It's set to be a busy week in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with many events scheduled across the food, fashion and fitness industries.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do over the next seven days, from January 16 to 22.
Monday
Beloved US chain Peet's Coffee is bringing its first outpost to the Middle East. Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar will attend the Monday launch at The Dubai Mall in the morning, before it opens to the public. Between 7pm and 9pm, customers can try Peet's handcrafted coffee, alongside American roastmaster Doug Welsh.
Peet's was founded in 1966 by Alfred Peet in Berkeley, California. It sells freshly roasted beans, brewed coffee and espresso beverages. It has since grown to more than 200 stores in the US, with is products sold in over 14,000 grocery shops across the country.
Tuesday
Winter is a great time to shop in the UAE, with deals to be found at a host of different venues and brands. One example is the months-long Dubai Shopping Festival. This week, however, is extra special for brands under major retailer Club Apparel.
For seven days, dozens of big-name retailers such as Nine West and Calvin Klein will give 5 per cent off purchases in the Vat on Us campaign.
The promotion applies to in-store purchases and from 6thstreet.com.
Wednesday
Catch the last Cirque du Soleil Ovo show at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena on Wednesday.
The family-friendly insect-themed performance has a variety of acrobatic numbers sure to entertain audiences, both big and small, while the music, stage design and colourful production are mesmerising.
The National attended one of the first shows last week, having joined the troupe during their rehearsals in the run up.
Tickets are priced from Dh116 and are available to buy at dubai.platinumlist.net
Thursday
Home-grown restaurants 3Fils and Brix Desserts are hosting a pop-up in Abu Dhabi for a three-month collaboration, located at the Royal Pavilion at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara.
With limited seating, the event takes place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6pm. It will run until the end of March.
For Dh900 per person, the fine-dining experience includes a 12-course tasting menu inspired by international gastronomy, taking diners on a three-part journey. Each part comprises four dishes, paired with five beverages served throughout the dinner. The menu is curated by chef Carmen Rueda.
Dishes include Japanese-inspired cold starters, Thai soft-shell crab salad, mushroom and herb soup from China and paper-thin Norwegian salmon carpaccio. Desserts include winter cheesecake and caviar pearls with yuzu, lime, sesame and white truffle.
Friday
Make an appointment with Vinita Matta Tolani, a celebrity-favourite skin specialist from Mumbai, who's in Dubai this month. Free consultations are available on January 20 and 21, and some of the treatments on offer include: hydra facials, meso therapy, microdermabrasion, BB glow and acne treatment.
The cosmetologist can also advise on treatments and products related to specific skin concerns.
Saturday
The Bridge lifestyle hub in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi, is hosting the Livehealthy Festival, packed with a number of fitness activities, from yoga to Muay Thai.
There will be dedicated activities for children, including arts and crafts sessions, painting, mobility, spin, laughter and family yoga and Muay Thai for beginners.
For adults, there will be spin, step, Muay Thai, ladies-only pilates, vinyasa, power and face yoga, bodyweight circuit and mobility classes.
Fitness activities aside, the single-day event will also feature workshops and panel discussions on supplements, sleep and exercise routines. The day will wrap up with a sound healing session.
Tickets cost Dh126 for adults and Dh52.5 for children. Ticketholders receive access to all sessions and panels, and can also enjoy a 20 per cent discount at food venues and stores at The Bridge.
Sunday
It's Sunday brunch time at The Terrace on the Corniche at The St Regis Abu Dhabi.
The Social Sunday Breakfast offers a selection of hearty dishes, including smoked salmon omelettes, eggs benedict and shakshuka. Other items on the menu include chicken waffle sandwiches, Yorkshire pudding and traditional pies.
Brunch runs from 7am to 3pm and costs Dh150 per person. Reservations can be made at 02 694 4553
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Conditions Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m
8.50pm The Entisar Listed Dh265,000 (D) 2,000m
9.25pm The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm Majestic Thunder
7.05pm Commanding
7.40pm Mark Of Approval
8.15pm Mulfit
8.50pm Gronkowski
9.25pm Walking Thunder
10pm Midnight Sands
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PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
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
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
