In a pretty groundbreaking step earlier this month, the UAE made the decision to move its weekends to Saturdays and Sundays, as of January 1.
The move raised a lot of questions, including a big one for food connoisseurs: where does that leave the beloved Friday brunch? The meal is something of an institution in the country, with UAE residents used to indulgent menus or all-you-can-eat buffets, across different budgets, cuisines and even timings (a la the dinner brunch, aka drunch).
While the fate of the Friday brunch still hangs delicately in the balance, a number of venues in Dubai have been quick to react to the change by launching new Sunday meal deals.
“Eventually, I predict the more 'party' brunches will take place on Saturdays, while the more sophisticated and family-orientated brunches will take place on Sundays," says Nicolas Budzynski, global operations director at LPM.
Here’s a look at some of restaurants that have already started Sunday meal packages, and everything you need to know about them. This story will be updated as more are announced.
McGettigan's
There’s no denying McGettigan's was quick to react, as it launched an updated Saturday brunch mere hours after the weekend change announcement. Apart from a bumper Saturday brunch, it’s also putting on a Sunday roast – actually on a Sunday.
For those in the know, McGettigan's prides itself on its classic roast experience, complete with Yorkshire puddings and gravy. The hearty meal will be available at specific branches in Dubai, and on January 2, those availing the meal at the JLT venue will also get a drink on the house.
Sunday; 12.30pm onwards; Dh109; JLT and Souk Madinat branches; www.mcgettigans.com
The Cavendish Restaurant
The restaurant in Dubai's Bonnington Hotel has also launched a Sunday roast dinner, which will start on January 9. Guests will be able to tuck into meaty offerings with all the trimmings.
Sunday, January 9 onwards; Dh125 for adults, from Dh79 for children; starts at noon; Bonnington Hotel, JLT, Dubai; 04 356 0533
Al Maeda
Head to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai – Jumeirah Beach on Sundays to enjoy its new Life is Sweet dining experience, which gives Lebanese cuisine a trendy pink twist. The menu features an impressive mix of sharing dishes accompanied by pink drinks.
Dishes such as lamb Wellington, burrata tabbouleh and halloumi burgers will be on offer, plus there's a hummus bar which includes flavours such as black ink and octopus, truffle, dynamite and shrimp, coco and avocado and more.
Taking the pink experience to a whole new level, there will also be a “Shamelessly Pink” menu, including a pink-hued grazing board. All this, with live entertainment and pool and beach access.
Every Sunday; 12.30-4pm; prices starting at Dh250; Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai; www.hilton.com/en/doubletree
Reform Social & Grill
Dubai's quintessentially British venue has also extended its popular roast meal, now available on Sundays and Mondays. Guests can choose between chicken, beef and a veggie option, with all the trimmings.
Sunday & Monday; Dh115; noon onwards; The Lakes, Dubai; reformsocialgrill.ae
Folly
The chic restaurant in Souk Madinat Jumeirah is offering its popular Friday garden brunch on both Saturday and Sunday now. So, you can munch on folly favourites – think crispy hen’s egg with pancetta and maple syrup and lamb saddle with whipped pine nuts and salsa – during this leisurely meal.
Saturdays and Sundays; 1pm-4pm; prices start at Dh295 for Saturday and Dh250 for Sunday; Souk Madinat Jumeirah; www.folly.ae
Coya Abu Dhabi
The restaurant has adapted its Fin De Semana lunch experience for both Sundays and Fridays. Guests will be treated to a four-course meal, with the choice of two appetisers, one main course and dessert. This includes Coya’s signatures such as the mixed seafood ceviche, Wagyu beef baos, chicken skewers, slow-cooked beef ribs and grilled corn-fed baby chicken. To end the meal on a sweet note, there will be a choice between a chocolate fondant, chicha morada and a churros platter.
Sundays; 12.30pm-3.30pm; Dh199; The Galleria Al Maryah Island; 02 306 7000; www.coyarestaurant.com
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
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Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50
Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
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Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)
INDIA SQUAD
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Siraj and Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)
ATP WORLD No 1
2004 Roger Federer
2005 Roger Federer
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2008 Rafael Nadal
2009 Roger Federer
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2013 Rafael Nadal
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2015 Novak Djokovic
2016 Andy Murray
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Mobile phone packages comparison
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
