The FACT UAE Weekend Guide: 23 to 25 February
Will it be brunch or a leisurely lunch this weekend?
The final weekend of February has arrived, and we’re excited for the outdoor activities, family fun and culinary adventures that await.
Friday 23 February
Have lunch beside the Burj
Kayto beckons guests to enjoy an afternoon of culinary bliss, blending the best of Peruvian and Japanese Nikkei cuisine. The four-course lunch menu features chicken kushiyaki, crispy rice with spicy tuna tartare, and salmon tataki with karashi-su sauce. For the main course, indulge in Corn-Fed Baby Chicken with Truffle Teriyaki Sauce and Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Miso Black Cod served with Japanese Steamed Rice or the Salmon Yaki. To round off your afternoon on a sweet note, choose from the Cheesecake Brulée with Mandarin Sorbet or the comforting Hot Chocolate Cookies. Available on weekdays from 12:30pm to 3:30pm.
GO: Visit jumeirah.com/al-naseem-kayto for reservations and more information.
Treat yourself
Venchi, the esteemed Italian ChocoGelateria, has opened a boutique on the lower ground floor of Dubai Mall. This space offers a selection of pick ‘n’ mix, imaginative chocolate bars, hampers, and elegantly wrapped gift boxes. The walls are adorned with Venchi’s famed Chocoviar collection, presenting flavours like Crème Brulée, Piedmont Hazelnut, Pistachio and Stracciatella. The highlight is a mesmerizing chocolate waterfall pouring suprema chocolate spread, complemented by over 90 artisan gelato flavours, from classic Tuscan Cream to a vegan-friendly Lychee Sorbet.
GO: Visit https://eu.venchi.com for reservations and more information.
Experience a culinary collab
Barfly by Buddha-Bar will host a Four Hands Dinner that will see Barfly’s Head Chef, Renzo, collaborate with Buddha-Bar’s Corporate Chef, Zuzumo. Together, they will present the vibrant flavours of Peruvian cuisine across a multi-course menu. The evening will be paired with cocktails curated by Buddha-Bar’s Corporate Beverage Manager, Francesco Galdi. Available on Friday, 23 February. AED 395 per person.
GO: Visit https://barflydubai.ae for reservations and more information.
Saturday 24 February
Visit Vinyl Souk
Immerse yourself in a House music extravaganza led by DJ Jimpster in collaboration with Lebanon’s very own Feedasoul Records. The 11th edition of Vinyl Souk at 25hours Hotel One Central brings together music fans, photography buffs, and cinema lovers to experience a curated marketplace celebrating analogue music, film photography, cinema, and analogue culture, alongside homegrown art and craft brands. Saturday 24 February, from 4pm. Entry is free.
GO: Follow @vinylsoukdxb on Instagram for more information.
Engage in Battle
Merging dining with dynamic entertainment options, the adults-only Boom Battle Bar is now serving brunch. Known for its exciting games like augmented reality axe throwing, augmented reality darts, enhanced golf and karaoke booths, the lively venue is now throwing street food and cocktails into the mix. Tuck into cheese nachos, jalapeno poppers, vegetarian flatbreads, and Wagyu beef sliders while grooving to a soundtrack of classic old-school and R&B hits. Saturdays, from 1pm to 4pm. AED 195 (soft beverages), AED 275 (house beverages) and AED 350 (bubbly).
GO: Visit https://boombattlebar.com for reservations and more information.
Explore Taste of Dubai
Taste of Dubai is back, and taking place at Skydive Dubai from 23 to 25 February 2023. The culinary extravaganza will include chefs, restaurants, masterclasses, live music and entertainment. Eat your way around the festival, as each restaurant will offer three to five sample-sized dishes, including at least one vegetarian option and one child-friendly dish. Participating restaurants include Akira Back, Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia, Bushra by Buddha-Bar, Hutong, Indya by Vineet, Maya by Chef Richard Sandoval, Rhodes W1, Sumosan, Tàn Chá, Torno Subito, the soon-to-open Osteria Funkcoolio, and the FACT Award winning City Social and Jun’s. On your marks, get set, eat.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.
Sunday 25 February
Try the Sunday roast at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The FACT award-winning restaurant Dinner by Heston Blumenthal has just launched its first-ever Sunday lunch experience at Atlantis The Royal. Start your meal with Meat Fruit, a clever chicken liver parfait disguised as a mandarin, before tucking into Hay Smoked Salmon and Tomato Salamagundy. The main course offers Hereford Sirloin with Yorkshire pudding and horseradish cream, tender Roast Chicken with veal and herb stuffing or Roast Cauliflower with Truffle Sauce and roast potatoes. To end on a sweet note, the popular Tipsy Cake — a heavenly brioche cake basted in Sauternes wine and served with roasted pineapple — is up for grabs. Available on Sundays from 12pm to 3pm. AED 495 for adults and AED 295 for children.
GO: Visit www.dinnerbyhbdubai.com for more information.
Head on over to the Open Fire Food Festival
Prepare for a culinary explosion at the world’s first Open Fire Food Festival, hosted by the charismatic Steve Harvey. Head to Abu Dhabi Hill in the centre of Yas Marina Circuit and immerse yourself in the tantalising art of open-flame cooking. The lineup boasts celebrity chefs like Melissa Cookston, Moe Cason, and Steven Raichlen, promising a sizzling experience.
GO: Visit https://abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net for more information.
Sip and dip
Cointreau dazzles Dubai with an exclusive pop-up at Bla Bla’s Beach Club. This limited-time activation honours one of the world’s most beloved cocktails: the Margarita. During the immersive experience, you can sample the specially crafted Margarita menu featuring Cointreau-based concoctions, frozen delights, and interactive stations that showcase the craft behind these beloved beverages. The highlight of the event is the Cointreau Hour, where you can enjoy a complimentary round of Margaritas by the pool. Sunday 25 February, from 1pm to 6pm.
GO: Visit https://blabladubai.ae for reservations and more information.
