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CONTENTS FEATURES

MADE BY YOU IT’S THE WHAT’S ON READER TAKEOVER P14 27 ABBA MANIA Meet the brainchild behind musical smash Mamma Mia!

30 INTO THE BLUE Dive in and check out our Abu Dhabi watersports guide

37 WHAT’S ON LOCK IN

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

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CONTENTS COVER

REGULARS 10 Yalla! Quick fix of news

12 UAE Famous Nicole Smith Ludvik – The Burj Khalifa stuntwoman

80 Last-minute staycation Does SLS Dubai live up to its sky-high expectations?

Cover: Various illustrators

41 CONSUME

Stay in touch

42 EAT DXB 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.

Revisiting two Jumeirah spots: French Riveria and Pierchic. Plus, a pool brunch at Address Sky View, and our favourite after-brunch party spots

52 EAT AUD A slurpy new noodle place called Udon, brunch at Nahaam, and a Saturday feast at Lijiang

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58 LOCK IN PICS What happened at What’s On Lock In: Bab Al Qasr

61 CULTURE

69 ACTIVE

62 AGENDA

70 SPORT

Unmissable art events to attend this month

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A glow-in-the-dark padel centre opens in Dubai

64 COMEDY

71 WELL-BEING

British comedian Russell Kane at Dubai Opera

Spa reviews and a new spa-cation

66 REGIONAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

72 TRAVEL

Meet the next local music sensation: Michele

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

Why Bodrum is the ultimate Turkish seaside getaway from the UAE

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

ESIGNER INING

Armani/Mediterraneo relaunches its popular theme nights inside Dubai’s most iconic landmark

oast to coast dining is back on the menu at Armani/Mediterraneo, the contemporary-meetscontinental restaurant located inside the magnificent Burj Khalifa. Experience signature breakfasts and nightly buffet feasts featuring flavours from Italy and Spain to Greece and the Levant. Dine inside or out on the terrace with spectacular Dubai Fountain views for an unforgettable culinary journey across the Mediterranean and beyond.

Mediterranean breakfast

WHEN: DAILY FROM 7AM TO 11AM (FRIDAYS 7AM TO 11.30AM) Kick-start your morning with a creative buffet take on the classic continental breakfast or opt for à la carte favourites prepared by skilled chefs. Dhs166 pp, Dhs83 for children 6-11 years; free for 5 years and under.

Heart of Arabia

Dinner buffet

WHEN: TUESDAYS Experience the heart of Arabia with Middle Eastern specialities on Tuesdays (from 7 September), featuring all your favourite hot and cold mezze, a live kebab station, ouzi station, fresh shawarma and manakish. Dhs315 pp, Dhs159 for children 6-11 years; free for 5 years and under.

WHEN: DAILY FROM 6.30PM TO 10PM (EXCLUDING FRI/ SAT) Take a culinary journey across coastal Arabia and the Adriatic and savour an authentic selection of regional and cultural specialities that span France, Greece, Italy, the Levant, Spain, and more. Dhs299 pp, Dhs149 for children 6-11 years; free for 5 years and under.

World of seafood

WHEN: THURSDAYS Celebrate the return of Armani/Mediterraneo’s popular theme nights with a world of seafood every Thursday, (starting 2 September) packed with ocean delights, including fresh oysters, fritto misto, seafood paella, Greek shrimp saganaki, octopus a la plancha and lobster thermidor. Dhs349 pp, Dhs175 for children 6-11 years; free for 5 years and under.

FOR BOOKINGS, CALL +971 4 888 3666 OR EMAIL RESTAURANT.RESERVATIONS@ARMANIHOTELS.COM

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

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

CONTRIBUTORS Freyja Rampe; Sharon Ellis; Hani Jamal; Janet Manganip; Diana Zavzeatii; Malin Kruger; Phil Seaton; Jack Kidd; Lucy Wildman; Emma Norstrom-Dunn; Katarina Hicker; Guillaume Mariole; Sian Rowlands; Nerry Toledo; Alicia Goveas; Dina Sami; Uttam Acharjee; Sheila Deocareza; Ramsha; Mary-kei; Roui Francisco; Iain Akerman; Liz Totton GENERAL MANAGER – PRODUCTION Sunil Kumar sunil@motivate.ae ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER Binu Purandaran binu@motivate.ae PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Venita Pinto venita@motivate.ae CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER Anthony Milne anthony@motivate.ae PUBLISHER David Burke davidb@motivate.ae GROUP SALES MANAGER Varsha Bhatia varsha@motivate.ae SENIOR SALES MANAGER Taran Singh taran.singh@motivate.ae SENIOR SALES MANAGER Violeta Popescu violeta.popescu@motivate.ae DIGITAL SALES DIRECTOR Sabir Khodabux sabir.khodabux@motivate.ae

WHATSON.AE | WHATSONSAUDIARABIA.COM

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

WE DID SOMETHING A BIT SPECIAL THIS ISSUE...

This month we handed over the reins of What’s On to our readers. Yes, you lot. More than 25 UAE residents helped create this neat little magazine: writing reviews, bashing out guides and even designing the cover. Flick through and you’ll see readers’ views on everything from the capable knife skills of a top Dubai chef (p15) to the gnarly horsepower of a rentable Lamborghini (p17). Of course, our bosses would have thrown a hissy fit if we didn’t at least do some work here at HQ this month. So, to ensure we still had our jobs next month, we’ve penned reviews on new restaurants, raised the roof at the best after-brunch parties in town, and even had time to battle it out in an uber cool glow-in-the-dark padel centre. So, thanks guys. Not only did you give us more time to explore the city, but you’ve done us proud with this issue. Same time next year, yeah? Enjoy the magazine,

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

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BRILLIANT THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN SEPTEMBER

DISNEY ON ICE: FIND YOUR HERO

When: September 9 to 11 Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and stars from Moana, Frozen, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Tangled perform on ice. Shows take place at 10.30am, 3pm and 7pm. q etihadarena.ae

THE VINE TRAIL

When: September 3 and 4 The Tasting Class hosts a new wine festival at Phileas Fogg’s, with 40 wines to learn about, taste and enjoy alongside a grazing board. q thevinetrail.thetastingclass. com

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CLUELESS AT CINEMA AKIL

When: September 10 and 11 One of the most successful teen films of all time, Clueless is loosely based on the novel Emma by Jane Austen, only set in modern-day Beverly Hills and stars Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, and Paul Rudd. q cinemaakil.com

MANTRA X HATTA ADVENTURE RACE

When: September 24 Using a map and a compass, competitors will have to navigate across mountains and water, using a mixture of mountain biking, running, swimming, mountaineering and paddling to find the course’s check points. q supersportsuae.com

MAMMA MIA!

When: September 13 to 25 Catch the international stage show phenomenon, Mamma Mia!, and sing along to some of ABBA’s greatest hits of all time. Tickets from Dhs295. q dubaiopera.com

WHAT’S ON LOCK IN

When: September 24 and 25 The country’s best staycation deal returns to the party palace, Media One Hotel. More on p37. q WhatsOn.ae

THE LAUGHTER FACTORY

When: September 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24 Gabriel Rutledge, Rob Ryan and Danny O’Brien (pictured) headline this month’s comedy club. Tickets cost Dhs160 and the show starts at 8.30pm. q thelaughterfactory.com

RUSSELL PETERS

When: September 17 Global comedy superstar Russell Peters performs at the newly opened Etihad Arena, Yas Island, for one night only. q etihadarena.ae

RUSSELL KANE

When: September 29 See the British stand-up comedian and TV star Russell Kane perform at Dubai Opera as part of his latest tour, The Fast and the Curious. q dubaiopera.com What’s On_11

NICOLE SMITH LUDVIK THE BURJ KHALIFA STUNTWOMAN

licensed skydiver. After some life-changing setbacks, I quit my corporate job to pursue a life as a professional skydiving instructor. As a professional skydiver, I have travelled the world attending skydiving events, conducting seminars, and performing high-profile demonstrations, stunts, and collaborations. What does your day-to-day job look like? Skydiving is different every day. Some days have ups and downs (hahaha that’s a bad skydiving joke)! Most days, I teach people how to skydive, whether they are learning how to do it by themselves or I am taking them on a tandem (a jump where the student is attached to me). Other days, I am coaching licensed skydivers on how to become fliers or helping them with the training they need to become an instructor themselves.

AE Famous is a What’s On page focusing on people out there making the scene. They’re out there around town, making noise, doing cool stuff and shaping the UAE into what it is. We asked them what’s good in the UAE. We asked them what’s bad in the UAE. We asked them to tell us more, more, more about their wonderful selves…

Who are you and what made you famous? I am Nicole Smith-Ludvik. I would like to think that my chocolate chip cookies could make me famous, but you may not have tried those. 12_What’s On

“TO APPEAR RELAXED ON SET, I VISUALISED COOKING A THANKSGIVING MEAL...” You’ve probably seen me in a commercial recently. I am the professional skydiver and stuntwoman in the viral Emirates ad standing atop the Burj Khalifa. How long have you lived in the UAE and what inspired you to move here? I have lived in Dubai for just over five years. I moved here to be with my husband and to work as a skydiving instructor for Skydive Dubai. How did you get into stunt work and skydiving? This is a fun question! I did my first tandem skydive in 2007 and, in 2011, I became a

Did you have any hesitations about taking on the Burj Khalifa project? The Burj Khalifa project is the highest-profile stunt I’ve done. I knew from the beginning it would be both physically and mentally challenging, but it was something I wholeheartedly wanted to do. The team gave me an

excellent briefing, so I had a good idea of what I was getting myself into. I am in excellent shape and I accepted the climb would be challenging. I focused my mind on getting to the top, one ladder rung at a time. How did it feel when you were standing on the platform? Oh, it was surreal. I felt so proud of myself and so incredibly humbled at the same time. This stunt was a monumental personal achievement. What’s one thing you wish people knew about the project? To appear relaxed and carefree on set, I visualised me cooking a Thanksgiving holiday meal with my mother and grandmother. I imagined preparing the food, hearing their hilarious stories, and feeling the chaos that happens when you have too many people in the kitchen. What do you love about the UAE? There is so much that I love about the UAE; the people, the culture, the food, the desert, and the Karak chai. I love how safe it is here. I love the opportunities I have had here. Dubai has collected a bit of the good from all the cultures represented in the city and created a dynamic metropolis. No matter where this life takes me, I will always carry a piece of Dubai in my heart. What’s next for you? For this answer, you’ll have to stay tuned... q @NicoleSmithLudvik

Above: Behind the scenes

WACKY SCIENCE Family fun at Wafi City’s eight-week Wonderlab

The Activations

afi City is hosting Wonderlab, an eight-week festival of fun, exhibits and games from September 1 to October 31 2021. Featuring an exciting mix of science, art and technology exhibits, Wafi City is tipped to become the go-to destination for the entire family this autumn. Here’s why…

Learn about atmospheric differences in space at the Moon Jump exhibit, get sweaty generating energy just by cycling a bike, create your own music and learn the secrets behind the creation of your favourite cartoons – there are loads of fun things for little scientists to see and do.

The Zones

Spread across six zones, Wonderlab combines both educational and fun challenges where visitors will explore concepts in science, maths, physics, astronomy, biology, music, the environment, arts, culture and more for a thrilling adventure. There’ll also be a range competitions and games with winners receiving special gifts and a big prize from Wafi City and its retail partners.

WONDERLAB RUNS FROM SEPTEMBER 1 TO OCTOBER 31 AT WAFI CITY. ENTRANCE IS FREE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WAFI.COM

As part of this month’s Reader Takeover, What’s On readers told us the one thing they’ve always wanted to do in the UAE. Then we made it happen…

Scuba dive in the Lost Chambers Aquarium

Freyja Rampe “I heard about scuba diving in the Lost Chambers Aquarium when I first moved to Dubai. I think it was on an advert on the Emirates flight over from Australia. I thought: ‘I have to do this’. I arrived at Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm where I was given a friendly briefing and a wetsuit and booties to

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wear. ‘This is going to be up there as one of the best things you’ve ever done,’ said our guide Hussein, and boy was he not wrong. Over the next 35 minutes, we explored the aquarium together. There were hundreds of fish, sharks and sting rays swimming beside me. They didn’t seem to mind my presence at all. There was one very huge, super ugly fish called

Napoleon – he was nuts, I won’t forget him in a while. Afterwards I was so pumped knowing that I’d finally done it. I can’t wait to sign up for my PADI course now.” WANT A GO? Discover scuba sessions start at Dhs1,450. atlantis.com/dubai/ atlantis-aquaventure/diving-inatlantis

MADE BY YOU

Meet the penguins at Penguin Cove

Sharon Ellis “I can’t say I love the cold (I live in Dubai after all), but I do love my kids and they’ve always wanted to visit the penguins at Dubai Mall Aquarium. And what a VIP experience we had! From the ticket desk we were whooshed up the lift and escorted straight to the penguin encounter, where we were given big white jackets to keep us cosy inside the penguins’ Subantarctic conditions. We felt very lucky to be face to feather with these wonderful creatures,

watching the colony of Gentoo penguins waddle right up to our feet as they were fed treats, while learning more about their fascinating natural behaviours.” WANT A GO? Penguin Cove access starts at Dhs169 per person. Book a Penguin Encounter at thedubaiaquarium.com

Practice yoga at The View at The Palm

Malin Kruger “I don’t think I was prepared for just how beautiful the view would be from The View at The Palm. It was absolutely incredible. We had to be there at 6.30am and I definitely think it added to the experience. Dubai might actually be at its best at that time on a Friday morning. Core Direction runs an extremely wellorganised session. We had a chance to walk around the viewing platform and take photos before the class started, which was really nice. Our teacher was lovely, and it was a good class that would suit all levels. The fact that it was held open air and in such a beautiful place made it a really memorable experience.” WANT A GO? Book your spot on the Core Direction app for Dhs149. @coredirection

What’s On_15

MADE BY YOU

Go behind the scenes at Dubai Opera

Hani Jamal “I’ve always wanted to look behind the scenes at Dubai Opera as it’s one of the biggest and most exciting opera houses in the world. My friend and I met the tour guide at the entrance and they immediately shared some fascinating information about its structure, and how its design is inspired by the old pearl diving boats of the UAE. We were then shown around the whole backstage area and given the opportunity to tread the boards of the mainstage – such an honour given the amazing talent that has also graced this stage.” WANT A GO? Book a tour around Dubai Opera for Dhs75 (adults). dubaiopera.com

Eat dinner at Thiptara

Janet Manganip “Going to eat at Thiptara has always been on my bucket list. Who doesn’t want to eat incredible Thai food with amazing views of the Dubai Fountain? My sister and I felt so glamourous as we sat in the gorgeous main dining room for dinner. The service was excellent, and the chef decided to share with us his favourite dishes – we didn’t even have to look at the menu. We’d loved

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the delicate dim sum. But best of all, we’d run outside every half an hour to catch the magical fountain show outside. A dream come true and memories made for life.” WANT A GO? Book a table at Thiptara. addresshotels.com

Learn how to cook like Nick Alvis from folly

Diana Zavzeatii

Drive a supercar around Dubai

Jack Kidd “It’s pretty much every little boy’s dream to one day be able to drive the cars you see on Top Gear. So, you can imagine how happy I was when I got the chance to drive a supercar around Dubai for a whole day. I picked up my MercedesAMG GTS from the brilliant team at Luxury Supercars Dubai (who have a full fleet of unbelievable supercars that residents and tourists can rent) in Business Bay, and from there went on a big adventure across Dubai. We travelled to the Love Lakes up by Al Qudra for some perfect shots, went to a McDonald’s drive-thru (why not, eh?) and even went to get a PCR test in our supercar. You could say we really made the most of our experience.” WANT A GO? You can hire the Mercedes-AMG GTS for Dhs1,800 per day. Other supercars are also available. luxurysupercarsdubai.com

“I’ve always enjoyed cooking, watching cooking shows and trying out different new recipes, so I was really excited to find out that there was an opportunity to learn from the talented and multi-award-winning folly team. I’m so happy I was picked! I arrived for the masterclass and sat at the main kitchen counter with the other guests. We were each given a notebook, tote bag, and glass of wine to enjoy during the masterclass. The session was so insightful, and I discovered lots of tips and tricks to making the perfect poultry dish. Best of all, we all got to enjoy a three-course meal once the masterclass was complete. What a treat.” WANT A GO? Book a table at folly for dinner, or see if you can bag at seat at a masterclass. folly.ae/summer-master-classes

Enjoy a staycation at Versace

Phil Seaton “I can’t imagine anyone who’s lived in Dubai hasn’t heard of the Palazzo Versace. It’s the most luxurious hotel in the UAE. Our Grand Suite was unreal – a super-sized regal experience unlike anything I’ve experienced. Every member of staff, from the valet to the waiters, couldn’t have been more friendly. But the really unforgettable moments were found in its restaurants. We tried Enigma, a Persian restaurant, and the Italian Restaurant, Vanitas. I won’t forget the black Angus beef carpaccio at Vanitas in a hurry, which was easily one of the best dishes I’ve had.” WANT A GO? Rooms at Palazzo Versace start at Dhs849. palazzoversace.ae

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MADE BY YOU

What’s On readers tell us what’s so good about their ‘hood...

NAME: EMMA NORSTROM-DUNN AGE: 39 NATIONALITY: Swedish PROFESSION: Marketing and communications director YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD: TOWN SQUARE

How did you choose your neighbourhood? We first looked at the long range development plan and absolutely loved what we saw. Then we went to visit and fell in love. It’s affordable, yet premium. It’s pet-friendly, which is a massive priority for us as we have lots of four-legged friends, there are outdoor tracks, supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, children’s’ playgrounds, a cinema, beauty and barber salons, and so much more opening up as the development progresses. How long have you lived there? Three-and-a-half years. What makes it unique? The community spirit. Some of our neighbours have become really good friends for life.

from one end, it brings me to the beach and if I leave from the other side, there’s a running track and a park. It’s fantastic that I can ride to work at Riva beach club on my bike, as if I was in Europe. I also love Nakheel Mall and West Beach, which has given the area some great new restaurants. But The Palm is truly unique – a man-made island that you can see

NAME: GUILLAUME MARIOLE AGE: 43 NATIONALITY: Australian PROFESSION: CEO, Ignite YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD: PALM JUMEIRAH

How did you choose your neighbourhood? At the time of moving to the Palm, if you were cool, it was the place to be. It was a brand-new destination. How long have you lived there? Since moving here in 2008. But being cool is definitely not the motivator anymore. The Palm is where we run a number of our business services; Ignite water sports is across the road at Riva Beach Club so that part is of course very convenient. It’s also a perfect spot for our family and we are surrounded by our friends. What makes it unique? I love the fact that if I leave my home

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Anything unexpected in the area? Maybe not that unexpected, but I didn’t think about it at first – I absolutely love the wildlife that we have just around the corner. Having the desert quite literally on your doorstep is amazing. Where’s the best brunch spot? I hope there will be more opening up in the future, especially with a license… but for now, I really like Lime Tree Café for its healthy choices. Have you got a favourite cafe? What do you love about it? There are a few in the community. At the moment I’ve zoned in on Lime Tree. They do great food and I love the vibe in there, and they also provide kids toys which keeps my son occupied when I enjoy my breakfast, lunch or whatever treats I’m in the mood for. Any nice secret spots? Yes, but I’ll not reveal them... Do you think you’ll ever move? At the moment no. We love the community, the people and its offerings, so we’ll be staying put.

from space – who wouldn’t want to live there? Anything unexpected in the area? Perhaps the viewing deck at St. Regis? And the padel courts in Ittihad Park. Oh, and the pool at Breeze is awesome. Where’s the best brunch spot? It’s been quite some time since I’ve been to a brunch. My body isn’t as forgiving as it used to be. But you can’t beat brunch at The Fairmont, The Palm. Any nice secret spots? The Cellar Door and Cheese Room inside Depachika in Nakheel Mall are brilliant spots to pick something up for special weekend celebrations. Do you think you’ll ever move? If we had a choice, we wouldn’t leave the Palm. But we may need to consider moving to a villa soon, which means leaving the Palm soon. That will be a very sad day indeed.

MADE BY YOU

NAME: KATARINA HICKER AGE: 31 NATIONALITY: German PROFESSION: Director of communications YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD: DUBAI MARINA

How did you choose your neighbourhood? My partner and I both wanted to be able to be in an area that allows us to just walk to a coffee shop without getting in the car. That was a huge deal for us. We love the outdoors and we love walking, and the Marina allows the most scenic lunchtime stroll to get a coffee from a whole range of places. We also wanted to be somewhere close to the water and have a bit of a view. The Marina has both. Spending time in the gym while watching the boats go by is absolute bliss. Lastly, we never fancied living in a villa. We are at a point in our lives where we very much appreciate convenience. An apartment in a tower usually comes with a whole bunch of amenities. We wouldn’t change it for the world. How long have you lived there? Almost exactly two years. What makes it unique? The ability to walk without being disturbed by cars. I can literally walk to the mall without even seeing a car if I want. Where else would you be able to do that? Anything unexpected in the area? Even though the Marina is quite touristy, you still find the little local gems that tourists would walk past. Yes you can get a karak for Dhs21 in one of the stylish cafes, but you can also get it for Dh1 through a window in the wall.

NAME: NERRY TOLEDO AGE: 40 NATIONALITY: Filipina PROFESSION: Public relations consultant

and yoga teacher YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD:

JUMEIRAH LAKES TOWERS How did you choose your neighbourhood? The simplicity of the community makes it super appealing to me. It’s

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Where’s the best brunch spot? The options are endless, but there is a fabulous brunch at Siddharta Lounge in the Grosvenor House Hotel. Great Marina views, fab rooftop terrace, good music and a pool. Have you got a favourite cafe? What do you love about it? Hands down, Breaking Bread. The amount of times we either order from there or pop down for a cuppa and some bites is embarrassing. We must be their best customers. The karak chai is amazing. The coffee is so good and the staff are so friendly - it’s an absolute joy to go there. Any nice secret spots? Go and check out the newly opened burger spot The Meat District in Marinascape. The staff are incredibly welcoming (especially when you’re a neighbour) and the food is really good. Do you think you’ll ever move? Dubai has lots to offer and so many amazing places. We thought about the Palm before, but really, the best thing about the Palm is the view of the Marina. Jokes aside, I’m sure we’ll try somewhere else at one point, but right now we are more than happy.

not as congested as others, and really quite green. There are also lots of restaurants, hotels, spas and gyms, and it’s really easy to get everywhere because it’s on a metro line. How long have you lived there? Ten years. What makes it unique? There’s absolutely everything you need in JLT, all within walking distance. There were

only a couple of buildings when I moved here. Today, there are hotels, universities, parks, supermarkets, spas, gyms, hairdressers, the lot. JLT also has a thriving food scene, so there are always new food concepts to try out, and lots of free community events, like movies in the park, organised picnics, Christmas and New Year’s Christmas markets and flea markets. Have you got a favourite cafe? What do you love about it? I love Little Erth. It’s like my extended

is pretty unique – it’s a small 2-bed bungalow set amongst the huge villas of JumeIrah and Umm Suqeim. We even have Interior Designer - Consultant at Vitality a garden big enough for YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD: UMM SUQEIM 2 me to have set up my vegetable garden! How did you choose your Anything unexpected in the area? neighbourhood? Loads! There are a few little grocery I love being close to the beach, and as shops at intervals along Beach Road an avid sailor and member of Dubai where you can buy all sorts of random Offshore Sailing Club I wanted to live things, not just groceries. These have close to that. My sister and her kids been here for years and most are still live nearby as well so it’s important for run by the same guys for decades. me to be close to them. There’s lots of unique little restaurants How long have you lived there? all along Beach Road too – whatever In my current home just a year, you are in the mood for you’ll be but I’ve been in the area for five. able to find it. Avolicious is one that I actually grew up close by in opened up last year, where every dish Jumeirah 3, so the whole area is my on the menu features avocado. I love old stomping ground, and it feels that there’s a boxing gym just round right that I found the perfect little the corner from my house, as well as villa here. What makes it unique? Living so close to the beach, especially the quiet bit between Sunset Beach and Kite Beach, is perfect for me. In the cooler months I take my SUP board down to the beach in the morning for a paddle, or go for a run along the beach track in the evenings. Because we’re halfway between Downtown and Marina it’s super-convenient to nip to any part of town for meetings or to catch up with friends. Our villa itself NAME: SIAN ROWLANDS AGE: 39 Nationality: British PROFESSION: Owner / Founder of RETOLD -

kitchen. It’s a beautiful tiny place with the loveliest staff – everyone at the cafe is wonderful. Did I mention the amazing plant-based food? Truly soul food. Any nice secret spots? Wokyo is one of JLT’s gems. It’s a Japanese street food concept that lets you choose from different kinds of noodles, sauces, vegetables and meat. And there’s not just one, but four traditional Vietnamese cafes; Hanoi Naturally, Saigon, Vietnamese snack-

10 different coffee shops and cafes to choose from, and I also love the concept stores that you find on Beach Road, like Villa 515. All of these are far more unique and unexpected than anything you would find in a mall. Where’s the best brunch spot? I would have to say Neighbors, on the corner of Al Wasl and Al Thanya. It’s definitely my favourite place to go for a dry brunch - the Benny Brisket is simply delicious. Have you got a favourite cafe? What do you love about it? I’ve got lots. The Surf House, 21Grams, Neighbors...there are so many to choose from in my area. I try to visit a new place every week. Any nice secret spots? Book Hero is my secret spot. It’s a little container with a second hand bookshop and a cafe counter, right on the beach. It sits on the edge of Umm Suqeim Park so when the weather is nice, you can grab a book, a coffee and choose from either the beach or the park to sit and read. My other secret spot is Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, which is a members-only club for sailors right on the beach. I’ve been a member for 31 years and it’s basically my 2nd home in Dubai. Do you think you’ll ever move? Certainly not planning to! As long as we can afford to stay in our little villa, we will do. It’s the perfect size for us and the perfect location too.

food-café-restaurant, and Vietnamese Foodies, which all serve fantastic Vietnamese food. I also love JLT’s park – it’s a peaceful green space right in the heart of JLT. Surrounded by dramatic skyscrapers, it makes a great place to walk in the evenings. I teach yoga there when the weather is cool enough because it’s got such great energy. Do you think you’ll ever move? The convenience and simplicity of living here is what makes me not consider moving anywhere else anytime soon.

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MADE BY YOU

THE DUBAI ILLUSTRATORS WHO DESIGNED THE WHAT’S ON COVER Our readers created the front of this month’s magazine. They explain what inspired them…

Uttam Acharjee We say: A 28-year-old sketch artist from New Delhi, Uttam’s work varies in style but always has strong, dramatic comic-scene influences. His recent projects include live action movie scenes, character designs, and stop motion animation. He says: “For me, nothing represents the scale of ambition that Dubai has than the Burj Khalifa. It is the most unique place on Earth. Therefore, I’ve created a dramatic nighttime view of this iconic tower using a unique colour theme in abstract form.” Follow him: @uttam_acharya93

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Sheila Deocareza

Alicia Goveas We say: Alicia is a creative enthusiast and visual artist based in Dubai. In a pretty short timeframe, she has managed to make an impression in the Middle East, etching her mark amongst contemporary artists and creative enthusiasts. Alicia is originally Indian but was born and brought up in Dubai. She says: “This piece reflects a little girl looking up with the possibility of dreaming big. It represents my life and the tremendous opportunity and recognition I have received as an artist. I chose to draw Al Fahidi fort, as it’s an area I used to visit frequently because I lived close by. This is Dubai for me. It is not in the modern skyscrapers or the luxury hotels, but in its cultural forts, it’s love for arts and culture and the idea that everyone can dream big.” Follow her: @aliciagoveas

We say: We may be biased but our very own art director, Sheils, is one of the most talented illustrators in town. She’s solely responsible for all those eye-catching What’s On covers that you pick up each month. She’s a whizz kid with typography, but her whimsical cartoon-like illustrations is where she really shines. She says: “Being a nature lover I chose Al Qudra Lakes as one of the charming places located in the middle of Dubai desert where I can relax and enjoy the nature with my family. Living here in Dubai for more than 16 years, I always see to it that when I get a chance to bond with my family I always choose to take them to places where we can see and enjoy the beauty of nature, which also helps me to meditate and develop my creativity in all aspects. I love being attached with nature and so do my family.” Follow her: @sheiladeocareza

Dina Sami We say: Dina’s signature illustrative style can be found across Dubai, from magazine covers to the walls of the Apple Store. Brought up between the UAE and New York, where she got her School Of Visual Arts degree, she now runs design company Seven Minutes. She says: “My concept is all about the million and one things you can do in Dubai and the fact that everything is just so postcard worthy. For me, Dubai is the absolute best. It’s been home for me, so the sentiments are deeper.” Follow her: @creativebeingdina

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MADE BY YOU

Roui Francisco Mary-kei We say: Mary-kei is a Dubai-based food-stylist who has been based in the UAE since 2004. Born in Japan to a Japanese mother and British father, she has had the privilege of learning from both cultures. Her food-styling career has seen her work with top clients, including Coca-Cola, Emirates and Jumeirah. She has recently returned to her love of painting and drawing, integrating this with her food-styling skills to create special food art images. She says: “I decided to draw the loquaimat because they are what I think of when I think of Dubai. Loquaimat translates to ‘small bites,’ which is exactly what they are. It’s a traditional dessert loved by locals. I love seeing older Emirati ladies making these with ease. They’ve mastered the art of rolling the sticky dough with one hand and dropping it into the hot oil – quite a feat. The love and the tradition of this dessert is just so heartwarming to me.” Follow her: @marykeim

Ramsha We say: Dubai-based artist Ramsha has been drawing since before she could write. Her art style is a mix of realism and surrealism, reflecting the reality she’s surrounded by. Her recent real-time drawings capturing the city’s unsung heroes have gone viral across the region. She says: As someone who is passionate about people, I have a lot of love and appreciation for the constant diversity I’m surrounded by in this country. In a single day, you can come across countless individuals, from all parts of the world, all calling this place their home. Inspired by my practice of drawing strangers, I decided to create a piece for What’s On that features some of the wonderful people I’ve met. It illustrates perfectly the diversity of Dubai.” Follow her: @ramsha.sh

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We say: Roui is a Filipino art director currently rediscovering his roots in the Philippines after 26 years living in Dubai. As a third culture kid, his work reflects the inspiration he sees from all kinds of experiences and environments – from the ‘calmer’ streets of Dubai Marina to the beautiful chaos of Bur Dubai. Having worked on both magazines and books during his 10 years in publishing, he’s now focused on being a full-time freelance. He says: “When I think of what makes me happy in Dubai, it’s Ravi’s. Legendary, delicious, cheap and cheerful Ravi’s, where locals, tourists and residents dine together, sweating it out and enjoying the best Pakistani cuisine around. There’s nowhere better.” Follow him: @rouku_six

FIRST TIME IN ABU DHABI

D g e Dark

Sharpen your senses with a unique dining experience. Savour a 3-course mistery set menu in a complete pitch black room starting from AED 249 net per person. T +971 56 992 2078 E restaurants@babalqasr.com

Chat with us:

Bab Al Qasr Hotel & Residences | Corniche Road West, | P.O. Box 63410, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Ahead of its regional premiere at Dubai Opera this month, creator Judy Craymer tells us how this record-breaking musical was born What’s On_27

MAMMA MIA! WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

s creative producer of Mamma Mia! my job started long before any script had been written. The story begins more than 25 years ago when I first met Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, the songwriting geniuses behind ABBA. I was working for Sir Tim Rice at the time, who was collaborating with Benny and Björn on his musical Chess, and I was immediately smitten – after all, these were the men who had written Dancing Queen, one of the greatest pop songs of all time – but it was another of their songs, The Winner Takes It All, that first suggested to me the potential of an original musical using Benny and 28_What’s On

Björn’s classic compositions. The lyrics revealed a roller coaster story of love and loss that struck me as extraordinarily theatrical, but how was I to bring this to life? First I had to approach Benny and Björn, who were understandably a little unsure of my intentions. I explained that the project I had in mind would focus on a new and exciting story; it wouldn’t be a tribute show, or the ‘ABBA Story’, but a truly original ‘book’ musical. They weren’t 100 per cent convinced at the time, but they didn’t absolutely close the door so I took hope. So I sat on the floor of my apartment listening to ABBA late into the night. I

may have driven my neighbours to despair but as time passed I became more and more certain of my idea. In 1995 my tenacity finally paid off. Björn said, ‘If you can find the right writer and story, well... let’s see what happens’. A year later I was on location with a film I was producing when the director mentioned Catherine Johnson. I was aware of her work as a playwright and, even better, I knew her agent. We met in January 1997 and soon I was confidently telling Björn that we had found our writer and that my co-producer Richard East and I had commissioned her to write the story.

“IT WAS UNUSUAL, IF NOT UNHEARD OF, FOR THREE WOMEN TO BE THE COLLABORATIVE CREATIVE FORCE”

My brief to Catherine was that no lyrics could change, the story should be a contemporary, ironic, romantic comedy and that if she listened carefully to ABBA’s songs, she’d notice how they fell into two different generations: the slightly younger, playful songs like Honey, Honey and Dancing Queen, and the more mature, emotional songs such as The Winner Takes It All and Knowing Me, Knowing You... and so the idea of a cross-generational love story was devised. By the end of that year Catherine had finished the first draft of Mamma Mia!’s script and I persuaded Phyllida Lloyd to come on board as our director. Her background was serious, legit theatre and opera and her secret weapon was her Dry Martini wit. We discovered we all shared the same birth-year and soon firmly bonded. It was unusual, if not unheard of, for three women to be the collaborative creative force behind what was to become such a commercial success. From a personal point of view, I think it readdressed the balance and had a great nurturing effect on the production. We were all happy to jump in and make the tea. Appropriately, Mamma Mia! features three strong women in the story. Their characters are completely different – slightly bossy, a bit chaotic, extremely practical, and very high maintenance! We have a lot of laughs about who is who in

a Dubai

real life, and, as time goes by, it’s a little worrying that we have become even more like those characters on stage. Suddenly it was time to give up my day job as a film producer and prepare for the white-knuckle ride of making the dream a reality: money to raise, a theatre to find, artwork to create, ticket agents to seduce, deadlines to meet. It was the summer of 1998 and we had to open by April 7, 1999 or we’d lose Phyllida, who’d been booked years in advance to direct an opera at The Coliseum in London. The suggested opening dates were April 6 or April 9. April 6 happened to be the anniversary, to the day, of ABBA winning the Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo 25 years before. It seemed a good omen. Although Björn was enthusiastic and shared the vision for the musical, Benny was a little more cautious and at any time both could have put an end to the whole project. It was a tense time, as their emotional backing as well as their creative input was very important to me. If they were going to trust me with their fabulous songs I didn’t want to let them down. Benny and I agreed that on our first night one of us would be able to tell the other ‘I told you so’. By now we had a date for opening but we had no theatre. We’d been looking at

Judy Craymer

smaller venues when suddenly the rather large and prestigious Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End became available, the very same theatre at which Chess had opened 10 years earlier. But its sheer size meant that the scale of the production had to expand dramatically, too, with cast, crew, set and budget all having to be reworked. A lot of fingers were crossed for the big night. And so, April 6, 1999, a night I will never forget – the world premiere of Mamma Mia! The audience were charmed and one British critic wrote, ‘Mamma Mia! could put Prozac out of business’. Benny heartily accepted his defeat: with the entire theatre dancing in the aisles, he turned to me and said, ‘You can say it now’. I flashed back, ‘I told you so!’. We still joke about it.”

PROOF OF VACCINATION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS PERFORMANCE

SEPTEMBER 13 TO 25 Opera, Downtown Dubai, weekdays 8pm, weekends 2pm and 8pm, from Dhs445. Tel: (0)4440888. dubaiopera.com

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It’s still hot outsi ri de, t? gh

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wi th ou r

pic ko

f th e be

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tersport s

to try in the capital

M A K E S O M E W AV E S

Combine paddleboarding with some beach yoga

Go kayaking If you really want to get the complete Louvre Abu Dhabi experience, you need to pick up your paddle and join one of the museum’s one-hour guided kayaking tours. Row yourself along the narrow passages around the museum for a close-up view of this amazing architectural marvel. Prices cots Dhs126. q louvreabudhabi.ae/en/learn/adults-activities

Start the week with gentle flow and a paddle every Friday morning at Reem Central Park at 6am. Participants will experience a 45-minute gentle yoga session followed by 45 minutes of paddleboarding. Prices cost Dhs99. q sea-hawk.ae

Illustration: Sheila Deocareza

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi’s aqua land offers far more than just swimming and waterslides. With a suspended rollercoaster flying over 20 different water-based rides and various other child-friendly activities, Yas Waterworld feels more like a theme park than a waterpark. Our favourite activity here? The flowboarding machine, where you can practise surfing on a man-made wave. q yaswaterworld.com

Get towed along Cove Beach Donuts: they might not always be the same shape as Homer Simpson’s favourite snack, but in the world of water sports a donut is an inflatable you can ride on as it is pulled through the water at high speeds by a powerboat. Now you can have a go at Cove Beach Abu Dhabi where a 15-minute session costs just Dhs100. Cove Beach also offers other watersports activities, including jet ski rental at Dhs100 for 15 minutes. q @covebeachabudhabi

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M A K E S O M E W AV E S

Flyboarding Ever wanted to walk on water? How about flying on it? Well, now you can thanks to the flyboard, a device that straps powerful water jets to your feet. Feel like a super hero as you fly over the ocean – and get ready for a splash landing. Give it a go with Iron Waves. It offers flyboarding experiences from Dhs150 for 15 minutes at four locations, including Fairmont Bab al Bahr, Radisson Blu, Al Raha Beach and Venetian Village. q ironwavesuae.ae.

Cable-boarding In contrast to Abu Dhabi’s many boat-pulled aquatic offerings, the Al Forsan sports resort offers an intriguing alternative: an extensive water park cable system that pulls visitors across their custom lakes on whatever type of board or ski they choose. Visitors can select either beginner or pro cables as you grow in confidence and experience. The park is busier, and more expensive, at weekends so go on a weekday if you can. q alforsan.com

Dragon boating Dragon boating is the ultimate in team water sports, as you need to work together as a group to power the boat through the waves. Mangrove Adventures has just launched dragon boating as a new activity to try every Monday and Wednesday at 6pm, setting off from the Eastern Mangroves Promenade. With regular training a key to success, dragon boating is great for folk who are looking for a fun way to stay fit. q @mws.ae

Jet skiing Abu Dhabi Marine offers a range of motorised and non-motorised watersports at three locations in the capital. You can hire jet skis at its Bab Al Qasr location from just Dhs250 for 30 minutes. If you want, you can also brunch at Bab Al Qasr and enjoy 2-for-1 on select watersports. q abudhabimarine.ae

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Wakeboarding and Wakesurfing If you think regular surfing requires too much effort to find the right waves, wakeboarding and wakesurfing are good alternatives – let the powerboat take the strain as you concentrate on staying upright in this thrilling single board alternative to waterskiing. Abu Dhabi-based wakeboarding pros Wave Evolution is located in the Eastern Mangroves, where you’ll find flat water all year round, perfect conditions for wakeboarding. Sessions cost Dhs550 for one hour. q wake-evolution.com

M A K E S O M E W AV E S

Deep Dive Dubai Depending on how comfortable you are with swimming, wandering far into the deep end can be either exhilarating or borderline panic-inducing. If you tend to experience the latter when you can no longer touch the bottom, then maybe stay away from Deep Dive Dubai, the now Guinness World Recordholding deepest pool for divers located in Nad Al Sheba. If in fact you see this as the ultimate playground, boy, would you be right. Aside from being a whopping 60m deep, there’s a whole sunken city to explore with empty streets, a garage and an arcade that freedivers and scuba enthusiasts can discover. q deepdivedubai.com.

Abu Dhabi Marine Crooning crustacean, Sebastian the crab, once famously sang, “darling it’s better, down where it’s wetter” and given the range of submarinal adventure offered by Abu Dhabi Marine, we might actually be on board with that assessment. You can take the plunge on trips fit for all ability levels, from snorkelling escapades (from Dhs150) and beginner scuba diving (Dhs350, for ages 10 and up), to more challenging dives and advanced PADI certificate diving courses (from Dhs1,500). Proof, if any were needed, that watersports are “hotter under the water”. a Abu Dhabi Marina, opposite Marina Mall, Break Water, Tel: (800) 4386, abudhabimarine.ae

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LE MERIDIEN AL AQAH BEACH RESORT T +971 9 244 9000 lemeridien-alaqah.com

FAMILY STAYCATION FROM AED 735++ Stay at the iconic Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort and experience unlimited family fun whilst soaking in the panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Your stay includes: • • • • •

Guaranteed sea-facing room overlooking the pristine beach Access to private beach and the largest pool in Fujairah Access to Kid’s Club with family pool and daily activities On-site non-motorized water activities Access to Spa Al Aqah

For more information, or to book contact us on: +971 9 244 9000 or visit lemeridien-alaqah.com

N 25° 30’ E 56° 21’ DESTINATION UNLOCKED

Get in on the action as we revisit Media One Hotel this month SAVE THE DATE! September 24 to 25

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WHAT’S ON LOCK IN

ant to come party with What’s On? Now’s your chance because we’re taking over Media One Hotel for an unforgettable weekend from September 24 to 25. What’s a Lock In?’ you say. Oh, only the best staycation deal in the UAE, where a mere Dhs699 brings you a weekend full of fun for you and your roomie. There’ll be a barbecue feast for the ages at garden on 8, a killer Friday morning workout from the Ultimate Performance fitness team, free treatments for boys and girls courtesy of That Dubai Girl’s Beauty Bar, live music at Qwerty, a sneak peek of a brand new venue inside Media One Hotel and a deliriously excessive amount of free drinks to help you power through an actionpacked weekend. Is there a better staycay deal than the What’s On Lock In? Hard no. Rooms sell out like hot cakes, always, so book your spot today.

A sweaty workout and a beauty bar Spend your first hour at the What’s On Lock In getting all sweaty with our friends from Ultimate Performance, conquering squats, burpees, ropes pulls and more. From there, head to Ciao Bella for a free welcome drink then take it to the Beauty Bar where That Dubai Girl’s bevvy of brilliant small businesses will prime, prune and prep you for brunch.

A night you will forget... After all those great eats, make a pit-stop at BabyQ for three free drinks, before heading down to the afterparty at Qwerty where late night antics awaits.

A Media One feast

1pm to If you come hungry, 4pm you’ll leave happy. The food feast at garden on 8 is mighty… and meaty. Whether you’re in the mood for wings and ribs, comforting fried foods, or just good old-fashioned bar bites, you won’t walk away disappointed.

Hangover brekkie Feeling foggy? Stumble down to Qwerty where Chef Candice will be whipping up a breakfast of champions from 9am.

A day by the pool

11am to 4pm

The afternoon culminates at Coco Lounge with a chilled pool session complete with two free drinks, DJ beats, food packages and more.

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Friday, September 24 10.30am

Guest arrival and check in at Media One Hotel Visit the lobby to collect your keys.

11am to 12pm

Ultimate Performance workout Torch a few calories before brunch at this boutique gym. Limited spots available.

11am to 1pm

Welcome drink at Ciao Bella and orientation Pick up your wristband, orientation pack and start the party with an Italian tipple.

That Dubai Girl Beauty Bar Blow-dries, piercings, barbers and much more.

1pm to 4pm

Brunch bonanza at garden on 8 Fill your boots at the garden on 8’s foodie extravaganza with BBQ favourites, unlimited drinks and a great outdoor/indoor vibe.

4pm to 6.30pm

Pit-stop at BabyQ Head on up to floor 43 for three free drinks.

6.30pm onwards

After-party at Qwerty Live music and one more free drink to keep the party going.

Saturday, September 25 9am to 11am

Qwerty brekkie Rise and shine for the perfect hangover breakfast.

11am to 4pm

Sunshine sessions Sunbathe by the pool and soldier on with free drinks (two vouchers per person) or choose bargain ‘Hair of the Dog’ f&b packages.

4pm

Check out … or stay on for another night for as little as Dhs200. Find a Media One member for more details.

Book your room now to experience Media One Hotel at its peak. Visit WhatsOn.ae What’s On_39

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

PA G E 42

Simple pleasures

Pierchic rebrands as an Italian restaurant AFTER-BRUNCH DEALS p46 UDN p52 LOCK IN PICS p58 What’s On_41

C O N S U M E

EAT // REVIEW

PIERCHIC

The award-winning restaurant repositions as Italian-first with celebrated chef Beatrice Segoni holding the reins n Dubai, if you’re talking about romantic restaurants, Pierchic rings out. But since June 2021, the stunning multi-award-winning restaurant perched at the end of the private pier at Jumeirah Al Qasr, has been reimagined by acclaimed chef Beatrice Segoni as an Italian-first restaurant – with romance still very much in the air. The 100m walk along the wooden jetty to Pierchic is iconic. You’ve got the waves below, Burj Al Arab to your right and blue

sharing the spotlight on the skies above. Time it new menu. right and it’s absolutely Pleasantly, we found no marvelous; time it bad choices on the menu wrong (IE lunchtime at during our lunchtime jaunt, the height of summer) Chef Beatrice but the best choices involve and that walk feels like a Segoni homemade pasta for which Chef long, sweaty march through Beatrice is famous. the Empty Quarter. We particularly loved the homemade Still, the walk is worth it when you’re ravioli with ricotta and spinach (Dhs120) greeted with aircon, welcoming staff, a and the delicate guinea fowl plin pasta beautiful modern dining room with those (Dhs135). Also worth a mention is the ocean panoramas. Ask nicely, and you buttery seared scallops (Dhs130) topped might be able to bag that all-important with mushrooms and hazelnuts, the Burj Al Arab view. creamy burrata with daterrino tomatoes Before June this year, Pierchic was (Dhs130) and anything involving their often regarded as the city’s leading luxury crispy wafer-thin potato chips, which seafood restaurant, and definitely one we ordered with the meaty Dover of Dubai’s most romantic. Proposals, sole (Dhs270). date nights and seafood towers were Every plate of ours was wiped clean synonymous with Pierchic. Perhaps that afternoon – a testament to its in a bid to appeal to a wider audience, tastiness levels. Pierchic continues to be Jumeirah Group decided to shake things a destination restaurant, and you’ll find up a bit and reposition the restaurant yourself wondering when you can as an Italian, with fish, meat and pasta come back. a Pierchic, Jumirah Al Qasr, Sun to Sat 6.30pm to 10.30om (lunch available Fri and and Sat from 1pm to 3.30pm). Tel:(0)44323232. jumeirah.com/en/dine/ dubai/al-qasr-pierchic RATING Food ��A Atmosphere �� Price ��

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C O N S U M E

EAT // REVIEW

FRENCH RIVIERA

A degustation menu where every course is on song… ew places capture the magic of Dubai quite like Jumeirah Al Qasr. The grand hotel is a stunning property that’s nestled beside Souk Madinat, glorious waterways and the ocean. There really is something lovely to look at everywhere you turn. One of its loveliest attractions is French Riviera, a new-ish restaurant (it opened in June 2020) that has intimate dining areas reached by candle-lit walkways. We headed in to try its intriguing new seven-course wine-paired degustation menu. The FrenchMediterranean dinner starts off with freshlybaked bread, warm from the oven, and a truffle ‘pizzetta’, which is delightfully thin and crispy, topped with arugula, crème-fraîche and fresh truffle. Next up is the ‘trilogie’, comprising shredded blue crab, a duo of beetroot and apple accompanied by a herb and basil mustard sorbet, and an exquisite smokey octopus dish. As the courses continue, different wines are expertly chosen to complement the flavours of each dish. Journeying on, the l’oignon façon tatin is, in English, caramelised onion paired

with a parmesan ice cream, which is both full-bodied and pungent, and easily one of the best dishes of the night. The courses continue… There’s a fregola pasta drizzled with an orange reduction and an interpretation of the traditional La Bouillabaisse, which are both extremely satisfying, and le filet de boeuf, with creamy mashed potatoes and a bourguignon sauce, which is cooked perfectly to our liking. We round things off with pain perdu topped with smooth Madagascar vanilla ice cream, a decadent tarte au chocolate and a millefeuille.

Take your time with this degustation menu and you won’t be overwhelmed by its many courses. If you pace it right, it’ll make for a wonderful evening – perfect for a date night or fancy dinner with friends. It’s the epitome of a luxurious Dubai night out. a French Riviera, Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai, from 6.30pm, degustation menu Dhs550 (non-vegetarian), Dhs460 (vegetarian), plus Dhs360 with wine pairing. Tel: (0)4 432 32 32. jumeirah.com RATING Food �� A Atmosphere �� Price ��

OPA expands to Saint-Tropez Speaking of the French Riviera, we’ve (plate) smashing news from our What’s On awardwinning Greek restaurant OPA. The team has just announced its expansion onto the beautiful shores of southeast France. Located in the bustling summer haven of Domaine du Port, OPA Saint-Tropez seats 100 guests and features a multi-sensory Greek experience, including traditional Zorba dancing, plate-smashing, and all of OPA’s delightful signature dishes. a Allée du Quai de l’Epi, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France. @opasainttropez

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LUCKY DIP Four brilliant pool brunches to try, too

Cafe Nikki This seascape lunch is a laidback, five-course affair, served to table and backed up by a multistation buffet, featuring salads, cold cuts, and seafood� Postbrunch, head to the pool� Available Fridays 1pm to 4pm from Dhs325� q @nikkibeachhotels.com/dubai 02

Wet Deck If you want a pool party, this is the one for you� W The Palm – Dubai’s Friday brunch is the stuff of legends now with a huge buffet that stretches the length of the pool� Available Fridays 1pm to 5pm from Dhs395� q facebook.com/WetDeckDubai 03

Zero Gravity Zero Gravity’s Summer Brunch takes place all weekend and includes unlimited food and drinks from 1pm to 5pm� It’s Dhs299 for ladies and Dhs349 for the guys� Access to the pool starts at 10am� q 0-gravity.ae 04

Missippi’s Missippi’s pool brunch runs every Friday from 1pm and 4pm for just Dhs299� You’ll enjoy unlimited selected house drinks and brunch bites such as salads, mezze and seafood� q @missippisdxb

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DUBAI

BRUNCH REVIEW

Address Sky View pool brunch

Can a second brunch deal in the same hotel succeed when it’s up against Cé La Vi?

t’s hard not to feel a little sorry for the pool brunch at Address Sky View. It’s rather overshadowed by the other brunch that takes place in the same hotel at Cé La Vi next to that incredible infinity pool. But we’re here to try the goods at The Restaurant, specifically in a delightful little sun trap located on the ground floor of the hotel. It has its own pool (again, this is not the infinity pool on the rooftop, don’t say we didn’t warn you), and upclose views of the Burj Khalifa glistening in the afternoon sun. The ‘Poolside Brunch Club’ can be enjoyed in the restaurant, on its terrace or directly from your sun

bed. Aperol fans will be happy to know the summery drink is included in the house drinks package (priced at Dhs395 per person), alongside wines and beers. Starters include bento boxes of the usual suspects: maki rolls, ceviche and nachos, as well as soy glazed short rib bao buns and a seafood platter. These are followed up with American sliders, chicken quesadillas and barbecue lamb chops. It all feels distinctly deep-fried, comfort food. The vanilla brownie magnum with roasted almond was the food highlight by a country mile. As ‘wet’ brunches go, this is a sweet little edition, especially since you can arrive from 10am to use the pool before brunch begins. The bright orange swing, scooter and ‘brunch wall’ which you’re encouraged to write on, are nice little touches, too. But will it really be able to draw brunch-goers away from the bigger brunch offerings around town? Time will tell. a The Restaurant, Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai, Fri Dhs295 with soft drinks, Dhs395 with house drinks, Dhs495 premium. Tel: (0)4 873 8888. addresshotels.com

A TASTE OF ASIA, BY THE DUBAI SHORE This is where Asian cuisine meets European precision, where ﬂavour meets art and where the sky meets the sea. Explore Asia from the stunning Dubai shoreline at Sea Fu.

For reservations, please call +971 4 270 7777 fourseasons.com/dubaijb/dining

SeaFuDubai

C O N S U M E

EAT // AFTER-BRUNCH

Party on

Eight brilliant after-brunch Friday deals, because the party shouldn’t stop just because brunch has ended… 01

Baby Q What’s the deal: 50 per cent off food and drinks Popular after-work bar Baby Q in Media One Hotel offers 50 per cent off food and beverages during its daily happy hour, which extends right through the weekend, from 5pm to 8pm. Baby Q also has a Friday evening brunch with unlimited drinks and selected food from 7pm to 10pm, priced at Dhs250. a Media One Hotel, Media City, Dubai, Fri happy hour 5pm to 8pm. Tel: (0)4 443 5403. @babyqdubai 01

wings, quesadillas, empanadas and more for Dhs200. To add beer it’s Dhs250, or to include bubbles it’s Dhs300. a Club Vista Mare, Dubai, Fri 6pm to 9pm, from Dhs200. Tel: (0)4 554 2665. palmbaydubai.com

03 02

Palm Bay What’s the deal: Unlimited drinks and a food platter for Dhs200 Here you can enjoy three hours of free-flowing drinks, including wine, cocktails and spirits and a sharing plater piled up with nachos, BBQ 46_What’s On

Treehouse What’s the deal: Five drinks for Dhs150 Head to popular Treehouse after brunch where you’ll get five drinks (including wine, beers and spirits) for Dhs150 from 4pm. It’s pretty much Downtown’s go-to party spot, so don’t be surprised to bump into plenty of people

you know who’ve also been at neighbouring brunches. a Treehouse, Taj Dubai, Business Bay, Fri 4pm to 9pm, Dhs150. Tel: (058) 827 2763. hiddenbrunch.com

house drinks. Tel: (0)4 356 0470. mcgettigans.com/jltdubai

Tipsy Lion

SoBe What’s the deal: Three drinks for Dhs100 If you’re heading to Akira Back on Friday for Candypants’ new brunch (running 1pm to 4pm, priced from Dhs399), be sure to carry on the party at ultra-chic rooftop bar, Sobe, from 4.30pm until 7.30pm, where you can sip three house drinks for Dhs100. The deal at Sobe is open to everyone, even if you haven’t been to the brunch. a W Dubai – The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Fri 4.30pm to 7.30pm, Dhs100. Tel: (0)4 245 5555. facebook.com/sobedubai

find them here after. a FIVE Palm Jumeirah, Fri 4pm to 7pm, Dhs100. Tel: (050) 220 4638. facebook. com/CandypantsEvents

McGettigan’s

Maiden Shanghai What’s the deal: Three drinks for Dhs100 For a brilliant party brunch, check out ‘Naughty Noodles’ at Maiden Shanghai from 1pm to 4pm, starting from Dhs400 for ladies for the champagne package. Afterwards, there’s a 05

What’s the deal: Happy hour drinks priced from Dhs25 Head to fairly new British gastropub Tipsy Lion for a roaring time after brunch. Spirits are priced from Dhs25, beers are priced from Dhs27, wines are from Dhs27 and there are special food and bar bites on offer. Expect live music on offer, too. a Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Dubai, happy hour from 5pm to 8pm. Tel: (0)58 896 0045. @TipsyLionDubai

great ‘drunch’ offer. Partygoers can enjoy three house drinks for Dhs100 from 4pm to 7pm every Friday with a side of epic skyline sunset views thrown in for free. Even if you’ve not been brunching with some of your mates, you’ll likely 06

What’s the deal: Three hours unlimited house drinks for Dhs199 It’s not uncommon to head to McGettigan’s for the Friday brunch and then tag on its drunch package, too. From 5pm to 8pm, you’ll get unlimited house beverages for Dhs199. a JLT, Dubai, 5pm to 8pm, Fri Dhs199 for unlimited

Lock Stock & Barrel What’s the deal: 2-for-1 on selected drinks Lock Stock & Barrel has its own brunch on a Friday anyway, which means the atmosphere is guaranteed to be lively. It offers a buy-one-getone free deal on selected beverages from 4pm to 8pm, and is especially busy as the post-brunch crowd roll in. a JBR, The Walk, Dubai, happy hour 4pm to 8pm. Tel: (0)4 392 7120. lsbdubai.com/jbr

What’s On_47

EVENING BRUNCHES Our top picks for nighttime feasting

Soho Beer Garden Bangers and mash and other British classics feature in this three-course meal deal every Tue, Wed and Thur from Dhs225. q @sohogardendxb 02

Publique Raclette goodness, heart-warming onion tarts and chicken croquettes star in this evening winner, available Sun to Wed for Dhs295. q @publiquedubai

Flashback Speakeasy Bar

BAR MONTH

O F

T H E

A live music hidden gem in Business Bay

Sui Mui A Sat night buffet brunch featuring dim sum, Asian tacos, sushi and curries for just Dhs225 with house drinks from 6pm. q suimuidubai.com 04

Jazz @ Pizza Express The legendary Thursday Stage Brunch continues to dominate with live music, top Italian fooder and free-flowing drinks from 8pm. q pizzaexpress.ae

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Let’s face it: if you love jazz, most of Dubai’s bars aren’t really for you. So, fortunately for those of us who like the soothe sounds of rhythm and blues, there’s Flashback at the Paramount Hotel. The prohibition era plays a key role in this speakeasy bar. To enter, you must pass through a bookcase along one of the hotel’s walls. Push in the right place, a door swings open and you’ll be hit by a wave of live music – anything from Amy Winehouse to Etta James – sung by cool cat Claudia Patrice. Her nostalgic covers took us back to our time in NYC jazz bars, as we sipped on innovative cocktails and tucked into some quality pub grub (the fishcakes and beef sliders were darn tasty). A lot of care has been taken with the

decor, with moving black and white paintings on the walls, a retro bar, 20s-inspired memorabilia dotted around the room, and snug vintage leather chairs. But the coolest thing of all about this bar is that it’s fun without being kitsch, relaxed without being sloppy; somewhere you can wear your best threads or jeans and Converse, and still feel right at home and ready for a top night out. Live music takes place daily from 5pm, but for a unique night out, check out its Wednesday Murder Mystery night where guests solve clues, interrogate suspects and enjoy dinner at this immersive theatre experience. a Paramount Hotel Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai, from 5pm to 1am. Tel: (055) 1807559. @flashbackspeakeasy

C O N S U M E

EAT // TASTEMARKERS

TASTEMAKERS SPOTLIGHT

Pickl’s Chicken Sando

David Dougal

Talking to the folks that make some of the tastiest dishes in town The spring of 2019 was all about the Pickl effect. When the homegrown fried chicken and burger chain debuted its chicken sando, the nation was consumed in poultry panic. Everyone was talking

about the chicken sando, its messy, crispy, meaty bird in a bun. We chatted to Pickl’s head of brand, David Dougal, to find out what makes this sando so unflappable…

The pickles The bun The chicken “We’re a fresh fast-food concept, so the quality of our meat is extremely important to us. The chicken we use is hormone and antibiotic free and cooked fresh to order, just like it should be.”

“We use the best bun for any burger, and that’s a potato bun.”

“Our chicken sando comes with dill pickles, the most iconic of all pickles. Our pickles are prepared freshly every day, using our own homemade recipe. As our founder Steve says: “A burger is not a burger without a pickle.”

The Comeback sauce

The spice “We have five different heat levels to choose from: plain, medium-Ish, feel the heat, Nashville and The Reaper. The Reaper packs a punch, so much so, that it can only be consumed in-store and anyone wanting to try it must sign a disclaimer.” 50_What’s On

“Our homemade sauce is smokey to ensure the complete taste profile is balanced. The pickles, the heat, the creaminess of the sauce and the sweet potato bun, all work together to create the unique Pickl taste.”

q eatpickl.com

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C O N S U M E

EAT // REVIEW

UDN

Abu Dhabi’s first udon house opens, but is it slurping good? eah, yeah, ramen is great. And we’re not telling you not to eat ramen. What we’re telling you to do is to also eat ramen’s thicker, wheat-flour noodle cousin udon. And one delightful place to do just that is at UDN, the brand new udon house in Abu Dhabi. A concept brought to life by Abu Dhabi coffee specialists, DRVN Coffee, UDN celebrates and specialises in one of Japan’s most famous and versatile noodle dishes that has been making Japanese diners happy for centuries. UDN is pretty special because it makes its noodles in-house daily from scratch. They can be ordered in UDN’s traditional form – curry broth or vegan broth. UDN also serves a variety of peripheral dishes, such as edamame, gyoza and whatnot. Our advice would be to skip them and stick to the udon. We tried the UDN

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IN ABU DHABI

curry with grilled chicken (Dhs68), which features a rich, slow-cooked curry melding into a clear dashi-based broth, a hefty sprinkling of spring onions, a few slices of narutomaki (fish cake) and Japanese spice. We added in a couple of extra medium boiled eggs for extra creaminess. The bowl that arrived needed to be carried to the table with two

hands it was so big. And so tasty. It was so vividly flavoured, and yet also so fresh (thanks to the hefty sprinkling of spring onions and herbs), that it reminded us of the best bits of a Malaysian laksa. As for the noodles, they were amazingly good, with a mystifying depth of flavour and a perfect texture. You might well say that at Dhs68 for a bowl of noodle soup, it had to be good, because that price is only cheap if the food is brilliant. At UDN, it is; and there’s something attractive about a place that concentrates on one thing and does it with such skill. a Old Airport Road, Showroom 1, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to 11pm. Tel: (050) 6489 310. @udn.ae RATING Food �� AAtmosphere �� Price ��

THAI RESTAURANT & BAR A showcase of elegance and creativity, synonymous with freshness and bold vibrant flavors, packed with heat and rich textures, Thai cuisine is an adventure for your taste buds. Firing up the woks with a bit of silky goodness and fiery spices, Silk & Spice will be ready to be unleashed this September. For more information, please call (0) 2 813 7777 or log on to www.sofitelabudhabicorniche.com

CAFES

Four quirky spots for coffee and cake

ABU DHABI

Boomah The region’s first owl cafe is home to 10 species� Expect long stares from these beaked baristas as you tuck into an acai bowl� @boomah.ae 02

Forever Rose Cafe A monochrome 2D environment from real tables and chairs gives this cafe a real fairytale feel� @foreverrosecafe

DRVN Great coffee and a collection of rare classic cars can be found at both DRVN branches in the capital� Look out for a Dubai branch opening on Bluewaters� @drvn_coffee 04

Soo Matcha The UAE’s first all matcha inspired café means green powder galore� @soomatcha.uae

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Li Jiang

BRUNCH MONTH O F

T H E

A relaxed Saturday brunch serving stellar pan-Asian cuisine from 1pm to 10pm

s brunch concepts go, Li Jiang’s is certainly novel. For starters, it takes place on a Saturday between 1pm and 10pm in three-hour slots. That means you could opt for a lunch brunch, a dinner brunch, or something in between. We arrived around 6pm and, though it wasn’t too busy, the room still had a vibe. The service was attentive, with our drinks topped up throughout. The way brunch works at Li Jiang is that you peruse the menu back and front. Then, on the back, you tick off a main, barbecue or grilled option and select a side dish that you prefer. With a mix of Asian dishes represented, the selection feels almost like an itinerary for a trip to Asia, and we did wonder if we could possibly eat it all in just one seating. First to arrive were bento boxes that include a fresh spring roll, maki rolls and fresh sashimi, as well as small tapas-style plates of grilled beef and panseared salmon salads. When we nearly but not quite polished that off, they brought out a sharing platter of hot appetisers, which included (more)

spring rolls, fried seafood money bags, fried calamari cheese bites, chicken satay, dynamite prawns and Beijing duck wraps. Skip the fried offerings (they fell a bit flat) and ask for extra chicken satay, dynamite prawns and Beijing duck wraps. When we were ready, we signalled to them that it was time for the mains. They swiftly brought an array of succulent meats and wok-fried fish dishes as well as our side dishes. We lapped up the Thai green curry, the cooked-to-perfection grilled Wagyu beef and the myriad other seafood dishes brought to us. Verdict: This Saturday brunch is great for those who want things on their own terms. No one should define when you want to brunch, tell you what to eat or make you queue up. Li Jiang is flexible, civilised, has great food, a generous flow of drinks, a scenic set up and has your Saturdays covered. a The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand

Canal, Sat 1pm to 10pm, Dhs225 with soft drinks, Dhs360 with house drinks, Dhs480 with cocktails and prosecco). @ritzcarltonabudhabi

C O N S U M E

EAT // REVIEW

NAHAAM

Does this heavy-hitter still reign supreme for Friday brunch? he luxury international buffet brunch league is a fiercely fought competition in Abu Dhabi. Five-star restaurants across the Emirate are fielding spreads packed with overseas talent, weekend after weekend, hoping to secure their place at the top of the table bookings. One name that’s always in contention is Nahaam. The smart beach view restaurant at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers is known for offering a strong collection of world cuisine, alongside a few special fine dining set pieces. And we’re always down to dine with those that dare to do something a little bit different. During the cooler months, the dining takes place poolside, but the floor-to-ceiling glass paneling of the restaurant’s interior means you can enjoy a backdrop of calming Corniche waters, without succumbing to the sweaty mess of alfresco summer dining. It also means that the Friday afternoon clash is played out in the glow of natural light, giving the brunch that big game energy. We’re traditionalists when it comes to brunch, and that means starting off with seafood. There’s a lot of it at Nahaam, richly varied, scattered around a statement ice sculpture and exhibiting the sort of colour saturation that lets you know it’s fresh from the catch. We also fork through citrussy ceviches and cleverly assembled fruit de mer salads. Our careful brunch strategy starts to unravel after our first plate of food, and a chronic case of magpie syndrome sets in. Our eyes dart between stacks of shiny culinary pennies, from the home-smoked

56_What’s On

meat section to the homefired pizza stand (which gets a solid four ‘mamma mia’s’ out of five on its own steam), and beyond to the fragrant allure of the fromage boudoir. The carvery section is another strong component of the team. The chef de partie replicates an authentic home roast dinner to a far closer degree than many of the gastro pubs we’ve frequented on either side of an Etihad flight to LHR. The roast chicken, potatoes and a frankly embarrassing quantity of gravy sit on the same plate as the aromatic smoked meats mentioned earlier, ones that feature some truly remarkable marinade rubs. Throughout the experience, a parade of mobile and static live stations are sprung into life for temporary Oprah-esque dining giveaways. ‘You get a cheese wheel’ tossed risotto, ‘you a tranche of seared

tuna’, ‘you some takoyaki’ and ‘everybody gets homemade nitrogen ice cream There are adult-only rounds of the trolley too, with licensed beverage popsicles and espresso mixology. One final fact that’s worth mentioning, if there are two of you brunching, there’s a special stay and dine package. For Dhs995, two people can spend the night, enjoy breakfast and a brunch based on the house package. Verdict: Sometimes the hype is right. And for us, Nahaam more than lived up to the fan chanted celebrations. a Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Corniche Road, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs370 soft, Dhs495 house, Dhs695 bubbles. Tel: (02) 811 5666, @conradetihadtowers RATING Food ��AAtmosphere �� Price ��

C O N S U M E

EAT // NEWS

The dons of dim sum are coming Din Tai Fung is headed to The Galleria

Just plane weird Would you eat at Transit Terminal Food?

his new capital cafe serves as an homage to the part of air travel that is almost nobody’s favourite – the dining experience. And to be honest, the meals don’t look that much better than the sort of microwaved panini you’d expect from an EasyJet red-eye to Faliraki. The menu is pretty varied, based as it is, on the international passport of world cuisine, but the pictures look lackluster to say the least. There’s currywurst (Dhs35) from Berlin and khachapuri (Dhs30) from Tbilisi that sort of looks alright. On the plus side, a visit to Transit Terminal Food is a lot cheaper than international travel, and the leg room looks alright. There’s also next-to-nil possibility of turbulence, and the cafe’s faithful replica cabin interior will make for some unique ‘gram snaps. But why did they have to recreate those foldaway handrest tables?

a Transit Terminal Food, Center Ville hotel building – Hazaa Bin Zayed The First St – Al Nahyan, 7.30am to 12.30am. Tel: (02) 550 0443. @transitterminalfood

If you’re a fan of Chinese food, there’s a strong chance you’ll already be well acquainted with Din Tai Fung. The brand began its journey in Taiwan, but the appeal was enough to see it spread to 12 countries worldwide. Two separate branches in Hong Kong have even been awarded Michelin stars. You can already find several Din Tai Fung restaurants in Dubai at The Mall of the Emirates, The Dubai Mall and Nakheel Mall. But the latest outlet scheduled to open in early 2022 is at Abu Dhabi’s own The Galleria Al Maryah Island, which already boasts some of the capital’s best-loved fine and casual dining options. Although you can currently order Din Tai Fung through Talabat and Carriage, this will be the first live dine-in restaurant in the capital. Why is it so special? It’s all about the soup dumplings. Known as Xiao Long Bao, the 18-fold puckered pastry wraps are packed with juicy bundles of chicken, crab or truffle and served with a selection of dipping condiments. Arguably one of life’s greatest ever creations. a Keep an eye out on whatson.ae for news of the official opening date

What’s On_57

LOCKED AND LOADED

What’s On took over Bab Al Qasr for a wild weekend in Abu Dhabi…

ver the July 30 to 31 weekend, What’s On descended on Bab Al Qasr in Abu Dhabi for an ultimate weekend-long extravaganza. We packed the weekend with What’s On-approved activities – a massive brunch fest, free pampering, after-party antics, and active challenges, to name a few. In short, it was a blast and a half with sore heads all round by day two. To relive that glorious, twoday event again and again in our minds and mouths, we put together some of the best photos from that weekend. See you at the next What’s On Lock In, at Media One Hotel. Read more about that on page 37. 58_What’s On

What’s On_59

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PA G E 62

Art attack

Unmissable cultural events in September REGIONAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT p66

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

Mohammed Chabaa: Visual Consciousness The exhibition presents the life’s work of Mohammed Chabaa, a pioneer of Moroccan contemporary art and Global South modernity. Expect paintings, sculptures, graphic art, interior design models and archival material, encompassing his creative journey from 1957 to 2012. Until September 20 a Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (0)2 657 6348. culturalfoundation.ae 62_What’s On

EXHIBITION

From Cinderella to Sindbad: German and Arab Timeless Tales Also at the cultural foundation is an exhibition organised by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre. It highlights the mutual influences, shared ideas, and cultural exchange between

the Arab world and Germany through storytelling. Expect artefacts ranging from ancient Egyptian papyri to the stories of the Brothers Grimm and Arabian Nights, as well as modern pop-up books and comics. Until September 20 a Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (0)2 657 6348. culturalfoundation.ae

CULTURE

DUBAI /

THEATRE

The Wolves The Wolves is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and it is being performed this month by an all-female cast. It takes a look at a women’s indoor soccer team as they go through their pre-game warm up routine where everything from mundane, trivial gossip to genocide and menstrual cycles is discussed. September 9 to 11 a The Wolves, The Junction, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai. Tel: (0)4 338 8525. @junctiondubai

NEW

GALLERY

AND

EXHIBITION

Volte Art Projects This new gallery at Alserkal Avenue opens its doors the same day as Alserkal Lates. The exhibition kicking off the opening features artists from Europe, South Africa, India, and the US presenting installations connected through art, technology, and nature. Opens on September 22 a Volte Arts Projects, Warehouse 13, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai. Tel: (0)4 333 3464. @volteartprojects /PERFORMANCE/

The Queen Experience Love the music of the legendary Freddie Mercury and Queen? The QE2 will be rocking to life with their greatest hits such as We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody, I Want to Break Free, Another One Bites the Dust, The Show Must Go On and much more. September 22, 23 and 24 a Theatre by QE2, QE2, Port Rashid, Dubai. Tel: (0)58 838 3107. theatrebyqe2.com

What’s On_63

CULTURE

Kaning it

Award-winning British comic Russell Kane returns to the UAE this month

e’s back. The keenly-awaited brand new tour show is here. Packing more energy than a Duracell factory, the awardwinning British comic Russell Kane will motor through love, family and life during Covid when he performs in Dubai on September 29. Despite his meteoric success, the Essex-born lad never wanted to be a comedian growing up. He had zero interest in the topic. He’d never been to see comedy, it didn’t amuse him and it wasn’t something he knew anything about. “When you grow up on a council estate it’s not exactly a pursuit that you go and try on the weekend,” says Kane. By pure accident, someone at his work suggested that he give it a go. So, he took on the challenge to try stand-up on a dare. But after one show, and after hearing his first

round of applause, Kane was hooked. Not only did he love it, but audiences and critics loved him too. In 2010 he won comedy’s prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award, swiftly followed by the Barry Award for comedy in 2011. He’s toured across the UK performing to sold-out shows, starred in his brilliant Bear Grylls-style travel series Stupid Man, Smart Phone and appeared in various other TV appearances, including The Royal Variety Performance, Live At The Apollo & I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here. Now Kane brings his latest stand-up tour to the UAE, with a one-night-only show at Dubai Opera. September 29 a Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Wed 8pm, from Dhs150. Tel: (0)4 4408888. dubaiopera.com

PROOF OF VACCINATION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS PERFORMANCE

RUSSELL KANE ON…. Getting into stand-up “It wasn’t exactly the result of a lifelong burning passion. I googled ‘stand-up London’, phoned the first number I saw and got myself an open spot.” ★

Stage fright “I’m very comfortable on stage… when it’s going well. If it’s not I’ll be hiding in the toilet rocking back and forth.” ★

His new grown-up look “I was in the middle of spraytanning myself in skinny pants when the doorbell went. I opened the door and this window cleaner was touting for work. He said, ‘I’m really sorry to disturb you: is your mum or dad in at all?’ That’s when I knew I needed to change.” ★

His baby “Babies are so weird – they’re just like a bag of organs with a really gross soft bit on their head.” ★

Being a comedian “I love it. If I ever have a bad day, I think about the things my family have done for a living. The fact that I can walk into a hotel, lie on the bed, watch a sci-fi movie, go and do an hour’s work on stage is incredible.”

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AUTHENTIC DESERT EXPERIENCE

AT YOUR LEISURE

one are the days when rising temperatures and increasing humidity would force us to seek shelter inside. We’re now embracing the bright sunshine and are eager to venture out and experience indigenous excursions which echoe the Emirate’s culture, heritage and traditions. Al Maha, the boutique desert resort was conceptualized with the same phenomena and has successfully upheld the legacy for 23 years.

LOCATION Just 45 minutes from Dubai Business Bay, the resort sits deep into the conservation reserve. Acting as the flagbearer, Al Maha offers day packages which will not only enrich your Bedouin knowledge but will also provide adrenaline fueled desert excursions and much needed leisure time for you to soak in the serenity and luxury of the resort.

DAYTIME AFFAIR The resort offers three day packages to choose from. From a laidback Pool package, priced at AED 450, guests can unwind by the Timeless Spa main pool and later enjoy a three-course a la carte lunch at the signature restaurant, Al Diwaan. With the Spa Indulgence package, guests can enjoy the same benefits as the Pool package and as well as a selected spa treatment for AED 640 per person.

A DAYCATION TO REMEMBER The newly launched Al Maha Bedouin Package is a dusk to dawn excursion which begins and finishes at your doorstep with transportation included. The package offers two meals, breakfast and lunch at Al Diwaan restaurant and four of the best desert activities which are as fun-filled as much as educational – these include archery, wildlife drive, camel trekking and sundowners with bubbles. In between the excursions, guests can relax and soak up the panoramic views of the endless desert whilst lounging by the Timeless Spa infinity pool. Offered at limited capacity, the package is priced at AED 1,150 on weekdays and AED 1,350 on weekends.

LUXURY DESERT ESCAPE With 42 secluded suites in four different categories, each suite is equipped with private, temperature controlled swimming pool, wooden terrace and is decorated with ancient artifacts and antiques. Starting from AED 3,450 per night, your full board stay for two adults will comprise of three meals and two desert activities per night, per guest. For more information, or to book your daycation or stay, contact +971 4 8329900, or visit Al-Maha.com

CULTURE

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

arning: listening to Michele’s music will likely bring tears to your eyes. It certainly did with us, and appears to be a running theme at most of her intimate concerts around the region. That’s just how Michele likes it anyway. The Dubai-based R&B meets neo soul singer creates music that she describes as ‘sulty and dreamy depression’. Probably not the kind of music you’ll want to listen to pre-brunch, but spot on if you’re feeling a bit emosh… How did you first get into music? I’ve been singing since I was three years old. My parents found out I had a nice voice and put me through vocal, piano and guitar classes. My first vocal coach wanted to train my voice to sing classical music and opera… that obviously did not stick. I always thought that I would be a cover artist or just someone who could ‘sing well’. I had major stage fright, which didn’t help my performance ambitions. But as I got older, I didn’t want to live life with regret, so I pushed myself and started going to open mics. It kind of grew from there… How would you describe the music that you make? I love to describe my music as sultry sadness. I try to squeeze the listeners’ hearts so tight they’d have to confront themselves and their feelings. I don’t think I

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MUSIC

fit into one genre but there’s a lot of influence from neosoul, jazz, dream pop and sometimes bossa nova. Who are the artists, or people, who inspire you? I look up to a lot of independent artists who are starting to make it big. I like to study them and learn from them. Artists such as Tanerelle, Alina Baraz, Galimatias, Col3trane, Joy Crookes, Rum.gold… I could

go on for days. I’m also very inspired by the artists in Egypt. The music scene there is really booming, and I look up to these artists and try to learn from them. What are your latest musical accomplishments? One of my latest releases All for me was added to a big Spotify playlist, which was extremely exciting. I also got played a few times on BBC’s ‘Introducing’, which was a

big win. Another personal accomplishment was when someone from Australia sent me a video of her and her husband at their wedding dancing their first dance to one of my songs. That was a shock in the best of ways. What is your creative process like? Has it changed since the pandemic? My process starts with a melody or a loop I get

“I LOVE TO DESCRIBE MY MUSIC AS SULTRY SADNESS” off Splice or a beat off YouTube. Once I find the right one, I start singing gibberish to it, creating a skeleton for a potential song and then depending on the song’s sound I decide which producer I want to work on the song with. The songwriting part is my least favourite part. I’m more of a melody person so the songwriting comes last. It’s definitely not easy. There’s a lot of work that goes into creating a song but working with the right people will make the process so much smoother. Where have you performed? What was your favourite venue to perform at? My favourite performance so far was at a Blank Space event back in November. I was the guest artist, and it was my first performance after the pandemic. It was so memorable because it was such an intimate setting, it took place at The Theater at Mall of the Emirates, which I think is a hidden gem in Dubai. The audience was so receptive to every song.

Some said they cried, during my performance of Mirage. If that’s not a compliment to my music I don’t know what is. What are your latest releases? What is the story behind them? I released a small project

called A field of green back in May. It’s a three-track EP. One track is more of a monologue that connects the two songs. I had written them separately about going through the pandemic. The pandemic definitely sent me through a rollercoaster of emotions. I was able to take inspiration from what and how I was feeling to write songs for this project. Another release that came out earlier this year is All for me It’s pretty selfexplanatory; it’s about being in a toxic relationship. The song was inspired by a small event in my personal life that I exaggerated in my songwriting. Which one of these releases is your favourite and why? ‘All for me’ is definitely one of my favourite tracks I’ve created so far. Also Fire that I released in 2020. They’re

my favourites because they’re the closest to the direction I would like my sound to move towards. I’m very excited about my next release, too. I teamed up with Jay Wud for this project and he pushed me to experiment with more sounds. What is an average day like for you? I wake up at around 7am and like to start crossing things off my list. I work a nine-to-five so during the week my days are spent at work, and I get to the music stuff later. I do enjoy being home but I have my social butterfly moments, too. What does your involvement in the Regional Artist Spotlight mean to you? I’m so honoured to be the artist of the month especially among the roster of artists that have already been featured. It definitely makes me feel like I’m doing something right. I never thought I would be where I am today so any win, big or small, I celebrate and push myself to do better and do more every time. I am very grateful for being a part of the Regional Artist Spotlight platform and I only hope that through it my music will reach more people and more hearts. What is your top four after-party playlist? I have a playlist of 600 favourite songs to choose from, but these are the ones that made the cut: Concrete by Teyana Taylor; Let Go by Galimatias; Baby Powder by Jenevieve; Mama Saturn by Tanerelle. q @RegionalArtistSpotlight; @listentomichele What’s On_67

AUSTRALIA’S MOST AWARDED BEEF

PARTNERS IN QUALITY

SPORT + WELL-BEING + TRAVEL

PA G E 70

Get up and glow Padel in the dark at The Alley SPA REVIEW p71 BODRUM (AND BEYOND) p72 What’s On_69

A C T I V E

SPORT // PADEL

Light it up

Glow-in-the-dark padel centre The Alley DXB lands in Dubai

f you ask us, there are few better ways to work out than in the dark. For starters, no one can see how sweaty and tired you are, or how hard you’re grimacing. But also there’s an added element of fun nightclub vibes that somehow makes you want to work harder. And that’s precisely what you’ll find at The Alley DXB, a brilliant new glow-inthe-dark padel centre, which has opened in Al Quoz (just beside Warehouse Gym). The huge warehouse space is pitch black, save for the glow-in-the-dark racquets, tennis balls and florescent orange, pink, green and red lines marking out the courts and walls of the three padel courts. The whole place looks like it’s fresh out of a gnarly sci-fi movie. 70_What’s On

Founded by avid tennis enthusiast and entrepreneur Khalifa Bin Hendi, the opening marks the first of its kind in the region. “We are so excited to officially launch The Alley this month,” Khalifa explains to What’s On. “We know there are many padel centres here in the UAE, and we didn’t want to be copycats. That’s why we’ve launched something very unique that’s really fun. I want us to be the Barry’s Bootcamp or Crank of Padel,” he added. Enter dark padel. “We believe The Alley makes padel more accessible and fun,” he explains. “We’ll be launching theme nights and padel-fit classes. We’ll also be hosting birthday parties, and maybe even have a live DJ spin some nights, too.”

Each padel court comes with its own speaker system, so you can link up your own music to the courts. If you’re new to the sport, you can sign up for lessons with the head coach. Otherwise, simply grab four of your friends for a doubles game. Sessions cost Dhs440 for an hour, or Dhs660 for 90 minutes, with membership programmes also available. Be sure to wear neon or white for maximum glow-in-the dark effect. To book your spot, download the Playtomic app available on android and IOS. a The Alley DXB (beside Warehouse

Gym), off Umm Sequim Road, Al Quoz. @thealleydxb

A C T I V E

WELL–BEING // SPAS

TREATMENT MONTH O F

T H E

Maroc Maroc candle massage

Decompress at Away Spa with this sweet new summer package

eeling stressed? Yeah, us too. Self-care has never been more imperative than it is right now, and Away Spa at W The Palm – Dubai aims to rectify all that. There are a range of new summer packages to try from body massages, facials and hammam offers, which all promise to provide a better glow than any filter Instagram has to offer. Highlights include a Maroc Maroc candle massage (Dhs500 for one hour), which uses the soothing warmth of Paillettes d’Ambre candles and gentle movements to untangle knots. We headed into the famous Away Spa to try it out for ourselves.

As hoped, it’s a beautiful treatment, performed inside one of the most stylish spas we’ve been to in a long time. Be sure to take full advantage of the luxurious relaxation area, where you can enjoy a pre-spa jacuzzi while sipping on green tea or juice. The massage itself takes place on what can only be described as the world’s softest treatment bed, so snug it felt as if we were being engulfed in a big spongy hug. From then on, our treatment room was a stress-free zone, where our wonderful therapist applied firm but soothing pressure from head to toe, while gentling

applying a very warm oil courtesy of the Maroc Maroc candle. One hour well spent, indeed. a Away Spa, W Dubai – The Palm, daily (except Tuesday). Tel: (0)4 2455533. @wdubaipalm

NEW COUPLES SPA-CATION DEAL Staycation with 90-minute pampering at SLS Dubai

Couples searching for a getaway close to home should check out SLS Dubai and Ciel relaxing spa-cation retreat, which combines luxury hospitality services with a holistic wellness experience. Guests booking the Cloud Nine 90-minute couple’s treatment will also enjoy a stay in one of SLS Dubai’s signature luxury rooms, including breakfast, for the price of Dhs1,300. q sbe.com/hotels/sls-hotels/dubai/offers/spacation

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A C T I V E

TURKEY: Best of the southwest Road trip along the country roads of southwest Turkey and experience luxury resorts, mountain wine tasting and epic natural wonders

Words: Elise Kerr

urkey has so much more to offer than hot air balloon festivals and hammam spas (although both are worth checking out). The country is rich with natural beauty, friendly faces and hints of luxury nestled amongst wallet-friendly experiences. Bodrum is a four-and-a-half-hour plane ride from Dubai and flyDubai offers convenient holiday packages for those looking for a short break. Despite a turbulent summer, including vicious fires and a recuperating travel industry, the country remains resilient and ready to welcome tourists. But, as lovely as Bodrum is, there’s more to see than just the one city. What’s On recommends renting an affordable car (for roughly Dhs250 per day) and taking three or four days to explore more of what the local area has to offer... 72_What’s On

S TAY HERE

To ease yourself into your adventure, begin with barefoot luxury at the new Mett Social Living Resort, Bodrum. It’s a beautiful hotel with Dubaistyle touches to make you feel right at home, with jaw-dropping ocean and mountain views and Dubaiexported dining concepts such as Mood Rooftop and Isola. The 72-room resort also has 31 luxury villas, which are perfect for friends looking to get away as a group. With chic, beach-inspired interiors the rooms act as an instant relaxation button as you watch the yachts bob on the ocean from your balcony. For those who want to experience a traditional hammam treatment, Moi Spa is the ideal place to scrub your stresses away. Rooms start from Dhs1,396 per night. q mettsocialliving.com

E AT HERE

A highlight of your stay at Mett will be lunch at Folie Restaurant and Sea (a concept by the team behind Drift Beach Dubai). The Provençal menu is heaving with quality ingredients and fresh, irresistible dishes. Set on an over-water deck, you can hear the tide crashing below. A DJ and live entertainment in the form of dancers and a saxophonist, bring up the vibe in the afternoons. The staff are not only well-versed in their menu, but also excellent conversationalists. Make a day of it and book a sun lounger or cabana on the adjacent platform and soak up the sun, dipping in and out of the sea. q @foliebodrum

GO HERE

After a relaxing couple of nights in Mett, we suggest hiring a car and heading off for the beautiful (occasionally bumpy) road towards the stunning Pamukkale. Here you’ll find a collection of thermal pools that have been around for thousands of years, and once used by Ancient Greeks. Pamukkale means ‘cotton castle’ and is a reasonable description for the beautiful white and blue surrounds, which might just take your breath away. One night here is enough, as local accommodation is basic, but if you can brave an early start, the gate opens at 6.30am and then you’ll also be able to see the local hot air balloon rides above.

Spend an afternoon here

Make your way to the ‘Turkish Maldives’, formally known as Lake Salda. The lake is huge, and beautiful, with a countless number of blue hues running through its glistening shore. Beneath the surface is hydromagnesite mineral – a dark mud known for its dermatological properties – so, if you fancy a free spa treatment, get stuck in.

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A C T I V E

TRAVEL // BODRUM AND BEYOND

DRINK HERE

Next up on our road trip, head back west towards Alaçati. The idyllic coastal town is perfect for wandering through pretty streets, filled with colourful doorways and Vespas parked outside boutique shops. Find a cute cafe with a table outside and watch the world go by. After, make your way up the beautiful winding mountain road to Ayda Winery and Vineyards for a local wine-tasting experience, where you’ll also be able to have dinner overlooking the lush vineyards. q @aydawinery

LAST STOP

Heading south, drive down to Ephesus to explore the Ancient Greek city. Built in the 10th century BC, visitors can tour the space for around Dhs50. Now ruled mostly by cats, Ephesus’ structures have stayed mind-blowingly intact, and you can almost visualise exactly how it would have been to live there more than 2,000 years ago. It’s another spot worth arriving early for to beat the crowds and get some great snaps in the iconic Library of Celsus.

How to get there FlyDubai has direct flights from DXB Terminal 2 to Bodrum, with return fares starting from Dhs1,600 for economy and Dhs6,000 for business class. At the time of writing, vaccinated passengers do not require a PCR test to enter Bodrum, but a PCR test is required to return to Dubai. Your hotel will be able to help arrange (but always check the latest travel requirements). Flights operate on Tuesdays and Fridays. Visit q flydubai.com for more.

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Exclusive paintings, sculptures and photography from award-winning international artists.

Painting by Jassim Al Awadhi

The 50th Anniversary Arabian Falcon Navigator Clock by David Galbraith Photograph by Anthony Lamb

Liddington Clock by David Galbraith

WIN! SILVER TIER MEMBERSHIP ON THE ATLANTIS CIRCLE APP AND THREE FUN EXPERIENCES

Fans of Atlantis, The Palm restaurants and Aquaventure will love The Atlantis Circle, a new mobile app-based programme that rewards members with a range of discounts and exclusive offers across the entire property. To celebrate its launch, they’re giving away two Silver Tier memberships for one year to two lucky What’s On readers. This will entitle you to a 25 per cent discount at all participating restaurants at Atlantis, The Palm, exclusive invites to product launches and events, a complimentary birthday dinner for two and much more. To sweeten the prize even more, each winner will receive three Atlantis, The Palm experiences: a day at Aquaventure, a Dolphin Bay experience and a watersports activity of choice, to be enjoyed anytime throughout the year. To be in with a chance of winning, first sign up to The Atlantis Circle app, and then enter below…

q Once you’ve signed up to the app, for your chance to win go to whatson.ae/win

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WIN! A FOODIE EXPERIENCE AND

STAY IN CONRAD ABU DHABI ETIHAD TOWERS The five-star Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers is offering one reader and their partner a one-night stay for two in a deluxe king room. Inclusive of breakfast for two at Rosewater and a delightful fashion afternoon

tea in Observation Deck at 300, the prize also includes brunch for two at Nahaam, which, judging by our Abu Dhabi reporter Miles, is the bees knees (see page 56 for his review). Terms and conditions apply.

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

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WIN! A FAMILY

GETAWAY TO MARJAN ISLAND DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island has a brilliant prize to give away to a family of four. You’ll get a two night stay in a glorious Bay Club room, featuring a king-size bed, a sofa bed, work desk and spacious bathroom

with a bathtub and stand-up shower. Best of all, you’ll enjoy the all-inclusive package, which covers breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. This will be one family trip you won’t forget in a hurry, that’s for sure.

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

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LASTMINUTE TRIP Does SLS Dubai live up to its sky-high expectations? It’s unlikely that SLS Dubai has escaped your notice. The 75-storey hotel debuted in Dubai back in April, and has been the talk of the town ever since, thanks to its sky-high infinity pool, larger-than-life brand personality, and restaurants that don’t know the meaning of a ‘slow night’.

The location The location of the hotel has divided public opinion, with some believing that the Business Bay spot is tricky to get to. In actual fact, the hotel is easy to reach – if you’re coming from Al Khail Road – and easy to visit nearby landmarks (The Dubai Mall, DIFC, Dubai Opera etc.), too.

The look and feel When you first arrive, the vast stainglassed window at the end of the welcome area sets the tone for the brand. SLS is a lifestyle concept, with fun injected into all of its decor, with characterised animals like a masked monkey, giant rubber duck and ladybirds dotted throughout the hotel. The lobby is located on the 71st floor, so we whizz up in the artfully designed elevator and as the doors separate, we’re greeted with a jaw-dropping view of the city. A ruby check in desk distracts us from the huge windows and the fun begins.

The rooms Our room is full of character, with a huge balcony terrace and outdoor seating overlooking Dubai Design District. Views are a recurrent theme throughout the hotel, and even the bathroom has floorto-ceiling windows so we can bathe with a view of Burj Khalifa. There’s plenty of space, with a huge pink bed taking centre stage and a sofa accompanied by a marble coffee table – we’d feel right at home, if our home was this chic. 80_What’s On

“THE BATHROOM HAS FLOOR-TOCEILING WINDOWS SO WE BATHE WITH A VIEW OF BURJ KHALIFA...” The facilities Ciel Spa is a haven of comfort, with a huge plunge pool in the relaxation area and plenty of sun loungers set up on the 69th floor terrace. A variety of treatment packages are available, including a Sip & Glow offer which includes a rejuvenating mask and glass of fizz to get you in the staycation spirit. Despite high winds on the day we visit, the pool atop SLS Dubai is something very special. With a prime view of the world’s tallest building, the spot has been taking Instagram by storm, for good reason. We position ourselves on a daybed and enjoy the upbeat tunes pumping throughout the day.

staycation at SLS Dubai is the perfect opportunity to try them. The former is a stellar steakhouse with prime Dubai views, while the latter offers elevated Italian cuisine with that home-cooked feel (and yet more stunning views). For a late night party vibe, we swing by S Bar, where a resident DJ keeps Dubai’s who’s who toetapping until the early hours.

The room rates During September, room rates start from Dhs680 for a signature king room with balcony, plus taxes and fees. There are a wide range of room types available, from studios to one bedroom apartments and duplex suites, depending on your budget.

The food and drinks

a SLS Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai.

Restaurants Carna and Fi’lia are often championed at What’s On, and a

Tel: (0)4 607 0757. sbe.com/hotels/slshotels/dubai

THE NEW NISSAN KICKS 2021 BUILT TO YOUR BEAT

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IS BACK THIS SEPTEMBER AT LONGBEACH CAMPGROUND, RAS AL KHAIMAH

We’ve created the ultimate immersive glamping experience to kick start the season.

Scan the QR code to be directed to our Instagram

Expect traditional camping ethos with luxurious amenities and plenty of fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Follow us on Instagram @longbeachcampground to stay up to date with the official opening date and promo code for an early bird discount

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@longbeachcampground