FACT Qatar August 2015

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August 2015 VOL 5. ISSUE 03 QR10. SR10

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fact magazine

contents It’s August and we’ve got your fashion, arts, culture, tech and, more importantly, dining, needs covered! This month, FACT is your official guide to Doha’s coolest events and best foodie deals.

15 Summer

Festivities

08 Fact Finds

Love designer goods? Need somewhere to sell your unused LV handbag? Check out Chic Doha for a reliable way to sell and buy high-end products.

Mark your diaries as Qatar Summer Festival is back for another edition of exciting live events and activities.

23

Indoor Escapes

August brings with it the scorching summer heat, but fear not. We have a ton of indoor activities to help you keep cool.

31 Arts Interview

FACT caught up with Bahrainbased artist Ella Prakash to learn more about her abstract art works and beautiful creations.

59

Island Rides

Our resident motoring man takes the brand new Mini JCW for a spin. Read his verdict on how the car drives, here...

81 Chef’s Table

Fancy dining out at one of the best Chinese restaurants in Doha? We meet the man behind the scenes at Ruby Wu’s in Radisson Blu Hotel.

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THE EDITOR

Summer Lovin’ “Summertime is always the best of what might be.”

– Charles Bowden.

A

ah, every year (well, the past two that I’ve lived in the Gulf ) I try and

mentally prepare for summer in the Middle East. A wardrobe change to lighter and brighter colours, a list of salad and ice-pop recipes to try, and the possibilities of a natural glowing tan – these are all the

Chief Executive Officer Greg Hughes Publishing Director Edward Smith General Manager Hussein A. Zreik Editor-in-Chief Shabana Adam (shabana@factlive.com) Group Regional Editor Tony Sidgwick Features Editor Pallavi Ramesh (editorial@factlive.com) Creative Director Paula Leal

but, rather, planning appropriate activities and being well-prepped for days out. If

Graphic Designers Jyoti Rawat Rashed Bin Daina

you’re onboard with this then check out some of the best places for indoor fun this August, starting p23 – there’s something for everyone!

To top this off, it’s that time again when Qatar Summer Festival (QSF)

takes over the country for a month long of massive events and all-round fun

times. Check out some of the things you can get up to with a list of what QSF has to offer this year (p15). For those who are getting a head start on the new academic term, turn to p20 for our Back to School round up.

The GCC is buzzing with artistic talent and we’re bringing you two of

Photography Lemuel Lampa Ahmed Riffae Production & Distribution Ajit Kumar Neil Mahmood

these this month. FACT caught up with Ella Prakash who has been living in

Regional Sales Director Chelsea Copenhaver

and international arts community. Read all about her colourful pieces on p31.

Sales Manager Badir Bechara

He’ll be running the collective’s Middle East office out of Dubai, so expect to

Contributors Sofia Graniello

Want somewhere awesome to spend the next long Eid weekend? I took

Cover Image Ella Prakash

neighbouring Bahrain for over 50 years, and sharing her work with the local We also talk with Simon Coates of the world-famous Hungry Castle (p41). see plenty of cool and crazy things at the region’s best events.

a trip to the amazing city of Madrid, where it’s parks, plazas, and beautiful architecture galore! Turn to p49 for the ideal itinerary for your stay.

Apart from the heat, August also brings with it a huge number of

delicious dining deals. Starting p81, have a read of just some of the great venues you can be treating yourself to, this month. Summer never felt so good!

Make the most of the month ahead and we’ll see you for more of the

good stuff in September ☺

Shabana Adam Editor-in-Chief shabana@factlive.com

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Chairman Khalifa Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa

things that qualify me for being summer ready (I think!). This year is no different.

I have a plan. One that doesn’t involve hiding at home from the scorching heat,

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FACT Magazine Qatar Edition August 2015 Volume 5, Issue 03.

Office Admin Maritess M. Agapito ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Email: badir@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. Publishing cannot accept legal responsibility for any erroneous content or omissions. FACT M.E. Bahrain Publishing W.L.L. Office 53, Building 872, Road 3618, Block 436, Seef.

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SOCIAL MEDIA

twitter

instagram @factmagazine

FACT Qatar

2,338 followers

@FACT_Qatar

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.

August 2015 VOL 5. IssuE 03 QR10. sR10

Your one-stop culture fix for life in Doha| 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 Qatar in local supermarkets now!

facebook front new.indd 1

tweets

7/26/15 11:22 AM

FACT Qatar

6,486 likes

Blue Soap Music @BlueSoapMusic Thanks to @FACTAbuDhabi @FACT_Qatar @FACTbahrain who have reviewed @winachitribe. bit.ly/1fqlaT8

Keep up with all things Qatar 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

JULY 2015 VOL 5. ISSUE 02 QR10. SR10

Issuu @issuu A cultural explosion of #tech, #travel, and #fashion in Abu Dhabi. @FACTAbuDhabi bit.ly/1lEMIQZ

Sakina Mansoor @SakinaaM Everything is updated but we still don’t have an ‘edit tweet’ option.

Ali Al Saeed @alialsaeed Drinking hot coffee with a straw.

Can’t say I haven’t seen it all.

issuu.com FACT Qatar

20,462 reads of the July 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 Qatar.

Hungry Castle p41.

Follow us on twitter and maybe you’ll be here next month! @FACT_Qatar 6

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W O N

N E OP A H O D , L TER MAL

N E C Y T I C

‫م‬

‫فت‬ ‫و‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ال‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ورير سيت‬

‫ي‬ ‫س‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ر‬ ‫د‬ ‫و‬ ‫حة‬

www.facebook.com/CourirME

Store Locations QATAR: City Center Mall, Doha / Landmark Mall, Doha United Arab Emirates: Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi

www.instagram.com/courirme

Opening Soon: Promenade Mall - Kuwait City, Kuwait

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CHECK IT OUT

Fact Finds

Chic

Doha

Discover more of Qatar with FACT Finds. Every month we’ll bring you a new hotspot, our favourite happening, eatery, activity, or interesting find from around the country.

Have you got a Michael Kors handbag that you bought on a whim but have hardly put to use? Thinking of buying new Louboutins but need to find a new home for the ones you already have? Look no further, there’s a brand new way for your pre-loved luxury items to have a second chance to shine with a new owner.

We’re talking about Chic Doha; a secure online shopping portal for buying and selling pre-owned luxury goods that are 100% authentic. This great new service will receive and deliver real luxury goods, which can be pre-owned, brand new or unwanted gifts, at a fair market value.

Designer items that you no longer love can be sold via Chic Doha, in the safe knowledge that you’ll receive a secure payment and won’t have the added worry 8

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of finding a buyer. Depending on the items condition, Chic Doha will help you find everything from handbags, to sunglasses, shoes, jewellery, accessories and even luggage, a new place to call home.

All you have to do is contact Chic Doha, answer a few simple questions about the item and send in a few photos of what you are interested in selling. After a quality verification process, its current value will be determined and you’ll be one step closer to gifting another buyer and freeing up some space in your wardrobe.

Let’s not forget, you can buy one of the high-quality, pre-owned goods available

on Chic Doha as well, and have them delivered right to your doorstep. The service is reliable, efficient and you can rest assured knowing that Chic Doha’s independent experts carefully inspect each item to validate its authenticity and good condition. Cash, credit card, bank transfer and deferred payments over three months are accepted.

Thanks to Chic Doha, you can now take advantage of wearing all the latest trends without having to worry about splashing out, extravagantly, on your next luxury purchase. Shopping for designer goods has never been so fun!

GO: Follow Chic Doha on Instagram @chichdoha for more information.

N av i g at i Ng N e w wate rs Sailing the Dhow, Abu Dhabi, UAE

a s e N s e o f p l ac e . ro s e wo o d a b u d h a b i . +971 (0) 2 813 5555

| abudhabi.reservations@rosewoodhotels.com | rosewoodhotels.com

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HAPPENINGS

Getting Out & About This Month in Qatar

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!)

0612 17 21 27

Thursday

Wednesday

Tuesday

Friday

Thursday

Italian Delights at La Veranda, Sheraton Doha

Oriental Seafood Night at Choices, Oryx Rotana

Shisha Sunset at Al Sultan Brahim, St.Regis Doha

Watersports at Marsa Malaz Kempinski

All-Day Foodie Treats at Quick Bites

Stay connected with your clients and partners over a business lunch at La Veranda, Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel. Indulge in a market-style antipasti buffet, then select your mains and revel in classic Italian desserts Ă la carte!

Lunch has never been so yummy! Call 4485 3000 for

Every Wednesday Choices goes Oriental with a traditional Middle Eastern style seafood buffet. Enjoy a dinner with various deliciously prepared seafood for QR270 per person, food only. Or QR360 including unlimited selected house beverages.

Have a relaxed afternoon or evening with friends; enjoy the sweet smell of shisha on the terrace served with a selection of famous Al Sultan Brahim hot and cold mezze. Priced at QR200 or QR225 for the special shisha, and served from 12noon to 4.30pm and 6.30pm to 11.30pm. Call

Have fun splashing around with numerous water sports available at the private beach of Marsa Malaz Kempinski.

Some of the activities include master-craft boat rides, pedal boats, kayaking, wake boarding, water skiing and donut rides. Prices start from QR70 per person. Call

Swing by the trendy Quick Bites in Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha, for the amazingly indulgent breakfast, lunch or dinner items.

Take your pick from pizzas, decadent sandwiches, homemade quiche, delectable sweet treats and so much more.

more information.

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Call 4402 3333 for more information.

4446 0105 for more information.

4035 5555 for more information.

Call 4419 6100 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…

Abu Dhabi

Bahrain

Oman

The Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, a gigantic skyscraper with rooms overlooking the fabulous waters surrounding the city, is the epitome of pan-Arabic opulence with a French-inspired twist. The rooms here are more than impressive. They’re classy and inviting yet retain stylish contemporary touches. If you want to take the relaxation party outside, there’s a fabulous (and massive) outdoor pool on the 8th floor with sunbeds and refreshments waiting to be enjoyed. And So Spa is a prime spot for some peace and renewal with separate hammams and Jacuzzis for ladies and gents, and signature treatments too.

GO: Call +971 2813 7777 for bookings and more information.

Located on Amwaj Islands, ART Rotana has a prime location just a few minutes drive from Bahrain International Airport. Escape to a tranquil and secluded ocean front oasis, where a pristine private beach awaits. ART Rotana has 311 luxurious rooms and suites, all ocean facing. The property provides business travellers and holidaymakers alike the cosiness of home as well as the luxury of and modern facilities as well as unique splendour like the mesmerising dancing fountain that blends light and music for guests to enjoy.

GO: Call +973 1600 0111 for bookings and more information.

Experience stunning sunrises and spectacular sunsets at one of Muscat’s best beach resorts, the majestic ShangriLa resort. This is three hotels in one; Al Waha, Al Bandar and Al Husn. From Al Waha, there’s a man-made tunnel through the mountain leading you to a sanctuary facing the Sea of Oman. It also has several swimming pools merging to form a serene oasis. Al Bandar Hotel is akin to a town with a mélange of fine restaurants. The palatial Al Husn is indeed as its name implies: a suitably exclusive castle. Rooms and suites are amongst the largest in all of Oman.

GO: Call +968 2477 6666 for bookings and more information.

Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche

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ART Rotana Hotel & Resort

Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa

www.bahrainsummer.bh

HOTLINE: 80008089

facebook.com/BahrainSummer twitter@BahrainSummer instagram.com/culturebah

Gold Sponsors

Creative Sponsor

Bahrain Culture App

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SOCIETY

#Movenpick #West #Bay #and #Katara #Hall #Event MÜvenpick Hotel West Bay Doha and Katara Hall joined forces and hosted a Ramadan Corporate Event for their guests, suppliers and supporters. The event for nearly 400 guests was held at Katara Hall in Cultural Village, a venue which is managed entirely by the hotel. Guests enjoyed a selection of international dishes prepared by the hotel’s diverse and innovative team of chefs, and an array of live cooking stations from all over the world, taking them on a culinary journey for sohour.

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q ata r

Summer F e s t i va l

2015

It’s that time of year again when venues all around Doha rally together to make your summer all the more fun and extra special. With the kids off school and weather at its hottest, check out some of the awesome activities and foodie deals to take advantage of with Qatar Summer Festival (QSF)‌

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LISTEN UP

C

olour Your Summer this August! Whether you’re young or just young at heart, join in with Qatar Summer Festival for a creative month-long fiesta of entertainment, activities, shows, promotions and non-stop fun for all the family.

Festival Hotel Deals

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

EXPLORING WITH QSF:

Entertainment City

From galleries to architecture, and theatre to music – preserving and celebrating culture is a way of life in Qatar, which has a rich variety of cultural activities to suit every taste. Qatar boasts a lively entertainment scene with something for everyone. Movie buffs can enjoy commercial film screenings at the cinema, while music lovers can relax to jazz and classical pieces, as well as performances

by Western and Middle Eastern artists.

From the serenity of the desert to the lively alleys of the souq, impressive coastal fortresses to dramatic high-rise towers, deserted sandy beaches and mangrove lagoons to elegant residential districts, manicured green parks and fabulous luxury hotels, Qatar has numerous sightseeing gems, too. Here are some of our top picks to visit and join in during QSF:

Colour, paints, highlighters, pencils and everything else you can imagine will come to life at QSF’s signature Entertainment City to help you and the family Colour Your Summer! The Entertainment City will feature rides, amusements and activities for the whole family, shopping options and food and beverage outlets - all providing a colourful space to spend time with your nearest and dearest.

Qatar Shopping Festival Bargains galore! Spectacular festival discounts on top brands, fashion, accessories, watches and jewellery, electronics and much more at participating outlets throughout Qatar.

This includes many of the country’s leading malls and top retailers like Al Khor Mall, City Centre Doha, Dar Al Salam Mall, Ezdan Mall, Hyatt Plaza, Lagoona Mall, Landmark Mall, The Gate Mall, and Villaggio Mall.

Shows & Performances QSF will have live entertainment for all age groups. From cool and quirky antics, to music and dance, theatre and more, there will be amazing shows to attend by your favourite artists.

Raffles & Prizes QSF offers you the excitement of a chance to win great prizes! A range of spectacular offers, raffle draws and promotional giveaways will be taking place nationwide as part of the monthlong festivities.

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The festival has partnered with a number of Qatar’s top hotels to bring you a range of great accommodation offers – including free extra room nights – to make sure you and your family enjoy an affordable, fun and unique vacation experience.

Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum At his farm in Al Sheehaniya, 20 km west of Doha, Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani’s museum has a huge collection of artefacts including Qatari and Bedouin heritage, vintage cars and motorbikes, and the farm is home to Arabian oryx, gazelles, and peacocks, too. Sheikh Faisal also has a museum in Al Dafna (West Bay), designed to offer tourists a taste of Qatari, Arab and Iranian culture. Visitors are advised to contact the museum in advance, open from Sunday to Thursday 9am to 6pm.

Traditional Buildings Qatar Museums Authority has been active in restoring many of Qatar’s old

LISTEN UP

buildings. Al Wajba Castle dates back to 1893, while the houses at Al Nejada date back more than 60 years and are built from traditional materials. Also worth visiting is the Sheikh Ghanim bin Abdulrahman House, a landmark on Al Wakra beach, and the villages at Al Jumail.

Fanar The distinctive curled minaret makes Bin Zaid, Qatar Islamic Cultural Centre stand out against the other buildings on Grand Hamad Street. Located opposite Souq Waqif, the centre offers various activities, including attending Friday prayers and taking a tour of the mosque.

Open 8am to noon and 4pm to 8pm.

Tours The best way to explore Qatar off-road is to join an organised tour. Local tour companies such as Arabian Adventures (44361461, www.arabianadventureqatar. net) or Regency Holidays (4434 4444) offer a choice of half-day or full-day safaris, as well as overnight camping trips.

Other popular tours take in heritage sites, such as the dramatic UNESCO recognised Al Zubarah Fort and Archaeological Site, and key city sights around Doha’s Corniche, including the dhows, souqs and the falconry market.

Music For classical music enthusiasts, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (qatarphilharmonicorchestra.org) regularly holds concerts at Katara in the Opera House. Katara (4408 0000, www. katara.net) also plays host to local and international artists in the amphitheatre.

For those that love jazz, look no further than the world famous Jazz at Lincoln Centre (4446 0226, www.jalcdoha.com) at the St. Regis Doha hotel.

Aqua Park Cool off in the summer sun at Qatar’s first water theme park. Attractions include a pirate-themed children’s activity pool, slides and a lazy river, a drop from the Space Boat, and the African Village especially designed for the little ones.

Friday is family day; Tuesdays are for ladies only. Call 4490 5872 for more information. E-tickets are available online at www.aquaparkqatar.com.

Water Sports Have fun with jet skis and wakeboarding at The Diplomatic Club (4484 7450, www.thediplomaticclub.com) and Sealine Beach Resort (4476 5299, www.merweb. com), or hire a paddleboat with Ronautica at The Pearl-Qatar (4495 3894, www. ronauticame.com). Kayaking is becoming more popular in Qatar – try it in the mangroves with Entalek (3023 3207, www.entalek.org) or Paddle Qatar (5549 0895, www.paddleqatar.com).

Horse Riding Equestrians are welcome at Al Samariya Stables (5513 6661) on the grounds of Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani’s farm, west of Doha. Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (4480 7413, qrec.gov. qa) has a riding school open to the public, with 45-minute classes for adults and children. Horse and camel rides are also available along the shoreline at Sealine Beach Resort (4476 5299, www.merweb. com).

Bus Tours The Doha Bus sightseeing tour includes a complimentary guide with a full colour route map. Commentary is available in seven different languages: English, Arabic, German, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Korean and Brazilian. Visitors can use the West Bay luxury bus service to travel around this busy district – stops include the Corniche and the City Centre Doha and The Gate malls (www.dohabus.com).

Khor Al Adaid One of Qatar’s finest treasures and a tourist hotspot. Enjoy the crescent-shaped sand dunes that rise above the shallow tidal lake. Local tour companies such as Gulf Adventures (4422 1868, gulfadventures.com) organise day trips and overnight camps and provide drives along the dunes, as well as picnics, barbecues, folkloric entertainment and occasionally, camel riding and sandboarding. fact magazine

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Jabal Al Jassasiya Petroglyphs Al Jassasiya is one of a dozen rock carving sites in Qatar; this major site, northeast of Doha, was discovered in 1974. The 874 carvings consist of rows of cup marks, rosettes, ships and fire pits of pre Islamic times. It is believed that the cup marks were used for playing ancient board games, one of which was called mancala, known in Qatar as al haloosa or al huwaila.

Eating Out Qatar’s culinary scene features local and international chefs serving up a dazzling array of treats from world cuisines. Qatar’s gastronomic options range from gourmet dining at a five-star hotel to fast food and everything in-between. The choices are virtually unlimited, Even those with hard-to-please palates will find the eyecatching dishes hard to resist, while those who love to experiment will be spoiled for choice. During QSF a huge number of five-star hotels, gourmet bistros, cafes and coffee shops and foodie destinations like Katara, The Pearl-Qatar, Souq Waqif and Al Wakra, will be running specific dining deals for you to enjoy. Whether you want a shawarma and karak or a wagyu steak and glass of bubbly, there’s something to cater for everyone.

Shopping Spalshing out or going on a bargain hunt is always fun in Qatar. From buzzing souqs to glitzy arcades, you’ll find everything from the latest fashion and electronics to fascinating souvenirs and craft products. There are luxury brands, high street favourites and everything from spices to perfumes. Malls offer an abundance of international brands, dining choices and entertainment venues. They vary in size, but all provide an opportunity for a great day’s shopping. During QSF look out for special promotions when you’re out browsing!

GO: Organised by Qatar Tourism Authority, Qatar Summer Festival runs until August 31.

Visit www.qatarsummerfestival.qa for the full list of activities, events and more information.

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WHO WILL BE

THE FIRST CLASHER TO WIN THE ULTIMATE TITLE?

POWERED BY:

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back to school

Back To School Turn plain and boring meals into fun, child-friendly treats with these super cool lunch ideas: Add lettuce over the

3/4 Cup Packed Brown

chicken mix and roll the

Sugar

local bread over, tightly.

1/2 Cup Wheat Germ 1 Cup All Purpose Flour

Chicken Avocado Sandwich

1 ¼ Cup Vegetable Oil

2 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Ingredients

4 Eggs

1 Egg Beaten

1/3 Cup Finely Shredded

1 Small Can Crushed

1/2 Cup Honey

Cooked Chicken

Pineapple

3/4 Tsp Salt

1 Stalk Rocca,

½ Cup Chopped Walnuts

Trimmed, Chopped Finely

1 Cup Grated Fresh

Method

1/4 Avocado

Coconut

Preheat the oven to 350F.

1/4 Cup Mild Salsa

2 Cups Grated Carrot

Generously grease a 9x13-

3/4 Cup Raisins (Optional) 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil

1 Tsp Lemon Juice

Cucumber Boats

2 Slices Sandwich Bread

inch baking pan.

For Cream Cheese

In a large bowl, mix

Icing

together the oats, brown

Ingredients

Method

½ Cup Cream Cheese

sugar, wheat germ,

1 Cucumber

Combine chicken, rocca,

1 Tsp Vanilla

cinnamon, f lour, raisins

1 or 2 Kiri Cheese

avocado and lemon juice in

1 Tsp Sour Cream

and salt. Make a well in

(you can use any thick spread

a small bowl.

1 ½ Cups Icing Sugar

the centre and pour in the

such as labneh as well)

Sandwich chicken mixture

Colour some of the icing to make carrot

honey, egg, oil and vanilla.

Some Sliced Black Olives

between bread slices as

decorations (optional).

Mix well using your hands.

desired.

Method

Pack sandwich in lunchbox

Method

Cut the cucumber in half,

with a

Preheat oven to 325F.

length wise. Core the insides

freezer brick.

Butter a cake pan, or place

and toss them aside (or eat

liners in a cupcake pan.

inside the cucumber shells and

Carrot Cupcakes

sprinkle with black olives. You

Ingredients

prepared pan/cupcake tins.

have got yourselves two boats!

2 Cups Sugar

Bake for 60-70 minutes at

2 Cups Flour

325F or for 25-30 minutes

2 Tsp Baking Powder

for cupcakes.

½ Tsp Baking Soda

Mix the icing ingredients

Ingredients

2 Tsp Cinnamon

together. Once cooled, top

Pat the mixture evenly into

100g Grilled Chicken

1 Tsp All Spice

with icing.

the prepared pan.

1 Cup Finely Chopped Lettuce

1 Tsp Salt

Enjoy!

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes

1 Local Bread

This recipe can be made in either 1

in the preheated oven until

Chopped Pickles (as desired)

large bundt pan or 2 x 9-inch cake

the bars begin to golden at

3Tbsp Whole Grain Mustard

tins, or makes about 30 cupcakes.

the edges.

them up) Spread the cheese

Chicken Salad Wrap (Serves Two)

Mix all the cake ingredients together and pour into

Cool for f ive minutes, and

Mix chicken, pickles and

Playgroup Granola Bars

mustard in a bowl.

(makes 12 servings)

Do not allow the bars to cool

Place the chicken mix on the

Ingredients

completely before cutting or

local bread.

2 Cups Rolled Oats

they will be too hard to cut.

Method

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then cut into bars whilst still warm.

H

back to school

ZAKS UNIFORMS STORE This is the ultimate one-stop shop for schoolwear with everything from trousers, pinafores, t-shirts, caps, jackets and so much more apparel to choose from for the academic year ahead. Whatever your uniform needs – whether it’s getting the right fabric, adding a durable badge or rich embroidery, or getting snazzy accessories, ZAKS Uniforms Store has you covered.

GO: Visit www.zaksstore.com for a location map of the Doha store, or call 4450 6939.

PAYLESS Picky kids will rejoice at this great shoe store where it’s options galore for footwear. Little ones and the teens can choose from a wide range of leather and non-leather school shoes to suit all ages.

GO: Visit Payless in Dar al Salam, or call 4458 1033 for more information.

BHS

BHS

BHS

BHS

RIVER ISLAND

BHS

Marks & Spencer

Geox

Marks & Spencer

GYMBOREE Kids will love the colourful choices available at Gymboree. The US brand carries stylish, high-quality children’s clothing and accessories for kids up to the age of 12. It’s all about premium fabrics and colour coordinated outfits for a unique look at school.

GO: Shop at Landmark Mall or Villagio Mall.

SACOOR KIDS If you’ve got quite the fashion-savvy young one, they’ll be pleased with a visit to this beautiful store. From formal suits, shirts, shorts, caps, and dresses (for girls), there’s uber stylish and trendy attire great for school wear or occasions and events.

GO: Shop at Ezdan Mall.

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SOCIETY

#Sohour #At #Marsa #Malaz #Kempinski Media and VIP guests were invited to the regal affair that was the sohour offering at the palatial Marsa Malaz Kempinski hotel. Guests enjoyed the exquisite buffet which had live cooking stations and a wide variety of delicious fare, celebrating the Holy Month of Ramadan in true Arabian style.

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Qatar is packed with awesome activities to keep you cool during the daytime.

We’ve picked some of the best for you to check out and avoid the August heat...

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SUMMER SURVIVAL

Tea time T rend

B ore d of lu nches a nd bru nches? E m brac e the n e w d ay t i m e m o v e m e n t to c atch up w ith fa m i l y a n d f r i e n d s .

We ’ v e p i c k e d f i v e o f the b est a fterno on tea opt ion s i n tow n to es c ap e the heat…

The St. Regis Doha

Enjoy an elegant afternoon in the beautiful Sarab lounge to experience the time-honoured tradition of afternoon tea featuring a selection of bite-sized sandwiches and delicate mini cakes and pastries. Giving a nod to the first lady of afternoon teas, Caroline Astor, this is teatime with authenticity and a little Arabian touch. It’s one of the most popular ones in town!

Call 4446 0105 for more information.

InterContinental Doha The City

Try afternoon tea with a twist at the Lobby Lounge. There’s the Oriental offerings with light traditional Arabic bites paired with a selection of loose leaf teas, as well as Middle Eastern sweets, dates and macaroons. Alternatively, the Contemporary option offers traditional loose leaf teas with sandwiches, daily baked flavoured scones with clotted cream, along with an array of sweet selections.

Call 4015 8888 for more information.

The Torch Doha

With a fantastic view of Aspire Park, sip some of the exclusive tea variety served at Torch Tea Garden. The Afternoon tea is served from 24

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4pm onwards, and includes a unique Japanese and Chinese Tea Ceremony, Oolong Tea, White Tea, tea mocktails, cheese fondue, salads, sandwiches and crepes, alongside homemade snacks and miniature sweets.

Call 4446 5600 for more information.

Grand Hyatt Doha

With a view of the surrounding landscaped gardens, Al Maha is located at the centre of the hotel lobby, serving traditional-style delights. Tea Infusions at Al Maha Lounge offers the hotel’s wide selection of tea throughout the month.

Indulge in some delicious Moroccan tea and desserts when you order your tea. Catch up with friends and have a relaxed afternoon.

Call 4448 1234 for more information.

Four Seasons Doha

Afternoon Tea at the Seasons Tea Lounge is a must! This afternoon treat is the perfect escape for socialising or relaxing. Coupled with luxurious living room ambience, warm colours, rich wood furniture, and a vast selection of freshly made food and exclusive tea offerings, Seasons Tea Lounge has an intimate setting for a cosy few hours away from the Doha bustle.

Call 4494 8888 for more information.

SUMMER SURVIVAL

Relax, Rejuvenate, Repeat.

serve you tropical beverages and cool towels.

Call 4040 5050 for more information.

Treat you rs el f to a d ay o f i n d u l g e n c e a n d p a mp eri n g where you s l o w d o w n a n d e nj o y s ome me-ti me. Su m mer i s t h e p e r fe c t t i m e t o h it Qat a r’s p o ol s a nd sp a s, a nd here a re s ome of the b e st...

Anantara Spa, Banana Island Resort Doha

Anantara never disappoints! Unwind in the tranquil rhythm of this island paradise with a diverse treatment menu. Enjoy the soothing steam and bathing experiences that include exclusive rituals in a traditional Turkish hammam or indulge in facials to enhance your natural radiance. Energise with a swim at the 100-metre long swimming pool. Making relaxation a refreshing pleasure, pool butlers are on hand throughout the day to

Saray Spa, Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha

Drawing on the mineral-rich properties of the Dead Sea this wonderfully serene spa offers traditional Middle Eastern treatments and products. Enjoy an authentic reviving experience at one of the finest spas in Doha. Take some time out from your busy schedule and get ready for a pamper session that you’ll remember for a long time. If just a splash in the water or a quick workout is what you’re looking for, enter the Vitality Zone for swimming, a gym, sauna and Jacuzzi.

Call 4419 6090 for more information.

Spa by Clarins, Marsa Malaz Kempinski Doha

Indulge in a European spa featuring the legendary products and treatments by Clarins. With 23 treatment rooms, male and female wellness areas and wet relaxation areas, laconiums, saunas and steam rooms and two indoor pools (male and female), this spa is the best bet for 100 per cent rejuvenation. You name it and they have it! We personally recommend you to try the Hammam experience for an invigorating full body exfoliation.

Call 4035 5555 for more information.

eforea Spa, Hilton Doha

Release tension and regain physical and mental serenity at eforea Spa. There are eight treatment rooms including an exclusive Thai massage room, a single treatment room with steam rasul, and five multi-purpose treatment rooms each containing private shower facilities for your comfort. Enjoy an exclusive thermal lounge experience providing you with a luxurious space, elegant lounging with hydropool, a sauna, an aroma steam room, and ice chute and tropical experience showers. There’s an additional outdoor spa garden for the cooler months too.

What more can you ask for from a spa?

Call 4423 3341 for more information.

Bay View 26, Movenpick West Bay

Bay View 26 offers relaxation refined to a tee with health and leisure facilities that will help you work up a sweat or simply relax, whilst you enjoy the lovely views. The spa includes an indoor pool and a fully equipped gym, housing all the latest equipment. There state-of-the-art treatment rooms with professionally trained therapists will help you unwind after a hard day of work. Guests can take advantage of the sauna, Jacuzzi and steam room facilities too.

Call 4496 6600 for more information. fact magazine

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SUMMER SURVIVAL

For the Family W i t h t h e k i d s o f f s c h o o l t h e r e ’ s n o b e t t e r c h a n c e fo r q u a l i t y fa m i l y t i m e t h a n t h e m o n t h o f Au g u s t . H e r e a r e f i v e e x p e r i e n c e s t h a t b o t h c h i l d r e n a n d p a r e n t s w i l l e nj o y …

Games Day

There’s no better quality time spent than a few hours playing board games! Get out your Monopoly, Snakes & Ladders, Operation, Guess Who, Scrabble, Jenga, and anything else you’ve got in the toy room, to settle in for an afternoon of family fun! Get the kids involved by letting them keep score cards, and have little rewards at hand for players (candy usually works), or go old-school with a game of charades and get into teams – the possibilities for crazy amounts of fun are limitless!

GO: Visit Virgin Megastore at Landmark Mall or Toys ‘R’ Us in Mirqaab Al Jadeed to shop for board games.

Friday Brunch

If there’s one thing you can count on for summer in Qatar, it’s Friday Brunch! There are so many great options to try, all offering variety of food and plenty of entertainment for families. One of our favourite family-friendly brunches is at the Doha Marriott. As well as live entertainment, little ones can keep occupied at the kids’ club zone where there’s a special children’s buffet and activities 26

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too. The food is a delicious mix of a wide selection of fresh sushi, peking duck, fajitas, oriental grills, pizza, curries, biryanis, fresh seafood and more!

Friday Brunch runs from 12.30pm to 3pm.

GO: Call 4429 8499 for more information.

Gondolania Theme Park, Villagio Mall

This place is a labyrinth of pure fun, featuring numerous rides for both kids and grown ups. Experience the adrenalin-soaked Water coaster, the thrills of the Roller coaster, and the enchantment of classics like the Carousel and Ferris Wheel, and more adventurous rides. There’s a kiddie boat, bumper cars, bowling, arcade games, and an incredible cinema experience to keep the whole family entertained for hours.

GO: Visit www.villagioqatar.com for more information.

Jungle Zone

The perfect place for infants and children up to 12 years old, Jungle Zone has a clever climatecontrolled environment and the indoor park offers

a variety of safe and exciting rides and attractions.

“The Nest” has rides for children aged two to five years old, while more adventurous rides can be found in “The Valley,” including the candy bouncers, splash falls and funcano coasters, for a higher adrenaline rush. Private party rooms with customised entertainment like jugglers, acrobatics, magic shows and more are also available for play dates and family get-togethers.

GO: Visit www.hyattplaza.com for more information.

Qatar Summer Festival

Keep boredom at bay for the kids and treat them to an activity-filled season at one of Doha’s events as part of QSF. There’s something for all ages!

GO: Turn to page 15 to see some of the activities on offer or Visit www.qatarsummerfestival.qa for more information.

SUMMER SURVIVAL

POCKET-FRIENDLY FUN

T h e r e ’ s on l y o n e t h i n g t h at c a n m a ke g r e a t t i m e eve n m o re e nj oya ble – t h a t few r i y a l s a l o n g t he w ay! We’ve p icke d t h i n g s t o d o i n d o o r s t h at w o n’t bre a k

Ice Skating

An indoor sport that was made for the hot summer months, ice-skating is one of those pastimes that will never get old! Get down to the ice rink at Villagio Mall for a refreshing activity that all can get excited about. It’s a cool QR35 per session on weekdays and QR40 per session on weekends – inclusive of skates and helmet rental.

Special rates are available for big groups, school trips, birthday parties, events and more.

Call 4403 9800 for more information.

Gallery Hop

Doha is full of fantastic arts and culture to check out and one of the best ways to get in on the action is to plan a ‘gallery crawl’ for the day.

Head to Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art and check out Wael Shawky’s Cabaret Crusades and Other Stories exhibition, running until August 16.

From there, get down to the Corniche for Alriwaq, a gallery that brought the likes of Damien Hirst to Qatar’s booming art’s scene. Next, stop by the Museum of Islamic Art which houses one of the

h av i n g a i s, s av i n g a fiv e awe s ome t he b a n k…

world’s most impressive collections of paintings, artefacts and other great pieces from the Middle East and Central Asia. Here, you can browse the pretty gift shop and cool off at the café too.

GO: Visit www.theculturetrip.com for a full list of art galleries in Doha.

Go-Karting

Go-karting can be tons of fun and bring out the competitive side in you so, go with a group of friends and enjoy it to the max. There’s a good karting track at Gondolania theme park with excellent safety measures and gear provided.

The popular Arrive and Drive allows individuals, be they seasoned pros or novices, to come in any time and feel the adrenalin rush. QR60 per race on weekday and QR70 per race on weekends.

GO: Visit www.gondolania.com or call 4403 9800 for more information.

Arts & Crafts

Whether you’re taking the kids out for a few hours, getting together with friends and looking

for something different to do, or if you just need to let that creative spirit break free, there are plenty of classes, workshops and everyday stops that cater to your artistic needs. Head to Café Ceramique, which is more than just your run-of-the-mill eatery – this place offers you the chance to paint your own ceramics while enjoying cool refreshments. Are you a Michelangelo in the making? Brush up on your art skills at the Academy for Dance, Music and Arts where you can have a go at different levels of acrylic and watercolour painting as well as modelling and sculpting classes too.

GO: Call Café Ceramique on 4467 1100, and visit www.iaidonline.com for art classes.

Spring Clean

This is the perfect season to give the house a thorough sweep and empty out all those drawers to unload yourself of unwanted items.

Everything in good condition can be put into bags or boxes and given to various organistaions in Doha. Everything from clothes, shoes, furniture, electrical goods, books and more can be given to groups like Qatar Charity or swap or sell it on the But It, Sell It, Swap It Facebook page. You’ll be left feeling a little lighter at the end of the day!

GO: Visit www.qcharity.org for more information. fact magazine

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SUMMER SURVIVAL

Beat The Heat Guide Stuck in Doha for the summer? Don’t sweat it (pun-intended!). Here are a few simple things you can be doing to keep cool in the scorching sun…

Popsicle Party Though you might be tempted, stop yourself from reaching for that supercold tub of ice cream in the freezer. A healthy and more delicious alternative is fruit popsicles – they’re just as cooling and contain half the calories.

Three Insanely Easy Popsicle Recipes

Method: - Blend the overripe bananas until completely pureed.

- Add nutella, and blend until completely mixed in.

- Pour into popsicle molds with sticks and freeze for three to four hours.

Strawberry Buttermilk Pops (Serves 8) Ingredients: 1 pound strawberries, hulled, 1 cup Virgin Piña Colada Pops (Serves 8) buttermilk, 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, Ingredients: 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup sugar, Pinch 1/2 large pineapple, chopped (about fine salt 4 cups), 1 15-ounce can cream of coconut, 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, Method: - Puree the strawberries, buttermilk, Pinch fine salt yogurt, honey, sugar, and salt in a Method: - Puree the pineapple, cream of coconut, blender until smooth.

- Pour the mixture into your ice-pop lime juice, and salt in a blender until molds, dividing evenly. Insert ice-pop smooth. sticks and freeze until firm, at least four - Pour the mixture into 10 3-ounce or hours. eight 4-ounce ice-pop molds, dividing evenly. Insert ice-pop sticks and freeze until firm, at least four hours and up to What to Eat in the Heat? four days.

Fruit with Yogurt – As fruit has high Banana Nutella Fudgesicles water content, it will help maintain your (Serves 10) body fluid, by making you sweat – this Ingredients: is the body’s method for cooling down in 6 large overripe bananas, peeled the heat. Yogurts contain friendly bacteria 1/2 cup nutella which can help protect against food

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poisoning – something that is more of a frequent occurrence in hot temperatures.

Rice, Baked Potato & Pasta Salad – Eat regular, small, starch carbohydrate snacks or enjoy a weekend roast with ample potatoes or a pasta dinner, and how about a yummy risotto? Why? Well, carb-rich foods keep the body’s blood sugar and energy levels even, helping to combat heat exhaustion.

Onions – Really? especially red ones!

Red onions contain a chemical called quercetin which is believed to have an anti-histamine effect. So for those people who suffer from irritants like heat rash or bad reactions to insect bites and stings, eating onions daily could be the answer to these summer complaints.

Eat Spicy Food – A vindaloo in the summer might sound crazy, but chillies and spicy curries can stimulate heat receptors in the mouth, enhance circulation and cause sweating, all of which cools the body down.

Eat Small, Eat Often – The larger the meal, the more metabolic heat your body creates breaking down the food.

Eat small portions but eat regularly!

Hot Tips For Cooling Down - Run your wrists under a cold tap for five seconds each every couple of hours. A main vein passes through this area, and it helps cool the blood.

- Wear lightweight, light-coloured cotton clothes. Light colours reflect the sun’s radiation and heat is trapped by synthetic fibres, but cotton absorbs perspiration and its evaporation causes you to feel cooler.

- Put your sheets in a plastic bag and stick them in the fridge a couple of hours before going to bed. Your body temperature lowers as you fall asleep, which is why it’s difficult to sleep in hot weather. Cold sheets straight from the fridge should help you get a better night’s sleep in summer.

- Replace your usual body moisturiser with a cooling aloe vera aftersun product to use morning and night. This will help lower your skin temperature.

- While you’re out, keep the house blinds or curtains drawn to stop it heating up like a greenhouse.

Also AvAilAble in ...

Abu DhAbi & bAhrAin

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Roll Camera for Film Festival Fever

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Have a Haunted Halloween

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

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An Artistic Celebration of Arabic Culture

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

SEPTEMBER 2014. VOL 4 ISSUE 5. QR10 | SR10 front.indd 1

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@FACTAbuDhabi | @FACTBahrain | @FACT_Qatar 3.

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SOCIETY

#Sohour #At #La #Cigale #Ramadan #Tent Members of Doha’s media and other VIP guests were invited for a delightful sohour at the popular Ramadan Tent in La Cigale Hotel. The venue was carefully customised to reflect the true spirit of the occasion, featuring an extravagant sohour buffet, with a wide variety of traditional Arabic, Oriental and International dishes, live cooking stations, delectable desserts and flavoursome shishas.

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An Inspiring Celebration of Art Self-taught Indian artist Ella Prakash has a real gift of art, which she uses to create impressive pieces highlighting strokes, complementing colours, and being creative.Ella shares her exciting journey of ups and downs with FACT’s Pallavi Ramesh.

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Arts INTERVIEW

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Arts INTERVIEW

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here is art that can truly render you speechless and Ella’s art is of such a kind. After visiting one of her shows, I was in awe of this artist and was curious to learn more about where she began and how she nurtures her talent. As expected, she had an inspirational story to share.

“I was born and brought up in Bahrain, it ’s been 52 years now ” she says, proudly. Ella’s appetite for art stems back to her childhood, when she was just 10 years old. But, her father saw it more as a hobby than a career. “I had a goal of becoming a well-known artist, and the passion to reach it was sky high,” she recalls.

“At the age of 16, I joined the Bahrain Arts Society, where I put up group shows.” Here, Ella sold her first water colour painting to the Saudi Ambassador to Bahrain. “It was a proud moment, where I felt people appreciate my art and, yes, I can create great pieces of art,” Ella shares. After this boost, she had a downslide for the next three years – a break she didn’t want to take. After this, Ella got married and painting took a backseat. “It was a huge pull up for me in terms of art; my family became my priority,” she admits.

In 2002, Ella started to feel the pinch of the absence of art in her life: “It was a jolt, a realisation, that this can’t be happening – I had a dream and I need to pursue it,” she tells us. “So, I started taking classes and teaching art to all age groups in Chinmaya society.

Teaching was not easy, and Ella had her fair share of struggles with it. After two years of teaching she discussed with her family about opening her own art gallery, and in 2004 this conversation became a reality with the launch of Ella’s Art Gallery, Adliya.

A few years later, as Bahrain to a step forward onto the international stage so did Ella’s art.

One call from Bahrain International Circuit got her excitement levels high, a memory she treasures until this day. It was in 2006, the first year of Formula One in Bahrain when Ella was asked do live shows at various locations. “The task was to create 10 paintings in 10 days,” she smiles. “I had to paint in front of a live audience, and it was a wonderful opportunity. I was excited to take up this big challenge,” she adds.

The talented lady very clearly remembers her

“My dream and passion is to become a successful international artist,have the world to understand my message through my paintingand also be listed among the best contemporary artists” fact magazine

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Arts INTERVIEW

first show too. “It was themed around Bahraini Heritage, done in water colours and acrylics,” Ella says. This show was a huge success, people loved Ella’s art and this in turn boosted her confidence in the field further.

If you take the time to observe Ella’s art carefully, you’ ll see shades, silhouettes and figures of women represented in the pieces.

This is something that Ella feels very strongly about. “I always want to portray women as strong and powerful individuals,” she says.

“I try to incorporate this in most of my paintings.” In 2010, Ella created a complete collection titled Journey of a Woman, which portrayed various dimensions of women and included bright orange and yellow colours, keeping an Indian theme.

Ella displays her art around the world, and one of the destinations close to her heart is the UK. “I came to London for a group show in 2013, and on my visit I met Samir Ceric,the Founder and CEO of Debut Contemporary,” Ella recalls. “He explained to me how Debut works, and since then Samir has been my mentor and motivator.” Debut Contemporary opens an opportunity to understand the art market of London with a broad lens on the human experience. Ella says: “Debut has given me tremendous support. It has been a turning point in my career and I can see my work has become stronger.”

Ella recently had her solo exhibition with Debut Contemporary titled Alleviation in London. With collaborations between Bo concept and Debut Contemporary, one of Ella’s works – Energy – is currently displayed at the Bo Concept store.

Ella is preparing for her upcoming solo show in Nehru Centre, London and then in India Habitat Centre, Delhi, which will happen in early 2016. She is one busy woman who has really found her calling in life: “My dream and passion is to become a successful international artist, have the world to understand my message through my paintings, and also be listed among the best contemporary artists,” she adds. From what we know of Ella Prakash so far, I’m sure she’s on her way to even greater things.

GO: Ella’s Art Gallery is located in Adliya, Bahrain.

Visit www.ellaartgallery.com to browse through Ella’s beautiful paintings and learn more about her artistic journey.

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July 2015 VOl 5. ISSuE 02 QR10. SR10

Get your daily dose of FACt online now

front new.indd 1

6/23/15 11:30 AM

CheCk out our new website www.fact-magazine.com fact magazine

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LOCAL Arts

Restoration Refined

Qatar Museums has successfully restored the Old Palace of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim, which sits at the heart of the forthcoming National Museum of Qatar.

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t’s one of Doha’s most recognisable landmarks, and, now, after three years of meticulous work, Qatar Museums revealed that the historic palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani, the father of modern Qatar, has been successfully restored to its former glory.

The building serves as a monument to a historic way of life in the country and will stand at the centre of the new National Museum of Qatar, designed by Atelier Jean Nouvel. Honouring the traditions of the past whilst embracing the future, the newly restored Palace will be a fitting central exhibit within the National Museum when it opens.

H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums Board of Trustees, says: “I’m immensely proud of all that has been achieved in restoring the Palace so faithfully.

This building is an incredible monument to our history and traditions whilst also highlighting our country’s rapid progress and development. When completed, the futuristic, iconic, world-class design of the National Museum will perfectly complement the Palace.”

The palace has been refurbished numerous times since it was built and the texture and fabric of the structure itself tells a rich story about Qatar’s progress and development over the past 100 years.

Originally built during the early 20th century by Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al-Thani, the Palace has served as both a family residence and the seat of government. In 1975, the former National Museum of Qatar also opened its doors in the restored palace, featuring a number of artefacts and exhibits celebrating the country’s history, heritage, culture and environment. In 1980 the building won the Agha Khan award for restoration and rehabilitation of Islamic architecture.

Numerous architectural features have been incorporated into the original design since the 1970s and provide important insights and lessons into the development of Qatari craftsmanship. Several additional

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I’m immensely proud of all that has been achieved in restoring the Palace so faithfully.

This building is an incredible monument to our history and traditions whilst also highlighting our country’s rapid progress and development.

LOCAL Arts

elements have been added during this time to improve the structural integrity of the building overall.

The project was conceived and designed by Qatar Museums as a contemporary restoration project, rather than a reconstruction. To fulfil this ambitious brief, Qatar Museums engaged Ziegert | Roswag | Seiler Architekten Ingenieure, a specialist practice that focuses on the development of sustainable building solutions using natural building materials.

A team of local artisans was trained over the course of the restoration and worked closely with the project team. Specially developed training sessions included in-depth workshops on diverse subjects ranging from wood treatment, the restoration of ornaments and painted ceilings through to treatment of historic plaster surfaces. All work was closely supervised and managed by specialists on-site and conducted in close collaboration with Qatar Museums throughout.

GO: Visit www.qm.org.qa for more information.

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SOCIETY

#Art #On #Fashion #& #Noor #Abuissa #Collaboration The much-awaited collaboration between UK brand, Art On Fashion and Qatari artist, Noor Abuissa was launched in July at the Fire Station, Artist in Residence with a collection of scarves called ‘For the Love Of Colour.’ The Fire Station was transformed with canopies and installations of beautiful colourful scarves. Noor’s art portrays Islamic geometric design infused with bright colours to give it a contemporary feel. Notable guests like US Ambassador, Mrs Dana Shell Smith, Salam Stores chairman, Mr. Issa Abu Issa, and celebrated artist Amal Al Aathem, were also in attendance.

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T here ’ s a n e w artist c o l l ecti v e c o m i n g t o the M E N A re g i o n , creati n g m i n d - b l o w i n g p r o j ects f o r a l l t y p es o f c o o l e v e n ts .

F A C T ca u g ht u p w ith S i m o n C o ates w h o w i l l b e r u n n i n g the Mi d d l e E ast o ffice o f h u n g r y cast l e o u t o f D u b ai ‌

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REGIONAL ARTS

Alongside the Hungry Castle artworks there’s also a line of Hungry Castle clothing that sells all over the world. Like the artwork, the designs are inspired by the world of the internet...

Simon Coates will be running the MENA office of Hungry Castle, based in Dubai.

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i Simon! Tell us more about Hungry Castle where did it start and what is the vision?

The Hungry Castle studio is based in Barcelona and run by two guys, Dave Glass and Killian Cooper. Dave is from Australia and he founded Hungry Castle after working in the advertising industry, and it started out as a kind of design agency that also threw parties in clubs and grew from there. Killian’s from Ireland originally and met Dave after he advertised for someone to work alongside him. That was in 2011. Both of them think big and they have a very openhearted approach to creating artwork. They are both also fascinated by the internet age and most of what Hungry Castle creates has roots in the internet somewhere. On top of all that they feel that art should be inclusive and open to all, and I really respect that. In a nutshell, Hungry Castle’s vision is to make public art and fashion for planet earth.

What does Hungry Castle do?

Alongside the Hungry Castle artworks there’s also a line of Hungry Castle clothing that sells all over the world. Like the

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REGIONAL ARTS artwork, the designs are inspired by the world of the internet, so there are caps like the Keyboard Hat which is based on the numerous Youtube videos of cats playing pianos, there’s the Internet Tee which is a t-shirt covered with cartoon versions of memes, the reversible Explorer Jacket which somehow manages to encapsulate the look and attitude of the entire internet during the 1990s plus loads more. Also, wherever the artworks go there are opportunities for art talks and workshops. Hungry Castle takes part in music festivals, art fairs, design weeks, opening and closing parties as well as taking on commissions. Basically anything that fits.

Hungry Castle takes part in music festivals, art fairs, design weeks, opening and closing parties as well as taking on commissions.

Basically anything that fits.

What’s been the most extravagant, unusual and fun project to date?

We’ve only just opened the Hungry Castle Middle East office and we had a Skype call a

few weeks ago just to go through some plans.

While we were talking, Dave and Killian emailed me an early draft PDF of the latest Hungry Castle artwork. It’s called ‘Nicolas Cage In A Cage’ and it was very difficult for me to continue the call for a while simply because I was laughing too much. I mean, just the name of the thing started me off. So, certainly for me, ‘Nicolas Cage In A Cage’ is

the best thing so far. I should also add that this is a giant sculpture of Nicolas Cage’s head that’s in an inflatable cage. People can go inside the cage for a limited time to fight Nicolas Cage’s head in any way they choose.

The head is based on that meme we’ve all seen on Facebook and so on, the one where Nicolas Cage seems to be saying ‘...you don’t say’. This piece debuts at the Spendour In the Grass music festival in Australia this summer alongside the likes of Blur and Florence & the Machine.

What do you hope to achieve with Hungry Castle in the Middle East?

I used to manage the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (DUCTAC) and I really wanted to work with Hungry Castle while I was there. When I left a few months

back I was determined to bring the Hungry Castle way of doing things to this part of the world so I suggested to Dave and Killian that I open and run the Hungry Castle Middle East office from here in Dubai. Not only did they agree straight away, they also asked how soon we could start. There are several reasons why I care very much about the Hungry Castle approach and one of them is that the artwork is accessible and inclusive.

One other thing I like about the Hungry Castle stuff is that it can be seen as contentious. If people argue that a hollow Lionel Richie’s head isn’t art at all, then that opens a dialogue - and that’s part of the point of the work. We want people to ask questions and to open discussions; that’s one other perfect function of art worldwide.

So it’s my job to spread the Hungry Castle fact magazine

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Hungry castle is all about positivity and getting things done. word throughout the region and beyond, so I’m looking at various events and options.

Plus we also want to sell the fashion and merchandise lines in selected stores out here so I’m researching that too. Exciting times!

Have you ever said no to a project, and what would Hungry Castle’s ultimate dream project be?

Hungry Castle is all about positivity and finding ways of getting things done. Right now I’m putting together a calendar of events for this year and next and some of them may clash but the attitude is always about finding a way to make things happen.

In terms of an ultimate project, that’s a very good question. Again, I can’t answer for the others but working on a project that reaches and teaches at the same time would be very cool.

How can people get involved?

Whenever we set up at an event we rely on people volunteering to help out. Although, as you can imagine, it’s not just about setting up, it’s also about looking after the artwork, helping members of the public 44

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to get involved, selling merchandise and so on. Hopefully it won’t be long before we start doing stuff in the region and the best thing to do for now if people want to get involved is to sign up for the Hungry Castle newsletter via our website - www. hungrycastle.com - and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We also need people to help spread the word so tag us on photos and posts, as well as telling everyone about Hungry Castle.

GO: Visit www. hungrycastle.com for more information.

August 2015 VOL 5. IssuE 03 QR10. sR10

For the culture-savvy in Qatar

front new.indd 1

7/26/15 11:22 AM

August Edition AvAilAblE now on issuu.com/factmagazine fact magazine

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REVIEWS

Big Screen

Straight Outta Compton What’s it about:

NWA was once considered the most dangerous group in the world, welcoming controversy and popularising gangster rap. This is the group’s story on the big screen, a biopic that looks back to how Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, MC Ren and DJ Yella got together in the mid eighties and why their music movement is still significant today.

Director: F. Gary Gray cast: O’Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Paul Giamatti, and Lex Montgomery.

Why it’s worth watching?

Not only will fans of rap love Straight Outta Compton, but also anyone who knows their history and the revolution of pop culture will appreciate what has finally become a fullfledged motion picture. Helmed by director F. Gary Gray (Friday, Set it Off, The Italian Job), someone who knows and understands the group, this film shows the realities of what it was like growing up and living in the most dangerous place in America through the music and tales of NWA. Straight Outta Compton takes us back to where it all began for these cultural rebels who, armed with only a mic, their raw lyrics and street swagger, put their frustration and anger about life in the hood, into the only powerful weapon they had – rap music.

NWA stood up to authorities that meant to keep them down; spoke the truth about things no one had dared to before; and exposed life in the hood - all the things that ignited a social revolution that still echoes today. We hope that when it comes to the big leagues, Oscar voters will stand up and take note.

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Highlights “NWA stood up to authorities that meant to keep them down; spoke the truth about things no one had dared to before; and exposed life in the hood - all the things that ignited a social revolution that still echoes today.”

Masterminds What’s it about: David Ghantt is a bored security truck driver when his life gets a glimmer of excitement as he’s talked into stealing the money he’s been transporting, by two dubious and not-so-brilliant masterminds. His actions lead to one of the biggest bank heists in American history.

Straight Outta Compton

“Why would you not want to see some of the funniest in Hollywood trying to get stupid rich?... Expect annoying accents, silly jokes and hilarious humour!”

Director: Jared Hess cast: Kristen Wiig, Zach Galifianikis, Jason Sudeikis, and Owen Wilson.

Masterminds.

Why it’s worth watching?

Why would you not want to see some of the funniest in Hollywood trying to get stupid rich? Masterminds is an action comedy based on real-life events, where a security guard discovers the true meaning of adventure – anything beyond his wildest dreams – and gets stuck in a rut with a group of dim-witted criminals who take the $17 million in cash and set him up to take the fall. It’s doesn’t help that these double-crossers are blowing millions and leaving a crystal-clear trail. Now, David has to shirk authorities, dodge a hit man and turn the tables on his once trusted accomplices. Expect annoying accents, silly jokes and hilarious humour!

REVIEWS

on the record

Fully Booked

FICTION

Armada: A Novel

By Ernest Cline

FOLK/ALT-ROCK ECLECTIC POP

Sound Asleep EP

By The Pinstripe Pigeon Band

The Pinstripe Pigeon Band began as a modest, yet ambitious studio project, incorporating production values inspired by Jon Hopkins, Nile Rogers and Cut Chemist, but this quickly developed into a seven-strong pop force, releasing five well-received EPs throughout 2013/14. The band’s latest material showcases intelligent sophisti-pop, electronica, funkadelia and anthemic rock. The lyrics lovingly articulate personal experiences while finding humour in political and social despair.

Kirsty Harvey’s impassioned vocals hark back to Aretha at her most bombastic and Dusty at her most delicate. The band has the benefit of two keyboardists, one melodically inventive Stevie Wonder/Oscar Peterson-esqe pianist and another more classical, akin to Ludvico Einaudi, both complimenting each other perfectly. Live sets at The Ferret, 53 Degrees and Night & Day left a lasting impression in the north west of England, and last August The Pinstripe Pigeon Band smashed it at Kendal Calling’s Woodland Stage with new fans and old describing their set as one of the festival’s highlights. Sound Asleep is the perfect intro to this energised pop collective.

Positive Songs for Negative People

By Frank Turner

Zack Lightman has spent his life around those numerous science-fiction; books, movies and video games, which he dreams the real world could be like. A little escapism form reality is not wrong, as Zack knows the difference between reality and fantasy. And then he sees the flying saucer! It is reality - the alien ship he’s staring at is straight out of the videogame he plays every night, a hugely popular online flight simulator called Armada - in which gamers just happen to be protecting the earth from alien invaders. Now, it’s Zack’s chance, at last, to play the hero. What will he do? Armada is an adventurous roller-coaster ride, a classic coming of age adventure, and an alien invasion tale like nothing you’ve ever read before!

We remember when Frank Turner burst onto the music scene and wowed the live show crowds. His energy, his lyrics and his all-round musical prowess earned him new fans everywhere. Now the folk-punk singersongwriter is back with his sixth LP, titled Positive Songs for Negative People (we love it!). This is a record about defiance and picking yourself up when you’re down, with songs like Get Better, The Angel Islington, Out of Breath, and more, bring the live, raw sound of Frank Turner to your stereo. We love that he plays electric guitar on over half the songs on the album, and turns his attention to folkier, more acoustic music. Oh yeah, here’s a fun fact for you – Frank Turner was born in Bahrain!

“We love that he plays electric guitar on over half the songs on the album, and turns his attention to folkier, more acoustic music.”

COMEDY

Modern Romance: An Investigation

By Aziz Ansari

This one is a must-read book for the youth of today!

How romance works in the digital age – pen down aptly with irreverent humour and cutting-edge social science, to give us an unforgettable tour of the new romantic world we have created. People marry later than ever and spend years of their lives on a quest to find the perfect person, a soul mate. Aziz Ansari has created this comic insight after teaming up with NYU sociologist Eric Klinenberg. They designed a research project with loads of interviews and targeted focus groups around the world. The result is the book; be prepared for a hilarious take on Modern Romance – with a scientific backing!

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SOCIETY

#Iftar #At #Hilton #Doha Invitees tucked into a special Iftar buffet at the Hakawi Tent to mark the opening of the fast in the Holy Month of Ramadan. Guests revelled in the traditional yet contemporary atmosphere with lavish decorations and a variety of Arabic and Western dishes masterfully prepared by the Executive Chef and his team.

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24 Hours in

madrid

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globetrotter Globetrotter

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On a recent long-weekend jaunt to Spain’s capital, FACT ’s Shabana Adam took on the challenge of hitting the streets in Madrid to discover what the city has to offer in the form of parks, plazas, royal buildings, and artsy attractions. Here’s how she got on…

7:00 am

Wake up in the heart of Plaza De Santa Ana at ME Madrid hotel in the Personality Suite, where its outdoor terrace will offer spectacular views of the city, before a delightfully Spanish breakfast at Ana La Santa restaurant and setting off to explore on foot.

Bershka, H&M, Salsa and many more. Stop off for a snack at one of the many quaint cafes serving delicious churros (crispy sticks of fried batter) with chocolate sauce, before continuing up Calle Fuencarral or Calle Hortaleza, dotted with cute vintage shops.

2:00 pm

Take a wander west of the hotel, visiting monuments like Palacio de Santa Cruz, walking through Plaza de La Villa and towards Catedral de La Almudena and Palacio Real de Madrid or the Royal Palace of Madrid. It’s the largest in Europe and open to the public most of the year.

Continue on foot towards one of the coolest parts of the city, Alonso Martinez. Spanish lunchtimes usually run from around 2pm to 4pm. Soak up the vibrant culture whilst tucking into a lunch of traditional paella or tapas at one of the many local hole-in-the-wall eateries, or people watch from a spot in Plaza de Alonso Martinez.

10:00 am

4:00 pm

8:30 am

After your architectural fix, it’s time to walk up to the hustle and bustle of the city. Follow Calle Mayor from the cathedral towards Puerta Del Sol – the official centre of the country. There’s a photo opp with the famous El Oso y el Madroño (bear and the tree) statue and the Tio Pepe neon sign as well as street performers to marvel.

12:00 noon

Continue up Calle Montera towards Gran Via, the ‘Broadway’ of Madrid where you’ll find popular brands like Zara,

Burn off the fuel with a walk southeast down Calle Genova, or catch the metro a few stops, to Retiro. Parque de El Retiro is a stunning, grand park filled with lovely water features, magnificent sculptures and monuments, galleries and palaces and plenty of open space to walk or cycle.

5:00 pm

When you’ve strolled to your heart’s content, head south making a pit stop at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, housing a huge collection of 20th century contemporary

and modern art. Make sure you take a ride in the panoramic glass lifts for the full artistic experience.

6:00 pm

Take Calle Argumosa to the city’s oldest district and Madrid’s multicultural heart, Lavapies where African, Indian and Asian influences come to life with charming restaurants and street-market-style shops.

Keep heading northwest through the narrow streets to La Latina, in Madrid’s Old Town. A hidden gem with a centuries-old garden, juxtaposed with modern hotels and chic shops.

8:00 pm

After a change for dinner, head to ll pezzo di Giuseppe, right on ME Madrid’s doorstep in Plaza de Santa Ana. Treat yourself to authentic Italian food in a lively Spanish square. I recommend the Melanzane parmigiana for starters and a delicious pizza or pasta dish to follow.

10:00 pm

Madrid has plenty of options when it comes to nightlife.

Theatre, tapas bars, flamenco shows and clubs galore. Check out Café Central, a sophisticated jazz club in Plaza Del Angel, hosting some of the best performers from across the world. Booking is recommended.

Getting Around On Foot A true culture fix means setting off on foot around Madrid. All you need is a city map (available at the airport and hotels) with some basic Spanish phrases and a sense of adventure to get going.

Metro There’s a station located in all major parts of the city – inner and outer – and as long as you can navigate the map, this is a relatively fast and cheap way of getting around.

How to get there?

Qatar Airways operates daily flights from Doha to Madrid. Visit www. qatarairways.com to book. fact magazine

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SOCIETY

#Iftar #At #Intercontinental #Doha #The #City Taking place at the Al Jawhara Ramadan Tent, Iftar for media, bloggers and other VIP guests was a delectable occasion. The tent exuded the spirit of the Holy Month with its elegant dĂŠcor, traditional cuisine and live Arabic entertainment.

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ME

Madrid

The saying ‘in the heart of the city’ comes to mind when you talk about the beautiful ME Madrid Reina Victoria hotel. FACT stayed here to find out why you should make this your property of choice when visiting the Spanish capital…

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Tried & Tested

W

e’ve been to many resorts and hotels in Europe, but none got the reaction that ME Madrid did. Out of Sol metro station and a few minutes walk away (400 metres to be precise), you’ll find yourself on Plaza de Santa Ana, and the first thing that will catch your eye is the stunning façade at the top of the square. ME Madrid ‘s architecture is one of character, class and charm. The hotel building was revamped from the historic Gran Hotel Reina Victoria into the elegant property it is today. The outside is a traditional structure, which pays homage to its rich past. It was named in honour of the beautiful wife of King Alfonso XIII, and was considered a symbol of elegance and luxury in the Spanish capital. The inside of ME Madrid is just as pleasing. Thanks to the work of renowned architect Keith Hobbs, the hotel design conserves the splendid beauty of the building’s historic architecture and blends this with the trendy spirit of ME by Meliá, through the use of cutting-edge interiors, eclectic accessories and its creative art works.

We were in hospitality heaven!

The Personality Suite ME Madrid’s accommodation options are plenty (180 rooms and 12 suites), and there’s a room to suit every guests’ needs.

On this occasion, we were there on a leisurely trip to soak up the vibrant city life, and there was no better room to experience this than the Personality Suite. From the second we entered 610 it exceeded all our expectations. We walked into a beautiful sitting/lounge room with comfy leather sofas and an armchair, a home cinema, welcome amenities, and there was even a Nintendo 54

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Tried & Tested

Wii. Walk through a small corridor area and you’re in the bedroom, which is pure perfection. There’s a king-sized bed with dreamax pillows and mattress (we had the best night’s sleep here), a large work space, and, more importantly, you have access to your own private terrace, decked out with sun loungers and an outdoor dining table – ideal for in-room breakfast and dining – but the terrace is even more impressive for its farreaching views over Madrid. We also fell in love with the spacious bathroom, which was a whole room within the suite. It housed a huge tub and walk-in shower with hydro-massage, twin dressing areas and a separate lavatory.

The only thing that we found a little odd was fact magazine

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Tried & Tested that there was no door on the toilet and the two sliding doors that closed off the bathroom didn’t have locks on them. For travellers comfortable with each other, this shouldn’t pose a problem, and, to be fair, the excellent services and extras that come with the room will make you forget about not having a door on the toilet. What was one of the standouts in this suite? It has to be the maxibars (not minibar – this is stepping up a notch) – it’s all about the finer things! The personality suite conveys a sensation of complete bliss for guests who wish to experience pure luxury with the added benefits of the ME+ service.

Ana La Santa Yes, ME Madrid has one of the coolest nightspots in town – The Roof – with panoramic views and a crowd made up of the city’s most stylish. However, it was the hotel’s ground floor restaurant, which looks out over Plaza de Santa Ana that really had our inner foodie jumping with joy. Every morning you can enjoy a delicious breakfast of eggs, pastries, cereals, varied cheese and meats, breads and hot and cold drinks, in the comfort of this lovely venue, reminiscent of a lounge at home. In the evenings, dinner is a must here. The menu consists of traditional tapas prepared to order and also new-style tapas inspired by flavours from around the world. We’d highly recommend from the tapas menu the Spanish omelette, the tuna, and the anchovies, and for the mains, if you’re a seafood lover, the baked hake fillet will do the trick. For dessert, the chocolate brownie and ice cream is exquisite.

ME Madrid is the type of place you stay for complete escapism from everyday life. Its location is fantastic, the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, and inside you’ll be greeted by modern facilities that will make your stay an unforgettable one. The attention to detail at the hotel is impeccable – you can even get a portable Wi-Fi device from the hotel reception to carry around the city and make sure all those cool pics make it onto instagram in real time. There’s even a SkinC Supplement Bar, offering relaxing treatments – everything that the contemporary traveller needs. We’d recommend, at least, a 4-day trip!

GO: Visit www.melia.com for more information about ME Madrid. Call (34) 91 7016000 for reservations.

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The MINI John Cooper Works

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FACT’s motoring man, Tony Sidgwick, puts the most powerful production MINI, ever created, through its paces on the Yas Marina Circuit. He isn’t disappointed…

S

ome of you may remember our review of the MINI Cooper S a couple of months ago ( June 2015 issue, to be exact), in which we lauded the fantastic style and great features of the Cooper S, but bemoaned the fact that it felt just a little too soft around the edges for a hot hatch. We said at the time that if you’re looking for true driving thrills from a MINI, you should

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probably take a look at the John Cooper Works ( JCW ).

Well, this month, we can confirm that we were dead on the money. In a driving event where both cars were provided for us to experience side by side, we were able to make a true comparison between the two, and the JCW outshone its sibling in practically every way possible.

So what is it about the JCW that makes it so much better? Well, for

starters, there is the car’s snarly 2.0l TwinPower Turbo four-pot, a superb little engine that also happens to be the most powerful ever fitted in a serial production MINI. It puts out 231hp and an impressive 320Nm of torque through the six-speed automatic transmission, taking the JCW from standstill to 100km/h in just 6.1 seconds, and on to a top speed of 246km/h.

The six-speed auto box is excellent, with snappy gear changes and the option of manual paddle shift. In manual mode, the gearbox in the JCW is less invasive than in the Cooper S. When you’re pushing the red line, the Cooper S has a tendency to shift automatically before

CITY RIDES

you have the chance, which proves quite frustrating. Not so with the JCW, which gives you much more leeway before it intervenes.

It’s not the difference in power that really makes the JCW stand out from the Cooper S, though; the handling is greatly improved too. With less roll, less understeer, and more overall grip, the JCW feels much firmer and more planted than the Cooper S. This is largely thanks to the various stability and traction control systems, partnered with MINI’s exclusive 18-inch John Cooper Works Race Spoke light alloy wheels and a newly-developed Brembo sports brake system.

However, what also makes a real difference is how the traction control

interferes less in the driving experience.

When you floor it coming out of a corner, the Cooper S will wait until it has gathered itself and all wheels are firmly planted before it lets you lay down the power. Again, not so with the JCW, which obeys the accelerator immediately, scrabbling and growling out of the corner like a whippet, and allowing the high levels of grip and stability to do their job instead.

All of this adds to the MINI’s cool retro styling and plush interior that we already love, which is also enhanced by JCW-specific details like the improved aero kit, wheel arch flares, sports seats and more. What it all adds up to is a MINI, which is harder, faster, meaner, and a whole lot more fun to drive. fact magazine

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MOTORING NEWS

M e r c e d e s Sc o o p s A r a b L u x u r y W o r l d A wa r d Luxury automotive brand Mercedes-Benz has earned the Luxury Automobile & Services award at the Arab Luxury World PR Awards held last month at Pacha Ibiza in Dubai. The award recognised a two-stage PR campaign comprised of a media event featuring the winning Mercedes AMG Petronas team, followed by the AMG Performance Tour 2015 driving experience.

Commenting on the award Dirk Fetzer, Director Sales and Marketing at Daimler Middle East & Levant, said: “Ensuring our brand is always in the lead entails hard work, planning and continuous investment. We would like to extend our gratitude to Arab Luxury World and the panel of judges for recognizing our work. To receive this award is indeed an honour for Mercedes-Benz.”

Lan d R o v e r ’ s Sa u d i A d v e nt u r e In a rather unique exercise, a team of two Saudi nationals, Faisal Binladen and Salman Sultan, embarked on an expedition in a Land Rover LR4 to trace the route of the historic Hejaz Railway. The expedition is captured in a three part documentary series highlighting some truly stunning, albeit challenging terrains across the Kingdom.

Spanning 1,320km, the Hejaz railway was built by the Ottoman Empire under the supervision of a German engineer over 100 years ago, and connected Damascus in Syria with the Holy Cities of the Hejaz in KSA. Speaking about the adventure, Salman Sultan PR, Social Media and Events Manager for Jaguar Land Rover MENA and one of the explorers on the journey, said: “Trailing the Hejaz Railway in the Land Rover LR4 allowed us to tackle environmental obstacles and conquer often challenging terrain to really embark on an extraordinary adventure tracing this unique project’s history.”

The Hejaz Adventure footage is now available on myland.landrover-me.com, and is well worth a watch!

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MOTORING NEWS

Volvo XC90 N am e d C a r o f the Year The Volvo XC90 has been named Car of the Year 2015 and Large SUV of the Year at this year’s Auto Express New Car Awards. The XC90 is already close to selling out its entire first year’s planned production run of 50,000 cars, with over 44,000 ordered.

Steve Fowler, Editor in Chief of Auto Express, said: “We’ve been waiting a long time for the XC90, but it was well worth the wait – it’s a sensational SUV. It not only sets new standards for Volvo, but for the car market in general.”

A blend of rich Scandinavian design elements, both inside and out, makes the XC90 stand out from the crowd. The interior is the epitome of Scandinavian design; a serene and relaxing environment combining the finest natural materials available such as leather and wood, and at the same time being a practical seven-seater SUV.

Bold New Model Heralds R e nai s s anc e o f R e na u l t

Renault recently unveiled their new compact executive saloon, the Talisman, and it looks very promising. With status enhancing styling that ticks all the boxes that D-segment customers expect, the Talisman builds on these cues to deliver an even higher standard of wellbeing and driving enjoyment for its class.

It boasts a raft of new features and innovations, including a digital seven-inch instrument display under the dashboard cowling, R-Link2 with 8.7-inch screen, colour head-up display technology, BOSE Surround Sound and hands-free parking, as well as multi sense technology to match the mood of the driver. The Talisman is the only D-segment car to combine 4Control four-wheel steering with active damping, allowing it to deliver unique road manners, plus safe, dynamic, agile handling, and outstanding ride comfort.

The Talisman hits markets at the end of this year. fact magazine

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PLUGGED-IN

Sony SmartWatch 3 Sony recently launched the latest generation of their Android

watch, the SmartWatch 3, and it really gives the Apple Watch a run for its money…

While there has been much pomp and fanfare surrounding the launch of the Apple Watch, Sony have actually been making a SmartWatch for Android since 2012, although few among us would recall hearing about the original SmartWatch.

This is because it was, to all intents and purposes, a quiet soft launch for the product range, and wasn’t pushed in a big way, globally, as Sony was really testing the water for both the product’s usability and the market’s reception.

The SmartWatch 2 was the one they pushed in a big way, and while it was a decent offering, poor display quality and buggy software held it back somewhat.

The SmartWatch 3, however, is where everything comes together nicely, and all issues are addressed.

In case you’re not up-to-date with these things, a smart watch is a device that links up to your smartphone to provide instant updates and functionality with a glance at your wrist. It will notify you through tones and/or vibrations when you receive messages, set reminders, and so on.

With the SmartWatch 3, you can fully personalise the screen’s display, going for a digital readout, with a customisable selection of information displayed alongside the time, or a more classical analogue display, again with a range of watch faces to select and download.

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One of the downfalls of the SmartWatch 2 was a limited choice of apps to download. However, as with any new product, the choice only increases with time, and by now the SmartWatch 3 has a much wider range of apps to choose from.

Another improvement is in the exterior styling. The SmartWatch 3 looks much more like a watch than its predecessor, improved greatly by an integrated design, with a new choice of metallic and leather straps, which look as good as many formal dress watches.

And the best part? The straps are interchangeable – you can remove the watch from the strap, which means that you can have a range of straps to suit your day-to-day style. The SmartWatch 3 boasts a 4GB memory for songs and apps, and the in-built Bluetooth 4.1 means that you can stream music from the watch to Bluetooth speakers or headset. It also boasts built-in GPS, WiFi and NFC, as well as a micro-USB port.

VERDICT: Initial complaints with the previous generation SmartWatches have all been addressed. It’s more functional, less buggy, and offers more than its rivals. It also now competes in terms of style, especially with the new metal and leather watchstraps. In our humble opinion, it’s the best Android smart watch on the market right now, and at about half the price of the Apple Watch, it’s great value too!

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...

Social Meetup A superb app for someone who is moving to a new place, or simply someone who wants to get out and be involved in more interests and activities, Meetup is an app which brings like-minded people together. There are a wide range of subjects covered in the app, from outdoor activities to cultural, dining, social, and even sci-fi and movie-related groups. You simply select your interests on the app, and Meetup will select nearby groups for you, which you can then join. Activities related to the group are then organised between members, and all you have to do is show up and have a good time!

Driving Waze A social media app for drivers, Waze’s philosophy is “Outsmarting Traffic, together”. It does this by providing a user-maintained navigation service, in which users can update the app on the location of all things driving related, such as speed cameras, petrol stations, hazards, accidents and traffic, to name but a few. Like Google Maps, the app uses GPS to monitor your location, and can warn you about upcoming hazards. There are also ranks, from Waze Baby to Waze Royalty, and the more you drive and update, the higher the rank you will earn. It becomes surprisingly addictive. And before the safety conscious start ranting and raving, it won’t let you update while you’re on the move.

GAMES The Room If you like puzzle games, then this is the app you have been waiting for! The Room is a superb ‘locked-in’ style puzzle game in which you have to search a room and figure out complex objects and devices within the room in order to progress to the next. The game features a fantastically spooky and ambient environment complete with eerie music, and the quality and level of detail in the graphics is breathtaking. At this stage, we must include a warning: This app will dominate your waking life until you’ve finished it, and there is a sequel too!

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SOCIETY

#Sohour #at #Banana #Island #Resort #Doha #by #Anantara Seizing the opportunity to share an unforgettable Sohour experience on an exclusive island getaway, members of the media whisked off to the beautiful Kheimet Ahl Al Turath, Banana Island’s exclusive Ramadan tent for a sumptuous spread and live entertainment during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

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It’s All About

D e n i m Denim is in and Salsa ups the style quotient with their trendy SS15 Campaign.

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Fashion Focus

sa l sa spring summer 2015

H

ave you checked your denim stash lately? There’s a whole stock of fresh new trends to update your wardrobe.

Portuguese denim brand Salsa, presents its new Spring-Summer collection 2015. The collection is inspired by denim blue in perfect harmony with the colours of the ocean to give an Always on Vacation feel. That’s indeed very inspiring, considering we all are planning our vacay to beat the heat. The new collection was showcased by international models Alexandre Cunha, Gui Fedrizzi and Reka Ebergenyi.

The collection takes inspiration from the energy flow from am to pm. For women, the selection reflects an active, urban woman who knows everything about what is going on in terms of trends but still wants to feel comfortable. All the pieces are a mixed bag that includes some darker items; perfect for a confident, cosmopolitan woman, some blending patterns with different textures, and black leather jackets that pair well with darker washed jeans. But the brand also has vibrant orange, beige and white tones for a more casual look in its trench coats, patchwork jeans, flowing dresses, shorts and dungarees; perfect for an afternoon stroll or a walk on the beach.

Men are presented with a collection of

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geometric patterns, edgy items and a sporty look. The summer-themed colours highlight the oranges, olive green, navy blue and reds.

The darker shades are not forgotten and can also be used to create sophisticated looks.

Apart from the collection pieces, there are also more than 20 styles of jeans that represent the brand’s Denim Fit Guide, namely the technical and innovative Products; PushUp, Push-In, Hope Maternity, Shape-Up, Mystery or Er-Go, the 3D ergonomic model for men, and Mystery - the jeans that create feminine curves.

Salsa’s collection is ideal for day to evening wear so don’t be afraid to step up your summer look with a dash of denim.

GO: Shop Salsa at VILLAGIO OR LANDMARK MALL.

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Fashion Focus

Shop the brand Here is our wishlist from salsa’s SPRING/SUMMER 2015 collection.

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for her

for him

The women’s collection takes inspiration from the energy flow from am to pm.

Men are presented with a collection of COOL patterns, edgy items and a sporty look.

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Ohlala! Arabia Bringing style across The Middle East

ARABIA

THE ESSENCE OF STYLE

‫اجلاذبيـــــة‬ ‫بلون الذهب‬ WWW.OHLALA-MAGAZINE.COM NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2014 | ISSUE 03

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STYLE

Stradivarius

Desert Sands

Miss Selfridge

Marks and Spencer New Look

Call It Spring Miss Selfridge

After Coachella the trends for summer came up quick. Terracotta red and similar burnt tones are reflective of a desert inspired theme, with bleached out denim, rich colours, mosaic prints and a bohemian touch.

New Look

H&M Monsoon

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New Look

STYLE

Seeing Red

Bershka

Bershka Marks and Spencer

Debenhams

Red is bold and uncomplicated and suits almost every skin tone. The raw power of the hue means that red is worn by the fashion brave to add a touch of crimson and to burn bright with high impact colour this season.

Debenhams

Matalan Marks and Spencer

ASOS

River Island

Matalan fact magazine

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FOR THE EFFORTLESSLY ELEGANT WOMAN

MODEL STYLE

BEHIND

THE ANIMAL HEART NINA PERSSON

MEGAWATT FASHION

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FASHION ADVERTORIAL

Courir FOR ALL THE LATEST IN SPORTS FASHION, VISIT COURIR AT LANDMARK MALL. for Men

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for women

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01. NIKE HURACHE 02. ADIDAS TUBULAR RUNNER 03. NIKE JORDAN FLIGHT 2015 04. NIKE NSS T-SHIRT 05. ADIDAS VIBRANT CITY T-SHIRT 06. MONKEYBUSINESS VC T-SHIRT 07. NIKE KAISHI 08. NIKE AIR MAX ULTRA MOIRE 09. ADIDAS ZX FLUX 10. ADIDAS FLORERA T-SHIRT 11. NIKE CLUB PANTS 12. ADIDAS LA HOODED DRESS fact magazine

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SHIMMERING BODY OIL

PINK GLOW EYE/CHEEK PALETTE

beauty mashup

GOLDEN PEACH EYE DUO

BLACK OYSTER EYE DUO

TOM FORD BEAUTY

ROSE SOLIEL - LIPSTICK

PINK GLOW EYE/CHEEK PALETTE

PARADISO - LIP & COLOUR SHINE

The Summer 2015 Tom Ford Soleil Collection captures the sensuality of the season. Eyes smolder in burnished tones or metallic shades while cheeks glow with luminous warmth. Completing the captivating effect, Tom Ford Shimmering Body Oil veils the skin in golden light. The collection includes various shades of eye colour, cheek compact and colour, lip colour, bronzing powder and shimmering body oil. We love it! It’s time you add this collection to your beauty routine, today.

MIDNIGHT SEA EYE DUO 76

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NAKED BRONZE EYE DUO

Beauty

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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…

Clinique Pop Lip Colour & Primer

Mission Perfection Serum

Guerlain Terracotta Terre D’été

A rich colour lipstick and smoothing primer in one – now that’s unique and we love it! Clinique’s new product has fun, flirty colours with a built in primer that smoothes, defines and nourishes lips to keep them conditioned throughout the day. With a longwearing velvety finish, the colour stays true and doesn’t fade over time. Nudes, Tawnies, Pinks and Violets - pick any shade and get a bold lip look.

With Clarins’ new product, fight pigmentation disorders and restore a luminous complexion without altering your natural skin tone. This fine, refreshing emulsion with a correcting affect instantly smoothes the skin and leaves behind a beauty-enhancing veil of light. If you have dark spots, dyschromia, shadowy areas, acne marks, a dull complexion or redness – this is the product you need for effective results.

In an irresistible XXL format, two shades come together to warm all skin tones with an exceptionally natural-looking radiant glow, which adapts seamlessly to a developing tan. As summer passes, the soft coral shade, ideal for the start of the season, gradually makes way for the universal bronzing shade. Swoosh from forehead to cheekbones, and chin, then down towards the neck, and you’re done!

Maybelline New York

Make Up For Ever

Bourjois

ColorShow Sweet and Spicy Polish collection

Cut here

Clarins

Maybelline ensures you’ll have the prettiest feet this summer. Step into the spotlight with exclusively curated bright summery shades that are hot to trot.

With twice as many pigments, a new ColorShow brush for more precise application and a quickdry formula that’s ready-to-go in 60 seconds, ColorShow gets your feet ready in a flash.

Aqua Matic

Aqua Matic is a new addition to Make Up For Ever’s Aqua range, combining long-wear and easy application. Aqua Range is ideal for women who want quick-to-apply makeup that is both flawless and long-lasting. The new gliding waterproof eye shadow pencil is light, creamy and ultra-smooth texture making it simple to apply and easy to blend.

The range has ten wonderful shades to pick from.

Color Boost

Available in three shades, this jumbo crayon has a light, non-sticky texture, keeping your lips moisturised and smooth, thanks to the silk extracts.

The luscious formula leaves a veil of perfectly even, shiny, and slightly transparent colour. Bourjois Color Boost has SPF 15 sun protection and guaranteed waterproof colour hold. There are three fabulous colours to choose: Nude, Macchiato or Pink. fact magazine

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SUMMER ESSENTIALS

Family Fun

Whether it’s a garden party or an afternoon indoors, these games will have you covered.

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SUMMER ESSENTIALS

Sun is Shining

Stay cool with popsicles, ice lollies and other cool foodie bits this season.

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“Aspiring chefs need to have passion for cooking and they need to love what they do.” – Chef Austing Yang.

A Culinary Journey to China Ruby Wu’s at Radisson Blu Hotel Doha has become a favourite spot for authentic Chinese food in Doha. FACT meets Chef de Cuisine, Austing Yang to learn more about the restaurant’s popular menu… fact magazine

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CHEF’S TABLE

“The diverse cultures within the city offer the opportunity to experience an even more diverse culinary culture.” - Chef Austing Yang.

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t the East Wing of the Radisson Blu Hotel, down the grand double stair case shared with its Indian counterpart, Bombay Balti, is Ruby Wu’s, a great place to try diverse Chinese delicacies, while surrounded by original artwork, calligraphy and traditional artefacts.

Efforts to bring an authentic Chinese dining experience can be perceived from Ruby Wu’s attention to detail to recreate the luxurious glamour of the past. Dimly lit interiors are complimented by red hanging lanterns, two traditional wooden arch bridges, round dining tables seating up to seven diners, and not to forget the 82

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two enormous Chinese lion statues made of white marble, weighing approximately 300KG’s each – all of this gives Ruby Wu’s that authentic touch which is difficult to find at many other Chinese food outlets in Doha.

Since its opening in 2007 Ruby Wu’s has kept its quality standards of providing excellent service and serving up fragrant, mouth watering flavours of the Chinese Orient. It has consistently kept regulars satisfied while continuing to introduce new guests to one of Doha’s best Chinese restaurants.

The menu offers completely authentic Chinese cuisine with everything from dumplings, dim sum, noodles, rice, meats and seafood and lots of mouthwatering dishes.

Chef Austing Yang is man behind the scenes in the Ruby Wu’s kitchen. He and his team create memorable dining experiences for Doha’s diners every day. Chef Austing began his culinary adventure in early life.

“My passion for cooking goes back to my early childhood,” he says. “After graduating

CHEF’S TABLE

from high school I went on to study cooking at the International culinary school in china.”

“Having our guests leave with a smile on their face is an assurance that they were satisfied with the meal and service, there is nothing more important to me than that at my work place,” Chef Austing says. “I have seen many guests coming back to Ruby Wu’s over the years and during their visits they always bring friends or family to introduce them to their favorite Chinese eatery in Doha,” he adds.

Chef Austing admits that finiding certain Chinese spices and ingredients in the market here, can be quite challenging, however, he loves Doha’s culinary scene for its diversity.

“The diverse cultures within the city offer the opportunity to experience an even more diverse culinary culture,” he explains.

Menu Prawn mayonnaise Siu Mei Chicken Dim Sum Prawn Schzechuan Beef Tenderloin Hong Kong Style Noodles

“This is always a future welcomed by many as it helps expand our cooking skills and knowledge.”

We soon learn that Chef Austing loves cooking with seafood, and he especially likes preparing savoury dishes. As we make our way through a feast of starters including a huge variety of dim sum, it’s easy to see why people fall in love with Ruby Wu’s. Same goes for the noodle, stir-fry and rice mains – all components including meat and seafood are delectable – and everything is packed with a flavourful punch.

Chef Austing’s advice for upcoming chefs is: “They need to have passion for cooking and they need to love what they do,” he says.

“The cuisines they create are their ways of communicating to the guest so always try to bring something new to the table, something of their own.”

Some sound advice from a talented chef!

Visit Ruby Wu’s today and indulge in Chef Austing’s creations.

GO: Ruby Wu’s is located in Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha. Call 4428 1428 for reservations and more information. fact magazine

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Q&A

Nozomi:

A C o n tem p o rary Life s ty l E E x p erie n ce Nozomi, the renowned award winning contemporar y japanese lifestyle restaurant and celebrity hotspot, is launching soon at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, the Pearl-Doha. We caught up with restauranteur Marios George, who created the brand back in 2005 to learn more about what the restaurant will bring to Doha’s culinar y and entertainment scene…

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he esprit underlying Nozomi is one based on subtly fusing an entertainment and dining experience. A highly acclaimed cuisine is served along with a passionate musical offering, relying on a selection of world music choices designed to relax inhibitions, assuring a unique and overwhelming atmosphere; that is Nozomi.

The culinary style is best described as contemporary Japanese cuisine infused with European subtleties. Nozomi’s comprehensive selection of sushi, through to its famous Black Cod and tender Kobe beef, its world class lobster tempura to its vegetarian dishes, offer guests all that they have come to expect of contemporary Japanese cuisine, worldwide. A new bespoke dining menu is being developed for Nozomi Doha, containing Nozomi classics along with new creations. The menu will be revealed in the very near future.

Hi Marios! What inspired you to bring Nozomi to Doha?

It’s an interesting place. Qatar has a lot to offer, the city is developing at a fast rate. It seems to be very structured, very steady. It feels that there is a plan here. Plans here are very ambitious just like metros, architecture and many other pleasant things that are about to happen in the future. I see it as a very exciting place to be at the moment. Also, having partners with the vision to create something incredible is also exciting.

Tell us about the concept behind Nozomi?

We are best perceived as a lifestyle restaurant.

I take the view that going out shouldn’t only be eating, but a get together with as many experiences as possible. Years ago I started 84

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“Luckily we’ve been able to find all the ingredients we need, here in Doha, to be able to offer the same food quality as from the one in London.” seeing people starting to ‘dress down,’ I think it was 10 years ago, when people were not dressing up anymore to go out. They wore jeans and slacks, and going out wasn’t an occasion anymore. I wanted to create an atmosphere to bring that back: girls dressing up for an evening out, men getting ready, I wanted to create also a relaxing atmosphere where people could unwind. I did it Japanese style, and that’s the beauty of Japanese cuisine; it’s a sharing concept. The whole idea was to create an atmosphere or a reason for people to put on their best attire and go out. And really

to make it a party, we added music; so in real life we created an atmosphere of dining out where people want to be seen, and eat great food. It’s not a couples place, its mostly for a group and big nights!

You say music is such an important variable to the essence of Nozomi, what kind of environment can we expect?

A place to relax with friends. We have different djs that will create an atmosphere pthat’s perfect for mingling and having a good time. I’d say the music would be ‘housy’ at times – it’s filled with music, and as the night progresses the music progresses. Even music is designed to take you on a journey.

This is why Nozomi is a lifetsyle experience, because you don’t just go to eat great sushi, but also, to have a great time.

How did you get into the restaurant business?

I come from a club background. I’ve always come from that entertainment world. I love entertaining people.

Have you faced any challenges with opening Nozomi in Doha and how did you overcome these?

Creating a similar vibe from London here in Doha, during the daytime and adjusting to the traditions and culture has been a little challenging. Luckily we’ve been able to find all the ingredients we need, here in Doha, to be able to offer the same food quality as from the one in London. But everything has been great, having Antica Pesa and Toro Toro helps, as I can only envision great people enjoying what Nozomi has to offer.

GO: Nozomi will open at Marsa Malaz Kempinski soon.

Visit www.kempinski.com for more information.

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A Rooftop Sensation If you’re in search of a casual setting, where you can tuck into international flavours, head over to a dining grill that is certain to take you on an exquisite foodie adventure. FACT went along to Al Matbakh in Arumaila – Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels to experience the menu…

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here’s no doubt that when you think of old Doha, Souq Waqif comes to mind. Its old market charm resonates with Qatari culture and traditions whilst alluring views of the Corniche, from some of its venues, keep the Doha crowd coming back, time and again. One of these places, and the latest in rooftop grill experience in town, is Al Matbakh in Arumaila – Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels.

Located on the third floor, the FACT team was there for an evening of tandoori, churrasco, grills and other falvour-packed dining delights. With a casual and relaxed atmosphere, the venue made us feel completely at ease and comfortable, and we were ready to be served.

We started off with a delicious ebi tempura served with ponzu sauce – simply delicious. But, that was just the beginning.

Next up we were shown a one-of-a-kind presentation of how the restaurant’s homemade bread is carefully prepared, in the authentic tandoor, to give customers an true experience of Indian cuisine.

Not only does the venue serve mouthwatering Indian food, but it also has a Brazilian grill-style menu. As we wait for our next savoury surprise, we are captivated by what the venue has to offer for a great evening out and can’t stop gazing at the night sky full of stars.

There are also glass windows that provide magnificent views of West Bay and its skyscrapers, adding to the perfectly chilled atmosphere. This might just be our new favourite rooftop spot in Doha!

The foodie journey continues with a mix Brazilian barbeque grill. We were fast to tuck into yummy chicken, lobsters, prawns as well as a juicy steak, all with outstanding accompaniments. To top off the meal, try the fresh juices; our favourite has got to be the blueberry acquarius. Packed with fresh mint leaves and blueberries to give a nice refreshing punch throughout your dinner.

Al Matbakh carries an Arabic twist, with a façade and beautiful architecture that calls upon the Aztec adobe style.

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“Not only does the venue serve mouthwatering Indian food, but it also has a Brazilian grill-style menu. As we wait for our next savoury surprise, we are captivated by what the venue has to offer for a great evening out...” interiors, the choice of furniture and other décor like the cutlery will help to transport diners to a culinary world of divine flavours and amazing grill dishes.

As we were about to enter what seemed to be a food comma, we were served with some lovely desserts to top off a wonderful evening. Our favourite was the chocolate mousse mirror cake – highly recommended. After taking our time to slowly savour the last spoonful of this delicious dessert, we were already planning our next visit to Al Matbakh, and it will surely be sooner rather than later!

GO: Al Matbakh is open daily from 6pm to midnight. Call 4433 6712 for reservations and more information.

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Patisserie Perfection For the first time in the history of Cucina de Badir, our resident amateur chef ventured onto the dolce side! This month, Badir learns all about the craft of fine desserts from the masters and experts at The French Olive restaurant.

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atisserie, dolce, dulce, dessert, whatever name you want to give them, for me, sweet treats have never really been the forte when it comes to food. Unlike many others in the FACT office, my sweet tooth has never really blossomed.

So, you can imagine my nerves when I was told I’d be preparing the mother of Italian desserts – the tiramisu – and a foodie favourite – the chocolate fondant - for this month’s Cucina de Badir.

This was going to be a real culinary challenge for me as I was going to learn and prepare each dish from scratch (I’ll admit, it was kind of exciting too!).

I felt immediately at ease as soon as I was introduced to Ernesto Lingad, French Olive’s very own Executive Pastry Chef, and his team. They were friendly and welcoming, and really made me feel in my element! We dove straight into making Italy’s prime dessert, tiramisu.

Starting off, we began with whipping an egg yolk and sugar until it reached a floppy consistency. Taking another mixing bowl, I beat the egg white until it was the same floppy texture. We then combine the two mixes and fold together with flour. At this point, I was beginning to get more comfortable around the kitchen and with the ingredients. We then added the mixture to a piping bag with a round nozzle and piped it into a pan lined with baking sheet to create the first step of the tiramisu known as lady fingers. These are put in the oven for 15 minutes.

Now, the yummy part comes along as we create the mascarpone cream.

Chef Ernesto lets me take full charge as I beat the egg yolk and sugar in a bain marie then transfer it to the mixing machine until it becomes fluffy.

We carefully add mascarpone cheese and mix for about three minutes. I can already feel a new love for desserts 92

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“Now, the yummy part comes along as we create the mascarpone cream. Chef Ernesto lets me take full charge as I beat the egg yolk and sugar in a bain marie then transfer it to the mixing machine until it becomes fluffy.” starting, yum! I took 500ml of espresso coffee, and we began the assembling stage. I first dip a ladyfinger into the coffee and layer it inside the round presentation glass. Then we add mascarpone on top and we repeat the same procedure three times. A sprinkle of cocoa powder and some mix berries top off this excellent dessert. It tastes

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“As I joke around with the chef, a heartwarming conversation arises and he tells me about his patisserie community classes for anybody who is up for the challenge of making some sweet delights.” like a little piece of foodie heaven!

Next up is the chocolate fondant.

We use a wire whisk to mix some cocoa powder, unsweetened, icing sugar and some flour, adding eggs, an egg yolk and melted butter. The delicious-looking, melting chocolate mixture is poured into a dish and we let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes. For the making of the tuile garnish we combine flour, icing sugar, soft butter and an egg white, then mix together, well. This is left to sit for 20 minutes. As I joke around with the chef, a heartwarming conversation arises and he tells me about his patisserie community classes for anybody who is up for the challenge of making some sweet delights. Later, I take a spatula and spread the chocolate batter into a desired shape. This is baked in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until a golden brown texture is visible.

For the final touch on this exquisite dessert, we add the fondant and one scoop of vanilla ice cream, as well as fresh strawberries and chocolate sauce with baked tuile – just exquisite!

Dessert making challenge accomplished! All I can say is… hasta la próxima en la Cucna De Badir!

GO: Visit www.thefrencholive.com.qa or call 4444 4777 for reservations and more information. fact magazine

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DOHA DELIGHTS

Themed Foodie Treats

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The St. Regis Doha has a month full of excellent dining offers; check out Chilli Dog Tuesday for never-ending chilli dogs, fries, ice cream and a selected beverage – this is the ultimate indulgence for a sizzling QR125, served from 6pm to 11pm. For a taste of Britain, get down to the classic European a la carte brunch designed by Gordon Ramsay’s Chef. Indulge in a true European Brunch experience with unlimited British favourites at Opal By Gordon Ramsay, every Friday and Saturday from 12noon to 4pm.

Brunch is QR295 with soft beverages and QR395 with selected drinks. Another great promotion is BBQ Nights every Thursday at Vine. Ring in the weekend and experience a wide selection of BBQ grub and enjoy the views from the Terrace. QR320 including soft drinks, and QR420 including grapes, grain and sparkling beverages, served from 6.30pm to 11pm.

Call 4446 0105 for more information.

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Express Business

Seafood

Lunch

Specialities

It’s time to mix business with pleasure!

If you like a delicious, leisurely lunch then this is the dining deal you’ve been waiting for. Enjoy a light lunch in a bright setting at Corniche Restaurant with the new Express Business Lunch at the Doha Marriott. With a weekly menu rotation, sample Mediterranean favorites and regional specialties with highlights including homemade tortellini, oriental skewers and classic lamb flatbread. Delight in the carefully selected three-course set menu together with an unlimited salad bar. Served Sunday to Thursday, from 12noon to 3pm. Priced at QR95 – foodies rejoice!

Every Friday, indulge in the Seafood Brunch at Fish Market, InterContinental Doha. Tuck into the luxurious buffet and a market display featuring lobsters, oysters and tiger prawns. Choose from the wide range of beverage options to complement your meal whilst enjoying the stunning views of the Arabian Sea and Doha’s skyline, all for a cool QR375 including unlimited house beverages, tea, coffee and juices. A kids package is available for QR160, and brunch is served from 12.30pm to 4pm. Every Monday, it’s Sizzling & Sangrias, where you can bite into any of the sizzling seafood specialties and take a sip of the InterContinental secret sangria recipe. Enjoy a 25 per cent discount on house beverages and sangrias when any sizzling specialty is ordered – yummy!

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Call 4484 4919 or 4484 4444 for more information.

Doha DELIGHTS

HOTEL SPOTLIGHT

The Ritz-Carlton, Doha Contact No: +974 4484 8000

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At Marsa Malaz Kempinski, sweet treats have never been so good! Stop by Café Murano for afternoon tea and enjoy a collection of delicate and decadent sweet and savoury miniatures with a carefully selected range of tea and coffees, in a grand setting with stunning sea views.

Served daily from 2pm to 6pm. If you love chocolate then listen up. Don’t miss Kempinski Chocoholic Saturdays with a stupendous choco buffet including chocolate fountains, cakes, cookies, tarts, brownies, ice cream and much more. Served from 2pm to 6pm.

Call 4035 5011 for more information.

Wings Around The World Discover the world through food! One of the most unique aspects of travel is the luxury to taste all those new foods in different countries, broaden your culinary horizon and calibrate your taste buds. From hot Buffalo BBQ to Thai Chili to Middle Eastern Harissa and Jamaican Jerk, chicken wings at Admirals club will take you to a trip around the world discovering unique flavors while admiring the views of the Marina and torques blue waters. Daily from 6pm to 10pm.

Cronuts at the Lobby Lounge Did you know that a Cronut is the latest tasty trend to take the food world by storm? Just like it sounds, the Cronut is a pastry between a croissant and a doughnut. Inspired from the streets of New York City, pastry chefs Khaled Rashwan and Yusuke Aoki prepared summer treats in three Cronut flavors, raspberry jam, chocolate ganache and cinnamon sugar. Starting from the second week of July, guests may indulge in the mouthwatering Cronuts at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha Lobby Lounge.

Friday Brunch at The Lagoon Bring all the family for a relaxing weekend brunch. Live music complements the delicious buffet of Middle Eastern specialties and international live cooking stations. Children have their own junior buffet and entertainment. Priced at QR305 per person including soft beverages; QR395 including bubbly; and QR425 for the full brunch experience. Kids under the age of 4 can dine for free.

QR150 for kids aged four to 12 years old. Every Friday from 12.30pm to 4pm.

Become a Mixologist at Habanos Bar Every Friday you may experience the art of preparing your own signature Margaritas at Habanos bar. The professional team of mixologists will teach you of basic techniques, mixing concepts and glass decoration. Every Friday, from 5pm to 8pm.

Saturday Roast at Admiral’s Club End your weekend with a lavish platter of scrumptious food, situated in the perfect setting by the Marina at Admiral’s Club. This superb feast is priced at QR120 per portion from 1pm to 10pm every Saturday on the lower floor of Admiral’s Club.

Night Out...

Cigar Night at Habanos Enjoy 25% savings on all cigar selections. Every Friday from 5pm to 12.45am.

Hospitality Night Hotel professionals and airline crews enjoy 25% savings on selected menu. Every Friday from 8.15pm to 12.45am.

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Mighty Meat Feast

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For all the meat-eaters out there, New York Steakhouse at Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha has really got it going on!

Enjoy the daily Smoking Beef promotion which consists of bourbon barrel, wood chips smoked Beef Tartare, prepared and smoked by the brilliant host right in front of you. This is certainly a foodie first for Doha, served from 6.30pm to 11.30pm for QR105. Also running daily is the Three Countries, One Platter deal; taste three origins of beef tenderloin as Chef Jeremy Steele presents you 100gm cuts from the U.S.A, Argentina and Australia on one succulent plate. Treat yourself to three glasses of vino from each homeland, carefully paired to perfection. Served 6.30pm to 11.30pm for QR280. At the same timings, daily, there’s Tomahawk – Can you handle it? Choose from 1kg (QR690) or 2kgs (QR1280) of flavourful Tomahawk Wagyu Rib Eye and get eating!

Call 4419 6100 for more information.

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Weekend Italian Brunchin’

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La Veranda’s Italian Chef, Federiko Carsili, creates an irresistibly sumptuous weekend buffet every Friday and Saturday, from 12.30pm to 4pm, for brunch. The brunch includes barbecue and pasta à la minute live stations, fresh seafood and salad-bars, homemade sandwiches, anti-pasti and cold cut buffets, and one of Doha’s most generous variety of imported Italian and French premium quality cheeses, not forgetting the rich selection of artisanal pastries and desserts. QR220 per person, kids aged between the ages of six and 12 receive a 50 per cent discount and kids under the age of six dine for free.)

Call 4485 3000 for more information.

Appetising Delights at Aroma

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Savour the mouthwatering Summer Melon Menu at Aroma, Kempinski Residences & Suites, Doha. The Executive Chef Vinon Yergu has created a new summer menu with a creative melon twist. Taste delicate melon flavours in appetisers, salads, main courses and desserts. If you want a little more, try the Business Lunch by Aroma which offers a creative business lunch menu by using fresh and locally farmed ingredients. Mixing flavours from around the globe, the business lunch menu is refreshed every month. Available Saturday to Thursday, from 12noon to 3pm for a yummy QR95 per person. For something a little fancy, check out the Steak & Vino deal, served daily from 7pm to 11pm.

Enjoy the most succulent and tender steaks, perfectly combined with superb grilling, tasty accompaniments and a flawlessly matched glass of grape drink in Aroma.

Call 4405 3325 for more information.

Doha DELIGHTS

HOTEL SPOTLIGHT

sharq village & spa Contact No: +974 4425 6666

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Market by Jean-Georges at W Doha Hotel & Residences has some fabulous foodie offers for you this month. Pitcher Perfect sees guests enjoying signature Market by Jean-Georges cocktails served in pitchers with your favorite bites. Served Sunday to Thursday from 5pm to 7pm for QR160. Perk up your morning ladies with Morning Treats. Strut your style and mingle in the “Ladies only breakfast”.

Break the morning fast and kick start your day by unleashing Market by Jean-Georges’ decadent selection, from Sunday to Thursday, 9am to 11am, priced at QR75. Burger Nights takes place every Sunday from 6pm to 11pm - begin the week with a scrumptious selection of burgers along with a side dish and dessert for a complete meal at QR125.

Call 4453 5135 for more information.

Summer Splash Package Escape to the lush oasis of Sharq Village & Spa with exclusive privileges starting from QR1250 per night. The package includes overnight accommodation in a deluxe resort view room. Book a two-night consecutive stay in a deluxe room and enjoy 50% savings on second night or second room. Valid through September 1.

Treatment at Six Senses Spa Uplift your spirit and prepare for summer with this cooling full body experience, designed to reveal a fresh and glowing skin. This treatment includes a 30-minute stimulating exfoliation with natural orange and oatmeal followed by a nourishing 20-minute body wrap with Aloe Vera, honey and cucumber. Complete the ritual with a 50 minute Six Senses Signature Massage. The Cooling Summer treatment is 1 hour 40 minutes and priced at QR850.

Shisha Diwan The Shisha Diwan Al Qareb offers an exclusive venue to those who like to gather with friends and enjoy a wide variety of shisha flavours prepared at your table to entertain guests for a memorable gathering.

Available in Al Qareb from June 1 to September 30. Weekdays from 6pm to 1am, extended until 2am on weekends. Priced at QR275 per person throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Persian Family Specials Chef Moghadam Najjari delights your Iftar with regional specialties and classic dishes, showcasing the very best of Persian cooking. Available in Parisa from sunset to 10pm. Priced at QR215 per person.

Friday and Saturday Brunch Unwind with friends and family and indulge in a luxurious buffet featuring the freshest seafood, Middle Eastern favorites and international classics. Brunch takes places at Al Liwan from 12.30pm to 4pm. Priced at QR250 per person or QR390 inclusive of selected beverages.

QR125 for children aged six to 12.

Nights Out...

Sushi Mania @ Al Dana Enjoy masterfully and freshly prepared platters of sushi, maki and sashimi in our special open sushi night every Monday and Wednesday. From 6.30pm to 11pm, QR215 per person.

Salsa Candela @ Cigar Lounge Lively Latin sounds set the scene in The Cigar Lounge. Entrance fee includes a welcome drink.

TBA from 8pm to midnight, QR85 per person.

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Thomas Fehlbier

General Manager, Banana Island Resort Doha By Anantara

Your favorite cultural hotspots in Doha‌ The two very special places, to me, are the Museum Of Islamic Art and Al Shaikh Faisal Museum. I believe they are unique.

Doha Insider

What do you love most about life in Qatar?

The modern country of Qatar, whilst rooted in culture and tradition, is now a world-class hub. Adapting to an urbanised lifestyle, its 21st century skyline has characterised the country’s recent developments with a people proud of Three dining venues their ancestry and preserving their cultural you would recommend heritage. Doha is now a prominent cultural In Doha and Why? LA Piazza in Al Bidda Boutique Hotel, centre with outstanding museums, heritage Argan in Al Jasra Boutique Hotel, and landmarks like the traditional Souq Waqif Al Nahham and Emiragn Suitis in Al market and Katara Cultural Village that offers concerts, theatre and opera as well as Emadi Financial Square.

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art galleries, restaurants and an annual film festival. Qatar has accelerated large scale infrastructure developments to welcome visitors and benefit its citizens, such as the new state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport, a new railway network linking to a new metro, a new port with cruise passenger dock, the ambitious Sharq Crossing network of three spectacular bridges and undersea tunnels linking the airport to West Bay and The Pearl, and the Qatar-Bahrain causeway.

The way of living in Qatar is more chilled and relaxed and you can have a quality life to spend time with friends.

Blanco Lounge

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