Courtesy Loca
Courtesy Loca

Friday brunch at: Loca, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi



The location

At the tip of The Galleria mall nearest to the Four Seasons hotel, Loca has soothing views across the water to Le Méridien, and downtown Abu Dhabi beyond it, via its homely terrace. Given that the Mexican restaurant is run by the group behind Abu Dhabi staples Sho Cho and Flooka, both of which are outlets where terraces are king, it clearly comes with some experience in the field. Inside, which is also host to live music during approximately half of the brunch, isn’t quite as airy, hence most brunchers were to be found either outside of in the shaded first row of tables next to the terrace during our visit.

The atmosphere

Things were just upbeat enough to avoid the whole event becoming so chilled-out that you could have a siesta and nobody would notice.

The food

All designed for sharing, delivered to your table and, you might not be entirely shocked to learn, exclusively Mexican-centred. It begins with table-mashed guacamole and tortillas, then graduates onto egg-heavy, breakfast-based items (the huervos rancheros was the personal pick of the quartet, which are served as a set menu), plus construct-them-yourself hard- or soft-shell tacos. The four mains choices are chiefly hearty and heavy in the best traditions of Mexican cuisine. The highlight proved to be the chunky burrito, satisfyingly drenched in ranchero sauce. A generous slice of bedel tres leches – an ultra-moist traditional three-milk cake – completed the journey.

Who’s it best for?

Brunchers who want to eschew the norm and prefer not to drop more money than many people earn in a day on three to four hours of generic buffets.

The verdict

Don’t be confused by the meaning of Loca’s Spanish name: there’s nothing remotely crazy about this brunch deal, which at Dh270 per person for five whole hours, has to rate as one of the best value-for-money – yet high-quality – efforts in the capital.

The National was a guest of the restaurant.

• Fridays noon to 5pm, Dh270, Loca, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Reservations 02 582 3639

aworkman@thenational.ae

The UAE squad for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games

The jiu-jitsu men’s team: Faisal Al Ketbi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Yahia Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Obaid Al Nuaimi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Mansoori, Saeed Al Mazroui, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Salem Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Belhol, Saood Al Hammadi.

Women’s team: Mouza Al Shamsi, Wadeema Al Yafei, Reem Al Hashmi, Mahra Al Hanaei, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Hessa Thani, Salwa Al Ali.

if you go

The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow. 
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes). 

World Test Championship table

1 India 71 per cent

2 New Zealand 70 per cent

3 Australia 69.2 per cent

4 England 64.1 per cent

5 Pakistan 43.3 per cent

6 West Indies 33.3 per cent

7 South Africa 30 per cent

8 Sri Lanka 16.7 per cent

9 Bangladesh 0

Kibsons Cares

Recycling
Any time you receive a Kibsons order, you can return your cardboard box to the drivers. They’ll be happy to take it off your hands and ensure it gets reused

Kind to health and planet
Solar – 25-50% of electricity saved
Water – 75% of water reused
Biofuel – Kibsons fleet to get 20% more mileage per litre with biofuel additives

Sustainable grocery shopping
No antibiotics
No added hormones
No GMO
No preservatives
MSG free
100% natural

COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Revibe
Started: 2022
Founders: Hamza Iraqui and Abdessamad Ben Zakour
Based: UAE
Industry: Refurbished electronics
Funds raised so far: $10m
Investors: Flat6Labs, Resonance and various others

Abu Dhabi traffic facts

Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road

The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.

Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.

The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.

The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.

Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019

 

UNSC Elections 2022-23

Seats open:

  • Two for Africa Group
  • One for Asia-Pacific Group (traditionally Arab state or Tunisia)
  • One for Latin America and Caribbean Group
  • One for Eastern Europe Group

Countries so far running: 

  • UAE
  • Albania 
  • Brazil 
The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester

Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)

Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder

Transmission: Continuously variable transmission

Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

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