Mena's 50 Best Restaurants 2023 list will be announced at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers on January 30.
However, there's plenty to look forward to before and after the ceremony in terms of special menus (aka 50 Best Signature Sessions) put together by some of the most famous chefs in the world in an array of the capital's finest restaurants.
Here's a selection of dinners (and one afternoon tea) to choose from for a special occasion or simply to partake in a limited-time menu from a celebrity chef.
Hiroyasu Kawate x 99 Sushi
Available for one night only, this omakase experience will leave diners in the expert hands of Hiroyasu Kawate. The Japanese chef leads the award-winning restaurant Florilege in Tokyo, and will serve alongside the team of 99 Sushi, one of three Michelin-starred restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
January 27; Dh990; The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi; 02 672 3333
Darren Teoh x Otoro
Another limited-time meal comes courtesy of Darren Teoh, chef-founder of Dewakan. The Kuala Lumpur restaurant was voted the Best Restaurant in Malaysia by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022. Teoh will present a six-course menu at two different sittings. He'll be supported by the team at Otoro, the first Abu Dhabi restaurant from chef Akmal Anuar, of 11 Woodfire fame.
January 27; Dh625; Al Maqta; reservations@otoroabudhabi.com
Flavours of 50 Best
Paying an ode to the UAE's love of brunches, this evening brunch marks a first for the 50 Best team. The four-hour meal, which starts at 6.30pm at Graphos Social Kitchen, will be put together by four award-winning chefs: Mexican chef Santiago Lastra of Kol, London; the aforementioned Japanese maestro Kawate; Mauro Colagreco, chef-owner of Mirazur, France; and pastry chef Maira Yeo of Cloudstreet, Singapore.
January 28; Dh495; Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island; www.sevenrooms.com
Karim Bourgi x Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
A mainstay on the UAE dining scene, pastry chef Karim Bourgi (of La Maison du Chocolat Paris and Hermes Paris Cafe fame) will whip up a decadent afternoon tea. Famous for French-style patisserie, Bourgi will partner with Sumeda Palihakkara, executive pastry chef at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, the host hotel of the 50 Best ceremony.
January 28 and 31; from Dh230; Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers; 02 811 5666
Tala Bashmi x Oak Room
Bahraini chef Tala Bashmi is known for her fusion and experimental cuisine, best experienced at her Manama restaurant Fusions by Tala. In Abu Dhabi, Mena's Best Female Chef 2022 will take over the kitchen at the Oak Room for one unforgettable night of culinary delights.
January 28; from Dh500; Abu Dhabi Edition; 02 208 0000
Vicky Cheng x Dai Pai Dong
Celebrate Chinese New Year with an authentic Cantonese menu at Dai Pai Dong. As part of the 50 Best Signature Sessions, the menu has been curated by Vicky Cheng, the Hong Kong chef behind French-Chinese restaurant Vea, in collaboration with Dai Pai Dong’s chef Nie Dong.
January 28; from Dh888; Rosewood Abu Dhabi; 02 813 5588
Massimiliano Alajmo x Talea by Antonio Guida
Fans of authentic Italian cuisine need look no further than a meal put together by Massimiliano Alajmo, the youngest chef to gain three Michelin stars, which he earned at Le Calandre; and award-winning chef Luigi Stinga of Michelin-starred restaurant Talea by Antonio Guida.
January 29; Dh700; Emirates Palace; 02 690 7999
Jessica Rosval x Cafe Milano
Another award-winning female chef part of the 50 Best Signature Sessions roster, Jessica Rosval is Canadian, lives in Italy and runs Casa Maria Luigia. This luxury boutique guesthouse-restaurant, in turn, comes from the team behind the three Michelin-starred restaurant Osteria Francescana. At Cafe Milano, Rosval will serve a multi-course Italian dinner.
January 31; Dh870; Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi; cafemilano.abudhabi@fourseasons.com
Lennox Hastie x BBQ Al Qasr
The grillmaster behind Firedoor, a famed barbecue-style restaurant in Sydney, Lennox Hastie will serve a seven-course meal at BBQ Al Qasr. The smoke and fire-cooked menu will include dishes such as 200-day dry-aged beef rib, paperbark grilled fish and smoky crab with corn.
January 31; Dh700; Emirates Palace; www.mandarinoriental.com
Athanasios Kargatzidis x Almayass
A Lebanese feast awaits at Almayass, a restaurant that was recently honoured by the Michelin Guide in its Bib Gourmand category. Behind the counter is Athanasios “Chef Tommy” Kargatzidis, whose restaurant Baron was named the Best Restaurant in Lebanon at Mena's 50 Best Restaurants 2022.
February 1; from Dh600; The Galleria, Al Maryah Island; email reservation.ad@almayass.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh130,000
On sale: now
Barbie
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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THE SPECS
Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury
Engine: 3.6L V-6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 310hp
Torque: 367Nm
Price: Dh280,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Ballon d’Or shortlists
Men
Sadio Mane (Senegal/Liverpool), Sergio Aguero (Aregentina/Manchester City), Frenkie de Jong (Netherlans/Barcelona), Hugo Lloris (France/Tottenham), Dusan Tadic (Serbia/Ajax), Kylian Mbappe (France/PSG), Trent Alexander-Arnold (England/Liverpool), Donny van de Beek (Netherlands/Ajax), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon/Arsenal), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Germany/Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Juventus), Alisson (Brazil/Liverpool), Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands/Juventus), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands/Liverpool), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands/Liverpool), Bernardo Silva (Portugal/Manchester City), Son Heung-min (South Korea/Tottenham), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich), Roberto Firmino (Brazil/Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria/Manchester City), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal/Napoli), Antoine Griezmann (France/Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Eden Hazard (BEL/Real Madrid), Marquinhos (Brazil/Paris-SG), Raheem Sterling (Eengland/Manchester City), Joao Félix(Portugal/Atletico Madrid)
Women
Sam Kerr (Austria/Chelsea), Ellen White (England/Manchester City), Nilla Fischer (Sweden/Linkopings), Amandine Henry (France/Lyon), Lucy Bronze(England/Lyon), Alex Morgan (USA/Orlando Pride), Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands/Arsenal), Dzsenifer Marozsan (Germany/Lyon), Pernille Harder (Denmark/Wolfsburg), Sarah Bouhaddi (France/Lyon), Megan Rapinoe (USA/Reign FC), Lieke Martens (Netherlands/Barcelona), Sari van Veenendal (Netherlands/Atletico Madrid), Wendie Renard (France/Lyon), Rose Lavelle(USA/Washington Spirit), Marta (Brazil/Orlando Pride), Ada Hegerberg (Norway/Lyon), Kosovare Asllani (Sweden/CD Tacon), Sofia Jakobsson (Sweden/CD Tacon), Tobin Heath (USA/Portland Thorns)
More from our neighbourhood series:
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series
All matches at the Harare Sports Club:
1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic
John Zubrzycki, Hurst Publishers
Scoreline:
Barcelona 2
Suarez 85', Messi 86'
Atletico Madrid 0
Red card: Diego Costa 28' (Atletico)
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
The biog
From: Ras Al Khaimah
Age: 50
Profession: Electronic engineer, worked with Etisalat for the past 20 years
Hobbies: 'Anything that involves exploration, hunting, fishing, mountaineering, the sea, hiking, scuba diving, and adventure sports'
Favourite quote: 'Life is so simple, enjoy it'
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
England's lowest Test innings
- 45 v Australia in Sydney, January 28, 1887
- 46 v West Indies in Port of Spain, March 25, 1994
- 51 v West Indies in Kingston, February 4, 2009
- 52 v Australia at The Oval, August 14, 1948
- 53 v Australia at Lord's, July 16, 1888
- 58 v New Zealand in Auckland, March 22, 2018
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
MATCH INFO
CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures
Tuesday:
Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)
Second legs:
October 23
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
- 1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
- 2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
- 3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
- 4th ODI, Sunday, April 16
Squads:
- UAE: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
- Zimbabwe: Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
