dubai

The Oberoi Dubai: Iftar Preview

Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, is soon upon us. This is a time for piety and personal reflection. In the Middle East, we are fortunate enough to have our working hours reduced significantly for the entire month, and this allows for more quality time with loved ones and socializing over delicious Iftar and Suhoor buffets.

Having the distinction of being recognized as the Middle East’s Luxury City Hotel by World Travel Awards and also being listed among the top 25 hotels in the region by Trip Advisor Reader’s Choice awards for two years running, an Iftar booking at The Oberoi Dubai is on a class of its own.

Oberoi Dubai Iftar 2015 review (11)
Image courtesy The Oberoi Dubai.

I had the pleasure of being invited to The Oberoi’s Iftar Preview last night. The event was held in the hotel’s very chic Nine7One restaurant, and was attended by a number of senior media personalities.

Continue reading →

Laurent Mazzone: meet the heart & soul behind LM Parfums!

LM Parfums, named after Laurent Mazzone, the heart and soul of the brand, was established in 2010. Based on the purest French perfumery traditions, the brand boasts of an immense portfolio of luxury scents that blend the best of notes creating uniquely exciting combinations that play on the imagination.

Today we talk to the man himself. Laurent Mazzone had a stint as a DJ, worked in the world of fashion, and has now immersed himself in the field he has been most passionate about since childhood. Here he gives us a glimpse into the creative world of perfumery, and tells us how he self-taught himself into becoming one of the world’s most sought-after newcomers in the game of scents.

laurent mazone interview

Continue reading →

Carluccio’s: An Italian Success Story Beyond Pasta & Pizza

Carluccio’s, the Italian Restaurant-Caffe-Foodshop chain hailing from the United Kingdom, has had phenomenal growth within the UAE. Within 5 years, the brand now has 8 outlets in Dubai and 3 in Abu Dhabi, with more openings on the way.

Carluccio’s owes its success to its simple, yet unique casual dining concept. Being a full-fledged restaurant, cafe and food store in one, Carluccio’s offers authentic Italian flavors at very reasonable prices.

We visited the branch at The Walk, JBR (Dubai) last weekend and discovered authentic Italian flavors go well beyond pastas and pizza.

carluccios italian caffe restaurant foodshop dubai review the walk jlt

Continue reading →

The Meat Co: South African Flavors over Shosholaza

What was my first impression of The Meat Co? Simply “wow”! Walking into this South African steakhouse set in picturesque Souk Al Bahar transports the senses into another world altogether.

Theatrically dim amber lighting, embossed leather upholstery with a rustic touch of the Africans, and an introduction to the hip-swaying rhythms of shosholaza. The ambiance at The Meat Co is simply magical.

the meat co souk al bahar

Continue reading →

Neal’s Yard Remedies: Wild Rose Beauty Balm Review

I’m always on the lookout for high-quality beauty products that can multi-task, and was therefore super excited when I came across Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Wild Rose Beauty Balm.

This ingenious little pot of goodness is four beauty steps rolled into one: it can be used as a cleanser, nourishing mask, a highly moisturizing face cream and a therapeutic facial massage balm!

Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Wild Rose Beauty Balm is one of the brand’s most loved products, and it has won a number of prestigious beauty awards. To commemorate Neal’s Yard Remedies’ 10th anniversary, the Wild Rose Beauty Balm packaging got a facelift! In collaboration with artist Alice Shields, the stunningly flowery fuchsia design is a limited edition only, so I had to get my hands on this jar!

neals yard remedies wild rose beauty balm review 1

Continue reading →

The Hub 7: Seven restaurants under one roof

The Hub 7 is the latest addition to the JLT foodie scene. Located in Cluster M on the ground floor of Icon Tower 1, the restaurant owes its name to the seven styles of cuisine being offered.

The seven styles under Hub 7 are: Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Pakistani, Italian and a Bakery section.

the hub 7 jlt menu

We had the pleasure of visiting The Hub 7 last week, and were probably one of their first guests at their innovative Japanese teppanyaki table! 

Continue reading →

Dalila’s Kaftans

Kaftans, the modestly long flowing dress synonymous of the women of the Middle East, are also known as jalabiya and dara’a.

With the holy month of Ramadan fast approaching, the social calendar is filling up with Iftar invites and a stylish kaftan would make the ideal choice of attire.

The lovely ladies at Dalila’s Kaftans sent me this stunning red beauty, and I just had to share some clicks with you!

Picture1

Continue reading →

Soap & Glory: Hand Food Review

I love Soap & Glory products! I’m sure it has something to do with their bright Barbie-pink packaging with retro nineteen-fifties style fonts.

A Soap & Glory product I regularly carry around in my handbag is their ‘Hand Food’; a decadently scented hand cream enriched with Shea Butter.

soap & glory hand food review

Continue reading →

Indian gastronomy with a pinch of Zafran!

Zafran is ‘saffron’ on an Arabesque tongue.

Saffron, the most prized of spices, the sacred color of sadhus, and a shade that takes up a third of the Indian flag, is the inspiration behind this trendy contemporary Indian restaurant.

Having passed Zafran in Mirdiff City Centre a number of times during hurried shopping sprees, we’ve been meaning to give this branch a try for a while now. The interior decor looks so trendy and inviting! My little family and I finally made it there last Saturday.

zafran mirdif city centre dubai indian restaurant review

Continue reading →