Fact Abu Dhabi June 2015 by Fact ME

June 2015 VOL 2. ISSue 01 AeD 10

Happy Birthday!

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A Family Summer at the Palace Set along 1.3 km on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, Emirates Palace invites you to enjoy the summer sun in our refreshing pools, whirling water slides and relaxing lazy river. With amazing rates starting from AED 1090* per night, Emirates Palace promises to be your ideal getaway to unwind. Enjoy acres of lush gardens, revitalizing spa treatments and plenty of delicious dining options. Ease to the sound of the breeze or relax in hammocks under the shade of majestic palm trees. Discover a world of indulgence hidden in every special treat tailored for you. For more information or reservations, please call +971 (0) 2 690 8888 or email reservations@emiratespalace.ae

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never want to leave *Rates are subject to 10% service charge and 6% tourism fee. Above mentioned rates are applicable between the 17th May until the 30th September 2015. Offer valid for all GCC nationals and residents. 2

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emiratespalace.ae

contents It’s party time in the FACT office as we celebrate one year of being in Abu Dhabi. Thank you to all our amazing readers and followers for a fantastic first year and such a warm welcome. Happy reading!

8. Fact Finds

12. Happenings

17. Fact Anniversary

21. Ramadan

Throwing a party, hosting an event, and planning a special get-together with friends gets more exciting with VOX Cinema.

June brings with it a slew of fantastic events. We pick some of the best activities and happenings for you to check out.

Happy Birthday to us! It’s been a fantastic year for FACT Abu Dhabi and we take a look back at all the issues that got us here.

The Holy Month is upon us once more, and we’ve got a run down of the best Iftar and Sohour offerings in the city.

37. Arts: Interview

45. Arts: Exhibition

54. Hotel Hotspot

59. City Rides

FACT caught up with UAEbased artist Salah Shaheen to talk about his artistic journey, technique, and future goals.

AD Arts Collective is back with a fun summer festival - Honalfen: Arts Here. We’ve got all the info about their June activities.

We review the beautiful Park Rotana Abu Dhabi to see what its room, dining and recreational facilities have to offer guests.

Our resident motoring man takes the all-new 2015 Volkswagen Touareg for a spin on the UAE roads. Read his verdict here...

71. Fashion Focus

85. Ramadan Recipes

91. Venue Review

95. Foodie Corner

Need a wardrobe overhaul? Check out the SS’15 collection from River Island. We’ve got trends for both men and women.

Ramadan is one of the best times to experiement and try some new dishes. We bring you some fo the city’s best recipes.

Fancy a South East Asian feast? We’ve got just the place to feed your cravings. Read all about our visit to Li Jiang here...

Asia De Cuba invited FACT to try its fabulous Iftar menu. Of course, we gladly obliged. Here’s what you can expect...

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THE EDITOR

Rejoice in Ramadan “Ramadan is, in its essence, a month of humanist spirituality.” – Tariq Ramadan

t has been two years since I moved to the GCC, and when I arrived, preparations for Ramadan were in full swing. Beautiful tents, lavish Iftar spreads, Sohour events, and, in Bahrain, the popular Ghabgas – I was blown away. This excitement and celebration of the Holy Month really helped me to get through the fasting with a positive attitude (like most, I was worried about it being too difficult in the Middle East heat). Now, two Ramadan’s down, I feel completely adjusted and ready for the spiritual 30 days ahead. We’re helping you to make the most of this year’s Ramadan offerings with our rundown of all the top spots for Iftar and Sohour in Abu Dhabi – 30, to be precise! The city’s hotels, restaurants and lounges have gone all out to make Ramadan 2015 a memorable one. And what’s great is that everyone can join in the special celebrations. Check out all that awaits us starting p21. Those of you planning to play host to family and friends during the Holy Month, we’ve got some great tips for creating an at-home Majlis to get you started (p32) – there’s never been a more perfect time to transform a beautiful space in your home into a cosy gathering area. Our arts pages are also keeping the Ramadan spirit alive. FACT caught up with UAE-based artist Salah Shaheen whose work covers geometry, calligraphy, and many more techniques, in a bid to catapult the Arabic font and art from the Arab world, onto the international stage. Read all about his journey on p37. As much as Ramadan is about abstinence, there are also certain food and drinks that are consumed especially during this time. We scoured the city to bring you some amazing Ramadan-inspired recipes from some of the city’s top chefs (p85) to try at home. June 2015 is also a very special month for FACT. It marks exactly one year since the very first issue of the magazine! I can’t believe we’re already on our 13th issue, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our readers, followers, clients and everyone who has picked up a copy of FACT – this has all been made possible with your continuous support. The FACT team sends hugs of appreciation to you all! We recap all the issues on p17 – which was your favourite? Tweet us @FACTAbuDhabi and let us know. On that note, Ramadan Kareem – we’ll see you at an Iftar (or five)…! Shabana Adam Editor-in-Chief shabana@factlive.com

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FACT Magazine Abu Dhabi Edition June 2015 Volume 2, Issue 01 Chief Executive Officer Greg Hughes Editor-in-Chief Shabana Adam (shabana@factlive.com) Group Regional Editor Tony Sidgwick (tony@factlive.com) Features Editor Pallavi Ramesh (editorial@factlive.com) Creative Director Paula Leal Graphic Designer Jyoti Rawat Photography Rashed Bin Daina Sunder Pratap Singh Production & Distribution Neil Mahmood Ajit Kumar Regional Sales Director Chelsea Copenhaver Sales Manager Yasmine Qawasmeh Sales Coordinator Renie Simplina Advertising Enquiries Email: chelsea@nansgroup.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. 361/14/A

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Combining all three editions of FACT in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Qatar, keep up with us on instagram for the best behind-the-scenes photos from food shoots, local events and all things awesome in the GCC, plus loads more from the FACT team.

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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 celebrityworld movers and shakers too | Get your copy of FACT Abu Dhabi in local supermarkets now!

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Matt Wade @freshcupLondon I like to show my disappointment in the food & service by telling the waiter “everything’s lovely thanks.”

Keep up with all things Abu Dhabi as the FACT team posts the latest competitions, happenings and everything we’re getting up to for the monthly magazine. Send us a message – we love to hear from our readers!

Our Fave Feature

Yo Bhai Saab! @YoBhaiSaab If anybody tells you you’re putting too much Nutella on your bread, stop talking to them. You don’t need that negativity in your life!

Haya Al Khalifa @umfahad Dear #Bahrain motorists, please don’t honk your horn behind me at the roundabout. I guarantee it will have the opposite effect.

MAY 2015 VOL 1. ISSUE 12 AED 10

Khaliji_Woes @Khaliji_Woes I wish there was a Shazam for perfume and cologne recognition. #khaliji_woes #firstworldproblems #shazam

And the

Winners are...

issuu.com FACT Abu Dhabi

21,768 reads of the May 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 entertainment, in Abu Dhabi.

Ramadan Happenings p21.

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CHECK IT OUT

Fact Finds

A Cinema Party with Vox Discover more of Abu Dhabi with FACT Finds. Every month we’ll bring you a new hotspot, our favourite happening, eatery, activity, or interesting find from around the city. Are you looking for a new and innovative venue for your next party or event? Bored of the usual (and more obvious) locations in the UAE? Fear not. Now’s your chance to be different and impress your guests! That’s right. VOX Cinemas can help you mix things up with their new state-of-the-art cinema screens – now available to hire out for private parties, corporate events, or any celebrations with family and friends. VOX cinemas are located across nine locations in the UAE with auditoriums ranging from 31 to 478 seats, fully equipped with high-tech, audio-visual technologies, featuring huge screens with crisp surround sound. Imagine hanging out with the cinema all to yourselves and watching a latest release or one of your all-time favourites – sounds good, right? Catering to events of all sizes, these cinemas also offer top-notch levels of comfort and service, extensive menus with unrivalled premium food options, comfortable seating and exclusive facilities for guests. Whether you’re into Hollywood or Bollywood, VOX caters to all your cinematic needs. Our nearest VOX Cinema is located at Yas Mall where, if you’re feeling a bit daring, you can “own” a cinema for a few hours, for everything from birthday parties for film fans, fundraising events, fashion shows, mini-concerts, private screenings and so much more! If splashing out is not a problem, then go for a truly indulgent experience with VOX GOLD. Decked out with fully reclining chairs, a private table, and food and drink served whenever you want throughout your movie, this is the definition of cinema enjoyed in the lap of luxury. How’s that for a movie night? With easy access and ample parking VOX can really take all the stress out of organising a fully personalised event. That’s it; we’re having a Lord of the Rings themed party and watching the trilogy back to back? Extended versions, of course. GO: Cinemas available for event bookings include VOX GOLD, myVOX, VOX 3D, VOX 4DX, VOX Plus and VOX MAX screens. Email events@voxcinemas.com or call 600 599905 for more information on venue details and hire. 8

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A special Iftar

CELEBRATION

This Ramadan, Southern Sun Abu Dhabi invites you and your loved ones to break the fast at The Foundry Restaurant and experience the finest Arabic hospitality. Alternatively, head for an unforgettable experience to the Kahraman tent and indulge in Arabic and traditional Ramadan delicacies, delectable Ă la carte Suhoor menu and flavourful shisha, while you are serenaded by a traditional Oud Player. Special rates for Corporate & Group bookings are available

AED129++ per person

Valid during the Holy month of Ramadan. Terms & Conditions apply.

The recognition you deserve southernsunabudhabi.com Al Mina Street, Tourist Club Area, Abu Dhabi t: +971 2 818 4888 I e: abudhabi.dine@tsogosun.com

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LISTEN UP

Abu Dhabi Scoops Prestigious World Travel Awards

There were smiles all around as Abu Dhabi scooped a total of seven awards at the 22nd annual Middle East World Travel Awards. The UAE capital’s standing as an emerging leisure and business tourism destination was given a huge boost when five of the sector’s stakeholders walked away with the top prize in their categories. Awarded for excellence and for continually raising the standards of their product and service offerings, a plethora of Abu Dhabi’s hotels, attractions, destinations and transportation companies were nominated, with the winners thrust into the spotlight as the destination was recognised for its expanding range of quality experiences following an online poll, which gathered votes from both industry professionals and the general public. Saadiyat Island’s pristine, nine-kilometre beachfront was awarded Middle East’s Leading Beach Destination. Set on the island’s serene natural shores, the 400-metre blueflagged Saadiyat Public Beach – developed by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) and operated by BAKE – has become a popular spot for visitors and residents to enjoy Abu Dhabi’s clean, warm turquoise waters. Two of the emirate’s leading five-star resort hotels bagged awards, with Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort & Spa by Anantara taking the award for the Leading Desert Spa Resort while the UAE capital’s iconic Emirates Palace hotel once again took home the Middle East’s Leading Hotel Suite title for its luxurious Palace Suite. 10

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Abu Dhabi took the Middle East’s Leading Meetings and Conference Destination honour too, for the third consecutive year, an achievement that reflects the emirate’s growing MICE appeal and diversity of experience for visiting delegates according to Mubarak Al Shamisi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, a division of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi). “Abu Dhabi’s success in the 22nd World Travel Award is testament to the travel industry’s efforts to constantly improve their quality of products, experiences, facilities and level of service as the emirate’s tourism proposition has grown,” he says. “Our award-winners will now represent Abu Dhabi in the global awards, competing against some of the world’s best brands and most popular visitor destinations. We know that business and leisure visitors now have considerably more choice from more destinations across the region, and are confident that the diversity of product represented by all nominated stakeholders will ensure Abu Dhabi continues to compete with the best in the world,” he added. Etihad Airways also wiped the board clean, taking home three awards. The regional winners will compete against each other in their category at a lavish World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony to be held in Marrakech, Morocco later in the year. GO: Visit www.worldtravelawards.com for more info.

Celebrate the holy month of Ramadan with your friends and family at

Hilton Abu Dhabi Enjoy lavish Iftar buffet at La Terrazza, filled with traditional Ramadan delicacies for AED 165++. Our Sohour tent â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Afandinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is offering live entertainment and an array of hot and cold mezzes from AED 40++.

For info & reservations call

02 692 4247 abudhabi.info@hilton.com Hilton Abu Dhabi, Corniche Road, P.O. Box 877,Abu Dhabi, UAE, hilton.com facebook.com/hiltonabudhabi fact magazine

HAPPENINGS

Getting Out & About This Month in Abu Dhabi

Say goodbye to boredom this month and mark your diaries with these all-important dates. We’ve put together a calendar packed with happenings just for you! This is what FACT recommends (and you can stil find more throughout the rest of the mag!)

0406 09 11 13

Thursday

SATURDAY

TUESDAY

THURSDAY

SATURDAY

Sowar Art Exhibition at Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan By Rotana

Abu Dhabi Fashion Days at ADNEC Conference Hall A

Classic Movie Night at Iris Yas Island Yas Marina

Dates Festival at Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan By Rotana

Wearable Tech Show at Yas Viceroy Hotel, Yas Island

Just two more days left to check out the exhibition by artist Rabee Doier. This showcase features 22 paintings depicting different aspects of Arab culture, from horses, to residential neighbourhoods, sailing ships, music and more.

If you need some new inspiration for your wardrobe, this is the perfect event to check out. This is the ultimate platform for local and regional designers to showcase their latest collections and satisfy all the fashionistas out there! Tickets: AED20.

Travel back to the roaring 1920s with a romantic retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel The Great Gatsby. As the temperature rises, Classic Movie Night is taken indoors with screenings sessions taking place at Iris for the perfect evening. Starts 7.30pm.

With Ramadan in a few days and one of the staples of Iftar being dates, this event will get you into the spirit of the Holy Month. Local production, manufacturing, picking, culture, heritage and benefits of the date fruit is covered.

If you’re into tech and al the latest wearable gadgets – you’ll want to spend some time at this exciting expo. This is the MENA region’s first show of its kind where everything from smartwatches to health trackers and virtual reality headsets by innovators and industry pros will be showcased. Visit

Visit www.rotanatimes.com for more information. 12

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Visit www.abudhabifashiondays. com for more information.

Visit www.yasmarina.ae for more information.

Visit www.rotanatimes.com for more information.

www.wearabletechshowuae.com for more information.

HAPPENINGS

15 18 21 24 26

MONDAY

Thursday

SUNDAY

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

DINNER at HAKKASAN ABU DHABI, EMIRATES PALACE

Ramadan Pavilion at Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi

So Much Sushi at Toshi, Grand Millennium Al Wahda

Mexico Art Month Exhibition at Art Hub, Musaffah

Opulence of Atarmia at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas

With summer on its way, Hakkasan has introduced a new Taste of Hakkasan menu, allowing guests to sample an array of innovative and inspiring dishes alongside a choice of refreshing seasonal beverages. Available daily from 6.30pm to 7pm for AED165++.

Enjoy the start of the first weekend in Ramadan with a sumptuous Iftar spread at the spectacular Ramadan Pavilion in Emirates Palace. Savour traditional Emirati favourites and continental delicacies, as well as an array of beverages all for a cool AED265++ per person. Call (0)2 690 7999 for

Japanese food lovers, this oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for you! Enjoy a lavish and flavourful spread of unlimited sushi and sashimi every Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday from 7pm to 11.30pm for AED119++ (food only) or AED189++ including selected drinks. Call (0)2 495 3921 for

Head over to Abu Dhabi Art Hub and check out the stunning work on display by four Mexican artists â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Andrea Garza, Gabriela Galvan, Lorena Mal, and Raul Mirlo. Work is inspired by the sites, tradition and culture of Abu Dhabi that they have experienced. Visit www.adah.

Treat yourself to the 4.5-hour Opulence of Atarmia journey, which is a luxurious combination of treatments with lavish ingredients such as gemstones, diamond dust, honey, olive oil and aromatic hot stone massage. Price: AED2,030. Call (0)2 407

Call (0)2 690 7999 for reservations and more information.

reservations and more information.

more information.

ae for more information.

1170 for more information.

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DIARY DATES

GCC G ETAWAYS Thinking about jetting off around the region this month? We’ve rounded up some of the best hotels for you to stay in whilst exploring our neighbouring nations…

Qatar

Oman

Bahrain

We never thought we’d find a hotel in Doha that was reminiscent of Europeanstyle buildings, but lo and behold, there’s the beautiful Zubarah Boutique Hotel, that blends fine décor and furnishings with the warmth of Arabian hospitality. Zubarah is a quiet hotel with a homely atmosphere, and whether you’re there to relax and explore Doha, or if you want peace and quiet to get some work done; Zubarah hotel is perfect to do both. Each of the 45 guest rooms at Zubarah Hotel offers luxury accommodation that is elegantly appointed and decorated in modern style. (www.zubarahhotels.com)

Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, located between the foothills of the Hajjar Mountains and the breathtaking Sea of Oman, is a hidden jewel that brings the celebrated traditions and the unparalleled beauty of this GCC country to life. When you enter the grand lobby, with its tall ceilings, plush chandelier and intricate architecture, you’re instantly transported to an environment of tranquility. The relaxed ambience, the friendly and attentive staff, the spacious rooms and suites, fantastic dining options, superb service and great recreational facilities, will all make for a very memorable stay. (www.ritzcarlton.com).

If you’re after the sort of break that doesn’t involve leaving the hotel much, then look no further. The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa is a real piece of secluded paradise with a massive outdoor pool, indoor pool, a pristine private beach, a majestic hammam with plunge pools, steam room and sauna, and a sports club with fully-equipped gymnasiums (there’s a ladies only too), a squash court, tennis courts, and, for the little ones, the Ritz Kids Club offering numerous safe and exciting activities! When it comes to food, options are aplenty; we recommend trying Plums, an ultra-chic restaurant with classic food choices (www.ritzcarlton.com).

Zubarah Boutique Hotel

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Al Bustan Palace

The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Hotel & Spa

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SOCIETY

#1915 #BY #AHMED #SEDDIQI #SS15 #TRUNK #SHOW May marked the highly anticipated launch of 1915 by Ahmed Seddiqiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first ever Spring/ Summer Trunk Show showcasing their impressive portfolio of fashion brands and new collections. The show was rolled out across six of their sought-after stores in the UAE including Yas Mall and The Galleria. This homegrown UAE based brand is a leading concept destination for fashion watches and accessories founded in March 2012. 16

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LET’S C E L E B R AT E happy birthday to us! IT’S BEEN ONE YEAR SINCE THE FIRST FACT ABU DHABI HIT THE SHELVES. WE TAKE A LOOK BACK...

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FACT Anniversary

JULY 2014. VOL 1 ISSUE 2. AED 10

May 2014. VOL 1 ISSUE 1 . aED 10

AUGUST 2014. VOL 1 ISSUE 3. AED 10

June 2014

July 2014

August 2014

ISSUE: LAUNCH SPINE: NAILED IT

ISSUE: RAMADAN SPINE: WAHAWI YA WAHAWI

ISSUE: SUMMER SPINE: SUMMERTIME SADNESS

FACT’s launch issue was an official celebration and introduction of our brand-new, fiercely local, monthly publication covering culture, arts, fashion, tech, travel and the spectacular dining scene.

With Abu Dhabi being so culturepacked, we were excited to experience our first Ramadan in the UAE. We covered all the best local Iftar and Sohour events as well as a busy social calendar for the Holy Month.

As the blisetring heat took hold, we were slowly adjusting to life in Abu Dhabi and brought to you a beat the heat guide with tons of indoor events and activities including brunches, spa escapes, summer camps & more.

An Artistic Celebration of Arab Culture

Roll Camera for Film Festival Fever

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September 2014. VOL 1 ISSUe 4. AeD 10

front.indd 1

Have a Haunted Halloween

BEDOUIN LIFE. DESERT LIVING. LET’S GO CAMPING.

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NOVEMBER 2014. VOL 1 ISSUE 6. AED 10

8/28/14 3:19 PM

September 2014

October 2014

November 2014

ISSUE: CULTURE SPINE: WORK OF ART

ISSUE: FILM FESTIVAL SPINE: SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND

ISSUE: desert life SPINE: SAnds of time

September saw the first artist takeover in FACT. We teamed up with The Burqa Lady for a special feature, illustrating our committment to showcasing and supporting local talent in the UAE.

Abu Dhabi Film Festival was a huge event and we were thrilled to be a part of what we know, now, was the last one. From local filmmakers to renowned names in the cinema world, ADFF had variety and vision.

We explored Bedouin history and heritage and its connection to Emirati culture today. Desert camping, F1 Fever, Abu Dhabi Art, and Taste of Abu Dhabi were just some of the great events we covered in November.

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FACT Anniversary

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FEBRUARY 2015 VOL 1. ISSUE 9 AED 10

JANUARY 2015 VOL 1. ISSUE 8 AED 10

#25DAYSOFXMAS #NYE2014 #NYEPARTY #CHRISTMASCHAOS #FESTIVEGIVEAWAY 1

DECEMBER 2014. VOL 1 ISSUE 7. AED 10

December 2014

January 2015

February 2015

ISSUE: festive SPINE: JINGLE BELL ROCK

ISSUE: NEW YEAR SPINE: express yourself

ISSUE: VALENTINE’S SPINE: LET’S GET EMOJINAL

Christmas and New Year is serious business in Abu Dhabi. It’s fun, festive and family-oriented. We got into the spirit and brought you info about all the best tree lightings, brunches, parties and local happenings.

Look at this cover - doesn’t it just make you smile? We welcomed 2015 by teaming up with another wonderful artist in Abu Dhabi for a big arts feature. Also inside was New Year resolutions and advice.

This cover was creativity peak for us! We like to be on the pulse and the zeitgeist is currently in love with emojis, so here we tell a couple’s love story through emoticons - pretty cool, right? The feedback was great!

And the

FACT DINING AWARDS 2015

THE BODY ISSUE THE ULTIMATE A TO Z GUIDE TO GET YOUR SUMMER BODY

MAY 2015 VOL 1. ISSUE 12 AED 10

FIX UP, LOOK SHARP

APRIL 2015 VOL 1. ISSUE 11 AED 10

MARCH 2015 VOL 1. ISSUE 10 AED 10

Winners are...

March 2015

April 2015

May 2015

ISSUE: fact dining awards SPINE: food glorious food

ISSUE: BODY SPINE: LET’S WORK IT OUT

ISSUE: TRAVEL SPINE: #NOWBOARDING

One of the most important issues for us this year was the launch of the inaugural dining awards campaign. All nominees were listed and we kicked off the online voting and ceremony prep, too.

As summer starts to roll around again, we thought it fit to bring you the ultimate A to Z guide to getting your sumer body, the healthy way. And, of course, we love to stand out on the shelves, so Popeye seemed appropriate!

Combining the travel issue with the results of the FACT Dining Awards 2015, May marked a great month for FACT. We’ve gone full cirlce and will continue to produce fresh content in the highest quality.

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SOCIETY

#ESPOSA #BRIDAL #BOUTIQUE #GRAND #OPENING Esposa announced the arrival of its newest bridal boutique at Abu Dhabiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high profile Yas Mall with a memorable and chic event. Top socialites, media and other glamorous invitees mingled at the spacious, airy new location on the occasion of the launch, discovering Esposaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elegant selection of bridal and evening dresses, accessories and shoes at the 260sqm boutique. 20

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Ramadan

Kareem

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve picked the best Iftar, Sohour & Ramadan tents for a busy social calendar this month and next. Get ready to celebrate, feast and spend quality time with your nearest and dearest. fact magazine

Ramadan

Hilton Abu Dhabi Ramadan at the Hilton Abu Dhabi is full of action, with several dining options for guests. A lavish Iftar buffet will be served from 7pm onwards at the all day dining restaurant La Terrazza. In the Beach garden of the Hiltonia Beach Club a Sohour Tent will be available serving traditional Ramadan food and beverages. In addition to that, live festive entertainment will be provided. The opening hours for the Sohour Tent are 8pm to 2am on weekdays and weekends, and Thursdays and Fridays till 3am. The Italian restaurant Bocca, located on the first floor will be open only for dinner during the month of Ramadan, from 7pm to 11pm, serving regular a la carte menu. Thai and Chinese restaurant Royal Orchid located on the first floor will be open for both lunch (12noon to 3pm) and dinner (7pm to 11pm), serving its a la carte menu. Escape restaurant and the Pool bar located at Hiltonia Beach Club will both be open from 9am to 6pm serving food and soft beverages. The Austrian coffee shop Vienna plaza, located on the ground floor, will be open from 7pm to 2am serving coffee, tea and pastries. Lobby Lounge, also on the ground floor will be open from 7pm to 11pm serving tea, coffee, juices and pastries. Furthermore, it will feature a specially decorated Ramadan tent serving Arabic coffee and dates. Price: Iftar buffet at La Terrazza is AED165++ per person, with children aged six to 12 paying AED82++ and under five years of age eat for free. Sohour at the Beach garden has an AED40 cover charge on weekdays and AED50 on weekends, which includes a choice of Ramadan delicacies such as foul, hummous, fruits, nuts and more. GO: Call (0)2 692 4247 for reservations and more information.

Emirates Palace Emirates Palace invites you to its spectacular Ramadan pavilion - the perfect setting for Iftar and Sohour this Holy Month. The custom built pavilion will sit on the Palace Terrace and will provide stunning views of the beach. Comfortable seating spread throughout the pavilion will create cosy 22

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enclaves to enjoy time with friends and family. With a large open dining area for Iftar buffets, and a separate lounge area, guests will enjoy the best traditional dishes and fragrant shisha. Signature dishes from Mezlai, the hotel’s Emirati restaurant, and traditional delicacies of the Holy Month will be offered in a sprawling buffet every night. Savour succulent grilled meats with traditional accompaniments and fresh hammour marinated with saffron and herbs. Indulge in traditional Emirati favourites, or a selection of continental delicacies. Sweeten your meal with a stunning selection of traditional and international desserts. With live cooking and carving stations to whet every palate, the Iftar buffet at the Palace will be an experience for all senses. Price: Iftar buffet at the Ramadan Pavilion is AED265++ per person. For the Sohour à la carte menu, a minimum spend of AED150++ is required. GO: Call (0)2 690 7999 for reservations and more information.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas Celebrate the Holy Month this year with family and friends in the breathtaking setting of Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas. Enjoy delectable Iftar offerings just minutes from the city centre. The UAE’s first residential-style venue, The Residence, will be transformed into the hotel’s Iftar venue for exclusive gatherings. Lavish Ramadan buffets at The Residence will feature an array of traditional Arabic dishes, including mezzeh and delicious Ramadan drinks, accompanied by live oud music in a special setting. Iftar buffets for up to 80 guests at The Residence will be available daily from sundown to 10pm. The Park Bar & Grill will serve dinner from 7.30pm to midnight, whilst you can also sample the hotel’s excellent pastry selection at The Library, open from sunset until 11pm. Price: Iftar buffet at The Residence is AED180++ per person, which includes water, Ramadan beverages and sweets. GO: Call (0)2 407 1138 for reservations and more information.

“The philosophy of fasting calls upon us to know ourselves, to master ourselves, and to discipline ourselves the better to free ourselves.” Rosewood Abu Dhabi Share the spirit of Ramadan with your friends and family at the beautiful Arabic venue Sambusek. Enjoy Iftar and Sohour specially prepared by Chef Emad Zalloum and his team. For Iftar (from sunset until 9pm) there’s an extensive buffet, and for Sohour (from 10pm to 1am) there’s an a la carte or set menu, served on the terrace tent where shisha is available. Tuck into the yummy food and enjoy relaxing waterfront views. For those who want something different, Dai Pai Dong offers an authentic Chinese experience. After dinner pop into the speakeasy for refreshing crafter beverages. Dinner is served from sunset until 11pm. Price: Iftar at Sambusek is AED195++ per person, and Sohour is AED125++. GO: Call (0)2 813 5552 for reservations and more information.

Southern Sun Abu Dhabi This Ramadan, Southern Sun invites you and your loved ones to break your fast at The Foundry restaurant. Experience the finest Arabic hospitality with a buffet of delicious classical Arabian and oriental dishes with live cooking and daily flavored ouzi. Served from Sunset until 9.30pm. Wait, there’s more! Head for an unforgettable experience at the Kahraman tent and indulge in Arabic and traditional Ramadan delicacies with a delectable à la carte Sohour menu and flavourful shisha, while being serenaded by a traditional Oud Player. Sohour runs from 7.30pm until the early hours of the morning. Price: Iftar at The Foundry is AED129++ and the Sohour menu starts from AED65++, both per person. GO: Call (0)2 818 4888 for

reservations and more information.

Ramadan

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fasting is, first and foremost, an exercise for identifying and managing adversity in all its forms.â&#x20AC;? fact magazine

Ramadan

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal To celebrate Ramadan, the culinary team of The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal has prepared a varied menu of traditional dishes welcoming guests to the luxurious Iftar and Sohour venues. Giornotte, the atmospheric all-day dining restaurant, will be transformed into a contemporary Arabian retreat to enjoy with friends and family during Iftar (buffet served from sunset to 9pm), while the opulent Ramadan tent overlooking the pool and beach gardens will welcome guests from 7.30pm until 2am for Sohour and board games, including an exclusive majlis option for added privacy. This year, Executive Chef David Gache and his team will delight the guests with a large variety of soups, salads and mezzeh throughout the Holy Month. The everchanging Iftar menu will allow guests to be delighted with different flavours throughout the month. Sohour guests will enjoy a customised experience with an a la carte menu including Arabic delicacies that can be savoured to the sounds of the oud and kanoon band. For the enjoyment of younger guests, and the convenience of their parents, Ritz Kids, available to children between the ages of four and 12, will offer an extensive programme of supervised activities during Ramadan, from henna designs to Eid and Crescent Moon crafts. Children will enjoy playing while they learn the insights into the meaning of crescent moon. Price: Iftar is AED220++ per person, including local water, specialty juices, coffee, tea, and assorted desserts. Soft drinks, specialty water, and Moroccan tea are available at extra charge. Children four to 12 years are priced at AED70++, 13 to 16 years at AED166++, and there is no charge for children under four. For Sohour, a cover charge of AED60++ per person applies on weekdays and AED80++ per person on Thursday and Friday. GO: Call (0)2 818 8282 for reservations and more information.

SOFITEl ABU DHABI CORNICHE Enjoy the Magnifique Iftar Buffet and break your fast with a sumptuous spread at the Corniche restaurant. 24

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Indulge in your favorite Arabic delights from hot mezzeh, main courses and traditional Arabic sweets prepared by the hotel’s Arabic Chefs. Iftar runs from 7pm to 10.30pm, and Sohour runs from 11pm to 4am, offering an a la carte menu. If you’re looking for something more lively, head to the Layali Tent at Grills@Chill’O. Relish the full Ramadan experience, overlooking the Corniche. Here an a la carte Sohour menu is served with shisha and tea through the mystical harmonies of live oud music in the air (from 7pm to 2am). If that’s not enough, treat your senses to a daily selection of pastries and desserts at Le Café lobby lounge during the Holy Month. Indulge in captivating coffee and tea menus and a delectable Sohour a la carte menu. It’s options galore! Price: Iftar at Cornich restaurant is AED185++ per person. Early bird offers for groups are available.

GO: Call (0)2 813 7777 for reservations and more information.

Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Ramadan Iftar will be served at The Garden Restaurant from sunset until 10pm. Enjoy the all-time favourite Iftar in the Downtown area, which offers a sumptuous Ramadan buffet with all the traditional Arabic delicacies and more. For those who are not observing the Holy Month, all the restaurants and bars remain open during Ramadan. Lunch and dinner will be served at Spaccanapoli and Cho Gao (both open 12noon until midnight). Breakfast will be served at The Garden and snacks, refreshments and hot drinks will be available the whole day at Cappuccinno’s Cafe. The bars (Heroes and Level Lounge) will open after sunset until 2am. Also, all themed nights and dining promotions, except for Ladies Night, will go ahead as normal – this includes happy hours, cheese night, the mussels promotion, and more. Price: Iftar buffet is AED145++ per person GO: Call (0)2 616 6166 for reservations and more information.

Ramadan

Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Always bringing families together, Ramadan is made all the more special at the Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi. Enjoy Iftar at the Silk Route with traditional food offerings accompanied by fresh juices and soft drinks. In addition to Iftar, Sohour will also be served at the Hubbly Bubbly tent from sunset, complete with water, dates, salads, juices and appetisers. Tent reservations will be on a first come, first serve basis. Price: Iftar buffet at the Silk Route is AED125++ per person and kids below six years dine for free. GO: Call (0)2 657 4857 for reservations and more information.

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr

May the month of Ramadan be cheerful. May you be able to receive the greatest Blessings of Ramadan celebration. Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi has authentic Iftar offerings and Sohour experiences for the Holy Month of Ramadan. Urban Kitchen invites guests to break their fast with a selection of Iftar buffet offerings from around the world, including Middle Eastern favourites such as traditional ouzi lamb, live shawarma and falafel stations and mixed grill. Turkish Executive Sous Chef Bulent Canbolat is also introducing traditional specialties from his home

country including Imam Bayildi (stuffed eggplants), Begendili Kuzu Sarma (stuffed lamb chops with eggplant puree), Borek (baked filled pastries) and Testi Kabab (braised lamb shank dish). Iftar buffet is available daily at Urban Kitchen during Ramadan from sunset until 9pm. Guests who wish to extend their Iftar experience with flavourful shishas can head to the Orchid Terrace equipped with air-coolers to keep guests feeling refreshed. An à la carte Sohour is offered daily from 7.30pm to 1am. For groups larger than 100 persons, tailor-made packages are available for memorable Iftar and Sohour evenings under the majestic Skydome, the perfect location to celebrate Ramadan together with colleagues and friends. Price: Iftar buffet at Urban Kitchen is AED185++ per person including Ramadan juices; AED75 for children aged six to 12 years old, and complimentary for kids under five years old. GO: Call (0)2 698 8888 for reservations and more information.

Savour a delicious spread this Ramadan at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. Iftar will be held in CuiScene Restaurant and the CuiScene Ramadan tent with the number of food stations increasing from previous years to include more live cooking stations and an extensive seafood selection, all served from sunset until 9pm. The hotel has a new modern Arabic Sohour tent for 2015. The Chameleon tent will offer private majlis areas including the exclusive Chairman’s Majlis which can accommodate up to 14 guests in privacy. Live music will be played and guests can savour 57 flavours of Shisha. Sohour runs from 10pm to 2.30am on weekdays and 10pm to 3.30am on weekends. Price: Iftar price is AED199++ including Ramadan juices. Sohour requires a minimum spend of AED150++ (can be used towards shisha). GO: Call (0)2 654 3333 for reservations and

more information.

Le Meridien Abu Dhabi The Latest Recipe restaurant at Le Méridien Abu Dhabi will be featuring an Iftar buffet every day after sunset during the month of Ramadan. Guests will have the opportunity to savour an authentic Iftar buffet while enjoying an amazing traditional atmosphere to feel the spirit of the Holy Month. The buffet will offer a variety of delicious Arabic dishes such as stuffed vine leaves, sambusek, tajine, kabsa, kanafeh, katayef and much more. Throughout the month of Ramadan fact magazine

Ramadan

the PEOPLE WHO FAST are obliged to give charity on a regular basis in the form of either Zakat, which is mandatory giving, or Sadaqa, which is voluntary and meant to go beyond the mere religious obligations... Latest Recipe will be giving away one free Iftar buffet for every two purchased. For Sohour, the chefs have put together a special a la carte menu that includes a vast array of Arabic delights along with an extensive variety of shisha. Sohour is served at the deck until 3am. On a weekly basis guests will have the opportunity to win a return air ticket to any destination of their choice with Gulf Air â&#x20AC;&#x201C; good luck all! Price: The Iftar buffet is priced at AED125++ per person; kids pay AED65++, both prices include a free flow of special Ramadan juices like qamar din, jallab and tamar hindi. Sohour is priced at AED80++. GO: Call (0)2 644 6666 for reservations and more information. 26

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Sheraton Abu Dhabi Iftar will be served in Flavours restaurant located on the first floor of the hotel. Dressed with oriental decorations, the popular buffet restaurant Flavours provides the perfect setting to break your fast during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Get together with your friends and family and indulge in a selection of traditional Arabic and international dishes. The extensive Iftar buffet at Flavours restaurant includes a wide selection of refreshing juices, an extensive range of cold and hot mezzeh, traditional soups, and a vast array ofof hot delicacies like lamb ouzi. The dessert buffet offers Arabic

and international dessert and dry fruits. Opening as per the official government timing (approximately 7.20pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7.35pm), closing time is at 10pm. Suhoor will be served in Bravo restaurant located in the resort area of the hotel. Providing both indoor and outdoor seating, Bravo offers an array of traditional Arabic flavours in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Get together with your friends and family, enjoy an aromatic shisha and taste a selection of snacks and refreshments. Creating an enchanting oriental atmosphere, you can play traditional games such as cards, in comfort, or follow your favourite Ramadan TV programmes. Bravo restaurant has an indoor area as well as a large terrace overlooking the Corniche and lagoon. Open every day during Ramadan from 9pm onwards. Price: Iftar buffet in Flavours restaurant is AED159++ per person. Children aged six to 12 get 50% off and under six years old eat for free. GO: Call (0)2 677 3333 for reservations and more

information.

Ramadan

Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara Discover the spirit of togetherness this Ramadan at Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara. Ramadan is a time to reaffirm fellowship with family, friends and colleagues. Savour traditional Arabic dishes and break your fast during the Holy Month with the Iftar buffet at Ingredients. The Iftar buffet features a wide selection of authentic Emirati, Arab and international cuisine, across five show kitchens. A dedicated juice station provides an array of fresh juices including laban, amar-el-din, jallab and tamarind. Price: Iftar at Ingredients restaurant is AED185++ per person. GO: Call (0)2 656 1000 for reservations and more information.

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi The setting sun forms an elegant backdrop to a unique evening at Origins restaurant.

Enjoy the Arabic delicacies from the awardwinning restaurant with an incredible Iftar of mezzeh platters, seafood selections, traditional Arabic grills and Emirati dishes as well as mouthwatering pastries and desserts crafted specially by the Arabic Chef for this Holy month. The Iftar buffet includes Ramadan juices, mint tea and Arabic coffee and runs from sunset until 10pm. For Sohour, enjoy late night a la carte experiences as Atayeb brings traditional Arabian delicacies to Origins from 10pm to 2am. Price: Iftar buffet is AED175++ per person including Ramadan beverages; kids under 12 years old eat for free. Sohour is AED100++ per person. GO: Call (0)2 656 0700 for resrvations and more information.

Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi Discover captivating Ramadan nights at Layali El Hilmiya. Relax and enjoy the traditional Iftar buffet in the popular Layali El Hilmiya Ramadan tent by Maserati. Buffet offerings include

traditional Iftar favourites alongside international cuisine. Children are well catered for with an attractive kid’s buffet too. Iftar runs from sunset to 8pm. Enjoy Sohour with an a la carte menu and a variety of entertainment. The airconditioned tent will offer an array of hot and cold mezzeh, fateer, and traditional saj to name just a few of the many delicacies on offer, and all made fresh in front of you. Sweets cannot be missed either with the season’s specialties like achtaliyeh, kenafa and katayef. Ramadan juices and teas complete the offerings. Variety flavoured shisha will also be available to enjoy inside the tent, while varied live entertainment options will set the mood, such as games, large TV screenings, and the live oud player. Sohour runs from 9pm to 3am. Iftar at Market Kitchen means getting the distinguished table buffet featuring a variety of dishes from Arabic cuisine. A La Carte pricing and set menu available – starting from AED199++. Price: Iftar buffet is AED149++ per person. fact magazine

RamadaN

The observation of the month of Ramadan marks the anniversary of the Quran being revealed to the Prophet. Mohammed. Sohour entry to the Layali El Hilmiya Ramadan tent is AED50++ Sat-Wed, and AED60++ Thur and Fri. A la carte and packages available – AED159++ for unlimited food and beverages; AED199++ for unlimited food, beverages and shisha. GO: Call toll free on 800 101 101 for reservations and more information.

Hyatt Capital Gate Watch the ebbing sun from the terrace, then soak up the traditional Arabian atmosphere at a lavish Iftar at the hotel’s award winning signature restaurant, 18 Degrees (18°). For those looking to enjoy a relaxing evening with friends and family, Executive Sous Chef Michele Muller will prepare authentic specialities from the Arabic kitchen, alongside signature Eastern Mediterranean dishes which are mainly inspired from Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. Highlights include Thareed (Braised Beef, zucchini, carrot and rgaag bread), Aish Wa Laham (Goat leg, Basmati rice, Emirati spice) Samak Bil Leymon (Grilled king fish fillet with lemon, garlic and coriander) and Khanfaroush amongst soups, carving stations and desserts. Appetisingly decorated dates, almonds and olives are set on each table while a variety of cheese, bread, and cold cuts will be served opposite the buffet section. Available from sunset until 9.30pm. Price: Iftar buffet is AED180++ all-inclusive per person, including a selection of soft beverages, tea and coffee. GO: Call (0)2 596 1440 for reservations and more information. 28

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Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Downtown Iftar buffet will be served at La Piazza Restaurant with an elegant Ramadan atmosphere, decorations and traditional Arabic delicacies. Iftar buffet will run from sunset until 10pm. The main venue Al Atlal hall (indoor) will be prepared especially for Ramadan where shisha will be served, alongside finger food for Sohour. The area will be converted into a classy Lebanese shisha venue with large TV screens, bean bags, games and more. Al Atlal will be open from 7.30pm to 2am. Price: Iftar buffet is AED90++ per person; children aged six to 12 years pay AED45++; below six years old eat for free. At Sohour, one shisha with a selection of one Ramadan drink and tea or coffee is AED49++. GO: Call

(0)2 615 6666 for reservations and more information.

Yas Island Rotana & Centro Yas Island Join in from Iftar call until 9pm and experience a delightful celebration with your loved ones during the Holy

Month at Choices, Yas Island Rotana. Enjoy a delectable Iftar buffet, specially prepared with a unique blend of Arabic specialities, traditional beverages and Ramadan favourites. Post Iftar delights, and during the early morning hours, Yas Island Rotana & Centro Yas Island are offering a Sohour Menu – featuring a carefully crafted selection of Oriental, Indian and Continental cuisine. Oriental specialities will include traditional Ramadan juices, foul medames, choice of eggs, harira and lentil soups, as well as Arabic mezze and a generous Arabic bread selection. The Continental menu will offer fresh juices, choice of eggs and yoghurt, alongside a delicious bakery basket assortment, cold cuts and salads; and the Indian menu will opt for dishes from the Asian Subcontinent like chicken biryani, chana masala, as well as seasonal fruits and breads. Price: Iftar at Choices is AED159++ per person. Sohur at both hotels is AED95++ per person.

GO: Call (0)2 656 4000 for reservations and more information.

Ramadan

chicken and fresh coriander, lemon and buttered pita bread. Sample the tempting Mixed Mezzeh, a combination of hummus, tabbouleh, vine leaves, cheese rakakat and meat kibbeh served with traditional Arabic bread and roasted garlic aioli. The main courses on offer include the Harissa Marinated Perch Fish, Roasted Chicken Mishwi, and Persian Lamb Machboos. For those with room for dessert, try the Saadiyat Balaleet Roll, Vermicelli cooked in sugar, cardamom, raisins and milk with rolled sweet pancakes served with chantilly cream, fresh strawberry compote and ‘Umm Ali’ ice-cream. The ideal traditional dish to end the perfect evening with your loved ones. The special Ramadan menu is available daily from 10am to 11pm. GO: Call (0)2 657 5888 for reservations and more information.

Beach Rotana

InterContinental Abu Dhabi Celebrate Ramadan at Byblos Sur Mer with its water-front setting, offering a delicious Iftar this year in an elegant Lebanese atmosphere. The set menu is served daily for Iftar. Sohour is also available at Byblos Sur Mer Sahaara Tent in association with Emarat FM radio where an a la carte menu is offered. Guests can enjoy an evening full of valuable prizes! Price: Iftar buffet is AED245++ per person and it’s a cover charge of AED70++ per person for Sohour. GO: Call (0)2 666 6888 for reservations and more information.

Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri This Holy Month, guests at Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri are invited to take in the splendour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque while enjoying traditional Iftar and Sohour in a sumptuous tent, Al Khaima, situated on North Plaza Beach. Guests can enjoy the a la carte menu of traditional food and beverages to break fast once Iftar calls. Enjoy a variety of shisha flavours and

relaxing music by an oud player from 9pm to 1am. Experience Shangri-La’s latest restaurant, p&c by Sergi Arola, by Spain’s most prolific chef, the Michelin two-starred Sergi Arola. The restaurant will host an a la carte Iftar feast throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan. At Sofra bld, the hotel’s signature all-day dining restaurant, you can enjoy the Grand Iftar dinner experience. Price: Iftar at Al Khaima tent has various menu choices starting from AED199++ per person, whilst the Sohour menu starts from AED210++ per person. The Grand Iftar dinner at Sofra bld is AED205++ per person. GO: Call (0)2 509 8555 for reservations and more information.

Fanr Restaurant Make Ramadan this year a special occasion and come together with friends and family to the beautiful Fanr Restaurant, located on Saadiyat Island to sample their a la carte menu. Fanr will delight guests with a very special Ramadan menu with an array of tasty dishes available. Start your Ramadan culinary journey with Arabic Lentil Soup, served with the choice of shrimps or

This Ramadan, true Arabic hospitality awaits you at Essence restaurant. Renowned for its reputation of offering the very best in dining, guests of Beach Rotana can savour an Iftar buffet in traditional Arabian style at the All-Day Dining venue. The buffet runs from Iftar until 10.30pm. Price: Iftar buffet is AED195++ per person inclusive of free flowing Arabic juices, soft drinks, chilled juices and water. GO: Call (0)2 697 9011 reservations and more information.

Traders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri Traders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi will offer a delicious, organic and local Iftar menu during the Holy Month of Ramadan. From sundown until midnight, Afyä restaurant (Afyä means “health” in Arabic) will serve up a variety of locally sourced dishes at the all-day dining restaurant. The menu is specially designed to include wholesome dishes made with organic ingredients. Organic means the food is prepared and sourced through ethical processes and without the excessive use of chemicals in the process. Executive Sous Chef Ricky Rimenda has carefully selected the best ingredients for a delicious and healthfact magazine

Ramadan

rEMEMBER FAITH, VIRTUE, KNOWLEDGE, TEMPERANCE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS. HUMILITY, DILIGENCE... conscious menu. Among the dishes are fresh local Burrata, Halloumi Kataifi, Tabbouleh and Grilled Vegetables. Guests may choose the organic Rack of Lamb with Cous Cous. Side dishes include organic tomatoes, flat breads and wild arugula. Sounds delicious! Price: Iftar menu is AED140++ per person. GO: Call (0)2 510 8888 for reservations and more information.

Courtyard By Marriott, World Trade Centre, Abu Dhabi Try the sumptuous buffet at the all day dining Bistro restaurant, where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re guaranteed to have an evening to treasure with your loved ones. Guests will be delighted with a very special Iftar buffet at Bistro restaurant that blends traditional cuisine with contemporary fare. Sit back and relax in a vibrant and stylish setting with an array of tasty dishes available. From a selection of hot and cold food, such as mezzeh that includes hummus, vine leaves and labneh with mint, as well as all your Ramadan favourites such as roasted lamb ouzi, dawood basha and samakah harra. Those with a sweet tooth can sample the cheese katayef, cheese kunafa and umm ali. The Iftar buffet also includes local still and sparkling water, chilled juices, soft beverages and refreshing Ramadan beverages such as jallab, tamer hindi and kamar el din, as well as Arabic tea and coffee. The Iftar buffet will be available from sunset to 9pm every day throughout Ramadan. Up and Below, the chic and stylish rooftop bar and lounge offers a stunning haven from the bustling city with breathtaking views of the capital. It will be open from 8pm to 1am, daily, during Ramadan. Guests can sample delicious sharing platters and tapas style dishes such as the Tuscan bruschetta, buffalo chicken wings and crispy calamari. There will be an airconditioned open terrace area where shisha will also be available. Price: Iftar buffet is AED120++ per person. 30

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Children aged six to 12 years pay AED55++. GO: Call (0)2 698 2222 for reservations and more information.

The WESTIN ABU DHABI GOLF RESORT & SPA Iftar takes place at Fairways where you can enjoy a contemporary selection of world cuisines and a variety of live dishing up a delightful selection of Arabic delicacies (Iftar runs from sunset to 8.30pm). Sohour can be enoyed with family and friends on the open terrace where shisha is also available (from 9pm to 2am). Price: Iftar is priced at AED180++ per person inclusive of Arabic beverages. Sohour set menu is AED150++ with a la carte available. Special rates for groups and banquets are available. GO: Call (0)2 616 9999 for reservations and more information.

Jumeirah at etihad towers There are so many great Ramadan options at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. Experience the joy of the season with friends and family in the lavishly decorated Layali Al Baraka venue. An exquisite buffet of regional delights will be offered, including live cooking stations. From sumptuous seafood grills to a live Saj station and customary Ramadan beverages as well as Arabic coffee served with the traditional dallah, each appetising dish will enchant your palate. Immerse yourself in the Ramadan spirit with your family and friends as the traditional oud player sets a soothing ambience with his notations. Located on Podium Level 2, Rosewater offers guests authentic Arabian traditions. Start the Holy season after sunset with a mouthwatering display of Arabian classics. Dine on sumptuous grills, freshly prepared oceanic fare, refreshing Ramadan beverages and savour each precious moment with family. Embrace the true spirit of Ramadan each Iftar within the warm setting of the Mezzoon Ballroom. Capable

Ramadan

of seating up to 1,000 guests, this venue provides the perfect location for large-scale get-togethers. During this season of peace and generosity, relish each meeting with authentic delicacies from the region. This Year, for every person attending the Iftar, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers will be donating AED2 to the Emirates Red Crescent organisation. For Sohour, head to the Lobby Lounge and create memories with family and delight in the old-world charm of ancient tradition of Sohour. Experience the joy of sharing over an à la carte offering of delectable fare and exclusive beverages (Sohour runs from 9pm to 3am). Price: Iftar buffet at Layali Al Baraka and Mezzoon Ballroom is AED175++ per person. At Rosewater restaurant it’s AED185++ per person. Buffet is on as per Iftar timings. GO: Call (0)2 811 5555 for reservations

and more information.

GRAND MILLENNIUM AL WAHDA For an authentic Ramadan experience in a prime location, the Grand Millennium Al Wahda invites you and your loved ones this Ramadan to indulge in delicious Iftar and Sohour delicacies at the “Haritna” Ramadan Tent. Tuck into delicious food while listening to the traditional oud player serenading you until the early hours of the morning. GO: Call (0)2 495 3890 for prices, reservations and more information.

ROZANAH, YAS MARINA Casual fine dining restaurant Rozanah, located in the heart of Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi, will be open every evening throughout Ramadan from sunset until 2.30am. A feast fit for a King, tourists and residents alike are invited to indulge in local traditional delicacies while soaking up the stunning views of Yas Marina in Rozanah’s cosy, family-friendly atmosphere. Boasting unrivalled hospitality and delicious Lebanese cuisine, guests can enjoy a set Iftar menu. With many delicious dishes to choose from including daily Arabic specialties, Rozanah offers something for everyone throughout the Holy Month. Price: Set Iftar menu is AED95++. GO: Call (0)2 406 2000 for reservations and more information.

Iftar buffets! Avasa Indian Kitchen, The Collection at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Experience pure indulgence this Ramadan with Avasa’s lavish sit down buffet featuring assorted nuts and olives to begin with followed by healthy and tender kebabs from the charcoal grill and traditional clay over. Enjoy a wide variety of flavourful curries, meat, fish and vegetarian, with assorted Indian breads, rice and yummy traditional Indian desserts. Available from Iftar call until midnight. Price: AED138++ per person. AED64++ for children. GO: Call (0)2 674 2221 for reservations and more information. Kababs & Kurries, Central Market at WTC This Ramadan, treat your taste buds to a sumptuous buffet at Kababs & Kurries. Bring your family and friends for a peaceful and delightful meal with a lavish variety of Indian soups, salads, appetisers, mains, kababs, curries, and delicious desserts at the lovely location of the souk at WTC. Price: All you can eat for AED69++ per person. Children below six years old eat free. GO: Call (0)2 628 2522 for reservations and more information. Royal Orchid Chinese & Thai Restaurant Everyday at Iftar, Royal Orchid will showcase some of the finest Thai, Chinese and Mongolian delicacies. Relish delicious soups, salads, appetisers, mains, rice, noodles, and desserts. Price: AED75++ per person and AED38++ per child. Kids below 6 years free. GO: Call (0)2 677 9911 for reservations and more information. Jimmy’s Killer Prawns – Seafood & Grills, Mushrif Mall This Ramadan, Jimmy’s Killer Prawns is offering a sumptuous buffet spread with everything from appetisers to mouthwatering mains and delectable desserts. Whether you want meat or seafood, fruits and sweets, Jimmy’s is a great place to break your fast with the family and friends. Runs from Iftar call until 8.30pm. Price: Iftar buffet is AED99++ per person. GO: Call (0)2 650 0300 for reservations and more information.

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Ma j lis

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Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no better way to get into the spirit of Ramadan than having your family, friends or colleagues over for a lovely evening gathering. One of the best ways to entertain your guests throughout the Holy Month is to create a Majlis at your home. FACT has a few tips to get you startedâ&#x20AC;Ś

fact magazine

RAMADAN

A Majlis is... A comfortable seating area in a Muslim’s home created especially for Ramadan (and sometimes on other important occasions) to receive visitors, mainly family and friends, but also colleagues and other respected members of the community. It’s not usually a permanent fixture of the house, but instead an area allocated for the purpose, and then furnished and decorated suitably. During the cooler months, a large tent or temporary atrium can be built for use, but this year most will be indoors! It is also, often, used as a recreation and relaxation area.

Find a Space A Majlis doesn’t have to take up a whole room. A corner of a large living room or the empty space in an entrance hall will do. You can either buy yourself some of the comfortable patterned Arabic couches or take existing furniture you already have and decorate it with accessories and cushions to give it that Arabian feel. Floor cushions are also a very popular and traditional alternative, and make for very relaxed seating. Check out the homewares section on www.littlemajlis.com for everything from soft furnishings, to tea towels, lighting and so much more.

Hospitality A very strong aspect of Arabian culture is hospitality, and this is especially relevant in a Majlis. You will be expected to serve traditional tea, coffee, and delicacies when you receive guests, and many families use this as an opportunity to demonstrate their hospitality prowess! It is all about being unique and memorable. A sure winner is serving some authentic Moroccan tea in ornate teapots. And, from what we’ve heard, the drink Vimto plays a big part – if you’ve got Vimto on tap all evening, then you’re really celebrating Ramadan! Or how about setting up your own shisha at home? This will surely impress your guests!

Cultural Activities If the gathering is one with close family and friends, why not take it in turns to tell some fables and stories? Put a modernday twist on the pastimes at your Majlis with a good supply of fun board games.

Everything from Monopoly to Guess Who? and Operation! Go old-school and get everyone involved for a game of Dawama (spinners!) or Kairam (wooden game board with four corner pockets), the options are plenty. A deck of cards to hand is always good to keep boredom at bay.

Accessorise It’s important to set the mood and ambience with all the little touches expected at a Majlis. It can be as simple as having some candles with calligraphy, decorating your shelves with ceramic plates and cups, or even dotting the area with handcrafted ornaments like Arabianstyle lamps and lanterns or mosaicdecorated show pieces. Incense is key to getting the aroma of the setting right. Oud is the most popular and can really help to create an oriental atmosphere.

Tasty Treats Tajines are Moroccan cooking implements that are already popular as household ornaments around the world. Colourful and pretty to look at, they make great decorations for tables and unused corner arrangements. However, they can be functional too – fill them with different sweets and arrange them artfully around your Majlis. Serve up a good variety of traditional desserts like basbousa, kunafa, baklava, maamool, halva, Luqaimat, and dates with various fillings, and even a mix of nuts. Try your hand at makig Umm Ali, a favourite in Ramadan, and serve it in separate bowls or pots, like desserts at a buffet. This way, guests can pick and choose what they like. Savoury food options can also be served. fact magazine

Ramadan 101

Terms: Need To Know Whether it’s your first Ramadan here or you’ve been around for so many you’ve lost track, we’ve put together the important terms you need to know for this special month….

Iftar Breaking of the fast at sunset.

T he D o ’ s & D on ’ ts of R amadan DO: watch what you wear!

Sohour Meal before the dawn rises.

Avoid anything too revealing like bare arms and short skirts, and keep clothes loose and modest.

Gargaon Usually celebrated on the 15th of Ramadan, this Gulf tradition is marked with children dressing in traditional attire and going doorto-door to receive nuts and sweets from neighbours, whilst also singing traditional songs.

Whether it’s donating to your favourite charity or giving out water at Iftar, the Holy Month is the

Mesahar An old tradition of Ramadan where the ‘Mesahar’ man takes to the streets, banging his drum to wake the community up before dawn to eat and drink. Ramadan Kareem Happy Ramadan in Arabic, usually said at the beginning of greetings during the Holy Month. Eid Al Fitr The celebrations and feast marking the end of Ramadan.

DO: get into the charitable spirit Ramadan is famous for. perfect time to give back to the community.

DO: immerse yourself in the rich cultural traditions of the month. Check out all the Iftars and Sohours about town and enjoy the fabulous atmosphere of Ramadan tents and buffet gatherings.

DO: accept any invitations that come your way. Try and make it to any Iftar or Sohour your colleagues or friends invite you to; it’s nice to be a part of their celebrations.

DON’T: eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public between sunrise and sunset. Although fasting is only compulsory for Muslims, foreigners and non-Muslims should refrain as well at least in public as a sign of respect. Remember you could be penalised if caught!

DON’T: show affection in public. It’s disrespectful and could get you into trouble. Remember, this is a Holy Month and for 30 days you should be on your best behaviour.

DON’T: play music too loudly. As long as it’s not audible to others you won’t offend anyone.

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Ramadan 101

Road Rage

Pasti m es The days might seem super long and places may be closed too, but there are so many cool ways to combat boredom…

Be careful going down an hour before sunset as some drivers can go crazy racing on the roads trying to make it home on time for Iftar!

Opening/ Closing times

Learn a new language

Staycation

Ever wanted to speak different lingos? Well now is the perfect time to pick up a new language or brush up on existing skills. And why not get into the spirit of Ramadan while you are at it and learn some Arabic?

With lots of hotels having special rates during Ramadan, now is the perfect time to explore different areas of Abu Dhabi and even the region, with a mini-getaway!

GO: Visit www.berlitz-uae.com for more information.

GO: Visit www.omeir.com for travel packages.

Culture Shock

Charity Work

If you’re a huge arts/culture junkie and don’t get much time to explore the many exhibits around Abu Dhabi, now is the perfect time to do so. Head to Saadiyat Cultural district for one of the many local galleries in the city for a fantastic day of art. There are also tons of fab galleries in the city too!

Now is definitely the perfect time to start giving. Lend a helping hand at one of your local charities or start a collection initiative and bring a whole group of people together to donate to a worthy cause. Go: Visit www.volunteerinuae.com for more information.

Go: Visit www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae for more information.

Keeping Fit Working hours change for Ramadan, with most government offices working short hours. That also means banks, malls, and supermarkets operate at different times. So be sure to check out timings before you head out the door!

gET ENOUGH SLEEP With Ramadan being in the Summer, the time between your early morning meal and your iftar (break-fast) may only be 7 to 8 hours. If you can’t take advantage of that full 7 to 8 hours between meals, think about taking a power nap during the day.

We know it’s super hard to get motivated to do any exercise in Ramadan with fasting and all. So here are some training tips to keep your fitness level up to par this month.

Keep your metabolism going by working out early in the morning or right after breaking your fast. This way you’ll be exercising after a meal and won’t disrupt your body clock.

Try to keep workouts to a minimum; a good 45 minutes is all you need to keep in shape and not lose muscle definition.

Take up yoga or Pilates. Both sports are relaxing and help tone the body, while not being too strenuous after a long day of fasting.

Exercise and diet go hand in hand. So don’t overeat at Iftar, we know that it’s hard to resist all those delicious Ramadan dishes but try to not over indulge!

Stay hydrated! We can’t begin to stress how important it is to keep well hydrated and how much water you need to drink just to keep up with the physiological demand that comes with this month.

You might find yourself eating a smaller variety of foods. Take your multi-vitamin to prevent any deficiencies. fact magazine

SOCIETY

#TAG #HEUER #INVITES #GUESTS #TO #DIVE #IN TAG Heuer has never been a brand that merely follows the crowd and its 2015 Middle Eastern showcase is evidence of this unorthodox, energetic mentality. For the first time ever, TAG Heuer are inviting 30 brave, intrepid explorers to dive into the bottom of Atlantisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ambassador Lagoon.

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Arts

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Arts

F A C T ’ s S h aba n a A d a m tal k s t o J o r d a n i a n art i st S ala h S h a h ee n ab o u t h i s art i st i c j o u r n e y, h i s t o o ls a n d tec h n i q u es , a n d m i sc o n ce p t i o n s ab o u t art i n t h e A rab w o rl d .

alah Shaeen has been living in the UAE since 2005, and one thing he really values is the country’s art scene. “I do not exaggerate when I say that the UAE society appreciates art in all its forms,” he says. “The community has a huge interest in following the trends and visiting exhibitions, and keeping up with events and artists’ activities. This can be seen, easily, on social media platforms,” Salah adds. Talking of social media, it was on Instagram that we first discovered Salah’s work. A quick hashtag search of #UAEarts led to a few hundred results, the majority of which showcased Salah’s beautiful pieces. It was the colours, the intricate patterns and the elegant calligraphy that caught our attention. Just perfect for the Ramadan issue! Upon quizzing Salah about the tools and techniques he uses, we’re pleasantly surprised to learn that he employs both traditional and modern methods in his artwork. “I strongly believe that everything around you can be turned into a tool to be used in your art,” he says. “Starting from any regular materials like wood, cloth, sponge or paint brushes, to more modern practices such as digital techniques, which are now becoming a big part of the new modern art movement. “For a decade now, I have used both techniques,” Salah tells us. “For example, I have been drawing and painting with a regular brush and different materials, then I scan the work digitally and start editing using one of the applications like Photoshop, Painter and Sketch Tools. “This method has caused unimaginable success in terms of how both techniques have been beautifully implemented,” he adds. Salah’s sophisticated approach to art is a result of years of learning and practice. The 47-year-old takes us on a trip down memory lane to where it all began. “It started when I was in school and my

art teacher noticed that I was drawing my lines in a very balanced way, as well as noticing my color choices,” Salah recalls. “This drove my teacher to tell my father about my talent and, luckily, my dad was also interested in art and poetry, specifically.” His first exhibition was at school, and it gave Salah a real taste of the potential and possibilities for artists. It was then that Salah’s interest and passion for art was further ignited, and he began to read books and magazines, watch TV programmes, and visit actual exhibitions to learn anything related to arts and different artists. “This was a very important stage in my life and it was a stepping stone for what I have achieved so far,” Salah shares. “I still remember my teacher’s encouraging words as he made me believe that these are not just drawings, they are stories and sentences that the artist is trying to demonstrate by drawing them.” What we come to know and understand about Salah is that he had full access and support with his artistic experiences. This is something that is, often, misrepresented of the art world in the Middle East, and Salah is the first to stand up and dispel this view when we ask if he faces any challenges being an artist in this region. “The question in general comes from the stereotypical image about the region,” he explains. “There’s a Middle Eastern stigma that it’s the land of wars and political issues and that the Middle East has no time for art and creativity, which I strongly believe to be a totally wrong image.

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Arts

“The Middle East, regardless of the current events that are happening, is a region that is rich with artists that are filling up even international exhibitions and events,” Salah continues. “We cannot accept or take the current stereotypical image about the region for granted. Europe for example, prior the renaissance period, witnessed the rise of so many legendary artists even though the region was at its worst. “Now, I can answer your question by saying that I, along with so many others, did not and do not have any challenges here that I have struggled to overcome,” he adds. Salah’s biggest inspiration comes from his arts teacher, as well as his father who would take him to international exhibitions, and enrol Salah in workshops, and buy him magazines about art, all of which helped encourage the seasoned artist to keep learning and working on new visual techniques. When it comes to artistic role models, he admires the work and careers of Jackson Pollock, Georges Braque, and Pablo Picasso. Salah has taken part in a number of individual and group exhibitions, both in the region and internationally. He believes that exhibitions play a big part in giving people the chance to view new cultures as well as introducing the artist to a new culture, new ideas and new understandings, too.

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A rt h as bec o m e a h u g e p art o f M i d d le E aster n l i fe i n rece n t y ears w i t h exhibitions, workshops, tal k s & p r o jects lea d i n g t h e w a y .

Arts

He says: “The most important exhibitions to me are the ones where I usually get inquiries about the displayed work and what is the message behind them. For example, when I display one of the paintings with Arabic calligraphy, even when the lines that are used are from other artists, it gives the opportunity to present the Arabic Font as an independent art’s icon, and it has a specific history and subject.” His passion for bringing Arabic art to the forefront is what makes Salah’s work so genuine and special. We’re sure that if he continues on this path, Salah Shaheen will be a name of great importance in the history of Middle Eastern art.

“ T h e m aj o r a u t h o r i t i es s u c h as t h e e d u cat i o n al sect o r i n t h e U A E als o h a v e a g reat i n terest i n d e v el o p i n g arts w i t h w o r k s h o p s i n sc h o o ls a n d m u se u m s . T h e U A E i s als o a n i n ter n at i o n al h u b f o r art i sts w h e n i t c o m es t o h o st i n g e v e n ts , e x h i b i t i o n s , a n d e d u cat i o n al c o u rses . T h i s really reflects t h e c o u n tr y ’ s s u p p o rt o f t h e art ’ s sce n e .” fact magazine

Arts

T h e best a n d m o st d i ff i c u lt t h i n g ab o u t be i n g a n art i st … “The best is being in a spontaneous environment that is “busy-free”. While the worst is definitely not having the time to apply this huge innerenergy that is within some people, who can actually keep the image in their brains until they reach to their tools and start working on it. But Personally, I will make this statement for the first time in my life; my ideas can disappear as fast as they appear in my head! It’s insane how it starts and ends in a very short time. Some tend to draw a quick sketch so they can remember it until they’re free, but that is a very hard thing for me to do. If I’m already not next to my tools and start working immediately; I usually fail to get the image back.”

GO: Visit www.salahshaheen.com to view more of Salah’s work. 42

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Y o u r p ers o n al a n d art i st i c g o als f o r t h e f u t u re … “My goal is to present a true visual script that shows the identity of the region without any prior thoughts and ideology. My goal is to connect with other communities in a way that fits the experience pattern that represents their culture. Also, the most important goal is to demonstrate the significance of Arabic Calligraphy as a key factor in the fine arts world, as an icon and as a personality with clear features and history. When I talk about this region, I am not only talking about the Arabian Countries, I am also talking about Iran, Pakistan, India and Mid-Asian Countries too! This is my goal, to say, “This is the east,” in a different way that represents the beauty of its true nature and pushes the person to explore more about it, more than any other history in the world of arts.”

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Let us offer you Arabian hospitality at its finest.

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Let us teach you about our rich Qatari heritage. Let us wrap you in luxury and comfort. Let us keep a place in your heart.

Sharq Village & Spa is a novel contrast harking back to the past and offering a memorable experience for visitors seeking a destination resort with an exceptional sense of place. Enjoy deluxe accommodations and daily breakfast for two. Starting at QAR 1695 per night. For reservations, call +974-4425-6666 or visit us at ritzcarlton.com/sharqvillage.

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SOCIETY

#GEOX #X #MR #MOUDZ #SUNSET #COCKTAIL #EVENING GEOX co-hosted a Sunset Cocktail with mr.moudz at Mercury Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel. The incredible rooftop setting and panoramic view of Dubai’s skyline made it the perfect location to celebrate Mario Moretti Polegato’s, CEO and founder of the brand, visit to Dubai after five years. Guests included media influencers, bloggers and Mr Moudz’s personal invitees. 44

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H o n alfa n art â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s h ere :

summer art festival AD Arts Collective is back with another exciting exhibition and variety of events for the Abu Dhabi community to enjoy.

Yukti Agrawal, Happy Swirls

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Arts

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Arts

Think art, music, comedy and lots of good fun, this is exactly what the AD Arts Collective is delivering with Honalfan Art’s Here: Summer Art Festival...

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Taking place at The National Theatre, the group is currently showcasing a full scale, all-encompassing arts festival. The inaugural annual installation aims to give local, emerging artists a platform for performance and exhibition. AD Arts Collective has been working steadily since November 2014, to reach the Abu Dhabi community and show that art is truly alive here. Honalfan opened in mid-May with an exhibition featuring over 80 artworks by 31 artists, hailing from all corners of the globe. Every Tuesday evening there has been a performance dedicated to a specific artistic discipline, with three more events planned for June. On June 2, The Emirates Writer’s Union, Art House Speaks, and special guests will feed your imagination during the Poetry evening. Comedy night on June 9 is sure to make you giggle and laugh out loud, featuring the hilarious Qassab and YallaLaughs. The final Tuesday, June 16, will be a low-key Art Picnic, where people can bring their picnic basket and meet the creative minds behind AD Arts Collective. The Collective’s previous exhibitions were a great success and the group is hoping to continue the momentum and increase awareness about the emerging and eclectic arts scene in Abu Dhabi. The volunteer artists who power this initiative, have been working tirelessly to find talent around Abu Dhabi, who would be excited by the opportunity to participate in a grassroots festival. The resulting roster of artists and performers is as impressive as it is varied and serves to further empower the lively arts community in Abu Dhabi. Organiser and artist Chelsie Joy, says: “We have seen artists from all over express an interest in and desire to work with us. We are a driven and active group of volunteers who operate on a highly professional level, this is our passion, and my second full time job.” If you like creative gatherings and appreciate art, this festival should be right up your street! GO: AD Arts Collective’s exhibition will be on view at The National Theatre until June 18. Events and Performances take place on Tuesdays from 7pm to 9pm.The National Theatre can be found just off Old Airport Road across from Al Jazira Sports Club and Sky News.

01 Alicia Arlanda - Psychosomatic ParalysisV 02 Katharina Möller - Same Roots 03 Fay Sherwood - Southern California Dreamin 04 Nayma Yasir - Cool Walk 05 Aimee Clark - Solace 06 Jp Faderogao - H.H.Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed 07 Amal AlAhmed - Woman Of Silence 08 Nizar Alsaleh - Savage Mama 09 Matt McCobb - Blue Table 10 Salma ElBanna - Will Be What I Dream 11 Femina Moideen - State of Mind 12 Chelsie Joy - Denver

13 Sylvie Perron - From Sky To Sun 14 Abir Tabbarah - Chance 15 Ruciza Simonic - Arabesque 16 Angelika Hamilton - Old Corniche Abu Dhabi 17 Nayla Homaidan - Balance 18 Lara Shine - Rabbit 19 Meghna Shah - Village Life 20 Suhair Fakhoury - Grandma’s Flower Pot 21 Gerrie Krüger - Interpretation 22 Gomathi Shiva - Ballerina 23 Mioara Cherki - Emerald 24 Soha Soltan - Autumn fact magazine

Arts

Ismail Azzam:

For Them Celebrating late and great Arab artists, this new exhibition at Qatar Museums Gallery (QM) showcases renowned portrait artist, Ismail Azzam’s distinctive ‘reverse charcoal’ drawings of painters and sculptors who have made a significant contribution to the Arab Art world.

Displaying an entire body of work that was created exclusively for this exhibition, Ismail Azzam, one of Iraq’s most famous artists, is sharing a selection of striking and emotive charcoal portraits, celebrating and honouring the work of 15 past masters. Ismail Azzam knew many of those featured in the exhibition personally and created this showcase to celebrate their significant artistic and creative contributions, believing many did not receive the critical recognition or popular appreciation they deserved whilst they were alive. The exhibition features portraits of artists drawn from across the Middle East including Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen, Kuwait and Iraq. Amongst these is a portrait of the late Qatari artist Jassim Zaini. Throughout a five-decade long career, Jassim Zaini’s paintings captured key moments in Qatar’s recent history and documented the country’s development from humble beginnings, as well as its social and economic transformation during the fifties and the sixties after the discovery of oil. “I am hugely honoured to present my work at QM Gallery,” Ismail says. “With this exhibition, I hope both to raise awareness of these great Arab artists and their stories, but also to continue to educate Qatar’s growing artistic community to understand the meaning behind the art. “I invite everyone to enjoy this exhibition and honour the huge and important contribution these figures have made to the development of Arab art,” he adds. 48

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Though Ismail also uses oil and watercolour in his artworks, he is particularly highly regarded for his mastery of the distinctive technique known as ‘reverse charcoal drawing’. During this process, the whole canvas is first covered in charcoal, and then slowly etched away using a rubber to accentuate contrasting shades of light and dark to create a range of dramatic effects. The skilful manner in which he has captured the likenesses of these artistic and creative figures in his portraits helps to familiarise audiences with their individual stories and personal histories. Jean-Paul Engelen, QM Director of Public Art, says: “We are very fortunate to present these inspirational portraits by Ismail Azzam in Qatar this year. Ismail is an incredible technically gifted artist who created these portraits exclusively for the show. His work engages onlookers in what is both an emotional and personal tribute to 15 late and great Arab painters and sculptors. We hope that this exhibition helps to educate audiences across Qatar on the lives and artistic contribution made by these important and artistic figures,” Jean adds. The exhibition is presented under the leadership of Qatar Museums’ chairperson, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. GO: Ismail Azzam: For Them is on view at Qatar Museums Gallery, Katara until August 31. Visist www.qm.org.qa for more information. Fly direct to Doha with Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com).

Arts

â&#x20AC;&#x153; I i n v i te e v er y o n e t o e n j oy t h i s exhibition and honour the huge a n d i m p o rta n t c o n tr i b u t i o n t h ese f i g u res have made to t h e d e v el o p m e n t o f A rab art â&#x20AC;?

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REVIEWS

Big Screen

The Wolfpack

Highlights

Director: Crystal Moselle Cast: Bhagavan Angulo, Govinda Angulo, Jagadisa Angulo

“Our problem is not the subjects – they’re very very intriguing. The issue here is that the documentary seems to only scratch the surface.”

Why it’s worth watching?

The Wolfpack.

What’s it about? Seven siblings (six brothers and one sister) have grown up in near isolation, locked away from society in an apartment on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The Angulo brothers have spent their childhood learning about the world through the films. When they venture outside without parental supervision for the first time, everything changes.

We remember when The Wolfpack made its Sundance premiere; it was the talk of the town. This documentary introduces a gang of siblings who have been raised in seclusion in the heart of New York City. They’ve been home schooled and much of their views on the outside world come from a well-stocked DVD and VHS library, which has prompted them to take refuge in play-acting of their favourite films – weird? A little. Our problem is not the subjects – they’re very very intriguing. The issue here is that the documentary seems to only scratch the surface; there are dark suggestions not pursued, mostly centering on Oscar, the father, a Peruvian follower of Hare Krishna who appears to be controlling every aspect of family life. There are also the scenes where it’s more than hinted that the wife, Susanne, may be a victim of domestic abuse. There is more than one elephant in the room here; the fact that social services is aware of this dysfunctional family is swept under the rug, and one of the boys reveals that there was a whole year when none of them left the apartment. It’s the strange yet fascinating, and mysterious, factors at the heart of The Wolfpack that make it so compelling to watch.

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“The comedy factor is kept to a consistent, generous and pleasurable level, that doesn’t spoof the espionagethriller genre – in fact; Spy makes it all the more exciting.” Spy.

Spy What’s it about? A CIA analyst working a desk job is reminded that she once had dreams of being a spy. Lucky for her, a new mission requires someone unrecognisable to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer and stop a diabolical global disaster, and so, she volunteers for the task.

Director: Paul Feig Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Jude Law Why it’s worth watching? How amazing is Melissa McCarthy? This woman was made for comedy – she’s hilarious! Along with Paul Feig (director of The Heat and Bridesmaids), everything about Spy is amazing. The writing, the screenplay, and all the laugh out loud, witty one-liners, plus, who knew Jason Statham could do funny so well? The comedy factor is kept to a consistent, generous and pleasurable level, that doesn’t spoof the espionage-thriller genre – in fact; Spy makes it all the more exciting. Both Melissa McCarthy and Paul Feig have a commitment to comedy, and from their proven track record, everything they touch, turns to comedy gold (excuse the cliché). Spy is brimming with gigglestuffed scenes, hitting the zeitgeist, hard!

REVIEWS

on the record

Fully Booked

Fiction

Hold Still: A Memoir With Photographs By Sally Mann

FOLK/INDIE-ROCK

Beneath The Skin By Of Monsters and Men

Who remembers that infectious single Little Talks? It was this catchy song, and the platinum-selling debut album My Head is an Animal that shot the Icelandic chamber pop group onto the international music scene. Now, with a solid fan base in all corners of the world, Of Monsters and Men (OMAM) is back with their highly anticipated 15-track follow-up. If the first single, Crystals, is any indication, it’s clear that OMAM hasn’t lost any magic. The warm-hearted band’s grand-scale, folk-pop sound is as alive and robust as ever with chanted choruses, uplifting beats, and the noise of thundering drums. Where the first album was very story-based bringing out the ‘monsters’ side, Beneath The Skin is for ‘men,’ with a heavier, darker element and more open-minded lyrics and musical sensibility. It’s just OMAM being more up front. And we love it. Iceland might be small but its music continues to outshine that of countries 10 times its size. This sophomore release is already exciting fans; and you don’t have to be a music genius to guess that this too could be a global hit.

ALT-ROCK

Get To Heaven By Everything Everything

Mercury-nominated, genre-defying, highpitched, frenetic pop – there are so many cool adjectives we can use to describe the Manchester-based quartet, Everything Everything, and their sound. We were late to the party and only fell in love with this band after the release of their contagious single Cough Cough back in 2012 (thanks to Greg James on Radio 1), and it was the falsetto-voiced lead, Jonathan Higgs, who kept our attention. His natural range is rich and soulful and his tongue-twister raps, will have you trippin’. On Get To Heaven, the band’s third album, we hear more of the math-rock movement, merging guitar intricacies, complex afrobeats and electro whistles. The best thing? Everything Everything are committed to this off-kilter approach to music, and with this 11-track CD, they’ll make you embrace and believe in the genre-marauding style even more. In other words; the album is INSANELY good.

“His natural range is rich and soulful and his tongue-twister raps, will have you trippin”

Acclaimed photographer Sally Mann has crafted an original form of personal history with a unique interplay of narrative and images. Sorting through boxes of family papers and yellowed photographs she finds more than she bargained for: deceit and scandal, domestic abuse, car crashes, clandestine affairs, racial complications, vast sums of money made and lost, and maybe even bloody murder. Pick up this revealing and beautifully written memoir of Sally Hann to indulge her past-life. A pageturning and gripping novel.

Health & Nutrition

The L.A. Girl Goes to Saudi By Melissa Hartwig

A story about Dina Ahmed, a girl who has lived in L.A. all her life, when one day she gets a phone call from her wealthy family back in Saudi Arabia to come back and see her ailing father. She has to leave her party girl lifestyle of all-nighters and clubbing, for the veiled world of Saudi Arabia. The story chronicles her defiant and irrepressible L.A. spirit, as she leaves L.A. and manoeuvres her way into Saudi society with defiance and flare, only to find a hidden treasure at the end. She develops faith that takes her away from the superficial world of L.A. and onto a spiritual journey that is Islam. The book will give the reader a bird’s eye view from an original, rare and artistic perspective.

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GLOBETROTTER

Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers

GO: Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers is located 7km from Dubai International Airport. Call +971 4228 1111 for bookings and more information.

With modern elegance and warm Arabian hospitality, Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers re-opens after extensive renovation. The 36-year-old iconic hotel reinforces its position as a landmark hotel and will continue to be a choice gathering place for global travellers and the local community. Located at the Creeks edge with uninterrupted water and city views, the hotel’s new design offers a stylish relaxing escape from the bustling city for business and leisure travellers. A large sum of US$50 million was invested into the refurbishment to create an uplifting atmosphere with stateof-the-art amenities and service to guests. Situated in the heart of Dubai’s heritage, the hotel offers guests the chance to discover the authenticity of traditional Dubai markets, such as the Spice, Gold and Textile Souks.

Rooms The 268 guestrooms and suites provide a stylish, relaxing escape from the bustling city for both business and leisure travellers. The brand new rooms offer the perfect setting of style and technology. The contemporary rooms feature enhanced technology with a 42 inch LED television, media hub and WIFI. The Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed, especially designed for Starwood hotels, allow you to have a blissful sleep. Shine for Sheraton Bath amenities, in room safe, iron, Nespresso machine and much more define the hotel’s effort to create a modern atmosphere for guests. The room types include; Junior Suite, Executive Suite, Twin Room, Creek View Room and the Royal Suite.

Culinary Variety The hotel offers an array of dining experiences with the best of world cuisine in each of their restaurants. Vivaldo by Alfredo 52

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Russo offers a creative gastronomic menu created by Michelin-starred chef Alfredo Russo. Ashiana, the Indian restaurant will now present a menu designed by Michelin-starred Vineet Bhatia and will hereby be called Ashiana by Vineet. Enjoy the theatre of cooking at the live-action Creekside Japanese Restaurant, seeing chefs in action at the Teppanyaki Grill, Wok or Seafood stations. The famous English Pub, Chelsea Arms, continues to offer a truly British experience. The Lobby Café serves a wide selection of cakes and pastries round the clock, as well as afternoon tea. Hatta is the new restaurant introduced after the renovation. This fills the blank of an International buffet restaurant, offering a relaxed atmosphere for breakfast and lunch.

Modern facilities The hotel offers extensive meeting and function rooms, with the elegant Dubai Ballroom accommodating up to 500 guests. The hotel lobby features the Link @Sheraton experience with Microsoft – a signature social technology hub where guests can enjoy complimentary WIFI to stay connected. The 24-hour fitness facility is designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through its partner Core Performance. Sheraton Club guests can enjoy exclusive access to the Sheraton Club Lounge for private check-in and checkout, complimentary Continental breakfast, afternoon tea, evening drinks and snacks, as well as refreshments throughout the day.

GLOBETROTTER

#InDubai Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve picked some of the best posts and pictures shared to twitter and instagram to inspire your next trip to Dubai. With so many exciting activities and iconic hotspots, get planning today! fact magazine

HOTEL HOTSPOT

Park Rotana in Abu Dhabi

The Rotana brand has seen a surge in expansion of quality hotels in Abu Dhabi and the region. It has fastbecome a popular brand for providing guests with the ultimate in accommodation, dining, relaxation and service. We check out just one of its lovely 5-star properties in the UAE capital…

ark Rotana is a 5-star hotel, boasting a long list of great facilities all within a vibrant modern style. The accommodation is beyond expectation and the eclectic dining options make it all the more worthwhile to stay here. Views from the hotel are simply wonderful; Khalifa Park (the biggest park in Abu Dhabi), the Grand Mosque or Sheikh Zayed Bridge are just among some of the beautiful places you can see, subject to the room type you opt for. The hotel is also in good proximity to many of Abu Dhabi’s biggest 54

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sites, cultural attractions, leisure activities and other points of interest. We check in on a bright summer day, to be welcomed by the friendly front-desk staff. We’ve arrived a little earlier than the normal check in time of 2pm, and are advised that the room will take a further 10-15 minutes to be ready. No bother! We take a seat at the delightful lobby lounge ParKafe for a latte and a piece of carrot cake (unbelievably yummy!). When the room is ready we’re escorted up by a knowledgeable member of the concierge staff, who kindly brings with him the luggage – on first impressions, the service, so far, gets a big tick!

Club Rotana Room If you’re a traveller who enjoys the finer things and added touches in a hotel stay, then this is the room type for you! Just getting off the lift and onto the Club Level, we were really blown away. The corridor had a very regal and elegant charm, with sophisticated interiors and creative yet stylish design. The pleasant surprise continued as we entered the room. It’s huge. There’s a whole separate living area with a large dining table, flat screen TV, three comfy couches and all the usual in-room amenities like a fully-stocked minibar, snacks and fruits, and lots of storage space. The

HOTEL HOTSPOT

bedroom is on a whole new level! BIG in size, the king bed is super comfortable, whilst there’s also a desk, a trendy couch and plenty of cool lighting fixtures alongside the floor to ceiling windows, offering views over Khalifa Park. The design of the room is not only thoughtful and practical, it’s very homely and vibrant, giving a feeling of relaxation and ease – we loved it! And, when you’re staying in the Club Rotana Room you have the benefit of complimentary access to the Club Lounge on the 9th floor, where breakfast and evening cocktails are served, also complimentary (both have a good selection of food and drinks!). You also enjoy complimentary internet, and we found that all the room amenities such as the walk-in shower, LCD TV, fast wifi, tea and coffee making facilities, hair dryer, in-room safe, and much more, was all up to a high standard that, admittedly, we weren’t expecting. fact magazine

HOTEL HOTSPOT

Eclectic Dining There’s no room for boredom when it comes to food and satisfying different tastes at Park Rotana Abu Dhabi. For an excellent all-day dining option, head to Ginger for a sumptuous buffet spread of classic Arabic favourites and international specialties, as well as a good a la carte menu too. In the evening, change it up and head to the hotel’s signature restaurant, Teatro, for dinner; an exceptionally stunning venue adorned with venetian masks, mood lighting, deep warm colours and beaded crystal features 56

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as well as hand blown glasses, all making for a laidback ambience and casual dining experience. Here, you can savour an extensive a la carte menu that creatively blends Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Italian cuisines. The bar area is fantastic for pre-dinner drinks or a catch up over snacks, while diners can also watch the live cooking station and sushi bar as chefs prepare meals. There’s a good choice of outdoor and indoor seating areas and if you’re a foodie, like us, there’s SO much mouthwatering food to try. We’d recommend the tempura crispy maki, the traditional dim sum selection, the peking duck spring rolls, the spicy kung pao chicken, and the pad thai noodles. For dessert it has to be the chocolate pudding – just divine! If you want straight up informal and fun, then the awardwinning Cooper’s Bar & Restaurant is for you. This pub-style traditional British sports bar has a good menu on international classics with a wide range of beverages, and live sports coverage, too.

Recreation Refined Though Rotana is known for its simple and comfortable facilities, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi takes this up a notch. The pool and garden area is substantial with plenty of sun loungers for lazy days. To top this off there’s a well-equipped

Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club where the trainers are helpful and experienced if you want advice on your workout routine. What surprised us the most was the spa area. We expected more of a health club vibe with a clinical setting; however, this lovely spa was a superb space that could, again, easily fit at any other big-name 5-star hotel. The treatment rooms were inviting, the sauna, steam room and relaxation area (separate for men and women) was excellent, but, most of all, the signature aromatherapy massage that we experienced was simply delightful. The therapists were professional and welcoming. The most special thing about our stay at Park Rotana was the number of pleasant and unexpected surprises we experienced – from the room, to the food, and especially the recreational options – everything exceeded our expectations. If you want a first-hand experience of great hospitality, the Park Rotana Abu Dhabi would be a fabulous place to get you well-acquainted with one of the region’s most popular hotel brands. GO: Visit www.rotana.com or call (0)2 657 3333 for reservations and more information. Go online at www. rotanatimes.com/parkrotana/escapes for promotional offers and happenings at Park Rotana Abu Dhabi.

A top 5 global university in the heart of the Gulf OUR PROGRAMMES Archaeology of the Arab and Islamic World MA Library and Information Studies MA Museum and Gallery Practice MA Conservation Studies MSc Diploma in Academic Research and Methods

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SOCIETY

#CAYAN #GROUP #PROJECT #LAUNCH Cayan Group, the Middle Eastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier Property Developer and Real Estate Investment group, held a press conference to announce the launch of its new projects worth 3.1 billion Dirham in both Dubai and Riyadh. The projects portfolio varies from Branded Residences to Hotel Apartments and Commercial Towers across the region.

fact magazine

2015

Volkswagen Touareg We take the new Touareg on the ultimate road test, a gruelling 14 hour-long road trip to almost every leisure destination in Abu Dhabi. So how did it fare?

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CITY RIDES

Inside, things only get better. The interior is hugely comfortable, modern and stylish, and punches well above its weight way up into premium levels of luxury.

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y instructions were simple. We needed a suitable vehicle for our FACT Awards Road Trip, in which we would visit all 140-odd nominated venues, and we were to do it in one day – the mother of all road trips the length and breadth of Abu Dhabi with three team members, luggage and equipment. We needed something big, comfortable, and yet easy to park or manoeuvre through busy streets and hotel forecourts, that was easy on the fuel but quick enough to get us from A to B (and the rest) in a timely manner. It’s almost like this role was written for the Touareg… A quick call to VW confirmed that the new 2015 model was available, so I picked up our vehicle, the luxurious V6 SPORT. First impressions were good – the exterior styling, whilst not head turning, is certainly handsome,

with that understated European elegance that German cars seem to define. Inside, things only get better. The interior is hugely comfortable, modern and stylish, and punches well above its weight way up into premium levels of luxury. The dash layout is simple and straightforward, putting everything where you’d expect to find it, and the infotainment software is intuitive and easy to navigate. We came to know the entertainment system intimately, as we spent practically the entire journey switching from smartphone to smartphone, iPhone to Samsung and back, playing whichever mp3s or internet radio stations were being selected by the in-car DJ of the hour. Apart from slight delays updating the on-screen track info, the system handled it all without fuss, connecting to any phone we threw at it almost instantly via the USB port. Also handy was being able

CITY RIDES

to charge all of our phones at the same time via the two power outlets and the USB port. My only initial reservation about the car was the engine. Almost the entire Touareg range comes with the 280hp 3.6l V6 mated to an eight-speed auto, with the exception of a V8 in the top-spec R-Line. The V6 initially felt a bit sluggish to me, but the benefits of this engine soon became apparent. It has a claimed consumption of 9.9l per 100km/h, and I fully believe it. Unbelievably, on our endurance road trip, we only had to top up the tank once. As you can imagine, a 14-hour car journey can lead to frayed nerves and worn tempers amongst even the closestknit teams. The same goes for vehicles. After a long journey in a car, seemingly minor irritations can turn into massive annoyances by the end. However, after 14 hours there was simply nothing about the

It had been a pleasure to drive, with a smooth, comfortable ride, and very easy to pilot through the streets thanks to a great allround field of vision...

Touareg that had gotten on our nerves. Quite the opposite – we’d all developed quite an affection for the car. It had been a comfy living space that had made a potentially awful journey that much less unpleasant, with comfy seats, a good stereo, a panoramic sunroof, and plenty of pockets and cubby holes to stash junk in. It had been a pleasure to drive, with a smooth, comfortable ride, and very easy to pilot through the streets thanks to a great all-round field of vision, assisted by the 360 degree parking cameras. So the verdict is thus: The Touareg is the perfect white-collar workhorse. Whether you’re a crew of media types with equipment, a beleaguered parent hopping from school to shops to sports fields, or a civil engineer visiting remote sites in rugged terrain, the 2015 Touareg will deliver everything you need and more from a vehicle, and do so with a smile and a comforting pat on the back. fact magazine

ISLAND RIDES

MINI Cooper S 5-Door Hatch MINI offer up a five-door version of their famous sports hatch for the first time in the model’s history as part of the BMW group. We put it through its paces… It seems strange to us that MINI have taken this long to introduce a five-door variant of their famous hatchback. The reason for this, as it turns out, is simple. The chassis of the MINI Hatch was simply too short to squeeze an extra row of doors in. That is, until the introduction of the MINI Clubman, and the larger chassis upon which it was based. The 5-Door Hatch is actually more closely related to the MINI Clubman, being based on the same, slightly longer platform, which allows for 62

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those extra two doors. Even with the extra length, though, things are a little cramped in the back row – fine for kids and smaller adults, but anyone over 6ft tall wouldn’t enjoy themselves back there. Being slightly longer and heavier, the 5-Door is slightly more prone to under steer than the 3-Door. Aside from that, you’d be hard pressed to find any noticeable differences to the driving experience. It still feels light and nippy, with plenty of pickup from the 192hp 2.0l turbocharged four-pot. One thing that did frustrate me was

the gearbox, which insisted on interfering whenever I even thought about pushing the red line, even in manual mode! As soon as the revs got towards the top of the dial the MINI would shift up whether you liked it or not, often a split second before you’re about to do it yourself, resulting in a double upshift which instantly kills any joy you might be experiencing. I soon began fantasizing about manual gearboxes… Inside, however, MINI have taken things to the next level with the high-spec Cooper S. There’s a distinctly premium

ISLAND RIDES

Inside, however, MINI have taken things to the next level with the high-spec Cooper S. There’s a distinctly premium feel to everything...

feel to everything, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and padded surfaces, and a style and layout that will instantly win you over. It’s an absolute masterpiece of design, squeezing all kinds of great features into the compact space. The last time I drove a MINI, it still had that ludicrous giant speedo in the centre of the dash. This has thankfully made way for a very eye-catching TFT display and stereo controls, framed by a rather cool ring of luminous ever-changing colour which doubles as a volume dial. You still get the unique and quirky switches and buttons that MINIs have always had, which give them their distinctive character. So what is a MINI Cooper S now? Well, it’s a premium hatchback whose sporting credentials have made way somewhat for high levels of luxury and style. If you’re looking for a sports experience, save up for a few more months for the John Cooper Works. If you’re looking for a nippy, enjoyable and stylish city hatch with added space and practicality, the MINI Cooper S 5-Door Hatch is all that, and then some. fact magazine

MOTORING NEWS

“ C r e at i v i t y Recycled” Scrap Made Art b y A l Tay e r

In a rather cool initiative by Al Tayer Motors in the UAE, a unique exhibit of some interesting works of art made from automotive used parts and scrap material was displayed in Dubai last month. Titled Creativity Recycled, the display is the result of a competition organised for technicians of Al Tayer Motors and Premier Motors. Nearly 400 technicians from 11 locations across the UAE participated in a two month-long contest designed to showcase their artistic abilities, creating 98 art objects in total. You can take a look at some of our favourites on this page…cool, right? 64

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MOTORING NEWS

Ya s M a r i n a Circuit Announces Arabic F1 Line Up Last month at the Arabian Travel Market, Yas Marina Circuit announced the line-up of Arabic entertainment artists booked to play Thursday night’s after-race concert on November 26 at the 2015 Etihad Airways F1 GP. For the third year running, the entertainment will be kick-started by Arabic artists and in keeping with previous editions, this year’s stars represent the A list in Arabic language vocal talent. The all-star line- up was booked by FLASH Entertainment and includes DJ Said Mrad – the guru of Arabian electronic dance music, Fares Karam – traditional Lebanese and Dabke star, Aryam – the Emirati songstress and Cheb Khaled – world music icon and pioneer, who propelled Arabic music onto the global scene. For more information visit www.yasmarinacircuit. com or call Yas Marina Circuit on (0)2 659 9800. F1 GP Tickets are also available through all Etihad Shops and Virgin Megastores.

2015 Kia Picanto Hits Middle East Market The latest version of Kia’s stylish A-segment city hatchback, the Picanto, is now on sale in the Gulf. The enhanced Picanto boasts redesigned front and rear bumpers to emphasize the car’s bold looks, with a new wider grille and flared bumpers matching updates to Kia’s hallmark ‘tiger-nose’ grille. At the rear of the car, the upgraded Picanto gets a new black diffuser-effect panel integrated into the rear bumper, for a sportier, more sophisticated look. Buyers can also choose an optional new 14-inch alloy wheel design and a bright new metallic paint finish, Dazzling Blue, to make the car stand out even more. Inside, a new cloth upholstery pattern boosts the car’s youthful appeal, while, at the centre of the dashboard, a more modern fascia now surrounds the Picanto’s audio system. The driver’s standard instrument binnacle gets a larger LCD display for greater clarity on the move, while an optional Supervision instrument cluster replaces the conventional LCD gauge with a more modern, higher-resolution dot matrix LCD display.

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PLUGGED-IN

The

Oculus Rift is

the

Future

If you look at the incredible graphic detail of video games today, and you wonder what your kids could possibly be

playing in the future, we guarantee you that it will be some version of this technologyâ&#x20AC;Ś

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PLUGGED-IN

Virtual reality (VR) has a chequered history. Those of you old enough to remember the virtual reality gaming machines that sprung up in arcades in the early nineties will also remember how incredibly crap the graphics and gameplay were! At the time, gaming giant Sega attempted to develop a VR project for home use, but poor feedback and limited processing power of the console put paid to the idea. As a result, initial excitement over ‘the future of gaming’ gave way to apathy and it just sort of faded away. And for many years it stayed that way, with development instead pouring into the 3D industry for cinemas, and then home entertainment systems. Some of these home entertainment systems even supported 3D for certain gaming platforms, as long as the game was compatible. However, it’s not until recently, with the significant advances in processing power of the PCs available for personal use (for a cost, that is), that a VR headset like the Rift has become viable. The units use an inertial measurement unit to detect the movement of the head, and dual displays positioned directly over the eyes to give a fully immersive experience. With most games these days offering a full interactive 3D world in which you can look all around you using the game controller, adapting that for a headset was simply the next step. The Oculus Rift is by no means the first, or the only VR headset currently in development out there – there are similar headsets being developed by HTC, Sony and other lesser-known developers. For something truly unique, check out the Google Cardboard, a free-to-download design for a headset that you cut out of cardboard, and stick together, with two eyeholes, that works with an app to create a VR headset through your very own smartphone! However, the Rift is most likely the only one you’ve heard of. This is because the developers have been extremely smart in their strategy, beginning the Oculus

Rift project by raising funds as a Kickstarter. Anyone who donated a certain amount would get a ‘Developer Kit’, which was basically a prototype of the headset. These prototypes were upgraded as development continued, but this meant that software developers, gamers and others could get their hands on the headset and participate in the development process. As a result, this allowed them to get a head start in the field, and combine their development and marketing strategies successfully to make the Oculus Rift the device that everyone was talking about. The plan paid off, and Facebook acquired Oculus VR in early 2014 in a deal worth well over $2billion! As a result of their successful strategy, it is the Oculus Rift that is the device being talked about, tested and used by people all over the world. We came across it recently ourselves at a Fiat event in London, where we viewed a specially developed visual presentation for the car through the Oculus Rift, and it was mind-blowing! More recently, the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi had an Oculus Rift experience at its launch event for the 2015 Abu Dhabi F1 GP. We’re now also seeing more and more videos online of game hackers who are adapting the Rift to work with titles such as the hugely successful Grand Theft Auto V, with impressive results. It’s not perfect yet, but as new major gaming titles are released, you’ll see more and more that are compatible with the Rift, especially on PC. There is already a significant list. The uptake of people willing to develop software that is compatible with the Rift, and the apparent ease of adapting it to existing software, is what will firmly establish it as the go-to choice for VR headsets, much as the iPhone did for smartphones all those years ago. We promise you that this hardware heralds the arrival of Virtual Reality in a big way – it’s affordable, it’s adaptable, and it’s playable. It’s the future!

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Also AvAilAble in ... bAhrAin & QAtAr

An Artistic Celebration ofRoll Arabic Culture Camera

NOVEMBER 2014. VOL 8 ISSUE 03 . BD 1 | SR10

SEPTEMBER 2014. VOL 4 ISSUE 5. QR10 | SR10

for Film Festival Fever

front.indd 1

Have a Haunted Halloween

8/31/14 11:13 AM

OctOber 2014. VOL 1 ISSUe 5. AeD 10 front_filmfestival.indd 1

9/29/14 4:25 PM

@FACTAbuDhabi | @FACTBahrain | @FACT_Qatar 68

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PLUGGED-IN

App-licious Today’s tech-savvy generation of smartphones and tablets means the world is at your fingertips, literally! FACT has three great apps to download for your device, keeping you plugged-in to all the best techie help for every area of life...

Ramadan 2015

LIFESTYLE

IFTTT – IF This Then That

CREATIVE

PERSONALISATION

This is a convenient and reliable app for people who are fasting during the Holy Month. The app will keep you updated on the correct prayer timings throughout Ramadan. The great part is that you can access the Sohour and Iftar times for more than 251 countries so even if you’re travelling, you’ll always be informed. All you need to do is select your country, set the alarm so that you never miss a prayer again. Read supplications and salutations (Hadith and Dua) that are highly recommended to be recited during this special month. This is a must-have app for all of you who want to be organised for Ramadan 2015.

Not only does it have a pretty cool name, but IFTTT is a genius app. Create powerful connections with one powerful statement; for example, IF you post a photo on Instagram THEN share it on Facebook. This way you automate this statement and whenever you post a picture or video on Instagram, it automatically gets posted on Facebook. So, go on and activate your social channels – services like Facebook, Dropbox, Gmail and many more. You’ll be amazed how much you can do with such a simple idea.

Save your time and energy from digging your phone out every time it vibrates or rings and just download Pushbullet. This app allows you to receive all your phone’s notifications on your computer. You can see text messages, phone calls and more. Send files from your computer to your phone with just one click. Links can be opened or shared right from your notifications, avoiding the hassle of emailing a link to yourself again. So not only will your calendar reminders pop up but you’ll also be able to see who’s texting or calling and decide whether it’s worth replying before you even look at your phone!

Pushbullet

INSTAGRAm Connect with us on instagram @factmagazine and get a behind the scenes sneak peek at what the team is up to every month!

Stay connected and get FACT magazine on your phone or tablet. Get the latest issue at your fingertips, and enter the world of FACT whenever and wherever you are - just download the issuu.com app for more! fact magazine

SOCIETY

#KARL #LAGERFELD #X #SS15 #PRESS #DAY KARL LAGERFELD hosted a World of Karl for their first event in Dubai after their expansion into the Middle East last year. The Spring Summer 2015 kollection drives colour from bright shades to pastel tones and guests had a hands on opportunity to feel out the ready-to-wear kollection that has plans to hit Dubai at the end of 2015. Also on display were the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s watches, perfumes, candles and eyewear. 70

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River Island G o es S u n n y S i de Up

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s June and the fashion stakes are heating up with River Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hot SS15 Campaign. fact magazine

Fashion Focus

SUGAR , OXYG EN, G L A M A T H ON . . .

t’s one of our favourite high street brands that continuously offers great looks for all seasons. And for Spring Summer 2015, River Island really went all out. Calling on the fashion big guns to shoot the SS15 ad campaign, the brand turned to photographer Emma Summerton with creative direction by Studio Blvd and on-point styling by Edward Enninful. The sun-drenched campaign was shot in Palm Springs, California with models Ieva Laguna, Kai Newman, Simon Nessman and Nathaniel Visser. With super bright whites and sunny yellows, River Island’s SS15 collection is packed with fresh styles for a new season wardrobe overhaul. For women, outfit ideas and inspiration is plenty. The Sugar Trend makes a comeback with bright pieces. There’s pop art inspired accessories, slogan bags, jewelled sandals, metallic flats and trainers and lots of ice-cream palette choices. The Oxygen Trend also comes to the forefront with a combination of tactile textures in a crisp palette of creams and whites, great for a wardrobe detox this season. Key to this look is soft tailoring, lightweight knits and sportier pieces. Ladies who crave print and colour, River Island has you covered. Grab the sassy Glamathon look with block colour pieces, geometric prints and bold designs, 72

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perfect for summer festival fun. Orange and blue are massive colours this season! There’s also the fun 70s denim style. All of these trends round off a sleek collection for women. For all the trendy men out there, it’s time to get out with the old and in with the new. River Island’s SS15 collection for the boys starts off by helping you nail your Ivy League style. Cropped, pleated trousers, textured knits and a classic blue palette are modernised with ombre dye shirts and co-ord sets. If you prefer vintage American, pick up the staple jeans and bomber jackets from the Rumblefish trend – sure to turn heads at any summer gathering. If you’re looking to step away from the dark side, embracing the all-white palette should be right up your style street. Blissed out whites; light greys and touches of metallic silver will help you reinvent your summer essentials. Going opposites, if you’re more of an all-black-everything kind of guy, you’ll love the youthful baseball shirts and joggers in luxe fabrics and textures. Men, that’s your summer season covered. GO: Shop River Island at City Centre Bahrain.

I V Y L EAGU E, RUMBL E F I S H . . . fact magazine

Fashion Focus

Shop the brand Here is our wishlist from RIVER ISLAND’S SPRING/SUMMER 2015 collection.

fact magazine

for her

for him

River Island’s SS15 WOMEN’S collection is packed with fresh styles for a new season wardrobe overhaul.

For all the trendy men out there, it’s time to get out with the old and in with the new.

Coming soon... ... to Abu Dhabi ABU DHABI

THE ESSENCE OF STYLE

CHEAP

OVER 65 LOOKS TO

THRILLS

LUX FOR LESS

MAKE YOU FEEL PHENOMENAL

YOUR STAR BUYS FOR SPRING CATWALK REPORT

GUCCI

Anja Rubik’s

FOR THE EFFORTLESSLY ELEGANT WOMAN

MODEL STYLE

BEHIND

THE ANIMAL HEART NINA PERSSON

MEGAWATT FASHION

www.ohlala-magazine.com

OHLALA!

WWW.OHLALA-MAGAZINE.COM

ISSUE 1

ABU DHABI AED20

fact magazine fact magazine 75 .1

STYLE

BHS DRESS

MISS SELFRIDGE Sunglasses

Blue

MISS SELFRIDGE SCARF

Harmony Blue is an enigmatic colour that adds a sophisticated punch TO blazers and blouses, but is electric and playful wITH ACCESSORIES LIKE statement jewellery. Say bye bye to gloomy HUES, and invite this pop of colourand INTO YOUR WARDROBE.

MISS SELFRIDGE PEPLUM TOP

M&CO NECKLACE

MONSOON bag

BHS BLAZER

MONSOON SHOES 76

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STYLE

MARKS & SPENCER JUMPER MARKS & SPENCER SHIRT

NEXT Sunglasses

TRUE Blue

bold and bright colorus ARE NOT JUST FOR THE LADIES, THE GUYS CAN ROCK THEM TOO. thing to some, From the schoolyard royal blue to classic navy AND the CLEAR sky blue, all SHADES of blue are seen this season. Such a fun, bright colour to put on and make an impression.

DEBENHAMS SHORTS

NEXT T-SHIRT

MARKS & SPENCER SHOES

MARKS & SPENCER HAT

ZARA BAG fact magazine

SOCIETY

#ADOPT #A #SCHOOL #SHERATON #ABU #DHABI The culinary team at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort and students of the International School of Choueifat in the Mushrif area cooked up a storm over as children were introduced to healthy eating habits. Chefs of the landmark Abu Dhabi hotel visited the school over two weekends to conduct a one-hour session with the pupils. The ‘Adopt a School’ initiative was announced earlier this year in partnership with the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, uk. 78

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gift guide

Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Gift Guide

fathers day is coming up! have you bought a gift for your dad? if not, we bring you some superb options that you can presesnt your dad with on this very special day.

01. CH Carolina Herrera 02. MOnt Blanc 03. Louis Vuitton 04. Louis Vuitton 05. Armin Storm 06. mercedez-benz 07. ch carolina herrera 08. CH CArolina Herrera 09. Lacoste fact magazine

SOCIETY

#RALPH #LAUREN #SS15 #COCKTAIL #EVENING In celebration of the Spring Summer ‘15 Ralph Lauren Collection, a cocktail evening was hosted with the collection trunk show at the Arabian Court, The One & Only, Royal Mirage, Dubai. During the event, the Ralph Lauren Ricky Drawstring bag, which has recently joined the Ricky Bag iconic family, was introduced. The Ricky Drawstring bag was worn by some of Dubai’s leading socialites and influencers. 80

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Beauty

✓

beauty

Checklist

Have you stocked up on the brand new products from the world of beauty? FACT brings you a new list of beauty essentials every month. So ladies, what is on your checklist this month? Make sure to tick them all off…

Clarins

L’Occitane

Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate

Youthful Body Velvet Balm

The L’Occitane laboratory created the new youth complex, which acts on five signs of aging on the body; dryness, skin slackening, lack of tonicity, fine lines and skin irregularities. The enveloping melting texture feels wonderfully rich on the skin, providing an immediate sensation of comfort. This product is a must-have!

Nothing spells understated glamour more than a flawless nude look on the eye. The shades, whether from the beige or pink palette, in matte or pearly finishes, work universally to look fabulous on all women across a range of skin tones and textures. This inventive palette, beige or pink, allows you to create1001 nude looks for your eyes.

Marc Jacobs

Narciso

Rimmel

Clarins highly effective formula replenishes, fights wrinkles, under-eye puffiness and dark circles. The texture is exceptional, with immediate results. Enriched with cassie flower wax, it offers an instant tightening effect. In addition, it also facilitates make-up application. Refreshing and comforting, it leaves the eyes wonderfully soothed.

Cut here

Summer Collection – Le Marc

This summer, Marc Jacobs Beauty unveiled its new collection, and is focusing on lips and the art of contouring. Le Marc is a long-lasting cream lipstick with ultra-concentrated pigments. Glamourous lips, intense colour and long-lasting staying power without dryness. Le Marc is available in 18 intense shades; this collection was inspired by Marc Jacobs world of Muses.

Eau De Toilette

NARCISO eau de toilette celebrates a new facet of seductive femininity with an irresistible olfactory composition. Bright top notes of white peony meld with Bulgarian rose to compose a heady white floral bouquet that transforms the signature muse into a crystalline yet sensual heart. Enhanced by voluptuous woody accords -this perfume is mesmerizing!

L’Oreal Paris Color Riche La Palette Nude

Exaggerate Smoke n’ Shine Liner

Take your eye-look to an extreme level. This automatic pencil eyeliner delivers an effortless streak of super-saturated, luminous colour with a shiny gel-like finish. Choose from four intense, fashion-forward shades – Little Black Smokey, Copper Bling, Purple Craze, and Blue Steel – for peepers that POP! fact magazine

HOME & FURNISHINGS

The White Company

The white company has been making impeccably stylish, beautifully designed products, principally in white, for over 20 years. Think style not fashion, quality not quantity and an attention to detail...

SHOP THE WHITE COMPANY AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS . STORES ARE LOCATED AT MALL OF THE EMIRATES, MARINA MALL AND DUBAI MALL IN DUBAI. 82

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HOME & FURNISHINGS

Lakeland Home Goods

As one of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home shopping pioneers with nearly half a century of experience under their belts, Lakeland offer an unrivalled collection of creative kitchenware and practical ideas for the home and garden.

SHOP LAKELAND AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS. STORES ARE LOCATED AT AL WAHDA MALL OR MUSHRIF MALL IN ABU DHABI. fact magazine

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Recipes

f o r

ra m ada n One of the best times to cook up something special, or traditional, for family and friends to enjoy is the Holy Month of Ramadan. We scoured the city for some of the best recipes for you to savour with loved onesâ&#x20AC;Ś

fact magazine

ramadan recipes

Chef Hossam Salah, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi

Chef Bulent Canbolat,

Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi

Food, in the end, in our own tradition, is something holy. Egyptian Lamb Fattah

Begendili Kuzu Sarma (stuffed lamb chops with eggplant puree)

It’s not about nutrients and calories. It’s about sharing. It’s about honesty. It’s about identity.

{Ingredients} 2 kg lamb meat 8 loaves Egyptian bread 1 cup vinegar 3 cups rice 7 cloves garlic 2 tablespoons tomato sauce 5 cups water Mastic resin Vegetable Ghee Salt and pepper In a deep pan, boil meat until tender. Strain and reserve 5 cups of meat broth. Wash rice, well, under running water. In a pan, melt 2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable Ghee. Add mastic and cardamoms, and mix well. Add rice and stir, then add salt and one cup of water and cook until water is absorbed. Cover and move to low heat and cook. In a saucepan heat and stir 2 tablespoons vegetable Ghee and garlic until golden brown. Add tomato paste and 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup vinegar then heat until boiling. Cut bread into sticks and put in a baking dish then add vegetable Ghee. Heat and stir until it takes yellow brown colour. Pour 5 cups of meat broth and sauce and mix until bread is soft. Spread rice over bread layer in a baking dish. Pour some of sauce over baking dish then place it in oven. Add meat cubes after removing from oven and serve in the same dish. Enjoy a delicious rice and meat dish! 86

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{Ingredients}

Stuffed Lamb Chops 1 kg lamb chops, 100g Egyptian rice 25g butter, 200ml chicken stock 50g slivered pistachio, 30g raisins 50g cheese kashkawal 5g salt, 2g white pepper powder 5g dill leaves Wash and soak the rice. Melt the butter in a pot and add rice, stir for 2 minutes. Add the stock, salt and pepper powder. When almost cooked add the pistachio, raisins, and chopped dill leaves. Mix and let it cool. Flatten the lamb chops to double the size. Fill each chop with cold stuffing and add grated cheese. Roll it carefully. Place all the chops in an oily baking tray. Roast at 180C for 20 minutes. Eggplant Puree with Cheese 1 kg eggplant 50g butter 40g flour 200ml milk 50g cheese kashkawal 3g salt, 1g white pepper powder Grill the eggplant on charcoal. Peel the eggplant and smash once it has cooled down. Melt the butter and add the flour in a pot, stir until gets brown. Add the milk and eggplant. Add the grated kashkawal cheese. Add salt and pepper to your liking.

If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him... the people who give you their food give you their heart.

ramadan recipes

Chef Chadi Terro,

Chef Ayoub Makdissi,

Chef Waleed El Sayed,

Fish Siyadieh

Samak Sayadia

Arabic Mixed Grills

Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr

{serving 8).

Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri

{serving 10).

{Ingredients} 2 kg of whole fish 3 cups long grain rice, rinsed and drained 3 large onions 3 tablespoons olive oil 3/4 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon caraway 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 2 teaspoons salt 20g pine nuts In a pan, fry pine nuts in 3 tablespoons veg oil until they turn light brown. Remove from pan and set aside on a kitchen absorbent paper. Reserve the pan for frying the fish. Rub the inside and outside of the fish with some salt and olive oil. Add the remaining veg oil to the pan and fry the fish until tender. Turn off the heat. Remove the fish from the pan and keep the oil in the pan. Peel the skin off and remove the bones and head. Cut the fish flesh into big serving pieces and set aside. Fry the onions, in the reserved oil in the pan, until brown and crispy. Remove 3 tablespoons of the fried onions and keep aside for the garnish. Add the fish bones, the spices, and 4 cups of hot water to the fried onions in the pan. Cover the pan and let it simmer for 30 minutes on medium heat or until the onions become very soft. Remove the fish bones, bring the sauce to a boil then add the rice. Cover the pan and cook the rice over low heat for 25 minutes. Add more hot water if needed and taste to see if more salt and seasoning is needed. The rice is cooked when all water has evaporated. Put the rice in a serving plate. Place the fried fish pieces on top and sprinkle with the fried onions and pine nuts.

{Ingredients}

for brown fish stock: 1kg fish bone 6ltr water 200g carrots 200g celery 200g fennel 100g leeks 800g fried onion 300ml olive oil Fish Stock: To make the stock, put water in a pot. Fry the fish bone with olive oil until its brown colour and add to the water. In the same olive oil, fry the sliced onion till it get dark brown then, add it to the stock to get the brown colour of the stock to use it for cooking the rice later. Add the rest of the vegetables to the stock and let them boil, reduce fire and boil for 35 minutes then leave to rest. Fish Preparation: Cut the fish fillet 8 pieces each 180g. Marinate with salt and white pepper, lemon juice and olive oil. Sear it on flat top grill and place it on a baking oven tray till it gets cooked (around 15 minutes) Sayadia Rice: Wash the basmati rice till the water become clear with no starch coming out. Heat a cooking pot with the same olive oil that was used to frying the fish bone and the onion. Add 100g of sliced onion and stir till onion become a golden colour. Add the rice and stir for 2 minutes. Add the salt, cumin and cinnamon, then add the brown fish stock, bring it to boil then cover and leave it for 15-20 minutes till the rice cocked. Serve the rice and fish in one plate, garnish with fried pine nuts and golden color fried onion, amd sauce.

{Ingredients} 1.2kg Shish Kebab – Lamb * 1.4kg Shish Taouk – Chicken * 1kg Lamb Kofta 1.2kg Lamb Rack/Cutlet 300g White Onion 200g Parsley 200ml Corn Oil 1000g Arabic Bread – 10 Sheets Salt – to taste Pepper – to taste 150g Whole Tomatoes 150g Sumac 600g Toum – Garlic Mayonnaise 500g Chili Paste 500g Arabic Pickles 1.8kg French Fries * Marinade

Marinade the meat products as per the standard recipes. Slice the onions thinly; shred the parsley mix with the sumac and reserve. Lightly grill the Arabic bread. Place the meats on to skewers, grill over hot coals. Grill the onions and the tomatoes and reserve. On the serving dish place the grilled bread, arrange the meats and the tomato and pickles on the bread neatly, place the sauces in small dishes and garnish the grills with the onion/ parsley mixture. Sprinkle over the sumac powder. Serve with a side order of seasoned crispy French fries. fact magazine

CHEF’S TABLE

“I like to create contemporary American cuisine. At Caramel we love to reinvent “comfort food” classics with an upscale gourmet twist in a luxurious yet relaxed setting,” - Chef Vaz.

Signature Delights This month we dine at the table of Chef Sunil Vaz, of Caramel Lounge and Restaurant, where we sampled some of their incredible signature dishes…

hef Vaz is actually a native of the region, having been born in Kuwait, before heading to Bombay to study. “Cooking was more of a family tradition and growing up I helped out a lot in the kitchen,” he recalls. “And when the time came after graduation, I decided to get into the culinary field in Goa because I developed a serious interest 88

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in it. My hometown was inspirational for my future career with so many cultures and backgrounds.” His culinary career has taken him to work for big brands in Dubai, to the prestigious Gordon Ramsay restaurant, Maze, in London, and even Florida, at Cielo. The Caramel Group has been his home for the past five years. Caramel is already a highly successful concept that originated in Dubai’s DIFC,

and now boasts four popular venues in the Middle East and Africa, with a fifth in the pipelines. Abu Dhabi’s venue can be found in The Collection at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. The venue is very well done, combining classy, elegant and modern, with comfortable and cosy through mood lighting and soothing hues for an intimate amber glow. There is a choice of seating options, from comfortable and private

couched booths to normal seated tables and social stool tables in the lounge area. It’s the kind of place that can function as both a social gathering spot or an intimate dinner for two, with a live DJ livening things up most evenings. “We take our food very seriously, sourcing the freshest ingredients from around the world in order to stay true to the authenticity of the dish,” explains Chef

Menu TNT Shrimp Buffalo Wings Tuna Pizza Mac and Cheese Bites Kobe Bolognese Chilean Sea Bass

Vaz. “For instance, we get our Rock Shrimp from Florida and Beef from Australian ranges. “ We started with two classics, the TNT Shrimp and Buffalo Wings with blue cheese dip. The shrimp were substantial, succulent and delicious, and the wings were nicely tangy without being too spicy, and went very well with the dip. Then Chef insisted we try two dishes that the restaurant is renowned for – the Tuna Pizza and the Mac and Cheese Bites. The bites were nice, also coming with a cheese dip, although you couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed (and a little guilty) at so much cheese! However, we were blown away by the Tuna Pizza, which is truly delicious and yet a very light dish, with tuna carpaccio layered on a wafer thin base with a lovely dressing. Superb! Our next experience was to be something truly novel – a Kobe Bolognese with truffle oil. This isn’t as rich as it sounds, as it’s not made with the thick sauce of a traditional Bolognese, although it is as tasty as it sounds! And following that was the Chilean Sea Bass, which was a generous portion of succulent sea bass on a bed of seafood risotto, drizzled with lobster jus, also just as delicious as the description suggests. We were impressed. Now it’s your turn to dine at Caramel to see what all the praise is about!

GO: Call (0)2 678 3344 for reservations and visit www.caramelgroup.com for more information. fact magazine

SOCIETY

#BAUME #& #MERCIER #GRADUATES #GALA #DINNER Baume & Mercier commits itself to celebrating moments and one of life’s biggest milestones comes in the form of a person’s graduation day. Graduation day marks a definitive time in a student’s life and sets them on the path to professional life. Heralding this huge moment, Baume & Mercier has partnered with the American University in Dubai (AUD) for the Graduates Gala Dinner that took place in early May. 90

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An Oriental Feast: Li Jiang â&#x20AC;˘

Where modern surroundings meet delicious, authentic dishes, at Li Jiang youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find some of the best South East Asian cuisine in Abu Dhabi.

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VENUE REVIEW

“An absolute standout was the signature Black Cod dish – perfectly seasoned and with a squeeze of lemon, we polished it off with delight. The other mains were equally impressive...”

hen you’re going for dinner at the stunning RitzCarlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, you already know that it’s going to be something quite special. At Li Jiang – meaning “beautiful river” – the hotel’s signature South East Asian restaurant, special doesn’t even begin to cover it. Located along the property’s dining strip, Li Jiang carries all the opulence you would expect from the Ritz-Carlton brand, but with a welcomed laid-back vibe. The gorgeous venue has music on low, and, instantly, we’re in love with its sophisticated atmosphere. On this particular evening at Li Jiang we were there to savour its different menu items and enjoy the relaxed ambience. To begin with, we could see the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, clearly, from our table, with its gleaming white domes and minarets shining in the night sky. Stealing our gaze away from the window were the many cool and creative design elements at Li Jiang, which caught our attention. Like the chandeliers made from upside down drinking glasses; walls lined with ornamental jars of spices; and the carefully stacked red, terracotta and orangecoloured cloth which formed an innovative wall, all of this with the use of wood, warm hues, and dimmed lighting, made Li Jiang stand out from its competitors – a huge tick for imaginative architecture and attention to detail. 92

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The heart of Li Jiang is its open kitchen where smiling chefs tossed vegetables in woks and turned everything from seafood to meats on the grill. Talking of food, this is the main focus at Li Jiang, and as our waitress introduced us to the menu, we were impressed with her extensive knowledge of the dishes and ingredients, ultimately going for a few of our own choices, and some recommendations. A visit to Li Jiang would be incomplete without trying a selection of their homemade dim sum and dumplings. We went all out and ordered a steaming variety including the scallop, the tom yum, the dou ban, the har kau, and the foie gras dumplings. Flavour-packed with a mouthwatering mix of fresh ingredients, and dipped in soy sauce and chilli paste, the dumplings were exceptional. For mains we ordered wasabi prawns, wok fried beef, tail ginger (seafood with vegetables), Black Cod, wild mushrooms, wok-fried vegetables, and char kway teow (noodles). There was a round of “wow” when the wild mushrooms came wrapped in foil that was actually on fire – flames burning blue underneath. With that said, the dish was very safe to handle and the concoction of mushrooms was exquisite. An absolute standout was the signature Black Cod dish – perfectly seasoned and with a squeeze of lemon, we polished it off with delight. The other mains were equally impressive with crunchy vegetables, goodquality meat and wholesome flavours – we revelled in every last bite. Having enjoyed a fantastic Asian feast to the max, we were just too happily full and made the conscious decision to skip dessert - a regretful choice on reflection as we’re sure it would have been just as delicious. Li Jiang gave us an all-round great dining experience; everything from the service to the comfortable seating, the knowledgeable and helpful staff, the open kitchen setting, and a variety-filled menu, certainly was more that enough to whet our appetites. If it’s inventive and delectable Asian cuisine that you want, this is where you’ll find it! GO: Li Jiang at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is open for lunch and dinner. Call (0)2 818 8282 for reservations and more information.

VENUE REVIEW

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SOCIETY

#FACT #DINING #AWARDS #DOHA #2015 FACT Qatar magazine celebrated the best in dining at the inaugural FACT Dining Awards Doha. The whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s who of the hospitality industry turned out for an evening of fun, food and lots of celebration. Guests took memorable photos at the Dream Machine photo booth whilst sipping on drinks and enjoying a buffet courtesy of the Doha Marriott Hotel. A total of 56 winners were announced in 28 categories. 94

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Asia de Cuba’s

Iftar Menu Abu Dhabi’s Favourite Newcomer (as voted by the public in the 2015 FACT Dining Awards) invited us down to try their Iftar menu, being launched for Ramadan. We gladly obliged…

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Foodie corner

“With this Iftar Menu, Asia de Cuba has managed a perfect fusion of Latin and Asian flavours with Middle Eastern favourites, and it works surprisingly well.”

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sia de Cuba is already one of the hottest spots in town, thanks to a combination of a classy venue with a superb outdoor terrace situated on Abu Dhabi’s scenic Corniche, and a sumptuous menu boasting a fusion of Asian and Latin flavours. Having already sampled Asia de Cuba’s excellent regular menu, we were excited about trying this unique Ramadan offering. On arrival, you’ll find sundried fruits and nuts, and dates stuffed with goat cheese, pistachio and cardamom. These are for guests who have been fasting all day and are eager to break their fast. However, if you can, we advise that you save space for the delights to come. The first course consists of a series of small plates, but in keeping with the theme of the venue, they have refrained from the use of the much-applied phrase ‘mezzeh’, though this is what it most closely equates to. There is a black bean hummus with tahini and lime, and empanadas, which are savoury pastries filled with dried fruit and manchego cheese. Then there were two salads, a grape salad with tarragon and feta, and an Asian Chicken salad with delicious soy ‘Chinatown’ vinaigrette. All of them are superb, although the Asian Chicken salad was the winner here. Again, we advise you to hold back for the next course! For the entrées, we were treated to a lamb dish, which consisted of a combination of beautifully marinated lamb chops, and deliciously tender stuffed lamb saddle. This was followed by grilled mince beef kebab flavoured with lemongrass to give it that Asian savour, which is a unique and successful twist on the classic Middle Eastern dish. Then there was a delicate and crispy deep fried red snapper, followed by one of our overall favourites, delicious seared mushrooms with edamame fufu (don’t mistake it for wasabi, it looks very similar, but you

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don’t want to miss it), and ginger chimichurri. Desserts were a meringue sorbet, and an absolutely delicious bread pudding with orange blossom honey cream, which is even better than it sounds. With this Iftar Menu, Asia de Cuba has managed a perfect fusion of Latin and Asian flavours with Middle Eastern favourites, and it works surprisingly well. If it’s a memorable evening with excellent food, stunning surroundings and a great vibe that you’re looking for this Ramadan, then we highly recommend you try out this Iftar offering during the Holy Month. GO: The Iftar menu at Asia De Cuba is available throughout Ramadan for AED175 per person. Call (0)2 699 3333 for reservations and more information. fact magazine

Nael E-Waary General Manager, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche

What sets Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche apart from other 5-star proprieties? Every guest who stays at the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche can experience genuine French art de vivre and the best of local culture. Our ambassadors go above and beyond to ensure that each guest is treated with service from the heart. Our people are passionately devoted to deliver excellent service to our clients. We take great pride in our principles of special attention to design and innovation, a constant celebration of gastronomy with a link to local cuisine and a passion for culture and events.

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city insider

Your three favourite cultural activities in Abu Dhabi…

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is definitely one. Its architectural features include the world’s largest carpet and imported 24 carat gold plated chandeliers made of Swarovski crystals. The mosque is open to all religions with complementary ‘walk in’ guided tours in many languages. The Heritage Village is also great and provides introspection of a traditional bedouin Middle Eastern village. It features desert life, coffee pots, and tents made of goats’ hair as well as a small museum where artifacts are displayed. The Corniche is an impressive eight kilometers of manicured

waterfront that includes separate cycle and pedestrian pathways, cafés and restaurants, street fountains and the Corniche Beach. The Corniche is a popular place for jogging, biking and picnics.

What are some of your goals with the hotel for next year? We want to maintain being the leading business hotel and preferred place of stay for international travellers in Abu Dhabi. Also we would like to remain being the preferred hotel employer. For this we will continue to provide our guests with superior products and services like new food and beverage concepts.

Your time to reconnect

A family holiday is even more relaxing when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s close to home. Here in the heart of Doha, discover a kid-friendly urban resort, with an array of restaurants and lounges, beachfront pools, fun childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities and a lavish spa for parents. Intuitive Four Seasons care makes everything easy. Explore our offers and packages: fourseasons.com/doha fact magazine

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