World Chocolate Day is on July 7, and there really is no better time or excuse to celebrate than by loading up on the sweet stuff. Wondering what to order? From dark and bittersweet to rich and creamy, these 10 decadent desserts in the UAE are worth every calorie.
Nutella Gallussettes from Les Gallussettes
If you want to really splash out this World Chocolate Day, but can't be bothered to get off the couch, order in some of these indulgent bites via Deliveroo. The bite-sized choux buns ooze with Nutella and topped with crunchy sugar pearls for added texture. They're not the most budget-friendly dessert, at Dh23 for three, but they're so rich a little really does go a long way. You can also add a chocolate sauce, tangy raspberry sauce or English custard (all Dh6) if you really want to treat your sweet tooth.
Price: Dh23 for three
Details: Les Gallussettes, Al Barsha, Dubai, Deliveroo only; dine-in available at Majestic Tower, Business Bay, Dubai; www.gallus.ae
The Choco Loco cake by SugarMoo
If you're looking for a cake that is indulgent while also being homely, home-grown online bakery SugarMoo has a winner. Its Choco Loco cake is equal parts rich chocolate sponge and thick chocolate cream, making it a great option for a scrumptious dessert, a birthday cake for a chocolate lover... or a treat for yourself on the occasion.
Meanwhile, vegans can enjoy the dessert shop's range of fabulous vegan desserts including the Crazy Cake, also known as the "allergy-free cake", as it is made without common allergens such as egg and dairy. And yet, even without these usual ingredients, it's as chocolatey, moist and delicious.
Price: A full Choco Loco cake goes for Dh215, but there's a "baby" version available for Dh30. The Crazy Cake goes for Dh16.
Where to find it: sugarmoo.com; SugarMoo delivers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Vegan double chocolate brownie from Mylk Lab by Genki
Not all vegan brownies are made equally as some can be dry or taste “too healthy”. Not this one, though. With its sweet potato base, it’s as moist as any dairy-filled dessert, and those chocolate chunks make it just as moreish. It’s still healthy though, as it’s also gluten and refined sugar-free. But that doesn’t mean it’s free of fun. Make sure you eat it straight out of the oven, or at least heat it up again before you chow down. Trust us, this plant-based dessert would delight any discerning non-vegan. You can also wash it down with one of Mylk Lab by Genki’s delicious superfood lattes (we love the salted caramel variety), if you’re feeling any guilt.
Price: Dh35
Details: Wasl 51, Jumeirah 1, 04 342 2999, www.genkiuae.com
Fondant au chocolat from Shakespeare & Co
If you order the popular dessert, you'll be informed that it requires 25 minutes of preparation time – but the final product is well worth the wait. Shakespeare & Co's Fondant Au Chocolate is a piping-hot chocolate cake with a puddle of molten chocolate oozing out, all complemented by a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream. It's sweet, but not too sweet, and once you're done, you're bound to be tempted to lick the plate... or simply order another.
Price: Dh39
Where to find it: Branches across the UAE; www.shakespeare-and-co.com/
L’Africain hot chocolate from Angelina
French restaurant Angelina, started in the 1900s as a bistro in Paris, is today particularly known for two signature items – its Mont-Blanc dessert and its creamy L’Africain hot chocolate, the latter of which is every chocolate lover’s dream drink. Three types of African cocoas are blended together to create this dark and creamy concoction, which is rich and pudding-like. Served with a scoop of whipped cream, it’s a special drink, best saved for an occasion – such as World Chocolate Day. And UAE residents can have a little sip of history with this dessert, which is available in all local branches.
Price: Dh41
Where to find it: The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Zero 6 Mall in Sharjah; opening times vary
Brownie crepe from Dip n Dip
This dessert parlour specialises in all things chocolate, so you know it’s the place to be if you’re craving a sugar overload. Its Fettuccine Crepe (crepe, cut into fine ribbons, served with a choice of ice cream and chocolate topping) is a treat for the eyes and the taste buds, while its chocolate fondue is fun to share among friends. However, real chocolate lovers will probably want to dig into the popular Brownie Crepe, filled with rich chocolate brownies and slathered with three signature chocolate sauces. Best to bring a friend to help you finish this chocolatey delight.
Price: Dh42
Where to find it: Locations across the UAE; www.dipndip.com
Molten cake from Reif Japanese Kushiyaki
Those who enjoy the combination of chocolate and peanut butter can't go wrong with this exquisite fondant with a twist. Chef Reif Othman's molten cake is served warm, with a generous scattering of cashew nuts, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. And once you break open the chocolate shell, golden brown peanut butter goodness pours out. What's not to love?
Price: Dh42
Where to find it: Dar Wasl Mall, Al Wasl Road, Dubai; 04 255 5142; www.reifkushiyaki.com
Chocolate Saturn from Quattro
Quattro may be known for its vegetarian Italian bites, but any visit there would be incomplete without sampling its popular Chocolate Saturn, which has racked up a reputation over the years. Why? Because this chocolate sphere is served with hot chocolate that is poured over it, with much flourish, by the wait staff. Once the chocolate shell melts away, you can dig into the chocolate mousse hidden beneath. A triple whammy for chocolate lovers everywhere.
Price: Dh52
Where to find it: Mankhool, Dubai; 04 393 9395; www.home.spiceklub.com
LPM Restaurant’s coffee chocolate bar
For coffee and chocolate lovers, LPM Restaurant, formerly known as La Petite Maison, has a gourmet creation, complete with gold-dusted caramelised hazelnuts. The LPM Coffee Chocolate Bar features layers of coffee mousse, milk chocolate mousse, hazelnut sponge, feuilletine (for a little crunch) and hazelnut praline, and covered in a thick, dark chocolate glaze. Garnishings include the gold-dusted caramelised hazelnuts, as well as hazelnut crumble. The final result? A creamy bar perfect for chocolate and coffee connoisseurs.
Price: Dh53
Where to find it: Available at LPM Dubai, LPM Abu Dhabi, via Deliveroo; www.lpmrestaurants.com
Baked mud pie from Slider Station
Dubai's Slider Station may be known for its variety of creative sliders (names of which include "dynamite" and "dangerous"), but it's also home to some of UAE's best chocolate creations. Its baked chocolate mud pie is one such delicious example which comes served in a big cast iron skillet, with the chocolate still bubbling inside. The dessert really is the perfect contrast of textures, with its molten centre and crunchy crust, and the taste is rich and addictive. Once you've cleaned that skillet, be sure to try and the Nutella thin shake – another perennial favourite.
Price: Dh68 for the Baked Chocolate Mud Pie; Dh30 for the Nutella thin shake
Where to find it: Al Wasl Road, Dubai; 1pm-11pm; 600 544 005; www.sliderstation.com
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Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
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.”
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs
Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km
Price: Dh235,000
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MATCH INFO
Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:
Al Ain 2 Al Duhail 4
Second leg:
Tuesday, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha. Kick off 7.30pm
'Will%20of%20the%20People'
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Results
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner No Riesgo Al Maury, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner Marwa W’Rsan, Sam Hitchcott, Jaci Wickham.
6pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner Dahess D’Arabie, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi.
6.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner Safin Al Reef, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m
Winner Thulbaseera Al Jasra, Shakir Al Balushi, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
7.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 80,000 2,200m
Winner Autumn Pride, Szczepan Mazur, Helal Al Alawi.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The biog
Name: Sarah Al Senaani
Age: 35
Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2
Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism
Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding
Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier
Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
