What's On Abudubai - April 2021

IN SEARCH OF ABU DHABI'S UNTAMED SIDE...

EAT LOCAL

UAE DHS15

Amazing Emirati dishes and where to find them

ICONIC HOTELS

Picture perfect resorts in the UAE

CONTENTS FEATURES

GO WILD FIND OUT WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE P15 22 EAT LOCAL Amazing Emirati dishes and where to find them

28 PICTURE PERFECT Staying here for the ‘Gram – stunning hotels in the UAE

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CONTENTS COVER

REGULARS 10 Yalla!

Quick fix of news

66 Last-minute staycation Authentic Arabia in the city centre at Palace Downtown Dubai

36

Cover: Sheila Deocareza

Stay in touch

33 CONSUME 56

35 EAT Messy fun at Dampa seafood; refined Middle Eastern cuisine at Li Beirut. Plus, meaty fun at The Foundry and Instagramworthy dishes at Brunch & Cake

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

Page 49

45 CULTURE

60 46 46 AGENDA

56 ACTIVITIES

Six unmissable art events to attend in the UAE

Summer’s coming – check out these fun things to do before it gets too hot

49 MOBILE HOMES

49 4_What’s On

55 ACTIVE

Meet the team behind the country’s first bespoke camper vans

60 TRAVEL Where and how to be a digital nomad

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

Get in touch twitter.com/ WhatsOnAbudhabi facebook.com/ WhatsOnAbudhabi instagram.com/ WhatsOnAbudhabi youtube.com/ WhatsOnAbudhabi

At the Warehouse restaurant & lounge, dining is designed to be a shared experience. Discover the most delicious shared plates in the city, including handcrafted tapas and grape beverages. The award-winning restaurant is introducing newer, more delightful items on the menu for you to taste. Soak up the lively atmosphere, as the more time you spend, the more exciting it gets.

NEW menu items not to be missed !

Only at Pearl Rotana…

For more information or to make a reservation, call +971(2)307 5552 or email warehouse.pearl@rotana.com thewarehouseabudhabi

Taking you from the classroom to the boardroom.

UOWD is proud to introduce “The Edge”, a first-of-its-kind 12-month career readiness journey that combines cutting edge tools from business, coaching, psychometrics and behavioural science, with mentoring from world-class experts to prepare students for their future career.

The Edge is embedded into all new UOWD degrees and is provided to newly enrolled students free-of-charge.

Students will receive a personality profile to evaluate whether their choice of degree matches their personality type.

800-UOWD (8693) or +971 4 2781800 | info@uowdubai.ac.ae www.uowdubai.ac.ae/wo

The Edge will prepare graduates to be workplace ready, with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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

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

ART DIRECTOR Sheila Deocareza sheila@motivate.ae JUNIOR DESIGNER Remy Thokchom thokchom.remy@motivate.ae

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

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

Annual Subscription UAE Dhs180 • GCC and International US$130 (inclusive of postal charges) Head Office: Media One Tower, Dubai Media City, PO Box 2331, Dubai, UAE, Tel +971 4 427 3000; Fax +971 4 428 2270 Dubai Media City: SD 2-94, 2nd Floor, Building 2, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +971 4 390 3550, Fax: +971 4 390 4845 Abu Dhabi: PO Box 43072, UAE, Tel: +971 2 677 2005, Fax: +971 2 677 0124, E-mail: editor-wo@motivate.ae London: Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London NW1 3ER, UK, Email: motivateuk@motivate.ae

Printed by Emirates Printing Press, Dubai

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EDITOR’S LETTER

SO THIS IS IT. THIS, RIGHT HERE, IS THE MONTH…

...We’ve done the rain, and the crazy fog days, but we’ve not quite hit the searing summer sun (although it’s in the post), meaning that this month, right now, is the perfect month for Abu Dhabi weather. April is glorious. Like the third of the three bears’ porridge, the weather in April is not too hot, not too cold, but just right. This, people, is the month to get outdoors. But what to do? Take a walk on the wild side, that’s what – from breakfast with giraffes to dolphin spotting off the coast of Saadiyat, now is the time. And with our seven-page guide to where the wild things are (starting p15), there’s no excuse not to get out and explore.

So, go, get outside, and make the most of April, the month that is the Emirates’ best weather month*.

Enjoy the issue.

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

*I wrote this at the end of March. If, for some reason, the weather actually turns out to be awful, then please just ignore all that above, yeah? Thanks very much.

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youtube.com/ WhatsOnDubai

BRILLIANT THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN APRIL

CELEBRATE MACHBOOS MONDAYS

When: Every Monday, until May 31 The ‘Machboos Mondays’ initiative, part of the recently launched Emirati Cuisine Programme, offers residents fantastic discounts on local cuisine at a select number of hotels across the emirate. Discounts range from 10 to 20 per cent at 11 hotels across the emirate. q visitabudhabi.cn/en/campaign/emirati-cuisine

NEW HIP-HOP EXHIBITION

When: Until May 31 Manarat Al Saadiyat is hosting a notoriously BIG exhibition.

You’ll find treasures including photographs, albums, magazine covers and memorabilia, helping to chart hip-hop history. a Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, daily 10am to 8pm, until May 31.

Dhs30 per person. Tel: (0)2 657 5800. manaratalsaadiyat.ae 10_What’s On

SMOKE AND FLAMES SHOWDOWN

When: April 3 It’s the finals of the countrywide competition to find the UAE’s best amateur barbecue master. The winner goes home with Dhs10,000. q rotana.com/offers/26291

DUBAI FOOD FESTIVAL

When: Until April 17 Feast your way through the city’s food scene during the annual Dubai Food Festival with limited-edition menus, guided food tours, cooking masterclasses by top chefs and more. q @DubaiFoodFest

WORLD ART DUBAI

When: April 7 to 10 The Middle East’s largest accessible and affordable art fair concept, which provides a unique fusion of art retail, entertainment and education. q worldartdubai.com

RAMADAN

When: April 12 (TBC) The Holy Month is expected to commence around April 12, meaning a month of reflection, fasting, giving and more. Be sure to check out your free guide complete with listings of all the iftars taking place in the UAE.

VISIT THE OWL CAFÉ

When: Open daily The region’s first owl cafe is doing a barnstorming trade in coffee and closeup cuddly encounters with a collection of feathered baristas. a Next to AlSeef Village Mall, open daily 2pm to 10pm. @boomah.ae

KIDS TEE OFF FOR FREE

When: Weekends, 3pm Yas Links Abu Dhabi and Troon are preparing for the next generation of golf stars.

On weekends juniors can play for free with a paying adult. q troonabudhabi.com

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT ABU DHABI STAY When: Throughout April Enjoy free breakfast and access to Yas theme parks.

Rates from Dhs379. q marriott.com

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Experience the very best of

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

WhatsOnSaudiArabia.com whatsonksa

It was an honour. To be thanked in this manner for my contribution to the UAE’s diverse cultural landscape was deeply humbling. It was also reassuring because it meant that they want me to stay for another 10 years, and it’s always nice to be wanted.

MAXINE ENGLISH THE STAGE QUEEN

What show would you love to bring to the UAE? I would really love to produce an entirely original musical.

Watch this space for that …

What do you love about the UAE? The never ending opportunities. If you can dream it, then you can make it happen here. The projects I have been involved with and the venues I have worked in, all of these things are only possible because of this country’s vision.

U

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

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

How long have you been in Dubai?

I’vee been in Dubai for over 20 years now, which means that I have spent more of my life here than anywhere else. This is home to me, it’s where my family is and my heart.

“FOR AS LONG AS THEY’LL HAVE ME, I’LL BE MAKING MUSIC AND THEATRE HERE” Who are you, and what’s made you UAE famous?

I think it’s a combination of a few things – the core of it being my heavy involvement in entertainment in the UAE. I have delivered shows that range from the Rolling Stones and Madonna, to opening and running theatres across Dubai, including Souk Madinat, DUCTAC and Theatre by QE2.

Have you a favourite production?

Bringing Michael Ball to Abu Dhabi was a huge career defining moment for me, but also producing Wind in the Willows last year was wonderful. It was something I worked on from start to finish,

from script to stage, and that level of commitment to a show means that it lives with you for a long time.

Last year you were awarded the Golden Card Visa. How did that feel?

What stresses you out about the UAE? Timing. The downside of a country that can achieve anything means that often we are asked to complete impossible tasks in a very, very short time.

Do you reckon Dubai is your forever home?

For as long as they will have me, I will be here making music and theatre… q parklanelive.com; @missmaxineann

Above: Rehearsals in progress for The Divas, a Park Lane Live show

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THERE’S MORE TO ABU DHABI THAN GLITTERING TOWERS AND BUZZING BEACH CLUBS. THERE’S A WORLD OF UNTOUCHED WILDERNESS, STUNNING WILDLIFE AND ‘BIG’ COUNTRY TO EXPLORE...

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TA K E A WA L K O N T H E W I L D S I D E

Kayak through the verdant waterways of Jubail Mangrove Park

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ubail Mangrove Park opened in January last year, offering visitors the opportunity to explore one of this region’s most fascinating natural ecosystems.

The park features a meandering 2.3km boardwalk through the mangroves. Look carefully and you’ll spot herons, flamingos, turtles, gazelle, crabs, as well as some more mysterious creatures. There are plenty of ways to explore this fascinating turquoise expanse, including ranger-led, 16_What’s On

guided boardwalk (from Dhs50), kayaking (Dhs100), and e-canoe tours (from Dhs80). For a longer stay, there are now a series of glamping pods on the island. Stays at Pura Eco Retreat (staypura.com) start around Dhs2,000 per night. a Jubail Mangrove Park, Al Jubail Island (next to Saadiyat Island), Abu Dhabi, 8am to 7.30pm daily, Dhs15 for adult, Dhs10.

Tel: (05) 63032423. park.jubailisland.ae

Meet the mountain inhabitants of Jebel Hafit

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art of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jebel Hafit is Abu Dhabi’s tallest peak, located in Al Ain, and about 90 minutes’ drive from the capital city. There is a campground that offers tented accommodation and pitches for those that wish to bring their own canvas and poles (campsites from Dhs100). You can also rent traditional Bedouin-inspired tents (from around Dhs500), bubble tents equipped with panoramic windows that are just perfect for stargazing (from Dhs700) or luxury dome tents, which come with AC, a TV and a telescope (from Dhs900).

Holiday-makers come here to hike, mountain bike (rental available), dune buggy or horse ride. a You can book your stay now at jebelhafitdesertpark. com, or by calling (03) 711 8362.

Walk the border between city and serenity at Al Gurm Corniche

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bu Dhabi has just opened a brand new waterfront promenade, Al Gurm Corniche. Its shaded walkways and Mangrove National Park views are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day and dotted with engaging opportunities to rest, get fit, or learn about the local area and its inhabitants. There’s a cycle track, three outdoor gym-style exercise platforms, kayaking adventures, areas designated for alfresco yoga sessions, and a range of food and beverage outlets. a Al Gurm Corniche, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street. @algurmcorniche

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TA K E A WA L K O N T H E W I L D S I D E

Have breakfast with the giraffes at Emirates Park Zoo

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mirates Park Zoo has an incredibly diverse population of animal inhabitants, some of them cuddly, some of them less so. They also have immersive experiences where you can get up close and relatively personal with a select crew of animal pals.

The Big Cat Brunch lets you eat lunch in the company of an actual leopard (because, UAE). Too wild? Why not book the famous ‘breakfast with a giraffe’? The zoo also has its own resort with chalets, zoo view rooms and accommodation with pool access. a Emirates Park Zoo, 12th St – Al Bahyah, 1pm to 2.30pm, Dhs149 per person (minimum of four people), which includes zoo admission.

Tel: (02) 501 0000, emiratesparkzooandresort. com

Embark on a desert island safari at Sir Bani Yas Island

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ir Bani Yas Island is one of those destinations that has to be seen to be believed.

Accessed via a 25-minute boat ride from Jebel Dhanna (itself a two-hour drive from downtown Abu Dhabi), the island wilderness is home to a collection of exciting wildlife, architectural wonder, romantic vistas and three luxury Anantara resorts. This castaway paradise is a protected Royal Nature Reserve, flourishing with over 11,000 animals, including 30 different endangered species such as blackbuck antelope and Arabian oryx as well as giraffe, ostrich and cheetah. Guests on the island have the opportunity to go on-safari and snatch memorable opportunities to glimpse these rare creatures, without a single cage or handler in sight. q anantara.com 18_What’s On

See the start of Abu Dhabi’s ‘origin story’ at Al Wathba wetlands

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he reserve re-opened on January 1, and is a great place for families and children to take a wander through some real undeveloped UAE habitat. It’s primarily known for its large population of shocking pink flamingos but is home to more than 250 species of birds, 37 plant species and a wide range of aquatic life. The reserve is free to visit and open from Tuesday to Saturday from 8am until 6pm (last entry is at 4pm). a Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, Tue to Sat 8am to 6pm, free entry. ead.gov.ae

Feed the lions at Al Ain Zoo

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his 400-hectare park’s animal register includes gorillas, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, jaguars, lemurs and hippos. For more off-the-beatentrack experiences, Al Ain Zoo recently opened a pair of mountain biking experiences (from as little as Dhs15), allowing you to take a tour through the local landscape under your own steam. For those rocking a bit of a Steve Irwin vibe, the zoo is now giving visitors a rare shot at making friends with Mufasa, by heading into the lion’s den and feeding the king of the jungle.

At this stage, we should point out that safety equipment, including a caged vehicle, is provided. Hop in the back of the all-terrain truck, gingerly grasp your tongs and offer pieces of meat through the gaps in the cage into the jaws of hungry lions. a Al Ain Zoo, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 6pm, adult price of park tickets Dhs29, lion feeding experience, Fri and Sat Dhs150. alainzoo.ae What’s On_19

Blaze your own trail through the empty quarter

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bu Dhabi’s Off-Road Driving Project is a series of six cross-country driving routes mapped across meandering terrain, compiled by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT). The trails have been designed for those with a taste for adventure to head off on safe selfdrive expeditions, and track down intrepid desert camping experiences. The routes have been graded at different accessibility and driving ability levels, from beginner to expert.

Each option offers its own exciting sight-seeing opportunities, with wildlife encounters, secret ghaf forests, camel racing tracks, desert tombs and hidden oases. You can pull up detailed information on routes, points of interest and camping opportunities as well as safety procedures, emergency information and pre-trip checklists on the visitabudhabi.ae website.

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Go dolphin spotting on Saadiyat Island

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he Environment Agency — Abu Dhabi (EAD) has calculated that the coastal waters of Abu Dhabi are home to approximately 700 humpback dolphins, which, sadly, makes it potentially the largest community of these endangered creatures in the world.

Saadiyat Island is probably one of your best shots at seeing these magnificent animals in the wild, as their preferred feeding grounds stretch along the northern beaches and across to Jubail’s mangroves. Grab a pair of binoculars and head to one of the many hotels along that shorefront (including Jumeirah at Saadiyat and Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island) and get yourself a day pass. Or there’s the beach club, Soul, for an affordable alternative.

TA K E A WA L K O N T H E W I L D S I D E

Consult parliament at this Owl Cafe

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he region’s first owl cafe is doing a barnstorming trade in coffee and close-up cuddly encounters with a collection of feathered baristas.

The animals are cared for by a team of highly skilled owl specialists who are on hand to look after the birds as well as lead interactions with the cafe’s guests. You are allowed supervised interaction with the birds but you’ll have to wash your hands with special owlfriendly hand sanitiser before going ahead and tickling a tawny (or any of the other 10 species of owl). The owls are free to fly at night, and because the cafe only opens at 2pm, they get a proper lie-in during the day. a Next to AlSeef Village Mall, open daily 2pm to 10pm. @boomah.ae

Discover the ancient green scenes of Al Ain Oasis

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his 1,200-hectare desert oasis is found in the middle of Al Ain and attained UNESCO World Heritage status in 2011. It contains more than 147,000 date palms, trees bearing mangos, oranges, bananas, figs and jujube.

The lush botanical abundance is created with the help of falaj systems, ancient irrigation networks that tap into mountain aquifers. Whilst the wildlife isn’t a deliberate attraction here, with its whimsical shaded pathways beneath fractal canopies, it’s still a place that provides a shuddering contrast to the urban jungle of Abu Dhabi’s cityscape. a Al Ain, open daily 9am to 5pm.

Tel: (03) 711 8251. visitabudhabi.ae What’s On_21

Take your tastebuds on an authentic tour of the Emirate by sampling exotic Emirati cuisine

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hile Abu Dhabi has plenty of fantastic cuisines on offer, from Pinoy and Peruvian to Moroccan and Iranian, it’s always been a little harder to find authentic Emirati fare in the city. Traditionally, these dishes have just been served in local homes or at significant celebrations – such as iftar during Ramadan – but with the help of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) that’s finally starting to change, with a new initiative determined to shine a light on this incredible cuisine. The recently-launched Emirati Cuisine Programme is giving residents and visitors the opportunity to try some local flavours at a select number of hotels across the emirate until May. Under the programme, 32 chefs at approximately 30 hotels received training from Emirati chef Khulood Atiq to prepare and serve a range of authentic Emirati dishes. Be sure to look out for the Machboos Mondays deals, which features discounts ranging from 10 per cent to 20 per cent off Emirati dishes at a selection of hotels every Monday. (If you don’t know your machboos from your balaleet, check out our Emirati cuisine glossary on page 25.)

Here’s a look at just some of the locations where you can try authentic Emirati cuisine this month…

“Emirati food is a symbol of the UAE’s renowned generosity and hospitality and a celebration of our local culture and history.

We are delighted to be able to share this part of our rich heritage with visitors and residents”- HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi

Al Dar Al Rawda Arjaan by Rotana Chef Yamen Mouffek Albdera has added a taste of Emirati culture to the menu at Al Rawda Arjan with six new authentic dishes, including his own special take on balaleet and harees.

Corniche All Day Dining Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche Chef Rohan Patil has introduced five new Emirati dishes to the hotel’s international buffet menu, bringing local flair to this popular dining spot.

Dishes include balaleet, harees and ouzi.

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GO LOCAL

Nuevo Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport Chef Nitesh Lama has added eight new dishes to the breakfast menu and international buffet, including leguimat, chebab or marguga.

Ingredients Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Inspired by Abu Dhabi, Ingredients has refreshed its menu with a wide range of authentic Emirati dishes. Chef Idin Asmitha has reworked ten Emirati classics, including ouzi, leguimat and madrooba.

C.Taste Centro Al Manhal by Rotana Chef Yamen Albdera has whipped up a fresh Emirati-inspired menu with six new dishes, including a machboos of fish and chicken.

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SAY WHAT?

YOUR USEFUL GLOSSARY TO EMIRATI CUISINE Ouzi (also ghouzi, qoozi, qozi) – Often known as the signature iftar buffet dish, ouzi sees slowly cooked lamb topped with roasted nuts, raisins and served over aromatic rice.

Luqaimat (also leguimat) – A puffy and sweet fried dumpling often garnished with sesame seeds then served as a dessert drizzled in date syrup.

Elements Hili Rayhaan by Rotana This stylish resort in Al Ain’s popular Hili district is the perfect place to stay for anyone interested in exploring the nearby historical sites. Take your knowledge of Emirati culture to the next level by sampling six new Emirati dishes on chef Maher Aljawabra’s menu.

Machboos (also machbous) – Arguably the most popular Emirati dish, machboos is similar to biryani, with rice cooked in the spiced broth of meat, fish or chicken.

Chebab (also chabab) – Affectionately known as Emirati pancakes, chebab is often served for breakfast or dinner with cheese and honey.

Marguga (also margooga) – A hearty lamb, potato and carrot stew heavily spiced with cinnamon, cumin, cloves and cardamom.

Thareed (also Tharid) – Crispy flatbread called rigag is layered with roasted vegetables or meat stew made with tomatoes.

Sedra Restaurant Ayla Bawadi Hotel You’ll find six new Emirati dishes on the menu at Sedra Restaurant. Chef Murali Palinchi and his team highly recommend the new machboos chicken and machboos fish dishes.

New Season City Seasons Al Hamra This plush hotel in the centre of the city has fully embraced the new Emirati Cuisine programme with an eclectic selection of dishes inspired by authentic traditional recipes.

Balaleet – A popular breakfast choice which includes vermicelli sweetened with sugar, cardamom, rose water and saffron, and served with an omelette on top.

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GO LOCAL

Khayal Marriott Hotel Al Forsan Abu Dhabi Chef Sudhanshu Nirmal has added an exciting selection of authentic local dishes to the menu at Khayal restaurant, so you can sample real-deal Emirati food.

TAKE-AWAY OR ROOM SERVICE ONLY

Essence Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi Executive sous chef Abu Halab Ahmad Daiekh has created some exciting local dishes, including chicken machboos and lamb ouzi. There’s also a delicious vegetarian dish called thareed that’s worth trying.

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Printania Royal Rose Hotel Resembling a 17th century Parisian palace with intricate gold-leaf designs and ornate chandeliers, the five-star Royal Rose Hotel has now added an Emirati twist to its Printania restaurant with the addition of some local dishes prepared by Chef Pankaj Kumar.

Nara Restaurant

Ayla Restaurant Ayla Hotel Thanks to Chef Rohan Kularatne, diners at Ayla Restaurant can now enjoy an authentic taste of Emirati culture with his take on chebab as one of the stand out dishes.

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Ayla Grand Hotel, Al Ain The popular Al Ain resort has introduced six new Emirati-inspired dishes to its international buffet menu. Chef Sailesh has worked wonders with these authentic recipes, and the new leguimat dish comes highly recommended.

more information about the Emirati Cuisine Programme, visit emiraticuisine.ae

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These luxury hotels are as Instagrammable as they are iconic 28_What’s On

ICONIC HOTELS

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he UAE has no shortage of wowworthy hotels and resorts, and some just truly take your breath away. From dreamy interiors to striking architecture and wow-worthy facilities, we’ve rounded up the most stunning and photogenic hotels in the UAE.

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One&Only The Palm Dubai This luxury resort can be reached on the furthest end of the West Crescent of Palm Jumeirah, either by car or boat in its private marina.

The property has 90 rooms and four exclusive beach villas with attention to every detail paid. The supersize pool is 850 square metres, and leads out onto the 450 metres of beach front, which offers stunning views of Dubai’s Marina skyline. q oneandonlyresorts.com

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Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara, on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, has recently been ranked as the most Instagrammable hotel in the world by Luxury Travel Advisor. More than 35,000 readers voted for the stunning, five-star desert property, which sits on the edge of Abu Dhabi’s Empty Quarter – the world’s largest sand desert. Hidden amongst the sea of rolling, flame orange dunes, Anantara Qasr Al Sarab is one of the UAE’s best-loved, traditional Arabian escapes. A secluded desert oasis, there are 141 rooms, suites and pool villas on offer, all decorated with traditional arabesque touches with endless vistas out across the desert dunes. q anantara.com 02

The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert Located in Ras Al Khaimah’s protected nature reserve, this Ritz Carlton hotel is a world away from Dubai’s hustle and bustle, despite being only 45 minutes away. The remote destination has 100 private villas, each with their own pool and terrace. The 500 hectare reserve has Arabian oryx, sand and Arabian gazelles, camels and horses and desert treks on camel or horseback can be aranged, as well as private archery lessons, stargazing, falconry shows, owl interaction and nature walks. q ritz-carlton.com What’s On_29

ICONIC HOTELS

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Emirates Palace

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Zaya Nurai Island Fancy waking up to an ocean view you can almost touch? No, you don’t need to go to the Maldives for this experience, Abu Dhabi’s Zaya Nurai Island has just that. You’ll need to take a 12 minute boat ride from Saadiyat Island to find it, but this luxury resort is worth the extra trip to enjoy pure serenity. The exclusive hotel comes complete with a pristine sandy beach and wooden sea swings within crystal-clear waters. The villas range from one up to six bedrooms and all come with their own private pool and outdoor terrace. q zayanuraiisland.com

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Queen Elizabeth 2 This unique concept, known as the ‘oldest hotel in Dubai’, reached the emirate over a decade ago but has recently been modernised and converted into a four star hotel. The Middle East’s first floating hotel is permanently docked in Dubai’s port, Mina Rashid. The hotel has kept many of its original factors, even offering daily heritage tours to give guests a better understanding of the maritime history of the grand ship. The hotel is home to deluxe suites that offer a luxury experience that would’ve only been affordable to the richest of residents in the past. q qe2.com 30_What’s On

This 850,000sqm lavish hotel is set on 1.3km of private beach, comes with two expansive swimming pools, and panoramic views of the Gulf. The hotel is in the top five most expensive buildings in the world, costing Dhs14.3 billion to be built.

It’s a magpie’s dream with 1,002 chandeliers, the largest weighing 2.1 tonnes, while the interiors are created from gold, mother of pearl and crystals. With 394 luxurious rooms and suites, as well as 14 restaurants, there’s hardly a need to even leave the resort. q kempinski.com

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Shangri La, Qaryat Al Beri This Abu Dhabi resort, located at Qaryat Al Beri, by the Abu Dhabi Creek, has stunning facilities including a souk, a one kilometre private beach and lush garden. Qaryat Al Beri has traditional abra rides swiftly moving through the waterways, and a private marina. The property has 213 rooms and suites, six private villas and 160 serviced apartments as well as seven dining outlets.

From the beach, you can enjoy unprecedented views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, silhouetted at sunset. q shangri-la.com

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The Abu Dhabi Edition This is the newest hotel on the list, so is no doubt built with Instagram in mind.

The chic modern property boasts not one but two pools, 198 guest rooms, 57 serviced apartments and three signature restaurants. There are sophisticated interiors running throughout, that we could only dream of having our home designed like. The hotel has two penthouse rooms, surrounded by open terraces for guests to take in the stunning marina views. q editionhotels.com

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Bulgari Resort

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Burj Al Arab It wouldn’t be a list of Instagrammable hotels without mentioning Dubai’s very own seven star hotel, Burj Al Arab. The iconic building has pretty much become the face of the emirate since its opening in 1999. With its notable sail-shaped design, 24-carat gold leaf interior, helipad, and nine dining and entertainment venues, it claims to be the most luxurious hotel in the world. The terrace has two swimming pools, 32 cabanas and the spa boasts a stunning infinity pool with panoramic views of Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. q jumeirah.com

Situated on Jumeira Bay, the man-made island shaped like a seahorse, Bulgari Resort has a private marina with 50 boat berths, creating the first world’s Bulgari Yacht Club.

With stunning views of Burj Khalifa, the 101 rooms and suites offer chic amenities as well as the 20 villas with private pool, lush garden and sea view. The stunning 1,700sqm spa offers guests luxury treatments to unwind and de-stress as well as a hammam room, indoor pool, fitness centre and beauty salon. q bulgarihotels.com What’s On_31

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

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Cake by the marina Brunch & Cake opens in Abu Dhabi DAMPA SEAFOOD GRILL p36 THE FOUNDRY p38 What’s On_33

C O N S U M E

EAT // REVIEW

LI BEIRUT

This old faithful serves as a love letter to Levantine cuisine ith the moon of Ramadan looming large in the night sky, our food thoughts flow like tides towards the sacred ceremony of iftar. The nightly gathering to break fast is an important ritual in this region, and there is arguably no better way to do it, than with a true Arabian feast.

With that in mind, we’ve arrived at the dizzying Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers to try out its popular modern Levantine restaurant, Li Beirut.

It’s a balmy evening so our server suggests we take up residence on the elevated terrace, set a floor up from the resort’s infinity pool, and permitting views out across the Corniche’s starlit waterfront.

Our waitress cheerily tells us that she ‘hopes we’re hungry’, the warning siren that lets us know we’re about to experience some traditionally generous Middle Eastern hospitality.

We select hot and cold mezzes, and before they arrive a garden-fresh salad is served alongside warm bread and olives.

As the starters arrive plate by plate we begin by picking our way through the chef-recommended eggplant experience (Dhs55). It’s aubergine three-ways, with crispy slices of the vegetable served alongside a smoked mutabel, walnut salsa and an eggplant sautee.

It’s a brilliantly conceived piece of kitchen alchemy, and the plate is cleared despite nobody in the What’s On dining party listing aubergine as a particular favourite. The stuffed lamb and marrow vine leaves (Dhs165) are plump with their own distinct Li Beirut aromatic tastetinkering. The citrus and savoury filling riffs playfully with subtly spiced-rice.

The fattoush salad is a solid sumacenriched staple (Dhs40), and we collectively share a moment of deepappreciation for the oozing cheese rokakat.

There is a massive selection of signature Lebanese-style charcoal-fired extravagance on the menu, but already having fed well,

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and out of curiosity of comparison, we’ve chosen to go hard on the mixed grill (Dhs195).

We’re greeted with leham meshwi (lamb skewers), kofta, and shish taouk.

Being veterans of the mixed-grill game, we feel we’ve earned the right to speak

authoritatively on the subject. And here we can confidently reassure you that the dish is priced appropriately. Seasoning, char, marinade and provenance unite to lift this platter high above the average. It’s very good.

We’re saying farewell to Li Beirut with the Arabic coffee ivory chocolate globe.

A dish that collapses into its wild berry foundations under the torrent of molten chocolate that’s poured on top. And after an intense flourish of fork, that too disappears. An appropriately theatrical end to this Arabian night.

Verdict: This restaurant, like the hotel it’s found within, stands tall amongst its Levantine peers in the capital. Certainly one to seek out for anybody seeking to experience a refined taste of Lebanon. a Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, W Corniche Road, seatings at 7pm to 11.30pm, closed Mon and Tue. Tel: (02) 811 5666, @libeirut.conradetihadtowers RATING Food �������������������������������������������������������������� B+ Atmosphere ��������������������������������������������������� Price �������������������������������������������������������

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C O N S U M E

EAT // REVIEW

DAMPA SEAFOOD GRILL ABU DHABI

Famous Pinoy seafood joint has a need – a need to feed... he well-established Dubai location of Dampa Seafood Grill has earned a rightful seat at the head of the affordable dining scene. And although its younger sibling, the Abu Dhabi branch has only been dumping buckets of oceanic bounty for a little under two years now, it already has a pincer grip around the capital’s seafood fanciers.

But what’s all the fuss about? Why does Dampa enjoy such a cult-level of

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impassioned devotion? We headed over to find out.

First impressions aren’t allowed much time to percolate at Dampa. As soon as you are through the door, you’re bombarded (in an entirely charming way) by loud colourful facades, cluttered neon signs and wall art (‘if it smells of fish, eat it’) with a tongue very deliberately in cheek.

There are two levels of dining space here: the ground floor is bright and buzzing with a hot pot of mixed nationalities. The basement section has a firm fiesta vibe with gaming attractions that include a foosball table (in accordance with government guidelines, currently off-limits).

We decide to sit at a wooden bench upstairs, where our server wraps the table in protective paper cloth and dishes out gloves and bibs, because, we’re reliably informed, it’s about to get messy.

The signature dining experience at Dampa comes via the medium of buckets or ‘dumps’ of seafood. Giant baskets of freshly grilled shrimp, crab, mussels, clams and sweetcorn cobs, which are heaved theatrically onto your table.

We select the Cajun spice preparation as our marinade (other options include ‘Mexican’, the mild ‘Mardi Gras’ and ‘Thai’). It’s just Dhs152.25, comes with paired mocktails and rice and feeds about two to three or potentially even seven people (depending on how hungry they are). We also select a few chef ’s specials – baked mussels (Dhs39), grilled giant squid (Dhs38), and cheesy lobster thermador (Dhs47).

The ‘dump’ arrives in a giant metal bowl and our waiter uses a thin trickle of loose marinade to sketch out a Cajun spice heart on the table. The container is then lovingly upended in the middle of the heart. Love truly is shellfish, afterall.

We begin dissecting the huge chitinous mountain, peeling off perfectly cooked morsels of flesh. The flavours sing in operatic verse of spice and smokiness and just a semi-quaver of sweetness.

It’s a masterful delivery of an uncontrived idea.

We also need to give a special mention to the cheesy lobster thermador, a delicious replica of the archetypal finedining staple, bubbling with buttery umami.

Verdict: This is a meal that’s more than the sum of its flavours. It’s also enormously good fun, possibly the closest we’ll ever get to a medieval, Game of Thrones-style banquet. The service was warm and professional, and the lively ambiance undulled by pandemic restrictions. a Fatima Bint Mubarak Street, daily noon to 11.35pm daily. Tel: (02) 622 0096. @dampaseafoodgrill RATING Food ���������������������������������������������������������������� A Atmosphere ���������������������������������������������������� Price �������������������������������������������������������

C O N S U M E

EAT // NEWS

Four new restaurants A quartet of top dining destinations are headed for Yas Bay

3. SIDDHARTA BUDDHA BAR ABU DHABI The team behind Siddharta Lounge Abu Dhabi by Buddha Bar say that it’ll be a “dazzling rooftop playground complete with a Mediterranean menu, clever mixology, jaw-dropping views and stateof-art concept events.” Big statement. But judging by the success of its counterpart in Dubai, it should live up to the hype.

We’ve also heard rumblings of a few more Buddha Bar concepts making their way to Yas Bay. More to come on WhatsOn.ae.

1. ASIA ASIA Solutions Leisure Group, the team behind Dubai mega hospitality projects such as Lock, Stock and Barrel, STK and Asia Asia, has announced that the latter will open in Yas Bay. The What’s On Award-winning pan-Asian restaurant is known for its party atmosphere and excellent fusion of Asian and Middle Eastern flavours. Let’s hope for a gorgeous terrace overlooking the new Bay, too. q asia-asia.com

2. LOCK, STOCK AND BARREL

4. THE CENTRAL Initial renderings of new entertainment destination The Central suggest that an arcade complex, complete with Pac Man, air hockey and simulators, is headed to the new Yas Bay development. There’s also a retro diner inside, which we predict will serve up a selection of American comfort food. q WhatsOn.ae

Another hit from the Solutions Leisure Group, Lock, Stock and Barrel has been the go-to party-into-the-early-hours venue for a few years now. Restrictionspermitting, we can expect live music, ample dancefloor space, and a menu of international bites, including its signature metre-long flatbread. q lsbabudhabi.com

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LE PETIT CHEF: THEATRICAL DINING

Dinner and a show may be off the cards right now, but it’s on the table at Ray’s Grill, quite literally.

Le Petit Chef a is a one-of-a-kind fine-dining experience that sees a thumb-sized chef prepare your meal thanks to the magic of top-notch 3D visual technology. This unique experience uses cuttingedge technology, story-telling theatrics, interactivity and illusion a Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Tue to Sat 7pm and 9.30pm, from Dhs385 (adults), Dhs.295 (children). lepetitchef.com/conradetihadtowers C O N S U M E

EAT // REVIEW

THE FOUNDRY Steakhouse classics and seafood favourites at the new Thursday Surf & Turf night

he Foundry is not your typical steakhouse. With a contemporary colour palette, dark marble floors and dim lighting, this nightspot at the Southern Sun Abu Dhabi is well suited to a romantic evening, and, by Abu Dhabi’s generally quieter standards, this spot was happening for a Thursday night.

The service was swift, friendly, and professional. Once seated we were rarely without a topped-up glass or a plate topped with a meaty morsel.

The way the Surf & Turf works is simple: You select a preparation and a cut of steak that you like. The “Turf ” options included South African karan, two preparations of Stanbroke Australian and US black Angus. There was also an unlimited tasting option, which allows diners to try 320g of all four cuts making choosing easier. Crab with béarnaise, lobster thermidor, gambas pil pil and scallops rounded out “the Surf ”.

Choosing was the hardest part, and then the food started coming.

The feast began with a liquid amusebouche, wild mushroom cappuccino brimming over a dainty dollop of truffle foam, of which we would’ve not minded a venti-sized mug. A sharing platter

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arrived replete with deep-fried octopus, calamari and shrimp and a zesty kung pao tenderloin with smoked paprika aioli, tempura and chili sauce dipping sauces.

Individual miniature starter platters followed. Baltimore crab cakes, jumbo prawn and tenderloin beef tataki were standouts. Though usually a luxurious starter, both tartare preparations, salmon and beef tenderloin, fell flat and with so many more delicious bits to sample, they went uneaten.

The mains come with a mélange of vegetable and roasted potatoes, but forget about those, they’re not why you’re here. Unless you have a favoured cut and origin, the unlimited tasting is the way to go, and you are unlikely to be disappointed by the Turf. If you enjoy lobster, the thermidor will wow you. With a sauce not so creamy that it overwhelms the tender meat, the lobster’s subtle flavour reigned. An unfortunate

miss arrived with the coquilles saintJacques scallops. The mild morsels were fine—if a bit rubbery, but the kitchen missed the opportunity to give them an essential flavour boost.

There’s a rotating chef ’s choice dessert compilation. Ours was a velvety vanilla ice cream and selection of cakes.

Verdict: Though The Foundry has oddly enough become a safe haven for vegans, this night’s not for you (although we’re certain the kitchen would oblige if you asked). For the price, Surf & Turf is an occasion, so plan to linger for the full three hours to get the most of it. This hotel theme night manages to strike that delicate balance of being thoroughly elegant yet still an excellent value. a Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, Thur 7pm to 10pm, from Dhs265. Tel: (02) 8184888. @southernsunad RATING Food �������������������������������������������������������������� B+ Atmosphere ��������������������������������������������������� Price �������������������������������������������������������

MEET THE CHEF

CHEF RUCHITH FERNANDA

Executive Pastry Chef at La Brioche My passion for pastry started over 25 years ago. I’m originally from Sri Lanka but completed my culinary training in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey and the Maldives.

I knew that I wanted to be a pastry chef in 1993. I saw a culinary competition take place in Sri Lanka and was inspired.

To succeed you need to be competitive. I have more than 20 gold, silver and bronze medals that I’ve won in culinary competitions all around the world.

One of my proudest achievements? In 2018, I won a medal in the Culinary Pastry Olympics in Luxembourg.

Lately I’ve been baking creamy chocolate and chestnut tarts. But my signature pastry is a freshly baked fruit crumble tart.

We bake around 250 marble cakes a day. Cream is a vital part of them and it must be freshly whipped.

The one pastry ingredient that I couldn’t live without is simple: chocolate, of course.

If someone wants to be a pastry chef, you need to be patient. Learn the basic recipes, and have respect for your industry, ingredients and equipment. a La Brioche, various locations

around the UAE. labriocheuae.com

ONE WATCH T O

Ting Irie

Jamaican flavours are headed for Abu Dhabi Time for a Jamaican patois lesson. Repeat after us: Ting Irie. Well done. You just said “everything is all right” in Jamaican.

But as fans of this homegrown Carribean concept already know, the food and vibe at Ting Irie is far better than just all right.

Dubai’s ‘first Jamaican restaurant and lounge’ is all about those good island vibes, soulful reggae music, dancehall bangers and authentic Caribbean cuisine. Good news then for Abu Dhabi residents, as we’ve just learned that a new Ting Irie – Pon di Beach is opening in the capital, just off the beach at Mamsha Saadiyat. It’s a concept from the minds of Sami Khoreibi and Ibrahim Salloum (pictured), and comes pretty close to replicating carnival feels all year round.

We’re looking forward to the classic sides of rice ‘n’ peas and roasted plantain, jerk hummus and spitfiyah jerk chicken, saltsfish, butter corn with lime juice, scotch bonnet shrimp; Jamaican patties and warm lobster rolls. This new venture

is a step closer to its spirit land, being just a few steps away from Saadiyat’s gorgeous Soul Beach. There’ll be no dress code (no pressed shirt, no shoes and no worries) and a terrace space offering island shoreline views, and Arabian Gulf blues. q @tingirieuae

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C O N S U M E

EAT // REVIEW

BRUNCH & CAKE

The colourful café – beloved in Dubai and Barcelona – opens in Al Bateen runch & Cake has a few instant advantages: a busy location, water views, intuitive service and food that’s filling and well-priced. Here are some specifics based on our experience.

At Brunch & Cake, aesthetics reign.

While the café originates from Spain, it has a pastel California beach vibe with surfboards stacked on a shelf resembling a kombi and illustrated place mats stippled with cacti and surfer girls. There’s an airy glassed-in terrace that will be our go-to office space once the weather turns.

The service is excellent. It’s rare for a server here to take the initiative and make insightful menu suggestions. Our server

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was keen to share his opinions, and we appreciated it.

The mains are striking, if prone to theatrics, with the exception of the epic lobster mac & cheese (Dhs88) which lives up to its adjective. Served in a hollowed-out garlic bread loaf, the decadent lobster tail-infused pasta takes comfort food to new levels. No flavour was too prominent (except an elusive chargrilled essence we’re still dreaming about), and the kitchen was generous with the lobster.

The kitchen almost nailed the fish tacos (Dhs72). Conceptually interesting, the crispy tortillas perched on limes were topped with fried cod and had all the proper accoutrements, including a nice secret sauce. The accompanying shoestring potatoes fell a bit flat.

Sadly, showmanship upstaged the palate with the burger (Dhs95). Bacon strips strung across a simulated clothesline complicated what might have been a juicy mushroom burger. If the warm bacon jus

had been allowed time to meld with the patty, it may have been one for the books.

By the time we’d pulled the moreish strips off the line, they’d cooled and lost a bit of their appeal, proving that sometimes simpler is better.

The real showstoppers are the desserts. If you have a sweet tooth, this spot will likely remain in frequent rotation for you.

Verdict: Brunch & Cake is new but seems to have ironed out any opening kinks. The café does a few dishes, and it does them with panache, though maybe a bit too much. Once the team gets that subtle flavour to flair ratio down, it will be tough to find fault with this comforting fare. a Marsa Al Bateen Marina, Shop #9, Abu Dhabi. 8am-10pm Sun to Wed 8am to 10pm, Thur to Sat 8am to 10.30pm. Tel: (800) 4726362. @brunchandcakeUAE RATING Food �������������������������������������������������������������� AAtmosphere �������������������������������������������������� Price �������������������������������������������������������

C O N S U M E

EAT // NEWS

C’est Cheese at the Louvre Pair French cheeses with showstopping views

Take a seat at the Chef’s Table

The Art Lounge is now open at Louvre Abu Dhabi, providing gallery-worthy views over Abu Dhabi’s city skyline. Positioned on a terrace above the Museum Café, it’s a classy ensemble of pastel hues and low-slung couches.

The lounge serves up a neat range of light eats alongside a sophisticated selection of drinks.

Visit on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday night for C’est Cheese, a celebration of French fromage. a Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Sat, Sun, Tue and Wed 2pm to 8pm; Thu and Fri 2pm to 10pm (closed Mon).Tel: (02) 054225. louvreabudhabi.ae

Dine at Abu Dhabi’s top restaurants

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on’t miss your chance to dine on special menus at some of the capital’s hottest restaurants, as part of the Abu Dhabi Culinary Season. Running until April 3, the Chef ’s Table presents specially crafted menus at Fouquet’s, LPM Restaurant, Punjab Grill, Mare Mare, Hakkasan and more. The fivecourse dinners are priced between Dhs295

and Dhs398.

Highlights include the old-school French menu at Fouquet’s, modern European at LPM Restaurant, rustic Italian favourites at Mare Mare, contemporary Cantonese at Hakkasan, and Japanese delicacies at Tori No Su. a Chef ’s Table, Abu Dhabi Culinary Season, until April 3. adculinaryseason.ae

Time for tea at the St. Regis Let the tea sommelier find your new favourite sip Pinky fingers at the ready – The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort has just launched a new afternoon tea, complete with a trolley-toting tea sommelier. Held in the Drawing Room, this polished affair includes your choice of classic or Arabic-inspired sweet and savoury treats, paired with a selection of herbal, black and fruity tea blends. a The Drawing Room, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, daily 2pm to 6pm, Dhs195. Tel: (02) 498 8888. @stregissaadiyatisland

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C O N S U M E

IN DUBAI

EAT // REVIEW

IL PASTAIO

A taste of Italy done the LA way estaurants whipping up fresh pasta in a wheel of Parmesan often stirs us into a frenzy.

But news of Il Pastaio doing the whipping is cause for mass hysteria.

The original venue is one of, if not the, most coveted spots to snag a reservation in Beverly Hills.

After more than two decades serving the discerning palettes of Rodeo Drive’s clientele in Lala Land, (where the likes of Al Pacino, John Legend and wife Chrissy Teigen have all stopped by in recent weeks), the upscale Italian eatery has landed in Dubai, making this its first location outside of 90210.

Chef Giacomino and Celestino Drago, two out of the three Sicilian brothers who first founded the restaurant in the early nineties, flew into the UAE at the beginning of the year to oversee the new opening, which sits street-side in the centre of Al Habtoor City.

On first impressions, Il Pastaio has the trimmings of your typical upscale resto – think starched white tablecloths, wood paneled walls dotted with artworks and a glass-encased cellar overflowing with fine bottles. The long rectangular main dining room has an adjacent alfresco terrace, where we took our table next to an olive tree strung with twinkling lights.

Despite its smart interior outfit, Il Pastaio manages to remain true to its familial trattoria ethos thanks to the fussfree menu of Italian favourites, smiley service and a pooch-friendly outdoor area where your pup can enjoy a slice of LA life next to you.

To kick things off, we lined our stomachs with focaccia still warm from the oven and an order of eggplant rolls (Dhs85) filled with sun-dried tomato and goat cheese in a bell pepper sauce.

Then it was onto the pasta, and as one might expect of a restaurant that translates to “the pasta maker”, there’s plenty of carb goodness on the menu. We counted more than a dozen to pick from,

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and that’s not including the specials, which is where you’ll find the famous truffle tagliolini (Dhs220). Cooked directly at your table, the pasta is mixed inside a wheel of 24-month aged Parmesan, then scooped out and luxuriously plated atop a rich fondue sauce and covered with generous shavings of fresh black truffle.

It’s the ultimate creamy, cheesy dish of dreams and certainly lived up to the Instagram hype.

Another crowd-pleasing dish is the paccheri alla Justin Bieber (Dhs98) named

after the Biebs himself (another A-list regular at the LA location) and comes with oversized rigatoni drenched in a velvety pink pepper sauce.

We suggest sharing the pastas to save previous space for the secondi piatti course. Highlights include the pan roasted sea bass fillet (Dhs195) and beef tenderloin (Dhs260) served alongside a buttery potato tart and arugula drizzled with a citrus vinaigrette.

We capped off an indulgent evening with the panna cotta (Dhs55), an airy cream custard topped with a red berry sauce.

This is timeless Italian fare in an elegant setting without the pretentiousness that so often comes with big name outposts. We’ll be back for another feast, just as soon as we can button up our jeans again. a Al Habtoor City, daily noon to midnight. Tel: (054) 791 3320. @ilpastaiodxb RATING Food ���������������������������������������������������������������� A Atmosphere ������������������������������������������������ Price ���������������������������������������������������

GONPACHI

Tarantino helped make this restaurant famous, but does it live up to expectations? n Tokyo, the original Gonpachi is a dining institution – a bustling, cavernous old Edo-style space said to have inspired a memorable scene in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill. By contrast, Gonpachi in Dubai occupies an enormous plot in Al Habtoor City, just next to new Italian Il Pastaio (p38). Walk in past the faux blossom tree and into the two-storey restaurant, and it’s about as dead as ol’ Bill at the end of Volume 2.

“It’s really busy on a weekend,” says the extremely friendly general manager, perhaps not realising it’s a Friday afternoon. Still, the staff do their level best to entertain the trickle of incoming guests with a loud irasshaimase that echoes around the hollow room.

We have a portion of the chicken karaage (Dhs80) – Japan’s famous fried chicken – which is a ludicrously compelling combination of crispy and salty. Its lightly-crusted shell giving way to steaming, tenderised meat. It’s served with a welcome dollop of sweetened chilli and mayo sauce. Lunch is off to a good start.

There is an attempt at self-care courtesy of a well-made Gonpachi crab and kale salad (Dhs55) in a Caesar-like dressing with just the right kale-crunch- to-softcrab ratio.

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Then a shrimp and shishito peppers tempura and rice bowl is exactly that and nothing more – soft steamed rice topped with thick and juicy prawns and flat peppers encased in a light batter. If the tempura wasn’t perfect this would have been a dud. Thankfully, the prawn tempura in particular is extremely well executed.

Then came a few more mediocre selections – half a dozen bland eel rolls, a

large bowl of forgettable grilled shishito peppers, plus a couple of serviceable, but flavourless, mushroom kushiyaki (charcoal-grilled skewers). The beef skewers we ordered never arrived, which we’d typically forgive if the restaurant was at capacity.

Gonpachi has the potential to be a very good restaurant. The staff are friendly and happy to be working at an exciting new venue, especially one that has quite the legacy. But if the team wants to compete with the great Japanese restaurants in this city, they have a lot of work still to do, especially as the Tarrantino-effect seems to be wearing off. a Boulevard, Al Habtoor City, daily noon to midnight. Tel: (054) 7913321. gonpachidubai.ae RATING Food ���������������������������������������������������������������BAtmosphere ���������������������������������������������������� Price ���������������������������������������������������������

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THE POPE AND THE GRAND IMAM

A THORNY PATH

A book that sheds light on the various stages of the Human Fraternity Document created by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar.

AVAIL ABLE IN ENGLISH AND ARABIC AT ALL MAJOR BOOKSTORES IN THE UAE AND ON BOOKSARABIA.COM

MOTIVATEBOOKS

MOTIVATE_BOOKS

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MOTIVATEBOOKS

ART + THEATRE + FILM + MUSIC

PA G E 49

Tiny home

Could you live the #vanlife?

REGIONAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT p52

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

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

ABU DHABI /EXHIBITION/

Abstraction and Calligraphy – Towards a Universal Language This exhibition brings together more than 80 masterworks from 20th century abstract artists who felt the need to establish a new universal, visual language that was inspired by calligraphy. Artists such as Paul Klee, Vassily Kandinsky and others found the decorative handwriting as a way for them to express the inexpressible: emotion, empathy, ideas. You will also find a monumental installation by eL Seed and contemporary works by Sanki King at this exhibit.

Until June 12 a Louvre Abu Dhabi, Tue to Sun 10am to 6.30pm, closed Mon. Tel: (02) 6736 688. louvreabudhabi.ae 46_What’s On

/EXHIBITION/

Flow This exhibition features more than 80 artworks that celebrate women.

Created by three female visual artists, Annabelle Bigno, Karine Roche and

Tala Atroun, each painting contains a special artistic experience.

Until May 11 a Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Bateen Area Villa 15, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 62 10145. etihadmodernart.com

CULTURE

DUBAI /EXHIBITION/

PSYCHOMACHIA Award-winning artist Kristel Bechara’s latest collection, Psychomachia, is inspired by a series of events that took place in the past year and it recalls the poem of the same title by Latin poet Prudentius. The plot revolves around the battle between the virtues, culminating with each virtue prevailing over its opposing vice, with chastity defeating lust, anger surrendering to patience, and love being victorious over greed.

Until June 2021 a Gate Avenue, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, open Sat to Thur, 9am to 5pm. Tel: (0)55 8913671. atelierkristel.com /EXHIBITION/

Plastic, The Last Hero of The Great Steppe – The Art of Saule Suleimenova Artist Saule Suleimenova uses techniques and media including recycled plastic, cellophane and polycarbonate in this exhibition. The artist, who grew up in Soviet Kazakhstan in Almaty, the then capital of the country, heavily features decolonisation in this exhibit and tries to reconnect and reconcile traditional Kazakh culture and the aesthetics of revolt through modernist artistic devices.

Until October a Andakulova Gallery, Unit 18, P4 Level, Damac Park Towers, Dubai, Tel: (0)4 385 9897. andakulova.com /EXHIBITION/

Domesticity This group exhibition presents works of art by 17 international artists. In science, humans are subspecies of terrestrial animals that live predominantly on land and in an enclosed space that we are programmed to inhabit. However, as the pandemic moved everyone indoors, artists were forced to focus on their imminent surroundings for inspiration. What seemed like limiting circumstances, led towards some great concepts and visuals, which this exhibition is hoping to introduce.

Until April 15 a Volery Gallery, Dubai International Financial Center, Dubai, appointment required to visit, volerygallery.com

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YOUR GATEWAY TO WORLD-CLASS TALENT

CULTURE

TINY HOMES

Van life

These Dubai-made campers have us dreaming of living the van life

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here’s an undeniable appeal to the #vanlife lifestyle: no 9-to-5 schedule, plenty of time in the great outdoors, and every parking place (according to TikTok) is the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen.

Thanks to Freedom Overland, many UAE residents are one step closer to making that lifestyle a reality.

Faisal Husain has been interested in ‘overlanding’ for over half a decade.

He’s built vehicles, made lots of

mistakes, learned from them, and continued to make tweaks.

By the time he built his third van, he had reached a turning point. What had begun as a personal project to transform a vehicle into a livable unit was becoming a business.

That business is converting Land Cruiser’s (and similar models) into custom-built homes on wheels. He now finds himself with a queue of clients, a workshop and showroom in Al Quoz,

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10 employees and a new brand to oversee: Freedom Overland, the first company building advanced adventure vehicles in this region.

“The idea had been in the works for a while but I never had the time as I travel extensively for work,” Husain says. “But with the pandemic, coupled with the complete halt in travel and the resulting availability of time on my hands, I decided to take the plunge and start Freedom Overland.”

It was the overwhelming positive response from friends and the wider overlanding/off-roading community about his projects that encouraged Husain to take the leap. “People seemed impressed by how I had implemented certain features,” he says.

“We have taken cues from fighter jets in designing the front face of the vehicles and that makes them very different to anything on the international market.”

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‘I want to drive that’. But at the same time, we want them to be functional as well.”

Inside the Freedom Overland Cruiser, you’ll find lots of natural materials: pine wood on the ceiling and floors and mother-of-pearl in the washroom. There are Moroccan tiles on the floor, and many other luxury amenities to make it fully-functioning.

There’s even a fully-equipped kitchen, toilet and hot-water shower.

“The response to our Freedom Overland vehicles has been off-thecharts,” Husain says. “We have people asking us to make them available in the US.” If you’re buying into the Freedom Overland lifestyle, be prepared to drop an anvil of dirhams. These custom-made beauties will set you back approximately Dhs200,000 up to Dhs700,000, with other models in the pipeline including Freedom Vans and Freedom Trucks.

Could Freedom Overland-for hire be on the cards perhaps? We’ll have to wait, hope and see… a For more information, visit freedom-overland.com or follow @freedomoverland_

That’s part of his edge in this niche industry. Not only does he come from an aeronautics and computer science background, but he has a general eye for design and anything to do with user experience.

Van life, or “‘overlanding’” as Husain calls it, “is a lifestyle that connects us to something that I feel we’ve lost as a society; a connection back to the natural world away from digital devices.

It’s a way to explore this beautiful planet that we live in; a way to meet new people and new cultures; and discover that despite our perceived differences, at our core we are all the same.”

“Current day overlanding vehicles, be they RVs or vans, are very boxy and a bit boring to look at. They don’t evoke the sense of excitement that a sports car does.

“The Freedom Vehicles are designed to evoke an emotional response when you see them. We want people to say:

“VAN LIFE IS A LIFESTYLE THAT CONNECTS US TO SOMETHING THAT I FEEL WE’VE LOST AS A SOCIETY” – FAISAL HUSAIN

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MUSIC

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

A

fter the successful launch of Regional Artist Spotlight in March, the platform moves its focus to a new featured artist for April. Abu Dhabiborn Somalian rapper Freek hands the spotlight over to Saudi A-Pop artist Molham.

Unapologetically himself, Molham is on a mission to take Arabic music global.

His flow, witty punchlines, pop culture references, and English-Arabic wordplay have made him one of the most exciting talents coming 52_What’s On

out of the Arab world. A born performer who isn’t afraid to tell it how it is, Molham is the kind of guy your brother looks up to, your sister’s into, and your mother would like to have over for dinner…

Regional Artist Spotlight ONE TO WATCH: MOLHAM How did you get into music?

It first started in a maths class. As soon as I

“WHAT K-POP IS TO KOREA, A-POP IS TO THE ARAB WORLD. IT’S THE SOUND I’M CREATING”

understood the lesson, I spent the rest of the time songwriting. The teacher would end the class early and ask me to perform for my classmates. I’ve since taken it a bit further than maths class.

Who are the artists, or people, who inspire you?

I’m really inspired by Lauv, Russ, KYLE and Chance the Rapper.

What are your latest musical accomplishments?

I’m proudest of the messages that I get from fans every day. Fans have proposed to their loved ones using my song Khayali.

Others tell me how Me Against the World helped them heal through trauma, and how Walad Nas changed their perspective.

What are your latest releases?

Khayali, Rayeh and my latest single Sushi. If you listen to them in order, they

take you through different stages of love.

Are you working with any other artists now?

I recently recorded a song with Amy Roko. I’m also in talks to work with Freek.

How did your experience with the Emerging Talent Competition help you grow as an artist?

The Emerging Talent Competition helped me build on my familiarity with the stage. It is also where I met Ghaliaa during the process, who I collaborated with on Clean Sheets, so it has had quite an impact on my music career both in confidence and my network.

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

It is an opportunity to bring A-pop (Arabic pop) to the forefront. What K-pop is to

Korea, A-pop is to the Arab world. It’s the sound I’m creating and championing. I am excited to show my fans, and a new audience, the music that I am creating.

What is your top five afterparty playlist?

I don’t really have one. I basically have a ‘one-song’ playlist, where I find one song that I like, listen to it 237 times, then move on to the next gem I come across. q @RegionalArtistSpotlight; @molham

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SPORT + WELL-BEING + TRAVEL

PA G E 60

Work remotely How to be a digital nomad THINGS TO DO BEFORE IT GETS TOO HOT p56 What’s On_55

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THINGS TO DO // OUTDOOR FUN

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ith temperatures expected to edge into the 30s, the UAE is at its alfrescoloving best right now. So, before the heat of summer kicks in and we all head indoors, here are 13 things you need to do before it gets too hot. Consider this your springtime hit list…

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Breakfast on the decking at tashas

Try the new slides at Atlantis Aquaventure is already a massive waterpark destination with dozens of rides for the whole family, but as of last month, it’s now even bigger.

The new part of the park features Trident Tower, a tall building with 12 multicoloured slides connected to it.

After a super-soaked preview, What’s On can confirm that all the new attractions are superb.

Prepare to get drenched as you whip through tunnels, defy gravity on its four-person rafts, cliff jump into plunge pools and much more. There are now a whopping 105 rides in total at the whole Atlantis Aquaventure, and some are more adrenaline pumping than others. For a slightly more relaxing experience, try the Raging Rapids, which is the park’s more intense lazy river ride. A resident day pass is priced at Dhs169 for adults and Dhs149 for kids. q atlantis.com/aquaventure

02 Go ape at Circuit X Unleash your inner-Tarzan, with rope-swinging, zip-wire and bridge-balancing activities that defy gravity. The park, located on Hudayriyat Island, offers something for everyone. a Hudayriyat Leisure and Entertainment District, Al Hudayriat Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (0)2 691 0302. @hudayriyat.island

There’s plenty to like about this outlet, especially its elegant all-day breakfast menu featuring breakfast royales, hummus toasties, and a fiery mariachi tortilla. But while the weather is good, make sure you head to its beatuiful wooden decking and take in the marina views of Al Bateen. The huge olive trees, and swaying tan shades overhead add to the ambience. a Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed 8am to 11pm, Thur and Fri 8am to midnight. Tel: (02) 4450890. tashascafe.com

03 Go camping Right now is prime camping weather in th UAE. Whether you want to do it alone with a basic camping trip to Al Qudra, tackle it Survivor-style at the new Bear Grylls camp in Ras Al Khaimah camp, or plump for a luxe tented experience at Sonara Camp, the UAE is brimming with brilliant camping and glamping options. a Check out WhatsOn.ae for more.

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THINGS TO DO // OUTDOOR FUN

06

Fly like Superman at the world’s longest zipline

05 Take a hike The UAE is crisscrossed with hiking trails for all skill levels, traversing wadis and rugged mountain ranges. Before the mercury soars to stay-at-home levels, set out on a beginner’s route. One of the best hiking spots, Wadi Shawka (25.103958, 56.039260), is a great beginner’s hike. Shawka has several varied routes. You can choose from a quick ramble or make a day of it and include the Shawka pools, too. Whichever you pick you’ll enjoy impressive, panoramic views. Head to the Shawka Dam and either take the stairs directly to the summit or choose one of the trails, easily visible from the small parking area. The trails are well marked out, making it difficult to get lost and safe for families with children.

Ras Al Khaimah is home to the world’s longest zipline. Measuring 2.83 kilometres long (that’s the equivalent of more than 28 football pitches), the recordbreaking zipline runs through the mountains of Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah at a hair-raising 1,680 metres above sea level. All your superman dreams are about to come true. Now where’s that cape? a Jebel Jais Flight: The World’s Longest Zipline, Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah, from Dhs300. Tel: (07) 204 6250. More info on website

07 Explore a new waterfront promenade Abu Dhabi has just opened brand new waterfront promenade Al Gurm Corniche.

Its shaded walkways and Mangrove National Park views are dotted with picture perfect places to rest, get fit, or learn about the local area and its inhabitants. There’s a cycle track and three exercise platforms with workout facilities. There are also areas designated for alfresco yoga sessions, and a range of food and beverage outlets. q @algurmcorniche

08 Have lunch alfresco at Cove Beach Abu Dhabi Plan some time out to enjoy the last of the cool weather before the summer hits. Head to Cove Beach Abu Dhabi on a Tuesday where ladies can enjoy unlimited drinks and two delicious bites for just Dhs199 as you catch up with friends from 8pm to 11pm. a Cove Beach Abu Dhabi, Makers District, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. Tue 8pm to 11pm. Tel: (056) 398 7895. @covebeachabudhabi

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Experience movies and magic like never before At Sharjah’s newest entertainment destination

VOX Cinemas, Magic Planet and Yalla! Bowling Now Open at City Centre Al Zahia

voxcinemas.com | magicplanetmena.com

A C T I V E

Digital nomad life Want to work remotely? Us too…

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f there’s one silver lining to the enormous garbage eruption that was 2020, it’s that many of us learned – and, more importantly, many of our bosses learned – that we can work from just about anywhere. Here’s a look at just a few cities on Earth that we think would be perfect to work from.

GALLE FORT, SRI LANKA Aside from the fact that it’s home to rolling surf, endless beaches, welcoming people, and fabulously fresh food, right now for UAE residents, Sri Lanka is one of only a handful of places we can actually travel to right now without having to quarantine in a hotel room. That said, you do have to quarantine in a ‘safe and secure certified’ hotel for the first 14 days. However, you can leave to visit approved tourist sites under the safety of what authorities are calling a “biobubble”.

Berlin, Germany

BERLIN, GERMANY

Berlin, Germany

Galle Fort, Sri Lanka

Still, pick the right resort – we’ve been eyeing up the Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort with its beach fringed by coconut palms – and you could work from the hotel’s private shoreline, or from a WiFi-strong business centre, while enjoying a more relaxed vibe than at your actual office.

Berlin’s residence permit is like a golden ticket for the self-employed – especially artists, academics, and freelancers who just want to relocate and make cool stuff for a while. While travel to Germany is closed to most at the moment, use this time to get a head start on your paperwork. (There’s a lot, because it’s Germany.)

Berlin’s booming start-up culture lures determined young professionals, while its inclusive creative spirit embraces alternative types.

You’ll find history on almost every corner, with hundreds of museums, public parks by the thousands, and dozens of beautiful lakes just a quick train ride away.

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TRAVEL // DIGITAL NOMAD

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

The Canary Islands, Spain

THE CANARY ISLANDS, SPAIN Spain’s self-employment work visa is perfect for freelancers who want to work from this dreamy archipelago off Africa’s northwest coast (once the border fully re-opens and it’s feasible to do so). In Gran Canaria’s capital, stylish coworking spaces such as The House and Soppa de Azul pair high-speed internet with near-

instant access to soft, golden beaches. A lively nomad scene makes it easy to meet fellow international creative types who’ve rejected ye olde nineto-five.

CANGGU, BALI, INDONESIA In Bali’s youthful hipster enclave, a day at the office might mean stationing yourselves at a dapper coChiang Mai, Thailand

working space with surf and beach breaks, fuelled by a steady diet of smoothie bowls, raw desserts, and cold drip coffee. Rates at co-working staple Dojo Bali start at $75 a week, and your facilities include an onsite cafe and pool. Your two-bedroom villa will also clock in well under $1,000 a month. This is a colony of bespoke bikini and jewelry designers, startup gurus, and full-time Instagrammers whiling away the days at perky beach bars and yoga studios. Bali’s closed for now, so maybe use this downtime to work on your personal brand – you’re going to need it.

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND Thailand, with its natural glory and silly exchange rate, is one of the most well-established hubs for digital nomads.

And it’s never been easier to temporarily relocate: Special tourist visas now allow non62_What’s On

Artists, designers, and gastronomes have fallen in love with this multicultural city on the coast. The cost of living is in your favour, too. Internet speeds are just okay, but distinctive neighbourhoods such as Woodstock are full of cafes with free WiFi. The sheer volume of things to do in town (think art galleries, vintage shops, craft breweries, and seriously good restaurants) might make it hard to get work done, though. Hit hard by the coronavirus, though, it may be a while before South Africa reopens its doors to digital nomads.

residents to stay anywhere from 30 to 270 days (just under nine months).

Once you get past the mandatory quarantine period, opportunities for networking in Chiang Mai are everywhere, from Facebook groups to vegan cafe meetups to cool new co-working spaces. Compared with busy Bangkok, Chiang Mai’s slow pace of life makes it hard to leave.

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WIN! A NIGHT’S STAY

AT TRYP BY WYNDHAM DUBAI AND DINNER AT LOLA TABERNA ESPAÑOLA Have a Spanish-style weekend at TRYP by Wyndham Dubai.

Enjoy a night’s stay for two people inside one of the hotel’s stylishly modern rooms. You and your guest will have dinner

at the hotel’s gorgeous Lola Taberna Española restaurant, famous for its black paella and jamon croquettes. A tapas fiesta followed by siesta – what a perfect combo.

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WIN! A NIGHT’S STAY

FULL BOARD AT AVANI PALM VIEW HOTEL & SUITES Let’s face it, you’ve probably missed out on your holidays. Avani Palm View Hotel & Suites hopes to ease your vacation blues by offering you the chance to enjoy a staycation at its brand new property. Not only can you and your significant other enjoy a one-night stay in a luxury room, but Avani Palm View will throw in breakfast and dinner at Seven Seeds restaurant and lunch at Aqua Pool Bar. Lucky you.

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L A S TMINUTE TRIP Authentic Arabia in the city centre at Palace Downtown Dubai The look and feel From the fortress-like exterior to the arabesque detailing within, the Palace Downtown Dubai beats with an Arabian heart. This centrally located hotel, right on the edge of the Burj Lake, has undergone a recent refresh – but the contemporary update has done nothing to diminish its Arabic accent.

Throughout the foyer and communal spaces, carved timber panels, tables inlaid with mother of pearl, tribal textiles and antique knickknacks evoke the souks of old.

The rooms Within the guest rooms, it’s a more subdued affair, with dim lighting and muted taupe tones, heavy curtains and plush carpet providing a cosy, calm setting.

Our balcony overlooks Burj Lake and, if we crane our necks to the right, the full might of the Burj Khalifa. Better still are the views from the hotel’s restaurants and pool, each capitalising on their lakeside locale.

The facilities Lined with date palms, sunloungers and billowing cabanas, the sapphire-blue swimming pool sits at the heart of the hotel. During our stay it’s a peaceful spot, with couples quietly sipping drinks, reading books, and taking the occasional dip. If you’re looking for a party hub full of posers, this is not it… but for us, it’s a welcome change of pace in the centre of the city – an opportunity to play tourists in our own town.

The food and drink After sharing a sundowner on Buhayra Lounge’s floating pontoon (did the earth just move for you?), we wander across to Asado for dinner. There’s no need to 66_What’s On

“IT ACHIEVES THAT RARE DUBAI DOUBLE-ACT OF PRIVACY AND PROXIMITY... ” follow the signs to the hotel’s Argentinian steakhouse, as the scent of chargrilled meats leads the way through the lanternlit gardens.

With its open parrilla (fire pit) and terracotta tiling, the restaurant’s handsome interiors are inviting, but the real money shot is out on the terrace, where the solid timber tables are all angled toward a full-frontal shot of the Burj Khalifa.

Water taxis flit about the lake in front of us, conjuring an ambience that’s more Venice than Dubai, and further adding to that holiday-at-home vibe. We dine on plump little chorizo sausages and hefty, tender steaks, before wandering back through the grounds for a night in the cloud-like bed.

The verdict After a tasty buffet breakfast of eggs, falafel and foul at Ewaan the next morning, it’s time to check out of our Arabian sanctuary, back through the pindrop-peaceful courtyard and through the castle-like gates to the bustle of Downtown Dubai.

The Palace Downtown is not the place to head if you’re looking for a hedonistic party scene or a raucous pool day. Instead, it achieves that rare Dubai double-act of privacy and proximity, offering a chance to relax and recharge in the heart of the city. a Palace Downtown, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, from Dhs1,039 per night.

Downtown Dubai. addresshotels.com/en/ hotels/palace-downtown