After Saturday’s blast in New York city which left 29 people injured, the UAE embassy in the United States has been warning Emirati nationals to remain cautious.
This message was sent out through a series of tweets
The first one
Attention #UAE citizens in NY: #NYC is responding to an explosion in the Chelsea area. We are following the events closely.
They urged UAE citizens to avoid public places and ensure compliance with security authorities. Contact numbers were also provided to help in case of an emergency.
The investigations
The mayor stated that the explosion on West 23rd Street in the neighbourhood of Chelsea was not linked to terrorism but appeared to have been an ‘intentional act’. However he pointed out that the investigations were in its early stages. While NYPD said the blast was from inside a garbage bin, Commissioner James O’Neill said it possibly occurred on the street.
Friday marks Saudi Arabia’s National Day – a day which commemorates the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by King Abdulaziz in 1932. Wishing all the Saudis in Dubai (and the ones who come over during Eid breaks) a very Happy National Day.
We all know UAE’s close ties with the country and to celebrate the occasion His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum took to Twitter to announce the following:
Al Sufouh Road (aka Dubai Marina Street) will now be called King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street
You better take note of that because your next taxi ride could cause a little confusion #justsaying. Other than that, it requires a change in the way you write your address if you live or work in the area.
وجهنا بتغيير مسمى شارع الصفوح بدبي إلى شارع الملك سلمان بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود، ملك العدل والعزم في مملكة العز والحزم pic.twitter.com/xcsfacn66I
The Arabic tweet reads: All congratulations to Saudi Arabia national day 86, Adam and YOOSUF 12:21 God save the King and jurisprudence to serve Islam and Muslims.
كل التهنئة للمملكة العربية السعودية باليوم الوطني الـ86، أدام الله عزهم، وحفظ ملكهم ووفقه لخدمة الإسلام والمسلمين pic.twitter.com/wsnjf67MwC
The Arabic tweet reads: One of the most important streets of Dubai and a series of touristic and economic installations, which are the most important features of modern.
We are very vocal about our love of Dubai and all the city has to offer – so we believe if you’re going to leave our lovely Emirate you’ll need a seriously good reason.
Is a brunch a good enough reason to head to Abu Dhabi? We think this one is!
We were invited to brunch at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort last Friday. I lived in Abu Dhabi when I first moved to the UAE and I’ve tried a few (*cough* nearly all) of the brunches down there, this is hands down this is the best Abu Dhabi has to offer.
What Makes This Brunch Stand Out?
Everything. The exterior of the hotel, the most amazing huge windows in the lobby that offer uninterrupted clear blue sea views, quality food and drinks, a hoppin’ band, attention to detail in every aspect and a reasonable price. This is the perfect mix of everything you want from a good brunch.
For those who go for the food…
It would be boring to list everything that’s on offer and it would take some time to list everything we ate….I will however, give a small list of what we loved.
We started with a great eggs benedict served on some to-die-for waffles. We loved the butchers station where we stocked up on mini-hotdogs and mini-calzones and from the carvery we loved the tender lamb accompanied by dauphinoise potatoes and some steamed veg…a superb third main course!
We didn’t get to the oyster shucking station, the foie gras station or the station that gave blind wine tastings…how did we miss this?! The fish cooked in salt was an interesting sight, it didn’t whet my appetite but it was apparently very succulent!
And for the ones there for the drinkies…
Abu Dhabi has a lot to learn from Dubai when it comes to drinks at brunches. The St. Regis however, could give the lesson. You’ll love the Eatini station, where they recreated the Martini drink adding jelly and in some cases cool smoking effects. The tropical twist cocktails were unreal, something special to look at and not to sweet which is key when the serving is nearly a liters worth!
Let me not forget the bloody mary station, the whiskey station, the chili spiced infused vodka, Raphael’s gin infused with fresh fruits…as with the rest of the brunch the attention to detail here is spot on.
For The Ones With A Sweet Tooth
Seriously Willy Wonka would be proud of this one. S’mores (which you toast yourself!), sweet shop candy, made up on the spot ice cream concoctions to rival Cold Stone; the dessert space has something for everyone. Each particular dessert was so incredibly detailed, more like works of art than delicious desserts.
We REALLY recommend the macaroons with gold leaf, I’m not a huge macaroon fan but these were ridiculously good!
For those who are feeling cheesy…
Whether you’re a fan of cheese or not it’s hard not to be impressed with the spread of cheese on offer.
The room is on a floor of it’s own above 55&5th, when we visited there were over 42 different cheeses available. Don’t brie(!) afraid to try a few when you visit.
What Brought It All Together?
Nothing can make or break a brunch like a good band.
The music which was a great mix of new and old was curated by Naz Holland & Band. There was a bit of everything being played and the tunes suited the day perfectly.
Is It One For The Kiddies?
I hate to say ‘yes’ because I don’t want my new favourite brunch turning into the kiddies favourite too… but yes this is one definitely one for them. They’ll LOVE Wonka’s factory and there are a few entertainers and a cool kids room to keep them very occupied through out the afternoon.
What are your options?
Spend the weekend here. Really.
A Saturday at the beach is just what you need after such indulgence! We chilled out at the ‘after brunch party’ at Turquoiz bar on the beach and it really is endless white sand and clear blue sea every where you look.
Dip your toes in the sand (maybe loosen a belt buckle of two) and just chill out.
In comparison with competitors on the Abu Dhabi brunch scene, and for what’s on offer we think the price point is very reasonable.
Silk Package at AED 300 inclusive of non -alcoholic beverages
Pearl Package at AED 395 inclusive of house beverages
Diamond Package at AED 495 inclusive of food and bubbly
The weekend is over but fear not, here are some cool goings on you can add to your diary. An excursion or two during the week is bound to make your week go that little bit faster.
HER by Matilde Gattoni
If you haven’t been yet head to Gulf Photo Plus on Alserkal Avenue and check out this exhibition by photographer Matilde Gattoni. Over many years the French photographer has captured women from different parts of the world and through this exhibition she shares their stories. It has received some incredible reviews so far so this is definitely not one to miss.
Where: GPP – Askeral Avenue
When: It runs until October 1st
How much: Admission is free.
Italian Culinary Fest
This is the one we’ve been waiting for. Italy’s top Michelin starred chef’s are coming to Dubai for the 7th Italian World Cuisine Summit, an annual foodie extravaganza showcasing the finest in Italian cuisine and culture. Guests can look forward to live cooking classes and demonstrations at participating restaurants. The main events will take place at JW Marriott Marquis on November 1st and at The Address Montgomerie Dubai Golf Club on November 3rd.
Where: Different venues through out the city
When: 27th October – 5th November
How much: AED 200 (for JW Marriott Marquis event)
International Cricket Series – Pakistan Vs England (2nd Test)
Watch these two great teams go head to head in the second of eight test matches. For more info and tickets prices check this site.
Where: International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sports City
When: Finishes Monday 26th
How much: Price varies depending on ticket.
Sweets and Snacks Middle East
Two of our favourite things all bundled together for one big trade show…yes we’re excited! The only trade show of it’s kind in the Middle East this is a must for people in the trade…and for anyone with an interest in sweets or snacks! (We’ll probably be first in the queue for this one).
Where: Dubai World Trade Centre Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
When: Tuesday, 27th – Thursday, 29th October 2015
How much: Free
Dubai Laughter Factory
We’re not that happy that Dubai Comedy Fest has ended after a hugely successful 10 days but this is sure to ease the pain! New comedians to the circuit are bound to have you in peels of laughter in no time.
Where: Different venue depending on the date
When: It runs until Thursday October 29th
How much: Tickets AED 140 – check this site for more details
Downtown Design
This is a seriously cool exhibition for those with an interest in design. Check out the latest in technology and design ideas for furniture, lighting, bathrooms, kitchens, textiles and accessories. A must attend for interior designers, architects, collectors and anyone with an eye for design.
Where: The Venue, Downtown Dubai
When: Tuesday, 27th – Friday, 30th October 2015. Separate times for public and trade
How much: Free. Check out the website for more details
Is it really Sunday morning already? The weekend flew by and there are people in the office STILL recovering from an unreal Party In The Park this weekend. What a great show though, Johnny Borrell of Razorlight is an absolute rock!
As per usual we have a jam packed week ahead. Get marking this stuff down in your calendar and get rid of your Sunday blues! There are a few goodies below you’re not going to want to miss.
1. Dubai games week
Starting from Monday and running for six days this is going to be gamer heaven in Dubai Mall. Featuring all the latest in gaming tech, give yourself plenty of time to go and enjoy this. Check out the website for more info.
2. Galleries Night
This is always a great night on Askeral Avenue. A massive amount of talent will be on display as each art gallery opens it’s doors to host some seriously cool exhibitions by some incredible artists. Admission is free.
3. Sleeping Beauty – Ballet
Sleeping Beauty which is performed by the Moscow City Ballet is hyped to be an absolutely stunning performance, it’s running next Thursday and Friday. Ticket might sell out so get yours early.
4. DP World Tour Championship
Come and see the world’s best golfers play in a pretty unreal setting. This is a four day championship starting on the 19th and we’re pretty psyched for a couple of days out on the greens. What’s better is tickets are free, seriously where else can you watch elite sports men play for free?! Register here for tickets.
5. Meydan race nights
Taking place on Thursday this is the second race of the season. Since the weather has cooled nicely we can’t think of a better way to spend a Thursday evening. Races start ay 7pm.
6. Sole DXB 2015
We’re loving this culture and fashion event which is taking trainers to a whole ‘nother level. New products will launch at this event which started as a sneaker gig but has now grown into a culture, music and art fest. This is taking place next Friday and Saturday in the Dubai design district.
7. Dubai bake fest
We love baking and we love festivals so this is heaven for us! Head to Dubai investment park on Friday where you can learn tips and tricks from industry professionals, retailers will exhibit their wares and the public are welcome to some testers. Yum we love testers!
8. Fanta Masters
Fanta championships you ask? This is a PS4 competition for gamers which is running in conjunction with game week. A load of countries are involved and now it’s Dubai’s turn to host. Register here if you want to play!
9. The sandpit
If you completed the Nike 10 km or the triathlon this weekend this can be your next goal. An untimed 10km that’s littered with obstacles throughout, this is no mean feat! Taking place in Al Barari, standard entry is AED 340.
10. Fun runs galore
These guys are all about making runs fun. If you ‘missed’ the Electric Run and the Nike 10 km, don’t fret, you still have the Colour Run to look forward to. Forget about beating your PB at this one, it’s much more important to take your time to ensure you’re completely covered in paint by the end.
11. JLT open air cinema
This weather is now perfect for this kind of thing. Entry is free and thete are the two screenings coming up next weekend.
20th Nov- Castle In The Sky
21st Nov- Tom Sawyer And Huckleberry Finn
12. Global Village
This is an amazing five month extravaganza of festivals, food and shopping. The event hosts over 70 countries and has got some great rides for the kids (and of course for yourself if you feel like acting like a six old). Admission is free and the event takes place in the Global Village.
13. Above and beyond
Ever wondered what it’s like to go to space? This incredibly realistic (apparently) flight simulator is going to be in Children’s City, Creek Side Park until December 12th. Admission is free so if you want to be an astronaut for a bit all you need to do is turn up!
14. Motor Fest continued
We loved the slick cars on display this weekend so we can’t wait for what’s next to come. We’re looking forward to the Red Bull rally on the 19th and the motor village which opens on the 20th. Check this site for more info on all events
If you’ve got a penchant for hip-hop music as well as a love of beautiful portrait photography…then this might just be the best thing that could happen to you.
Street Festival Sole DXB is hosting its first event of the year in the form of a photo exhibition from legendary hip-hop photographer Lisa Leone. The exhibition which features candid shots of everyone from Snoop Dog and Nas to Grandmaster Flash, will also be offering a public sale of her work.
The show will run from 22 March until 5 April at Dubai Design District, with the opening night featuring a special performance by fellow New Yorkers, The BEATNUTS.
Lisa will unveil a range of never-seen-before archive photography, as well as standout selects from her notorious Here I Am book, and those captured on her recent trip to Sole DXB back in November 2015.
She said: “I’m very excited about coming back to Dubai. On my last trip, although short, I could really feel the enthusiasm and passion for a culture so close to my heart. The artists I met and photographed were so open and warm, I’m looking forward to my return.”