The last leg of the year brings with it the cooler weather we’ve all been craving in the UAE, and with it comes the harvest season for some of the finest the Arabian seas have to offer.
Taking full advantage of seafood season, award-winning Indian restaurant India Palace has launched a limited edition menu entitled ‘Samundari Khazana’ (which aptly translates to ‘Treasures of the Sea’).
Last weekend I had the pleasure of dining in the artfully psychedelic Izakaya Japanese restaurant in JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai. Apart from its groovy interiors and the ever-popular Wasabi Girl (who serves up freshly grated Wasabi at the shout of her name, has bright green hair she credits to Wasabi-eating, and even has an Instagram page of her own @izakayawasabigirl), I was quite enchanted with their Sake Cart.
We met the beautiful Kampai, who hosts the Sake Cart at Izakaya. Apart from giving us tasters of some of the world’s finest sakes, she was brimming with knowledge on this age-old Japanese rice wine, and I had to make notes to share these gems with you…
I’ve been drooling over the very photogenic creations of newly opened Status Kitchen for over a month, and finally made time for a visit a couple of weeks ago.
Located behind a community mall that goes under the name Abaya Mall in the Mirdiff district of Dubai, the prim and proper red brick walling on its exteriors promise an extravagant high-tea of sorts. When we got there, we even spotted an astute, new model black and chrome Merc parked outside. So astute, so statuesque!
Located right in the center of the hustle bustle of Bur Dubai is one of our city’s oldest hotel establishments. We’ve driven past Royal Ascot Hotel many times over, and consider it a landmark for giving out directions. The outer facade oozes old-world charm, and the drive up to the valet always seems packed.
However, I’ve never actually walked through their heavy oak-wood doors till early this month. It was a Monday evening, yet the place was packed. We were heading to the media launch of The Rooftop Lounge & Dining, Season 5.
I have a special link with More Cafe. When I first landed in the UAE ten years ago, I started working in for the Al Tayer Group in Garhoud, Dubai. To celebrate my joining the marketing team, my colleagues took me to lunch at More Cafe.
Suffering from home-sickness and missing the cafe culture of New Zealand, I immediately struck a cord with the welcoming vibes of the place and its naughty freshly-baked treats. Sadly the Garhoud branch closed down three years ago, but to my delight they now have a brand new branch at Murooj Duplex (bang opposite The Dubai Mall).
Kempinski Ajman has to be one of my favorite hotel properties in the UAE. The ambiance here exudes an old-world charm with hauntingly beautiful deep woods, classic lounge areas and a very scenic sandy private beach.
Given the temperatures are finally cooling down, Kempinski Ajman’s Friday Garden Brunch is now up and running in full swing. We were here a year ago, and were more than happy to revisit last Friday.
The Pancake House is a much-loved cafe-style franchise from the Philippines, and UAE Kabayan will be thrilled to know we now have a branch of our very own in Burjuman, Dubai.
With retro-style quirky cool interiors and an enticing lineup of menu options, I was surprised to discover that, despite the name, Pancake House serves far more than just pancakes!
I was seated next to a Filipino journalist at the media opening last week, and he was telling me that their Beef Bolognese was ‘pure love’, its a flavor he’s grown up with. It was quite endearing to see so much emotion being associated with a dish.
Stranger Things, the ever-popular supernatural thriller, has started airing season 2 this Friday 27th October.
Exclusively aired on Netflix, the world’s leading internet entertainment service provider, Stranger Things is set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s, and revolves around the investigation of a missing young boy and the supernatural events surrounding the mystery. The second season promises many more popcorn-gripping twists and turns, and I am gearing up to a Netflix binge-watch session this coming weekend!
And if the launch of Stranger Things season 2 isn’t good news enough, here’s enticing news for all you foodies out there…
We were invited back to Medley Restaurant at Pullman Hotel (adjacent to Deira City Centre mall, Dubai) for a scrumptious Diwali dinner by celebrity Indian Chef Sweety Singh.
We’ve had his buffet before, but this time round we actually got to meet the man himself! He greeted us at the door with the warmth of a long lost friend, and ushered us to his authentically Punjabi buffet.
Friday brunches have become a foodie institution, and as Dubai dwellers we really are spoilt for choice with all the options out there. But my only qualm about most brunches is the timing. The standard norm is a 1 pm start, but Friday sleep-ins are so precious. We usually crawl out of bed by noon, and then there’s the Friday prayers to attend. We therefore never really make it to a brunch before 2.
And then I get invited to try out a ‘Linner‘, a New York concept now adapted by Cucina, Courtyard Marriott. Here’s how the foodie equation works:
Breakfast + Lunch = Brunch
Lunch + Dinner = Linner!
The Tezzy Files 