
12. THE MORNING SHOW
Run Time: 30 min IMDb: 8.7/10 BoJack Horseman has sharp writing and many layered jokes that will give you good time on your couch, guaranteed. The show takes place in an animated world where anthropomorphic animals and humans live side by side. Bojack Horseman (Ben Affleck) is a washed-up star of an old sitcom called “Horsin’ Around”. After the show’s cancellation BoJack has become depressive and narcissistic, spending his days lounging around his luxurious Hollywood bachelor pad drinking heavily, complaining about everything, and watching episodes of his old show. Now he tries to resurrect his celebrity relevance, with decidedly mixed results.
Run Time: 60 min (per episode) IMDb: 8.4/10 Nominated for three Golden Globes, The Morning Show on Apple TV is a must-watch. It doesn’t only have an exciting cast, but a strong focus on power dynamics in the media industry. Inspired by Brian Stelter’s book Top of the Morning, The Morning Show gives you a glimpse into the behind-the-camera workings of morning TV. Jennifer Aniston plays a morning anchor who’s paired with a new co-host (Reese Witherspoon) after a scandal sends her co-worker packing.
13. MARVEL’S DAREDEVIL 11. FRACTURED Run Time: 99 min IMDb: 6.3/10 Driving home after a weekend with his in-laws, Ray Monroe (Sam Worthington) takes a break at a rest stop with his wife Joanne and daughter Peri. This takes a turn for the worse when Peri is hurt in an accident and the family rushes to a nearby hospital. After being sent away for further testing, Peri and Joanne vanish and all records of their visit disappear. Ray's dark assumption turns into a desperate race to find his family and discover the truth of what happened to them. A movie with a turn that gives you goosebumps.
Run Time: 50 min (per episode) IMDb: 8.6/10 Based on the iconic Marvel Comics character of the same name, Charlie Cox stars as Matt Murdock/Daredevil, a blind lawyer-byday who fights crime as a masked vigilante by night. Although the Netflix series nails the tone of the comic, it is completely distinct from the film franchise, since it is much darker, more brutal and grittier, even though there is enough light and humor to make its characters sympathetic.
14. THE ELEPHANT QUEEN Run Time: 96 min IMDb: 8.0/10 Filmed over the course of four years, The Elephant Queen is a nature documentary that follows mother Athena and the herd she shepherds across the unforgiving terrain in search of food and water, after they are forced to leave their waterhole. Taking you across the African savannah and into the heart of an elephant family, The Elephant Queen is a warm tale of love, loss and coming home. 34
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17. MARRIAGE STORY Run Time: 137 min IMDB: 8.0/10 A stage director (Adam Driver) and his actor wife (Scarlett Johansson) struggle through a grueling, coast-to-coast divorce that pushes them to their personal and creative extremes. Marriage Story portrays divorce as a death without a body and shows that divorce doesn’t necessarily mean you stop caring. A heartfelt comedy-drama that might give you a different perspective on the sanctity of marriage in modern times.
15. GAME NIGHT Run Time: 100 min IMDb: 7.8/10 This dark comedy on Apple TV stars Jason Bateman and Rachel Mc Adams, and follows a group of friends who meet regularly for game nights. One game night turns into a real-life mystery after one of them is kidnapped by apparent burglars. A comedy that guarantees plenty of laugh-out- loud moments.
18. YOU Run Time: 45 min (per episode) IMDB: 7.8/10 When settling down to watch this Netflix show, be ready for plenty of OMG moments. YOU follows a dangerously-charming, intensely-obsessive young man who falls in love with a girl named Guinevere Beck and quickly develops an extreme, toxic, and delusional obsession with her. What happens next and how the story unfolds will leave you on the edge of your seat, wanting more.
16. SERVANT Run Time: 30 min (per episode) IMDB: 8.2/10 This Apple TV+ show has enough creep factor to drive you to each new episode. Servant is about a grieving couple named Dorothy and Sean who lost their newborn baby and then bought a “reborn doll”— which is totally lifelike— to help Dorothy cope with her loss. They hire a young nanny to take care of the doll, but something seems to be wrong with this nanny. Sean feels that there is something bad about to happen.
19. BLACK MIRROR Run Time: 60 min (per episode) IMDB: 8.8/10 Netflix’s Black Mirror explores how technology influences us and our lives – for the better and for the worse. The anthology series taps into our love for the digital world, giving us something to think about with each stand-alone episode. A new mindbending saga and super relevant depictions of things that are happening now – and could easily happen in the future – will keep you glued to the screen.
20. MONEY HEIST Run Time: 70min (per episode) IMDB: 8.5/10 And last but not least, Money Heist – with a new season coming out very soon. The Netflix original tells the story of a criminal mastermind. A group of unique robbers who have nothing to lose assault the Factory of Moneda and Timbre to carry out the most perfect heist in the history of robberies in Spain and, possibly, Europe, to take home 2.4 billion euros. Hostage relationships, unexpected twists and a plan that has a new obstacle at every turn – this is one to really pay attention to! fact magazine
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FOUQUET’S ABU DHABI CELEBRATES OFFICIAL LAUNCH Fouquet’s toasted its arrival with numerous business luminaries and dignitaries including former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Dominique Desseigne, CEO of group Barrière , Alexandre Desseigne-Barrière, EVP of Hotels, F&B and Business Transformation who flew in from Paris for the special occasion. The launch was celebrated with a spectacular evening complete with diplomats and notable cultural public figures including His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, DCT Chairman, His Excellency Ludovic Pouille, Ambassador to France in the UAE, His Excellency Joaquim Moreira De Lemos, Ambassador of Portugal in the UAE, Peter Claes, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the UAE, Peter Fisher, German Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates & Alison Dilworth, Diplomat at U.S. Department of State, Philippe Gassmann, regional Economic Counsellor for the Arabian Peninsula at the French Embassy in the UAE, Dr Souraya Noujaim, Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Scientific, Curatorial & Collections Management Director, Hanan Sayed Worrell, Senior Representative for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, and Sobia Ghias from Jameel Art Center among others.
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RAMADAN 101 AS WE G ET R E A DY TO WE LCOM E TH E STA R T O F T HE HO LY M O N T H, FAC T HA S R O U N D E D U P A B U D H A B I’S TOP I F TA R A N D S U HO O R O FFE R IN G S…
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GRAND HYATT ABU DHABI HOTEL & RESIDENCES EMIRATES PEARL Iftar at Sahha The luxurious hotel invites guests and visitors to experience the holy month of Ramadan offering a variety of culinary and spiritual focused experiences. Conveniently located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, celebrate a memorable Ramadan with an abundant selection of traditional Arabic flavours alongside contemporary dishes. At Sahha, an exquisite Iftar buffet awaits featuring live cooking stations that serve a variety of local and global favourites. Perfect for families and friends, Iftar at Sahha embodies the spirit of the holy month with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. AED220 per person, from sunset to 11pm. Suhoor at Pearl Lounge Take a seat at Pearl Lounge for a delicious al fresco Suhoor amidst awe-inspiring views of the Arabian Gulf and a glistening skyline. Indulge in a wide assortment of delicacies from a special a la carte menu with an extensive selection of Arabian flavours. Additionally, larger groups can explore culinary creations from an exceptional set menu that caters to a wide array of tastes and preferences. AED185 for 10 guests and above / AED165 for 20 guests and above, from 8pm to 2.30am. GO: CALL (0)2 510 1234 FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION. 38
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RIXOS PREMIUM SAADIYAT ISLAND Iftar at Turquoise Savour a royal Arabian Iftar experience at Turquoise all day dining restaurant and embark on a culinary journey as you feast on the finest of Middle Eastern delicacies. Set against regal décor, this extensive Ramadan buffet offers traditional braised lamb leg, live char-grill station, Turkish oven specialties; lahmacun, pide and freshly made Ramadan bread. Finish off with a buffet of rich desserts with traditional flavours including the Emirati favorite Umm Ali. The experience is set amongst a peaceful backdrop of Arabic melodies. AED215 per person, including Arabic juices, soft drinks and water. Iftar at Orient Revel in the spirit of compassion and generosity as you gather with your loved ones for a unique sharing-style Iftar at Orient restaurant while enjoying a Trio of live Ramadan musicians including an Oud, Kanoon and Tabla player. Guests are invited to experience warm and friendly hospitality and enjoy traditional Arabic cuisine with Turkish influences with starters such as Orient’s signature ‘Gavurdagi’ salad; hummus with lamb liver and pastrami powder. Then delight in delicious mains such as manti with minced beef, mashed tomato, yoghurt, sumac and mint; lamb shank confit with freekeh bulgur, tomato, celeriac puree, glaze dried plum. To finish on a sweet note, the irresistible traditional Turkish Baklava is unmissable! AED235 per person, including Arabic juices, soft drinks and water.
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Beachfront Suhoor Enjoy a special outdoor Suhoor with friends and family at Mermaid restaurant, with al fresco dining and live music. Hosted on the terrace of the seafood restaurant overlooking Saadiyat beach, guests will enjoy a special Ă la carte menu with Middle Eastern delicacies including a selection of mix cold & hot mezzes such as fattoush, kibbeh, Vine Leaves Dolma, chargrilled chicken shish kebab, Turkish vermicelli, beef shashlik, smoked potato, purslane almond salad. In addition, a selection of sweets and fruit platter will also be offered. To complete the experience, shishas will be available to savor while taking in the live performances by a trio of Ramadan musicians, making it one of the best Suhoor venues in Abu Dhabi. Minimum spend is AED195 per person. Served from 9.30pm to 3am. GO: CALL (0)2 492 2222 FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION.
BEACH ROTANA ABU DHABI Iftar at Essence Mark the Holy Month of Ramadan at Essence. Experience the finest Iftar in a mesmerising Arabesque setting featuring traditional favourites. Guests can break their fast with a selection of dates, fruit and Ramadan juices and start their meal with a widespread of Mezze and salads. Apart from classic Arabic dishes, the daily buffet also presents a selection of intercontinental specialities. Not to be missed at the end, of course, a sweet finish of traditional Arabic and international desserts. AED230 per person including free-flowing Arabic juices and soft beverages; AED200 per person for groups of 10 guests and more; Buy One, Get One Iftar for the first five days
of Ramadan (max eight guests); 50% discount for children aged between six and 12; and children below six dine for free. GO: CALL (0)2 697 9011 FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION.
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PARK ROTANA ABU DHABI Iftar at Ginger Restaurant This Ramadan, break your fast in one of the city’s most established restaurants. Make your way to Ginger All-day Dining at the Park Rotana and commemorate the holy month in traditional Arabian setting. Showcasing daily Iftar buffet of Middle Eastern and international cuisines with live cooking stations and an amazing dessert display that’s not to be missed, the restaurant offers trendy indoor and outdoor seating. AED199 per person, inclusive of free-flowing Ramadan drinks and AED115 for kids aged six to 12. GO: Call (0)2 657 3322 for reservations and more information.
COYA ABU DHABI Peruvian Inspired Ramadan Menu With the Holy Month of Ramadan fast approaching, COYA Abu Dhabi has revealed its Peruvian inspired menu, suitable for those looking to spend time with their families or for companies searching for a corporate iftar experience. Throughout Ramadan, guests will be able to break their fast with a set menu, which is brought to the table and blends the authentic taste of Peru with the tradition of Ramadan. At the start of the meal, both Datiles Sukkari (dates) and Edamame are offered, followed by a choice of soup and five appetisers to share and savour including; Papa Y Pollo (grilled chicken, bell pepper, huayro potato and botija olive) and Maki Roll de Aguacate (shitake, aji limo, avocado, quinoa and black sesame.
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Guests are then invited to choose a main course from five options such as Arroz Nikkei (Chilean sea bass, rice, lime and chilli) or Costillas de Res (beef ribs, sesame, aji limo and spring onion). The meal will end on a sweet note with a light dessert of Tortell de Nata Maracuya (passion fruit cremeux, puff pastry, coconut ice cream, konafah and pistachios) which is a twist on traditional Kunafa reworked with COYA magic. The menu, available from sundown to 8.30pm, also caters to a number of dietary requirements, including gluten free and vegetarian diets. AED199. GO: Call (0)2 306 7000 for reservations and more information.
LE ROYAL MERIDIEN ABU DHABI Elements Iftar When the sun sets this Ramadan, gather with your family and friends to enjoy a royal Iftar experience. Explore the new essence and indulge in a selection of Arabic and International flavours. AED180 for the iftar menu and Ramadan drinks; and AED220 for the iftar menu with traditional tea, coffee and Ramadan drinks. From sunset to 8.30pm. Iftar at Market Kitchen Indulge in a delectable menu this holy month of Ramadan featuring Market Kitchen dishes fused with Arabic cuisine, served straight to your table. AED250 per person, from sunset to 11pm. GO: Call 800 101 101 for reservations and more information.
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SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, QARYAT AL BERI, ABU DHABI Grand Iftar Embrace the Ramadan spirit and celebrate with a Grand Iftar Buffet in an Arabian atmosphere at Sofra bld. Break your fast and indulge in an array of traditional delicacies with a wide variety of Arabic dishes and live stations such as the ouzi in the heart of Sofra bld restaurant. Early bird offer: Book your Iftar at Sofra from now until April 23 and enjoy 20% off. AED242 per adult, AED121 per child (six to 12-years-old), and complimentary for children below six years old. From sunset to 8.30pm. GO: Call (0)2 509 8555 for reservations and more information.
INTERCONTINENTAL ABU DHABI Iftar at Byblos Enjoy iftar at Byblos Sur Mer with a lavish set menu which consists of salad, cold and hot mezze served to the table with addition to mixed grills, live cooking stations and dessert. There’s Ramadan drinks, fresh juices, soft beverages, and tea and coffee. AED225 per person. The hotel is also offering Iftar at Selections restaurant for AED199 per person. Suhoor is served a la carte and set menus start at AED135 per person with live oud player. GO: Call (0)2 666 6888 for reservations and more information.
PEARL ROTANA CAPITAL CENTRE Iftar at Saffron Ramadan Iftar at Saffron is a spread of international buffet along with traditional Arabic dishes, featuring live cooking stations with mixed grills, shawarma and ouzi, along with Ramadan beverages and desserts. From sunset to 10.30pm. AED135 with Ramadan drinks per person. GO: Call (0)2 307 5553 for reservations and more information.
CENTRO CAPITAL CENTRE Iftar at c.taste Enhance the flavour of the Holy Month with a delicious International and Arabic Iftar buffet with live stations of mixed grills, shawarma and ouzi served with traditional Ramadan juices. From sunset to 10.30pm. AED99 net per person. GO: Call (0)2 409 6512 for reservations and more information.
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AL MAHA ARJAAN BY ROTANA Iftar at Café 302 Join in for an Iftar to remember at Café 302. Expect a vast spread of Middle Eastern delicacies, perfect to be shared with your family and friends. Offering an Iftar filled with healthy starters and salads, mains, sweets, and Ramadan-themed beverages. A cosy and vibrant venue! Daily from sunset to 8.30pm, AED140 net per person, kids aged under six eat for free, half price for kids aged six to 12. GO: Call (0)2 610 6666 for reservations and more information.
MARRIOTT AL FORSAN Iftar and Suhoor at Khayal Tent Embrace the spirit of the holy season in exquisite style at the Khayal Tent at Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi. With Iftar and Suhoor in one of the cities most loved Ramadan Tents, book your exclusive experience and enjoy the warmth of Arabic hospitality through fine Middle Eastern cuisine and traditional Ramadan beverages. Iftar is AED220 Sunday to Thursday for adults; AED240 Friday and Saturday for adults; and AED99 every day for children. Suhoor is AED99 every day for adults and AED50 every day for children plus kids a la carte available. GO: Call (0)2 201 4000 for reservations and more information.
TRADERS HOTEL, QARYAT AL BERI, ABU DHABI
Iftar at Afya Break your fast with a lavish Iftar buffet prepared by Afyä’s 42
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master chefs along with international dishes to please every palate. AED125 per adult, AED63 per child (six to 12-years-old), and complimentary for children below six years old. GO: Call (0)2 509 8555 for reservations and more information.
SOUTHERN SUN HOTEL ABU DHABI
Iftar at The Foundry The Foundry restaurant brings you a delicious Iftar buffet during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Break your fast with traditional Arabic delicacies and unlimited Ramadan juices, soft drinks and water. For the first week of Ramadan only, they will be offering buy one get one free on Iftar (AED125 per person). AED125 per person; AED112.5 per person (10% discount for groups 10pax – 30pax); and AED110 per person (20% discount for groups 30pax or more). From sunset to 8.30pm. GO: Call (0)2 818 4888 for reservations and more information.
LE MERIDIEN ABU DHABI Iftar Buffet at Latest Recipe Explore the various regions in the Arabic world with the talented culinary team from Le Meridien Abu Dhabi as the chefs’ showcase family favourites from their country. End your fast at Latest Recipe with a buffet spread featuring Iftar favourites, Arabic mix grill and shawarma, ouzi carving, variety of classic Arabic sweets alongside exquisite live cooking stations showcasing the very best of Arabian gastronomy set in an elegant atmosphere and family-friendly vibe. Head to the garden-like ambiance of The
RAMADAN 101 •
Village for hubbly-bubbly and refreshing beverages after Iftar to spend the evening with friends. From sunset to 10pm, AED169 per person. Ramadan Menu at Pappagallo Italian influences meet Middle Eastern flavours at Pappagallo, featuring a lavish sharing set menu served in a contemporary and welcoming atmosphere. Savour fusion flavours with al fresco dining available in the garden-like ambiance of The Village. From sunset to 11pm, AED119 with soft beverages. GO: Call (0)2 644 6666 for reservations and more information.
buffet spread of Arabic flavours and cuisines in a warm and inviting ambience. Live cooking stations grilling up various meats followed by an extensive array of desserts with chefs freshly preparing Luqaimat and kunafa. Sunset to 10.30pm, AED185 per person. Suhoor at B Lounge A unique Suhoor experience awaits you at B Lounge, savor a special a la carte menu accompanied by stellar sea views, a relaxed ambience under the palm trees along with Ramadan beverages and hubbly-bubbly. GO: Call (0)2 677 3333 for reservations and more information.
SHERATON ABU DHABI HOTEL & THE ST. REGIS SAADIYAT ISLAND RESORT Iftar Buffet at Flavours RESORT, ABU DHABI Bask in the true spirit of Ramadan as you enjoy a scrumptious
Iftar Buffet During the Holy Month of Ramadan, OlĂŠa at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi will offer Mediterraneaninspired cuisine. Featuring a lavish spread of traditional dishes and Arabic juices, the iftar buffet is popular amongst residents in the capital for its impressive ouzi, saj and shawarma stations. There will be a wide selection of hot and cold mezze as well inspired by cuisines from across the Middle East. Guests can enjoy the relaxing setting while breaking their fast with family and friends, either indoors or outdoors, with panoramic views of the turquoise blue sea. From 7pm to 9pm, AED275 per person; AED135 for children aged six to 12 (20% discount when you book a table of six or more adults). GO: Call (0)2 498 8888 for reservations and more information. fact magazine
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• RAMADAN 101
MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN ABU DHABI Iftar at Kuzbara Celebrate the spirit of Ramadan with family and friends at Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi. Experience culinary delights from the expert Chefs including authentic Arabic dishes and a variety of international options. The buffet is an ode to an array of delicious Ramadan favourites including Marriott Downtown’s signature Ouzi, Biryani, homemade Shish Tawook, Lamb Kofta, traditional homemade Umm Ali with the puff pastry made in house and a wide array of delicacies that will change every week during the month of Ramadan. From 6.30pm to 9.30pm. AED190 per person. Suhoor in the City AT25, Abu Dhabi’s, highest open-air roof top restaurant with spectacular views of the city will be serving shisha and an a-lacarte Suhoor menu. The menu will highlight perennial AT25 favourites and classic Arabic cuisine. Air-conditioned indoor seating available. From 8pm to 2am. GO: Call (0)2 304 7770 for reservations and more information.
SOFITEL ABU DHABI CORNICHE Iftar at Corniche All Day Dining Blessings of the Holy month intertwine and spread across as you break your fast with family and friends at the humble surrounding of Corniche All Day Dining restaurant. A wide array 44
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of traditional and regional favourites await, including hot and cold mezzeh, mixed grill, shawarma, and kunafa live stations, lamb ouzi, Arabic sweets and Jordanian mansaf. Receive 25% savings when you reserve a table for the first 10 days of Ramadan. From sunset to 9pm, AED195 net. Suhoor at Grills @ Chill’O A brand-new experience awaits at the newly re-modelled setting of Grills@Chill'O. Spread across two floors with exceptional views of the Corniche, enjoy a curated suhoor menu consisting of delightful mezze, filling mains and irresistible sweet treats. Special menu to be served from 9pm to 1am. GO: Call (0)2 813 7777 for reservations and more information.
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Suhoor at The Lawn Enhance your Ramadan as you unwind with friends at the Lawn and enjoy the evening breeze with a wide variety of an á la carte Suhoor menu and the spectacular views of the golf courses. From 11pm to 3am. GO: Call (0)2 616 9999 for reservations and more information.
HAKKASAN ABU DHABI
SAADIYAT ROTANA RESORT & VILLAS Iftar at SimSim Experience a huge range of mouth-watering Arabic delicacies along with vibrant international favourites at the SimSim Iftar Buffet. Traditional Arabic melodies performed by live musicians help to set the mood while guests are free to explore a series of spectacular live cooking stations. From sunset to 10.30pm. AED225 per person including water, soft drinks, juices, Ramadan drinks and Arabic coffee Kids aged six to 12 years old will get 50% off while those under six can dine for free. GO: Call (0)2 697 0000 for reservations and more information .
THE WESTIN ABU DHABI GOLF RESORT & SPA
Iftar at Fairways Fairways invites you to gather with your family and friends this Ramadan with its beautiful views of golf courses and a delectable oriental buffet offering hot and cold mezze, salads, meat and seafood dishes and all the Middle Eastern desserts, traditional Ramadan juices and Arabic coffee. From sunset to 11pm. AED195 per person (Sunday to Wednesday) | AED225 per person (Thursday to Sunday). Children aged six to 12 enjoy 50% off and children under six dine complimentary. Book before April 15 and get 20% off.
Iftar Menu Hakkasan Abu Dhabi, the renowned dining destination at Emirates Palace, is set to celebrate the holy period of Ramadan by offering an exclusive iftar menu of expertly crafted regional dishes. The family sharing-style set menu features specially curated recipes along with some of the restaurant’s most popular signature plates, all delivered to the table with trademark dining theatrics and style. Providing an alternative way of breaking fast during Ramadan, the fresh and flavourful regional delicacies are guaranteed to impress and amaze. Starting at sunset, the absorbing culinary journey begins with a comforting bowl of braised spinach Chilean sea bass soup, before moving onto light bites of crispy duck salad and the Hakka steamed dim sum platter, featuring har gau, abalone and chicken shui mai and wild mushroom dumplings. Diners can also sample stir-fry rib eye beef with spicy peppercorn alongside roasted chicken marinated with sesame and garlic and assorted sides, before completing their experience with a delicate serving of beautifully rich and indulgent hot chocolate date fondant and a selection of traditional Arabic sweets. The iftar set menu is available for AED268 per person, including soup, appetisers, signature mains, dessert and Arabic sweets, served from sunset to 8pm. GO: Call (0)2 690 7739 for reservations and more information.
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• RAMADAN 101
THE ST. REGIS ABU DHABI Iftar at The Terrace on the Corniche Located on the ground level of The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, The Terrace on the Corniche is the highlight of a vibrant dining destination with indoor-outdoor flow. You have the opportunity to choose and be seated in the richly coloured main dining room or the “al fresco” enchanting terrace. Gather with your family, friends and colleagues in a peaceful ambiance and savour the most scrumptious Iftar buffet. Break your fast with a delicious selection of dates, Ramadan juices, hot and cold mezze, followed by an extensive choice of main courses also prepared in live cooking stations. Savour all of the authentic traditional flavours that are emblematic to the Holy Month of Ramadan. From sunset to 11pm. Iftar Buffet at AED195 per person with Ramadan juices and water. Group Rates available at AED175 per person, for groups of six and more guests. Children under 12 dine complimentary. Iftar and Suhoor at Azura Panoramic Lounge Azura Panoramic Lounge is a fresh hidden outdoor sanctuary at the lavish coastline of West Corniche with adoring sunset views of the Arabian Gulf. Located at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, the lounges’ central location is easily accessible to all residents honouring the Holy Month of Ramadan. Our culinary team will offer you an a la carte menu of authentic and elegantly presented Arabic dishes, rich in traditional flavours. Become the ultimate witnesses of the breath-taking sunset views transforming from cool tranquil blues to warm multi-colour glows. Join in the evening for Suhoor and enjoy the comfortably cooler atmosphere with panoramic views of the electrifying night lights over the Corniche. Should you wish to host a private gathering, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team and receive a 46
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quote on special group rates, allowing you to share the serene ambiance of the Upper Deck of Azura. A la Carte menu offered Reserve Half Upper Deck or Full Upper Deck for Iftar dinner. Available from sunset onwards. GO: Call (0)2 694 4553for reservations and more information.
ZAHR EL LAYMOUN AT YAS MARINA
Iftar Set Menu Fans of authentic Lebanese cuisine will be treated to a mouthwatering Iftar set menu including a selection of soup, salads, cold and hot appetizers, main courses and tempting desserts. Famous for its traditional cuisine and recipes, Zahr El Laymoun invites guests to savour delicious, fresh Arabic food cooked to perfection and experience some of the most authentic Iftar traditions of Lebanon. Plus, encouraging diners to savour more favourite Iftar dishes at Zahr El Laymoun, visitors will also be given a voucher for a discount of AED20 on their next visit. From 7pm to 2am, for AED100 per person. GO: Call (0)2 562 1011 for reservations and more information.
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THE ABU DHABI EDITION Iftar at Market at EDITION Market at EDITION, an imaginative, healthy lifestyle restaurant will once again play host to The Abu Dhabi EDITION’s popular Ramadan Iftar experience. The relaxed, interactive style and light, airy interior of Market at EDITION blurs the boundaries of traditional and al-fresco dining. Resonating theatrical essence of a street-food market, the magic of open kitchens in the restaurant creates interaction between guests and chefs as they prepare fresh Arabic inspired flavors this Ramadan. The restaurants focus on healthy, no waste, farm to table cooking continues throughout the holy month, with the best fresh ingredients used in traditional Middle Eastern recipes with a contemporary, EDITION twist. Guests will be welcomed to break their fast with traditional delicacies – dates, nuts, laban, Arabic bread and water – before moving on to the wide selection of Middle Eastern flavours. The live stations spread throughout the restaurant offer up something for every taste. Meat lovers can head to the grill for a variety of cuts; from lamb kofta, to USDA tenderloin, shish tawook and grilled vegetables. There will also be a shawarma station featuring chicken and lamb accompanied by spicy tahini, garlic mayo, chimichurri, a mix of pickles and Dijon mustard for a unique version of on the traditional favourite. The hot mezze station is sure to be a favourite with kibbeh, cheese and lamb sambousek, falafel and spinach fatayer among the offerings of Chef’s choice, alongside the cold station of breads, soups, salads such as fatoush and baba ganoush. The cold live kitchen will also feature a sushi counter for those that wish to indulge in outside of the Middle Eastern delicacies. Market at EDITION will also serve up an array of cous cous, beef tagine and prawn sayadeih among others. To complete the experience, Arabian classics such as Umm Ali, Cheese Kunafa and Mohalabieh will be showcased alongside international sweets including apple pie, warm chocolate pudding and Market at EDITION’s renowned selection of unmissable ice cream. Organic coffee and raw juices are the perfect accompaniment, infusing Mother Nature’s finest ingredients. Iftar is served daily from sundown throughout the holy month, priced at AED195 per person. GO: Call (0)2 208 0000 for reservations and more information.
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• LOCAL ARTS
THE ART OF
CHIVALRY
OPENING TO THE PUBLIC THIS WEDNESDAY, LOUVRE ABU DHABI’S LATEST INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, FURUSIYYA: THE ART OF CHIVALRY BETWEEN EAST AND WEST, TAKES VISITORS ON A JOURNEY THROUGH THE CULTURE OF KNIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE AGES, FROM CHRISTIAN EUROPE TO ISLAMIC LANDS IN THE MIDDLE AND NEAR EAST.
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hrough more than 130 artefacts, the exhibition will showcase how the emergence of knights as a social class, their art of war as well as their favourite pastimes has manifested throughout the visual culture of the Middle Ages. Spanning the early 11th to the 16th centuries, the exhibition features objects ranging from arms and armour, written and illustrated treatises and manuscripts, to heraldic and decorative objects. Alongside a historic account and comparative study between knightly culture in East and West throughout the Middle Ages, Furusiyya: The Art of Chivalry between East and West will also bring to light knightly values, namely courage, bravery, honour and generosity – as well as the parallels between these across both cultures. Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said: “The image of the warrior mounted on a horse or chevalier, is a visual that transcends history and civilisations. With Abu Dhabi acting as a gateway between East and West, Louvre Abu Dhabi is the ideal museum for this comparative study. “The exhibition speaks to our global aspiration, while building a strong connection to the region,” he added. “Our first international exhibition to open this year, Furusiyya: The Art of Chivalry between East and West is part of our current cultural season Changing Societies, and we are incredibly grateful to our partners from across the world, without whom this extraordinary showcase would not have been possible.” Furusiyya: The Art of Chivalry between East and West is held in partnership with Musée de Cluny, musée national du Moyen Âge in Paris, and Agence France-Muséums which produced this exhibition. The exhibition is curated by Chief Curator Dr. Elisabeth Taburet-Delahaye, former Director of Musée de Cluny, musée national du Moyen Âge, alongside Co-Curators Dr. Carine Juvin, Curator of the Department of Islamic Art at Musée du Louvre and Michel Huynh, Head Curator at Musée de Cluny, musée national du Moyen Âge. Dr. Souraya Noujaim, Scientific, Curatorial and Collections Management Director at Louvre Abu Dhabi, added: “Born out of comparable values – courage, honour, discipline, and faith – both furūsiyya and Western chivalry required equivalent skills, at once physical, sporting, religious, and intellectual. “The visitors can engage with a cross-cultural comparison of the artistic manifestations of the life of knights, a group that was emblematic of medieval civilisation,” she said. “Beyond war and battle, the exhibition sets out to shed light on the development of a chivalric culture in relation to the mutations of medieval society, 48
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through literature, music and the arts, making for an intellectually engaging and visually captivating exhibition.” Through a strongly immersive scenography designed by Vincen Cornu Architecte, the exhibition unfolds across three main chapters – Riding, Fighting, and the Life of a Knight, all highlighting different aspects of this particular social class. Introducing the visitor to the many similarities between the Islamic East and Christian West, the showcase begins with two monumental horse armours – Louvre Abu Dhabi’s spectacular Ottoman Horse Armour from the late 15th century, installed alongside a European Horse and Knight Armour from the first quarter of the 16th century, on loan from Musée de l'armée, both showcasing the relationship between the rider and his horse, skill and decoration, and majesty and brute strength. In the first part of the exhibition, visitors will understand the development of this particular social class, manifested through art, artefacts and archaeological remnants. The roots of furusiyya in the East and chivalry in the West are emblematic of historic changes throughout late antiquity. A beautiful example of this time is Plate with a Sasanian King Hunting Rams (Iran, mid-5th-6th century), which shows a Sasanian Royal, mounted on a horse, with armour resembling a knight. Meanwhile in the West, the disintegration of the Roman Empire led to the emergence of the social class of the knights, sharing Eastern values of the devotion to God, visualised in illuminated manuscripts such as the History of the Holy Grail (France, first half of the 14th century). The showcase then invites to discover artistic and creative exchanges between furusiyya and chivalry evident in the signs and symbols of knightly culture. In the West, heraldry and coat of arms were used as a form of social distinction. Adopting this same practice, Eastern heraldry often reinterpreted fact magazine
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Western symbols, such as the French fleur-de-lis, used by several sultans in the 14th century, and whose name in Arabic – faransiyya – indicates its association with the Franks. The second chapter of the exhibition, through illuminated treatises, weapons and armoury, examines the techniques and education around fighting in East and West. Equipment, one of the main characteristics of a knight, demonstrates interesting commonalities between these two cultures. A Sabre Suspension Belt (Iran, 14th century), bears in Arabic the inscription There is no God but God, all command is His. Likewise, several European shields are adorned with religious motifs, such as David’s fight against Goliath or Saint George Slaying the Dragon (Czech Republic, mid-15th century). The show also presents objects related to historic meeting points between Christian and Islamic troops, such as the Reconquista in Spain or – more prominently – the Crusades, which led to a cultural exchange as well as increased creative output, seen in chronicles, poems and romance texts from the time. Works such as The Romance of Godfrey of Bouillon and Saladin (France, 14th century) offer fist-hand accounts of the exchanges, confrontations and divisions between these two different cultures. The final chapter of the exhibition explores knightly pastimes related to combat, and the arts of chivalric cultures. In both Eastern and Western cultures, knights trained and perfected their horsemanship through games and exercise. As a result, pastimes such as polo, hunting, and – to practice strategic thinking – chess, emerged. The impact of what this exhibition focuses on has remained relevant throughout history. Knightly culture and courtly tales have echoed across centuries and artistic production. From French Orientalist paintings, to Richard Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde to Monty Python’s Holy Grail, these cultural icons find their roots at the same source – chivalry and furusiyya. Louvre Abu Dhabi, Musée de l’Armée, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Musée Jean-Claude Boulard – Carré Plantagenêt, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, The Metropolitan Museum of Arts, and the Furusiyya Art Foundation.✤
GO: FOLLOW @LOUVREABUDHABI ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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• ENTERTAINMENT
BIG SCREEN
Highlights
NO TIME TO DIE WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
James Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. Unfortunately, his peace is short-lived as Felix Leiter, an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading James Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
DIRECTOR: Cary Joji Fukunaga CAST: Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas
WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING?
No Time to Die is the 25th installment in the James Bond film series and at a 163-minute runtime, it’s the longest James Bond movie ever (you better make sure you go to the bathroom before you sit down to watch it). The movie features Daniel Craig in his fifth and final outing as the fictional MI6 agent, and as we see him donning the 007 mantle for the last time, it’s fitting that this concluding story will have a longer runtime, way more action, and a gripping storyline. Five years after the capture of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, James Bond has left active service. He is approached by Felix Leiter, his friend and a CIA officer, who enlists his help in the search for Valdo Obruchev, a missing scientist. When it becomes apparent that Obruchev was kidnapped, Bond must confront a danger the likes of which the world has never seen before. Will he survive? Watch and find out – yet another James Bond movie we’ve fallen in love with.
THE LOVEBIRDS WHAT’S IT ABOUT:
“
...Bond must confront a danger the likes of which the world has never seen before. Will he survive? Watch and find out – yet another James Bond movie we’ve fallen in love with.
A couple experiences a defining moment in their relationship, when they are unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery. As their journey to clear their names takes them from one extreme – and hilarious – circumstance to the next, they must figure out how they, and their relationship, can survive the night.
– No Time To Die
DIRECTOR: Michael Showalter CAST: Kumali Nanjiani, Issa Rae
WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING?
Kumali Nanjiani and Issa Rae play Jibran and Leilani, a couple that finds themselves accidentally wrapped up in a grisly murder. They go on a run in an attempt to clear their name and must get involved in the seedy criminal underground. Unfortunately, the duo does so while messing up basically everything along the way. With an extraordinary storyline and plenty of hilarious moments, The Lovebirds is definitely the rom-com of the year. 52
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ENTERTAINMENT •
FULLY BOOKED
ON THE RECORD
FICTION
Such a Fun Age
POP/FOLK-ROCK
Velvet: Side A
By Adam Lambert
Velvet is definitely the perfect title for Lambert’s new album, as the sound is classic and the production smooth. The album’s core is a funk-driven, 70’s rock sound that is very different from his past work. Lambert effortlessly takes an old sound and makes it fresh for a modern audience. Album opener Superpower comes with a heavy bassline, smooth falsettos and some slick guitar riffs, and Lambert puts in a confidence that hasn’t been seen in his past work, with the lyrics only adding to the raw power of his voice: We can definitely hear the influence of touring with Queen in small moments of his album, and the team he worked with, including indie-pop engineer Tommy English, pop-rock producer Butch Walker and more, especially on Velvet: A Side. Glints of R&B, disco and dance-pop find their way through, without making the project feel oversaturated. To enjoy are songs like Closer to You, which opens as a simple piano-vocal ballad, before growing itself into a classic Pink Floyd-style slow jam, without making us question the transition. Velvet: A Side truly reveals the depths of Lambert’s talent, leaving nothing to be desired for the listener.
POP/FOLKROCK
Silver Landings By Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore’s seventh studio album Silver Landings is her first release in 11 years and spins with a folk-rock sensibility— a style in which she is wellversed. But the Moore we hear in this new album emerges older and wiser, with lyrics that are sadder compared to her previous albums. Silver Landings’ message lies in the importance of falling in love with yourself first, delivered via polished country-folk production and a confident vocalist ready to reveal a swath of life lessons. Opener I’d Rather Lose stands as a defiant mission statement, with soulful, mournful guitar mirroring Moore’s Linda Ronstadt-esque vocals, and Save A Little for Yourself outlines the dangers of giving too much of yourself away in a relationship, giving listeners not only good music, but also something to think about. As clear as day, Moore has successfully moved herself from a teen-pop singer to an adult troubadour.
By Kiley Reid Reid’s darkly funny debut follows Emira, a black, underemployed 25-year-old who splits her time between babysitting for a wealthy white family and working at Philadelphia’s Green Party office. When a late-night encounter with a grocery store security guard attracts unwanted attention, Emira’s life takes several unexpected turns, as she has been wrongly accused of kidnapping while babysitting a child. One of the most provocative page-turners of the year.
NON- FICTION
How to Break Up with Fast Fashion By Lauren Brave Fast fashion is the ultimate toxic relationship. It’s bad news for the planet, our brains and our bank balances. How to Break Up with Fast Fashion will help you to change your mindset, fall back in love with your wardrobe and embrace more sustainable ways of shopping — from the clothes swap to the charity shop. Full of refreshing honesty and realistic advice, Lauren will inspire you to repair, recycle and give your unloved items a new lease of life without sacrificing your style.
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• HOTEL HOTSPOT
PALATIAL LIFESTYLE We’re still dreaming of days walking through Downtown Dubai, and a beautiful stay at the luxurious Palace Downtown had us admiring the Burj Khalifa as though for the very first time. FACT checked in for a sophisticated staycation of royal standards.
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hen the Burj Khalifa is standing right outside your window, so close that you could almost touch it, that’s when you feel the real spirit of Dubai and its dedication to going bigger and better come alive. Living in the city, we almost forget to take a moment to stop and admire our surroundings, especially passing the world’s tallest building every day. So, we took the opportunity to slow down and live in the now with a staycation at the utterly majestic Palace Downtown. The very stylish hotel mixes minimalism with touches of regal Arabesque decor. Our check in is swift and calm with the lovely front desk staff, especially James, who inform us of all dining options and recreational facilities available at the hotel. The 242-room and 81-suite hotel is the epitome of Middle Eastern charm. Rich in colour and regional textures with Arabian motifs and authentic detail to the interiors and intricate design. Expect exquisite furnishings with elegant finishes that evoke the comforts of a true Arabian home. There are seven design styles to choose from, with every room boasting a private balcony that overlooks The Dubai Fountain, The Old Town or Burj Lake. And if it’s a view of the iconic Burj Khalifa that you want, choose a Diplomatic Suite for your stay. With a leisurely walk through the warm and wide corridors, we step into the suite which is as big as most apartments in the city – space is the name of the game here and we’re in awe. The exclusive Diplomatic Suites are a pure expression of Arabian opulence. Every suite has a huge separate living room, a large bedroom and one main and one guest bathroom, and is complemented with rich drapery, flamboyant accessories and a spacious private balcony.
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• HOTEL HOTSPOT
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It’s like being in a very tasteful version of the palaces of old with grandeur in every corner – we could get used to this. In-room facilities are of the highest standards – great complimentary Wi-Fi, a multi-purpose workstation where you can snuggle to check some emails, then there’s a fully-stocked mini-bar, coffee and tea making facilities, a Nespresso machine and all the comfort you could ask for. Most of all, we loved the automated in-room iPad service and the two interactive flatscreen TVs – an elegant and efficient suite, perfect! In fact, Address Hotels + Resorts across all of its properties has introduced a superior guest service with the launch of iGENIE. Assuring the full breadth of guest services at the tap of a finger, the automated service will significantly enhance your experience providing you unbeatable convenience and value. From booking leisure and recreation appointments from the comfort of your rooms to ordering for any of the hotel services across concierge, housekeeping, engineering, to name a few, as well as exploring the internet for infotainment and entertainment, iGENIE is truly barrier-breaking for the region’s hospitality sector facilitated through in-room iPads provided to the guests. A feature that will most definitely come in handy for when you’re practicing social distancing! Staying in a suite means you get complimentary buffet breakfast too, which is an added bonus when you’re looking for a weekend of pure escape. The best, however, was yet to come. We opened up the doors to the balcony and stepped out onto our own personal viewing platform of the famous Dubai Fountain. What. A.
Spectacle. A front row seat to the coolest show in town as well as incredible views of the Burj Khalifa and the bustling heart of Downtown? Yes, please. You’ll find it hard not to capture it all on your phone! But when you do put your devices down and just want to C.H.I.L.L – Palace Downtown has got you sorted. By day, the palm-fringed swimming pool is a stunning oasis. Surrounded by a beautiful landscape, this is the ideal place to soak up the sun in a plush chaise lounge or take refuge in the traditional Arabian tents of the Buhayra Lounge, where you can recline in comfort and dine on a large selection of mezze and more. We opted for a cool mocktail and a cheesy pizza – the ideal afternoon accompaniments. The service is to be commended here, the poolside staff were taking great care of the guests both young and old. There’s a dedicated children’s pool for little ones to splash in too. The Spa at Palace Downtown is one of the most breath-taking we’ve ever seen. Describing itself as an imperial sanctuary, some relaxation time here should be at the top of the list. An oasis of tranquillity, The Spa at Palace Downtown is an indulgent retreat that transcends expectations with its airy design and serene ambience. The expertise of the therapists combined with the finest ingredients and treatment methods, both modern and traditional, ensure that rest and rejuvenation are experienced and enjoyed during each ritual across dedicated floors for ladies and gentlemen. There are nine lush treatment rooms including two spa suites alongside an Oriental bath house with a hammam slab, Jacuzzis, monsoon showers, steam rooms, consultation fact magazine
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• HOTEL HOTSPOT Afternoon Tea at Al Bayt. When you take a seat for this palatial feast, get comfortable because it’s about to get real tasty. Few of life’s luxuries can match a leisurely afternoon tea in such luxurious surroundings and at Palace Downtown you will feel like royalty. Artfully blending Arabian customs with royal English traditions, expect to be transported back in time to the easy-going pace of living, where every moment was meant to be savoured. The Traditional Afternoon Tea stays true to custom, with classic favourites like delectable finger sandwiches, clotted cream, pastries and more, served of course with your choice of tea or coffee. Highlights for us included the creative concoctions like coronation chicken in a charcoal bun and simple delights like warm, fluffy chocolate chip scones – the entire set up exudes inventiveness and culinary genius. Two drinks – both worthy of an Instagram post – would be the super refreshing Royal Iced Tea and the comforting Palace Cappuccino sprinkled with 22 carat gold dust. What is more royal than that? Palace Downtown is the type of place where you will feel enriched with culture and tons of rest and recuperation. The hotel and its staff carry a sincere hospitality spirit in the midst of a cosmopolitan city – something we can really appreciate. For that reason, and so much more, we will be back here sooner rather than later. ✤
spaces and a relaxation lounge. For the ultimate indulgence, opt for the Wellbeing Massage which is tailored to suit your needs. Simply select your preferred aromatic oil blend and let the expert therapist work their magic, applying pressure in all the right places with a head to toe massage to rejuvenate body, mind and soul. We fall into as sweet slumber and as muscle tension is eased and balance is restored. Dining is of the highest standard at Palace Downtown. There’s everything from modern to casual, extravagant to laid back and we were hungry for it all. Asado is the biggest surprise of all for us. An Argentinian steakhouse with the character and flair of Latin culture and the sophistication of its Middle Eastern setting. Envisioned as an homage to the heritage of Argentina, Asado reflects the quaint and charming feel of a South American country farmhouse. The highlight of the culinary offering is the ‘Parrilla’, the open grill over which age-old traditional dishes are prepared. We would highly recommend the fresh and citrusy tastes of the Sea Bass Ceviche, the classic Empanadas including beef, chicken and cheese and onion, and the wildly rich and soulful Beef Tenderloin Steak with a side of creamy mashed potato and grilled asparagus. It’s the unique Mushroom Quinoa Risotto followed by a selection of sweet treats that sends us into epicurean heaven. This was our first time at Asado and will definitely not be the last. Another dining experience worth shouting about was the 58
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GO: CALL (0)4 428 7888 OR VISIT WWW.ADDRESSHOTELS. COM/EN/HOTELS/PALACE-DOWNTOWN/ FOR ALL THE LATEST OFFERS AND MORE INFORMATION.
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• PLUGGED IN
APP-L ICIOUS LET’S SEE WHAT’S ON THE SMARTPHONE AGENDA FOR APRIL…
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FOREST
Sleep if you can! Cleverly designed to force you to get out of bed, Alarmy isn’t your regular alarm clock app. When your Alarmy is going off in the morning, you have to do one of five actions that you have preset to turn off your alarm. From solving math problems and shaking your phone for 20 seconds, to taking a picture of your bathroom — you can’t exit the app or turn down the alarm until you’ve fulfilled the task. We wish you a very good morning!
This app forces you to stay off your phone and just be present. How? You set a timer anywhere from 10 minutes to two hours (depending on how long you want to not be on your phone). Once you set the timer you plant a baby tree for your forest. Now it takes the amount of time that you set on your timer to fully grow that tree. If you go back on your phone and exit the forest app to check Instagram or text someon, it kills your baby tree. But if instead you stay off your phone the entire time, your plant grows into a full adult tree, and the credits you earn plant real trees around the world!
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PLUGGED IN •
HONEST HEADPHONES Bose’s new Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 come with a sleeker look and feature tech that you never imagined possible. For connoisseurs of music, podcasts and general good sound, FACT puts the headphones through the paces…
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eaturing the biggest leap forward in headphones since the iconic QuietComfort models, the new and long-awaited Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 is a complete redesign of Bose’s popular predecessor. With a fresh blueprint, improved sound quality, a touch-sensitive gesture pad for playback controls, and even USB-C charging, this is truly a feat for Bose. The headphones are a delight to use. They have been upgraded in every manner — and, trust us, you’ll feel the difference; a streamlined, lightweight stainless-steel headband with soft, angled earcups provides a perfect, comfortable fit. The underside of the headband features an ultra-soft gel foam material that sits neatly on your head. (And it won’t snag a single hair, either - bonus.) The new microphones let you hear the world around you, on your terms. Bose’s 700 debuts new pioneering technologies to magically transform the same public spaces into private rooms for talking with friends, family, and virtual personal assistants (Siri, Google Assistant, Amazon’s Alexa), as the new microphones are designed to pick up your voice better and also to reduce the noise around. Now, people can hear you better in noisier environments. On one of our quick trips to a very busy supermarket, we were able to stay on the phone usine the headphones with ease and no distruptions to the call or conversation. In fact, the sounds was crystal clear - like being in your own world whilst surrounded by shoppers, and everyday chaos!
You can personalise your environment with 11 levels of noise cancellation. As you increase the noise cancellation, you incrementally minimise the distractions you hear in loud places. Or, decrease it to the point where you hear the world as if you weren’t wearing active noise cancelling headphones at all. For quick interruptions, press a button for Conversation Mode to pause the music and let surrounding noise in — just perfect to quickly place a coffee order or checkout your groceries at the cashier’s till. Another key improvement includes a new touch interface with intuitive gesture-based controls. There’s also the Bose AR. A first-of-its-kind audio augmented reality platform that makes astonishing new audio experiences possible by helping you stay connected to your digital world and stay engaged in the physical world at the same time. Combining the power of wearable audio products, mobile devices and integrated apps, Bose AR unlocks the potential to experience fundamentally new ways to travel, exercise, learn and more by augmenting your world with content for your ears instead of your eyes. Offering maximum performance together with a beautiful, sophisticated design, the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are the ultimate companion for everyday life. ✤
GO: VISIT WWW.BOSE.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION. fact magazine
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CITY RIDES •
Q THE SHOWSTOPPER The new generation Audi Q3 is the underdog that we’ve been waiting for in the luxury SUV market – loaded with tech, space and style. FACT takes a seat in the vivacious blue Audi Q3 – an enhanced, grown-up vehicle, which we soon learn makes for a solid daily drive.
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he all-new Audi Q3 can be described in many words; striking, versatile, innovative and, for a compact SUV, rather captivating. The premium SUV has capacities that any Audi enthusiast and motoring aficionado will appreciate. As soon as you cast eyes on the car, its sleek and sporty octagonal design makes a classy yet bold statement: “I mean serious business” is what we imagine it would say, if cars could talk. It has a single-frame grille, slick LED running lights, large air inlets and strong muscles over the wheel arches, making this an Audi that has been well sculpted for a sharper appearance. The compact SUV has also grown in virtually all dimensions from its predecessor; it is 4,484 millimeters long, 1,849 millimeters wide and 1,585 millimeters high. Larger and more mature, the car has grown 3.8 inches in length, 0.7 inch in width and 1.5 inches in height, being blessed with a much more attractive and dynamic design. If you’re someone who likes to take short road trips or pack up the family for a weekend away, the Audi Q3 comes with drastically improved room. Its wheelbase, which has been stretched by 77 millimeters, offers tons of space. At the same time the Q3 is extremely versatile – thanks to the adjustable rear seats and height-adjustable loading floor along with numerous storage compartments. Depending on the position of the rear seats and backrests, the luggage compartment capacity is between 530 and 1,525 litres. For shopping trips, cargo space behind the rear seats grows from 16.7 cubic feet in the old Q3 to a more usable 23.7. When more space is needed, folding the second-row seats down 64
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bumps real estate to 48 cubic feet that we fully utilised during a few grocery and supply runs to Carrefour and a number of malls. We found the loading and off-loading of luggage to be smooth and functional. In fact, for its neat, compact size, the Audi Q3 is slightly deceiving as to how spacious it is on the inside – a great and much-welcomed surprise. Rest assured, it’s not just baggage that gets a comfy seat, remember the Q3's upsized dimensions? They really pay off inside the car with the front and rear areas being sufficiently spacious for passengers too. The Q3's interior itself is also significantly upgraded, with a fresh dash layout that is anything but boring. It's clean and intuitive with clearly marked switchgear, and with quality materials like brushed aluminium and matte wood trim tastefully sprinkled throughout. Our tester's optional Sport interior package adds more supportive seats, whilst it’s in the details that we rejoice; decorative insert in silver aluminium and scuff plates with aluminium inserts, illuminated with the “S” logo – they all add that quality Audi finish to a vehicle that continues to impress the more we drive it around. There is also a standard panoramic roof which ensures that the cabin is kept light and airy, whenever you wish it to be. Combining good all-round visibility with a sporty seating position, the new Q3 offers the same comfort as the next larger vehicle category. When it comes to tech, you needn’t worry as the Audi Q3 is kitted out with the best. The operating and display concept of the premium SUV has been overhauled from the ground up, with even the entry-level model boasting a digital instrument cluster with smartphone interface allowing
CITY RIDES •
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• CITY RIDES
Apple Car Play and Android Auto. The extensive infotainment is all controlled via a 10.1-inch touchscreen display in the centre console which, together with the air conditioning controls, is tilted ergonomically toward the driver. One of the best pleasures of driving is having your favourite playlist on as you venture on the open roads – the Audi Q3 makes this type of driving so seamless and easy with a tech-rich experience. The user-friendly touchscreen is very responsive to control music and navigation, whilst the legendary Audi sound system is as remarkable as you would expect from a vehicle of this calibre. On one journey from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, the drive was so enjoyable and relaxed, we’d be akin to say it felt like flying. There's no shortage of power points inside of the Q3. In the front, you have access to a wireless charging pad, two USB ports and a 12-volt outlet. For passengers in the rear there are two USB outlets and a 12-volt within easy reach. One major part of the new Q3 that didn't need a complete overhaul is its drivetrain. A familiar 2.0-litre, turbocharged I4 engine and an eight-speed automatic gearbox send power to all four wheels. With 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on tap, the latter at your service from 1,700 to 4,400 rpm, it gets moving at a respectable clip. During our mostly highway drives, it was possible to get the Q3 to 100 kph in around 8.0 seconds. The safety features are top-notch too. The forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking comes as standard on the Q3. The full body of features includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, parking sensors and a crisp, 360-degree camera, which makes everything from parking to turning tight corners and cruising down the highway, safe and laid-back for 66
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the driver and passengers. Put the Audi Q3 in Dynamic Mode and it reacts commendably, whilst the standard suspension setup gives way to controlled body roll and a firm pedal feel for confident stopping muscle. For everyday driving or trips between the Emirates, switch to the Q3’s Comfort setting to calm the steering and drivetrain, but if you find this a bit sluggish – as we did – keep the car in Sport Mode for better off-the-line thrust. The new Audi Q3 enters the UAE market with 35 and 40 TFSI engines. It features the cylinder on demand system, which switches off the second and third cylinder temporarily at low and medium loads, thus helping reduce fuel consumption in combination with the seven-speed S-tronic transmission. Three stylish trim line variants are available to give UAE customers even more opportunity to personalise their preference. The entry version comes with 17-inch alloy wheels and a high gloss package. The advanced version gives the customer 18-invh alloy wheels as standard, specific bumpers and contrast painting (full body paint available as an option) and an interior featuring a sporty aluminum trim. The S-line version has even more choice with sporty 19-inch alloy wheels, S line bumpers and full body paint (contrast painting available as an option) as well as the sporty aluminum trim interior. The Audi Q3 commands a powerful stance; it’s vibrant, practical and utterly inspiring. The brand with four rings has done it again and we would only encourage you to experience it firsthand. ✤
Price for the Audi Q3 in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain starts at AED173,000, with LED headlights, 20-spoke cast alloy wheels, ambient lighting package and Sports contour leather-wrapped steering wheel included as standard. GO: VISIT WWW.AUDI-ABUDHABI.COM TO BOOK A TEST DRIVE OR CALL AUDI CENTRE ABU DHABI ALI & SONS CO. ON (0)2 205 4444 / AUDI CENTRE MUSSAFAH ON (0)2 502 6510 / OR AUDI AL AIN CENTRE ON (0)3 713 1666 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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• SOCIETY
DINE AROUND WITH DAVID AT THE RITZ-CARLTON ABU DHABI, GRAND CANAL David Tapley, the food enthusiast behind the blog Out and About UAE hosted the fourth in his series of new personalised culinary experiences called #DineAroundWithDavid at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. The private table set-up saw a group of 35 fellow foodies in Abu Dhabi join David to explore Southeast Asian specialities through a brunch concept known as the ‘street food late brunch’ at Li Jiang restaurant. Curated by Tran Thanh Chung, Chef de Cuisine, highlights on the menu included food cart classics such as Korean BBQ, Peking duck, sushi and fried noodles. Following successful events at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Mazi at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort and 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant, Li Jiang at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal represented the ideal venue for the culinary journey with the Abu Dhabi-based food writer. The upmarket restaurant, with its stunning views and colourful walls transports guests into the heart of Asia.
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FASHION FOCUS •
SHARED MOMENTS: MANGO SS20 MANGO continues with the Shared Moments concept in a new campaign for the Spring/Summer 2020 season. The images were captured by the iconic British photographer Glen Luchford.
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• FASHION FOCUS
Shared Moments reinforces the concept of togetherness present in the brand’s communication. The campaign focuses on community spirit through visuals that extol the virtues of the intimacy and naturalness of shared moments, celebrating a moment of true complicity and at the same time, the expression of one’s self. The models, Anna Ewers and Rebecca Leigh Longendyke, two of the stars of the AW19 Shared Moments campaign, who also feature this season, are now joined by Vittoria Ceretti, Kit Butler and Hamid Onifade in a new getaway in which the Mexican cities of Valladolid and Merida are the setting for their shared summer adventures. WOMEN The apparel in the women’s collection, particularly inspired by the 70s, have been created with 100% sustainable fabrics. The women’s line of outfits have been produced using 100% sustainable fabrics, such as sustainable cotton or recycled fibres. The designs, mainly inspired by 70s style, are inundated with prints, especially florals; and colours, with pastel tones taking centre stage. Suits with matching waistcoats become one of the key looks this season, while flowing dresses with a summery air offer the perfect balance. Accessories such as strap sandals and basket-style bags add a touch of personality to each outfit. MEN The men’s offering reveals leather staples such as shirts and jackets, 70
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and complete denim looks take over as the star of the campaign. Timeless stripes and statement black pieces effortlessly upgrade the style, combined with neutral tones and colour blocks, complete with white denim. Key accessories include espadrilles and 70s style sunglasses. ✤
GO: SHOP THE MANGO SS20 COLLECTION IN STORES NOW. fact magazine
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SHOP THE BRAND HERE’S OUR WISHLIST FROM MANGO SS’20 COLLECTION FOR HER
FOR HIM
THIS COLLECTION IS AVAILABLE IN MANGO STORES ACROSS THE GULF. 72
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• RAMADAN COLLECTION
TED BAKER:
MIDDLE EAST COLLECTIONS Ted Baker has unveiled its latest tailor-made Eid collection. Known for doing things a little differently, Ted’s capsule will be exclusive to the Middle East.
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ith bold showstoppers for any celebration, the elegant nine-piece range is an edited selection of evening gowns, dresses and occasion wear adorned with opulent embellishment and refined detailing. The collection showcases kaftan shapes, sculptural silhouettes with wide blouson sleeves, and metallic trend fabrics. Gold and black pairings and sculptural hem edges offer luxe elegance, with ditsy daisy lace detailing on hand to provide a delicate floral flourish. Ted Baker is known for its luxurious occasion wear and the 2020 Eid collection rightfully follows suit. ✤
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RAMADAN COLLECTION •
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• BEAUTY BOX
Beauty Checklist OUR MUST-HAVE BEAUTY PRODUCTS FOR THE MONTH AHEAD...
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Elie Saab LE PARFUM ESSENTIEL
Elie Saab invites you to feel more of your femininity with his new essential perfume. Fresh, effervescent mandarin sparkles in the top notes, whereas creamy white gardenia flower flourishes
to express the quintessence of femininity. Precious neroli essence adds its delicate shimmer and completes the essence of Elie Saab Couture.
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Lottie London
LOTTIE LIP FOIL
Create next level lips with Lottie London’s Lip Foil, an iridescent lip topper that transforms your pout. Wear the topper over any lipstick or on bare lips to get a sheer finish that comes in a variety of colours, from pink and golds to quirky greens and blues. Completely versatile, you can also use it as a highlighter.
Givenchy L’INTERDIT HAIR MIST
Elevate your hair regime with a woody floral hair fragrance infused with the same unique notes as GIVENCHY’s iconic L’Interdit perfume. The lightweight mist won’t weigh down your hair, as its classic aroma wraps around every strand for an addictive trail that lingers wherever you go. Ultramoisturising, it will leave your hair silky-soft and radiant.
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Aesop SUBLIME REPLENISHING NIGHT MASQUE Transform your skin to its best, overnight. Aesop’s vitamin-rich Sublime Replenishing Night Masque is a lightweight gelcream containing generous doses of Vitamins B, C, E and F, with ingredients known for their highly hydrating and emollient properties— including Sodium Carrageenan, Panthenol and Squalane respectively.
Flormar
DEWY LIP BOOSTER
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Enjoy a fuller pout with the Dewy lip booster! The nonsticky plumping lip gloss is enriched with skin loving ingredients that moisturize your lips while offering a luminous, glass-like finish. Are you ready to hypnotise everyone around you with sweet, colourful and glossy lips?
The Face Shop DEARPACKER HOME REMEDY MASK- CHARCOAL Boost your skincare routine whenever and wherever! The Dearpacker Charcoal sheet mask gives you that simple yet effective hack of instant pampering. The black sheet mask with charcoal extracts has excellent purification effects on skin. It cleanses and draws impurities out of the pores and tightens them.
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GROOMING BOX •
Grooming Checklist OUR PICK OF THE BEST GROOMING PRODUCTS FOR THE MONTH AHEAD...
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GIVENCHY
EAU DE PARFUM BOISÉE
Immerse yourself in Givenchy’s new fragrance. Boisée begins with the spicy contact of black pepper and coriander, followed by a warm embrace between cocoa’s addictive accents and the sophisticated elegance of iris. A sensory experience enhanced by the woody notes of sandalwood and an oriental accord.
SKIN REPUBLIC FACIAL SCRUB
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Skin Republic’s Charcoal Facial Scrub uses walnut shell as a natural exfoliant (instead of nasty microbeads) to remove dead cells from the surface of your skin. This helps to prevent clogged pores and allows your other products, like daily moisturiSer, to work harder. For a flawless complexion.
HIMS DHT BLOCKER SHAMPOO Hims’ Shampoo for thinning hair features saw palmetto to help reduce levels of DHT in the scalp. Formulated with nettle leaf extract and a patented galvanizing complex, this shampoo helps stimulate your hair follicles, cleanses your scalp of excess sebum, and helps your hair appear thicker.
KIEHL’S CBD SATIVA SEED OIL HERBAL CONCENTRATE
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The all-natural, seed-based, super lightweight oil can be used to treat a range of skin complaints from dryness and irritation to blemishes. While the cannabis component is not the variety that’ll give you a buzz, it boasts all the calming and soothing benefits you see from the hemp plant.
RITUALS
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THE RITUAL OF SAMURAI SHAVE CREAM
The cream features a unique blend of ingredients that leave your skin moisturised and revitalised. Ginseng boasts antioxidant benefits, improves skin’s elasticity and prevents cells from ageing. The non-lathering shave cream helps the razor glide across your face so smoothly, it’s almost meditative.
HEATH EYE SERUM End your workouts with a Powered with protective actives including Soliberine NAT which shields from harmful blue light whilst Persian Silk Tree extract and Hyaluronic Acid hydrate, firm and help reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Keep it in the fridge for an added Ahhh on application.
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NEW IN TOWN •
FRENCH FINESSE A symbol of French hospitality, the classic Parisian brasserie Fouquet’s has found the perfect home at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. On a breezy Friday afternoon, FACT’s Shabana Adam takes a seat on the swish terrace for a truly unique foodie escapade… fact magazine
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true meeting of minds, Fouquet’s and Louvre Abu Dhabi represent the pinnacle of both cultural and culinary excellence. There are less than a handful of good French restaurants in the capital, and walking into Fouquet’s is the beginning of an experience that is here to change the game. Being the brand’s ninth opening – Fouquet’s has locations in Paris, Cannes, Toulouse, Marrakech, La Baule, Enghien-les-Bains, Courchevel and Montreux – the venue takes prime position in the heart of the museum – an ideal stop for a leisurely lunch or dinner after you’ve toured the masterpieces on display. Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi offers a menu created in collaboration with French Michelin Star Chef, Pierre Gagnaire – a genius in the kitchen who needs no introduction. Testament to his unparalleled creativity and flair, the imaginative menu here features French classics injected with an inimitable Gagnaire twist. With spectacular flavours and flawless presentation, dishes remain faithful to the restaurant’s modern French heritage, with particular attention paid to sourcing only the finest ingredients. A warm and friendly welcome from the team sets the tone for the afternoon. All the way from the reception desk to the servers and even the lovely restaurant manager, we are made to feel comfortable and laid-back in an atmosphere that drifts between upscale and casual just perfectly. Inside, avant-garde chandeliers float effortlessly above the elegant tables draped in crisp white linen and hugged by the brand’s signature red leather chairs. The ambience of old-fashioned, understated sophistication is given a contemporary twist with gallerywhite walls, a nod to Louvre Abu Dhabi’s magnificent design by French architect Jean Nouvel. Other walls are covered in black and white portraits of the celeb-world’s glitterati, from the renowned Studio Harcourt. Silver napkin rings with celebrities’ names engraved immerse guests in a “red carpet” vibe. Colossal windows draw the eye outwards, to where the glistening Arabian Gulf kisses the horizon. The whole set up is classy, and tasteful, and we’re here for it! To begin, our entrees are the epitome of French cuisine. The Crevettes Roses, avocado, pink grapefruit, egg mimosa is a beautiful homage to the popular juicy shrimps found on many French menus. In a surprising turn of taste buds, the most interesting aspect of this dish was the creamy avocado – its skin had been flamed and charred down – and it tasted delicious. The Duck Foie Gras Terrine with date chutney is the most generous helping of foie gras that we’ve ever been served. It’s rich, buttery and delicate – an ideal pâté spread on the crispy bread. The French delicacies are stepped up further as we come face to face with the escargots. The Burgundy Snails dressed in flavourful garlic butter are a true indicator of who the real gourmands are. For someone who hasn’t tried snails before, I couldn’t imagine my first foray with this classic creation in a better place than Fouquet’s. Put your mental hang-ups of slimy garden creatures aside, because here the snails are delicately chewy – similar to other molluscs like clams and oysters – but without an unpleasant aftertaste. No 80
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doubt, this is thanks to the irresistible savouriness of the garlic butter sauce. The mains are just as gorgeous in presentation and taste. Famously known as the dish that made Julia Child fall in love with French cuisine, we dive into the meticulously prepared Dover Sole Meunieré, cooked in lightly browned butter and zesty lemon with a hint of parsley. Traditionally, the sole meunière is a dish that highlights the simple flavours of fresh fish, butter, lemon and parsley. Fish is the centre of the dish, and at Fouquet’s it’s a quality fillet which we finish with zest. The Tartare Fouquet’s, like its fellow food companions, was made for the ‘gram. The handchopped beef is mixed with tuna and avocado – super fresh, it’s the embodiment of a novel experience for the palate. Dessert is a deeply delectable soiree. The much-anticipated Crêpes Suzette is prepared tableside and we certainly appreciate the interactive gesture, whilst the Mille-feuilles with praline and caramelised hazelnuts is a textural union of flaky puff pastry contrasting with crushed nuts and creamy mousse. A side of fresh berries rounds out a stunning sweet delight. Just above Fouquet’s, is the laid-back luxe of Marta, a picture of Parisian perfection in the form of a bar-cum-lounge. During the day, afternoon tea is served alongside classic apéritifs. Come nightfall, a sophisticated menu of cocktails and mocktails, dreamed up by its powerhouse mixologists, are served to pumping beats, courtesy of Marta’s resident DJ. Fouquet’s is a gastronomy awakening for anyone looking to broaden their horizons on the food front. It’s for those who crave a taste of adventure – but, conveniently, without the flight ticket! ✤
GO: VISIT WWW.FOUQUETSABUDHABI.COM AND FOLLOW @FOUQUETSABUDHABI ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION. fact magazine
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• NEW OPENING
BOHEMINAN BEACH VIBES Located on the shores of Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Shala Beach Lounge is set to be the new haven for understated luxury on the magical Saadiyat Island.
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erived from the Sanskrit word for ‘home’, Shala was inspired by the need of bringing together a celebration of bohemia at its soul and mind. The first of its kind in the region, Shala is set to become the quintessential hotspot for those free spirits that enjoy the good life. “We wanted to introduce a new concept in the region – one that stands out – in cuisine, views and most importantly in ethos and values,” says Anna Manzoni, Manager of Shala. The picture-perfect beach lounge with an islandic vibe overlooks the magnificent views of the most pristine shores of Saadiyat. The interiors are transcended with sensations enveloped in the aesthetics of contemporary luxury and inspired by a play on feathers and the elements of nature. A symbol with deep spiritual realms in flight and freedom, Shala serves as an escape to guests from all walks of life especially the creatives. The rich design aesthetics of Shala marry the four elements of nature – fire, water, air and earth into one barefoot haven. In the idyllic setting, the beachfront rooftop space features a long bar, a fire pit, and cosy furniture made out of natural wood complimented with white fabrics. A balanced mix of luxury and relaxed ambience that conveys quality and comfort for up to forty seated guests.
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Lounge and sip on soulful cocktails and the flavourful menu as you bask in the panoramic view of the sparkling sea and sunkissed Arabian sands. Shala Beach Lounge offers something different with its diverse cuisine that is thoughtfully curated, designed for sharing with family and friends. At Shala, food is at the centre of connections. While indulging the taste buds with hearty, modern flavours, the menu is influenced by the “farm to table” approach with locally sourced produce. The culinary experts at Shala have incorporated ingredients from the Middle Eastern culture, fused to create a dining atmosphere that encourages minimal use of cutlery. Ecological ethics is also at the centre of their work as they honour the taste of the food by minimising food processing. Getting away from the hassles, the flash and the fuss, Shala’s laidback and unpretentious ambience is coupled with the DJ’s Balearic beats and live percussions. Whether its basking in the sunlight or dancing by the sea, at Shala there is a place to rest and play beneath the blazing sun and the shimmering stars. ✤
GO: FOLLOW @SHALAABUDHABI ON INSTAGRAM FOR ALL THE LATEST INFORMATION.
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Bring Delightful Dining Experiences Into Your Home Enjoy a culinary experience that goes beyond the walls of your dining room. While you can still dine safely at home, a generous selection of Fairmont Bab Al Bahr takeaway option will fit perfectly into your savoury meal plan. Take home your favourite coffee, pastries and salads, as well as a selection of mouth-watering finger foods, pizza, tasty burgers and more! Pickup time can be arranged at your convenience between 9:00am and 7:00pm daily.
RECEIVE
25% OFF
PER TAKE AWAY
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Place your order at dining.bab@fairmont.com or +971 56 502 4999