Abu Dhabi’s latest dining and entertainment hub seems poised for an end-of-year completion. The Middle East’s largest aquarium and children’s recreation centres aside, the 2.4-kilometre waterfront destination will house a number of exciting restaurant and cafes, many of them exclusive to Al Qana.
After the announcement of four home-grown cafes – Joud, Notorious, Cartel Coffee Roasters and Space Cafe – in July, the space has recently announced the opening of six more food and beverage outlets that visitors can look forward to.
Otoro
A Japanese izakaya with a modern twist, Otoro will make its debut at Al Qana with sizzling Japanese Wagyu steaks, sushi and speciality rolls with creative (even quirky, says founder Hasan Almarar) flavour combinations and a sharing-style menu.
Oii
Another new kid on the block, Oii restaurant and cafe will offer food that is at once healthy and tasty, focused as it is on Mediterranean dishes with a contemporary, fine-dining twist served, says founder Ayesha Al Mansoori, “in a cosy and lively ambient setting”.
Mado
The Turkish brand is set to open its new flagship venue at Al Qana, a space that will be “one of the most intriguing gastronomic ventures”, says Mado’s vice chairman Mohamed Al Mazrouei.
Turkish sausages, cheese pide and Kahramanmaras ice cream aside, Mado serves a mean Sini breakfast: think goat's cheese, feta cheese, yellow cheese, su borek pastry, tomato-pepper paste, honey, tahini and molasses, sour cherry jam and fried eggs with soujouk, all to be scooped up with warm hunks of bread.
Mado currently operates from Nation Galleria in Abu Dhabi, as well as having branches in Ajman, Dubai and Sharjah.
Grand Beirut
An ode to the cultural and culinary heritage of the Levant, Grand Beirut will offer an authentic menu that, says Niveen Ibrahim, executive director of MBT Restaurant Management, “focuses on enhancing the flavour of traditional Lebanese dishes instead of reinventing them”.
Grand Beirut currently has one UAE outpost, in Dubai Silicon Oasis, and is known for its fresh ingredients and large portions; the Lebanese lamb chops are a must-try.
Others
MBT Management will also introduce two other concepts at Al Qana: Pinky Fish for seafood lovers, which will offer fresh catch and tableside experiences; and Wing It, a pick-and-go concept offering kebabs, wraps, chips and drinks.
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley
Two-and-a-half out of five stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
