UAE

An Introduction to Puerto Rican Cuisine by Yvette Ali

One of the biggest perks of blogging is getting to meet very interesting, creative and likeminded individuals. A few months ago, I had a chance encounter with the lovely, bubbly Yvette Ali. I fell in love with her endearing accent, and my heart missed a beat when she mentioned she originates from the very colourful country of Puerto Rico. As we were at a foodie event (at the launch of the BBC Good Food show to be precise), I had a long list of questions for her about her native cuisine. Till I met Yvette, my idea of Puerto Rican dishes was vaguely similar to Spanish offerings. However, Yvette tells me their food has a great deal of African and Latino influences thrown in as well!

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By day she freelances as a consultant (do check out her site by clicking here), but in her spare time Yvette whips up a feast that takes her back to her cultural roots. In today’s guest post, Yvette gives us a vivid glimpse into the world of Puerto Rican cuisine, and ends by generously sharing a recipe for her all-time favorite Escabeche de Pescado con Vianda. Read on for more!

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Lunching at Amore Cafe & Resto (The Boulevard, Downtown Dubai)

Amore Cafe & Resto is strategically located bang opposite the entrance of Souk Al Bahar on The Boulevard, Downtown Dubai and boasts of stunning views of the Burj Khalifa. I received an invite to try out this Lebanese joint, and enjoyed some of the best Levantine dishes I have had the pleasure of eating till date.

It was a lovely sunny Dubai afternoon, the perfect setting for a lunch date at The Boulevard. Amore Cafe & Resto has floor to ceiling glass windows that take full advantage of the stunning views of the neighbourhood. You can also opt to dine alfresco, but with the soaring temperatures outdoors, we were forced to choose a table inside.

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New from Sephora: Whipped Cream Body Moisturizer (Watermelon Extract)

I found this little sampler tub in my goodie bag from the Sephora Middle East event last month, and it has become a staple in my handbag ever since.

Sephora Whipped Cream Body Moisturizer with Watermelon Extract review by The Tezzy Files Dubai Beauty and Lifestyle Blogger (1)

Brand new under the Sephora umbrella, this Sephora Whipped Cream Body Moisturizer with Watermelon Extract is delightfully light and airy, and has a cooling effect when it comes in contact with the skin. It has a delicious scent of freshly cut watermelon which makes it ideal for the increasingly hot weather we are destined to face in the coming months, and best of all, it is sensitive enough to share with little ones.

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‘Punjabi Food Festival’ at Antique Bazaar (Four Points by Sheraton, Bur Dubai)

Antique Bazaar is an experience in itself. Apart from the delicious lineup of very popular Indian dishes the restaurant has to offer, the interiors have the look and feel of a bygone palatial courtyard, complete with intricately hand-carved furnishings and portraits of mythical royalty.

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Book at table around 9 pm any day of the week, and you are in for a visual treat. Antique Bazaar has its very own band of Bollywood singers and dancers who keep diners entertained with a whole array of old and new numbers, and even take on song requests.

Antique Bazaar 4 points by Sheraton Bur Dubai review of the Punjabi food festival by The Tezzy Files UAE food and lifestyle blogger (47)

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Staycation at Manzil Downtown Dubai

Playing tourist in my own city, the family and I headed out for a staycation at Manzil Downtown last weekend. Located at the heart of Downtown Dubai, just a stone’s throw away from The Dubai Mall and closeup views of the iconic Burj Khalifa, Manzil Downtown is the perfect choice for tourists and residents alike.

Manzil Downtown staycation hotel review by the tezzy files dubai lifestyle blog blogger (83)

‘Manzil’ translates to ‘home’ in Arabic, and with its minimalist design accentuated with Arabesque decor, this hotel is an ideal place to unwind. Despite being a long-term resident of Dubai, Manzil Downtown made us forget we are in the center of the city. The ambiance is one of serenity and calm, and the staff are well versed, efficient, and very hospitable.

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How to Wear Beachwear to Work

Would you wear beachwear to work? I am willing to wear a swimsuit to work, go on and dare me! Crazy as it may sound, with the right pieces and a few creative wardrobe edits, it really is possible to take poolside fun to the boardroom! I spent a really fun, girlie afternoon raiding the personal closet of Anisha Lalani, founder and designer behind the very spunky beachwear label Blue Ink Beachwear.

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It’s not every day that you get to play around in the walk-in closet of a fashion designer, and joining me was the absolutely stunning PR maven Rosa Bullock. Anisha helped us choose a variety of key Blue Ink pieces, and let us go crazy mixing and matching it up with her wardrobe essentials. Whether you have to dress up prim and ‘corporate’ proper, or can get away with a little quirk at work, we have come up with a few fun, fashionable looks you can try out for yourself (and trust me, no one will even second guess you’re wearing beachwear to work!).

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Friday Brunch at Sufra (Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights)

Hooray! We are finally counting down to the weekend! Where are you heading this Friday? If you’re looking at spending quality time with the family over a leisurely brunch, the spread at Sufra might prove to be a great choice.

Sufra Hyatt Regency Dubai Friday Brunch review by The Tezzy Files Dubai Food and Lifestyle Blogger (47).JPG

Sufra is the Hyatt Regency’s all-day dining restaurant specializing in Mediterranean dishes. However, their Friday Brunch is not restricted to Arabic food. They have favorites from around the globe, and give diners the opportunity to taste a number of dishes from the  restaurants from within Hyatt Regency itself.

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Somvaar Bazaar at Chor Bazaar (Movenpick, Ibn Battuta Gate)

Every ‘Somvaar‘ (Hindi for Monday), the entrance of Chor Bazaar restaurant at Ibn Battuta Gate transforms into a quaint little Indian marketplace. There is a stall showcasing an array of trinkets, Indian shawls and mirror-worked totes but these are just for show. This ‘bazaar’ is an elaborate buffet, a feast of ‘all you can eat’ delicacies from different corners of India.

Priced at AED 125 per person (or AED 225 with house beverages), the Somvaar Bazaar at Chor Bazaar is a great deal for quality food, set in a five-star ambience.

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Fashion Tips: Look Taller & Slimmer Instantly!

Fashion tips for looking taller and slimmer without heels or losing weightWhat if I told you its possible to look a few inches taller and a few pounds thinner almost instantly? No, this isn’t another fad diet! With a few clever tweaks of your existing wardrobe, you really can cheat your way into a leaner, meaner look! You won’t want to miss these tips:

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Aubaine: London’s Provencally French Bistro, Now in Dubai

Aubaine, a popular London-born French restaurant and boulangerie, has made its debut in the Dubai foodie scene this December. Taking up a prime location at the main entrance of The Dubai Mall itself, this is the restaurant’s very first international stint (having opened 10 successful chains in its home turf, London so far).

‘Aubaine‘ is French for ‘treat’, and I was really looking forward to my lunch there last weekend, especially after getting glimpses of their fabulous lineup of sweet treats on social media!

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