Your UAE Weekend Guide: 19 to 21 May
Will it be lunch, brunch, afternoon tea or a picnic this weekend?
Culinary adventures await, so here are our picks of the nine best things to do in Dubai and Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Friday 19 May 2023
Enjoy a chic lunch
Located at the end of the private pier in Jumeirah Al Qasr, Pierchic offers a Chic Lunch that will transport guests to the idyllic Italian coast. Chef Beatrice Segoni has created a lunch menu that features fresh, light dishes, including Fegatini di Pollo, Burrata, and Tuscan Panzanella Salad. Mains include a selection of handcrafted signature pasta dishes, such as Spaghetti Al Pomodoro, Penne Arrabiatta, and Linguine Aglio Olio e Pepperoncino. Guests can enjoy Tiramisu or a classic Pana Cotta to complete the meal. Available Monday to Friday, from 1pm to 2:30pm. AED 135 per person (two courses) and AED 160 per person (three courses).
GO: Visit www.jumeirah.com for reservations and more information.
Sample an Arabesque afternoon tea
Experience refined dining at The Patisserie in Address Grand Creek Harbour. The luxurious Arabesque Delight afternoon tea spread includes smoked salmon on charcoal bread, chicken musakhan roll in saj bread and cucumber and labneh multi-grain sandwiches. Meanwhile, desserts feature a dark chocolate and tonka bean cake and mixed berry pavlova with lime-whipped ganache. Available daily from 3pm to 7pm. AED 195 per person.
GO: Call 04 275 8833 for reservations and more information.
Tuck into street food
Ikigai Restaurant + Bar’s new Izakaya Brunch is focused on street food. The weekly event showcases a cold sushi set-up, a dim sum station, and an oyster and sparkling wine bar. In addition to the food and drinks, the Izakaya Brunch features DJ Jay Baker, who will play a blend of Hip-Hop and R&B tunes to keep the vibe lively. Fridays, from 9pm to midnight. AED 199 (soft beverages), AED 275 (house beverages) and AED 350 (sparkling beverages).
GO: Call 04 550 8114 for reservations and more information.
Saturday 20 May 2023
Spend your Saturday at Sirali
Sirali is a Turkish restaurant noted for fusing Turkey’s 500-year-old culinary culture with modern and inventive presentations in the heart of Al Habtoor City. The menu serves Turkish classics and a selection of delectable meats that will satisfy the most selective tastebuds. Here, guests are treated to signature dishes presented on handcrafted plates with stunning Turkish designs, elevating your dining experience to ensure the food looks as beautiful as it tastes.
GO: Email reservation.sirali@wwi.ae or call 058 582 7092 for reservations and more information.
Have a picnic beside the beach
Head down to Kai Beach on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island for a beachfront picnic before the weather heats up. Whether you’re looking for a romantic date, a fun family outing, or a relaxing day with friends, Kai’s bountiful picnic basket is perfect. Expect an array of food and drinks while enjoying the waterfront vistas for a day of fun in the sun. Available daily. AED 149.
GO: Call 050 283 5795 for reservations and more information.
Sample a new Italian menu
Si Ristorante Italiano & Bar at Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas presents its new menu of Italian classics. Combining traditional recipes with contemporary flair, the authentic Italian dining experience showcases the diverse regions of Italy through locally sourced ingredients. From homemade pasta to wood-fired pizzas and flavourful seafood, the menu can be paired with the complementing flavours of carefully selected Italian wines. Immerse yourself in the warm atmosphere adorned with Italian-inspired decor, and be transported to the heart of Italy this weekend.
GO: Email fbres.saadiyat@rotana.com or call 02 697 0000 for reservations and more information.
Sunday 21 May 2023
Bask in Bluewaters beachfront views
SHI on Bluewaters Island is adding a twist to its weekend brunch with a reimagined menu. Begin with a selection of sushi, followed by flavour-packed dim sums, crispy duck bao buns, duck spring rolls, and wok-stirred turnip cake. For the main course, guests can indulge in tiger prawns in spicy curry sauce, shredded duck with chilli garlic sauce, Chilean sea bass in XO sauce, or corn-fed chicken in black bean sauce. The meal concludes with pistachio fondant and homemade pistachio ice cream. Available on Saturdays and Sundays, from 1pm to 5pm. AED 295 (soft beverages) and AED 695 (house beverages and French bubbles).
GO: Email reservations@shirestaurant.com or call 04 393 9990 for reservations and more information.
Visit The Listening Room
Following the success story of The Listening Room’s Sunday BBQ, One Life will now serve a traditional roast with all of the trimmings each weekend. The weekly event encourages diners to tuck into a menu of Roasted Prime Rib and Herbed Stuffed Spatchcock Chicken, served with Rosemary Jus, Yorkshire pudding cooked in beef marrow, roasted parmesan Brussels sprouts, charred baby carrots tossed in tarragon butter, honey and sage roasted parsnips, roasted garlic broccolini and roasted baby potatoes while vibing to the chilled tunes of resident DJ’s Z.N.Di and BoAndMo playing soul, funk and jazz on vinyl records. Sundays, from 12pm to 6pm. AED 125 per person.to look forward to at One Life Kitchen & Café.
GO: Visit www.onelifedxb.com for reservations and more information.
Pair wine with ribs
Indulge in a range of Rioja wines paired with ribs that come in an assortment of flavours at La Cava, the underground wine cellar at Rosewood Abu Dhabi. The pairing menu includes unlimited servings of fruity medium-bodied red wine to complement the fall-off-the-bone ribs, prepared with flavorful seasonings such as Sticky Asian Ribs, The Korean Twist, Thai Sweet Chilli, Smoked Pork Ribs, BBQ Baked Ribs, and Memphis Dry-Rubbed. Available daily, from 6pm. AED AED 209 (weekday) and AED 259 (weekends).
GO: Email abudhabi.lacava@rosewoodhotels.com or call 02 813 5550 for reservations and more information.
