A weekend treat awaits foodies at Dubai's newest mall, as the 30-plus vendors at Depachika Food Hall at Nakheel Mall offer a range of tasty samples. The space was inspired by the basement-level food halls found in Japanese department stores, and the cherry-blossom-themed opening will take place from Thursday to Saturday, January 23 to 25. The weekend includes entertainment in the form of a flash mob on January 23, plus art and crafts corner, face-painting and interactive geishas to keep young ones entertained. Food-wise, here’s what you can taste and take away. The homegrown cafe will serve pink cupcakes, freshly baked donuts with cherry and chocolate filling, and a breakfast special of spiced poached cherries on matcha pancakes with creme fraiche. Lime Tree will also feature a tasting station with homemade crackers and chutney, relishes and dukkah with olive oil. The sandwich shop will set up a make your own focaccia station, and get its bakers to provide visitors with tips and tricks to make their own fresh, soft bread. The roastery, which has opened its first branch at Nakheel Mall’s food hall, will host sessions on artisanal coffee, and teach visitors more about coffee cupping and latte art. Another first-timer on the Dubai food scene, The Cheeseroom will set up a live burrata station. The deli will prepare sweet treats for opening weekend, and visitors can sample and take away cherry spoon sweets, jams and juices, small chocolate bites with almonds, and cherry Blossom-themed hampers. Its famous fresh breads for sale aside, Saj2Go will put out complimentary mini manakeesh. Coffee lovers can witness a traditional Ethiopian coffee roasting ceremony on Thursday and Friday, January 23 and 24 from 5pm to 9pm, and on Saturday, January 25 from 11am to 3pm. Boon will also offer 250 grams of coffee beans free with every 2 kilos bought. The Japanese luxury-chocolate brand will host tasting sessions of its famous Sapporo delicacies, and give out a free tumbler or Royce eco bag upon the purchase of any chocolate. Founded in Paris in 1692, the French tea maker will feature Japanese, Chinese and Moroccan tea-tasting ceremonies, with tutorials on how to prepare the perfect cuppa, plus tasting sessions and free samples. The dessert parlour will have a paint your own cookie station for children, all weekend from 2pm to 4pm. The winning design will be brought to life, while adults can enter a draw at the dessert lab to win a customised cake. The smoothie and coffee bar will share tasters of its superfood smoothies, acai bowls, wellness blends and other healthy treats. The cooking class company will host pizza-making sessions, as well as offer a sampling of its Eazy Freezy range. <em>Depachika Food Hall at Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah, is open this weekend from 4pm to 10pm on January 23, and 1pm to 9pm on January 24 and 25</em>
