The FACT UAE guide to the week ahead: 9 to 15 September

The best places to drink, dine and dance across Dubai this week.

FACT’s top picks for the week ahead include culinary collaborations, business lunches, theatre productions, and art exhibitions.

Monday 9 September

Join the Smoked Room and Orfali Bros collaborative dinner

MICHELIN magic is set to happen this week, as two Dubai restaurants with one MICHELIN Star are joining forces. Dani Garcia from Smoked Room Dubai and Mohamad Orfali from Orfali Bros will create a menu that takes you around the world. Diners can try signature dishes from both concepts and enjoy flavours from Andalusia, Japan, Aleppo, France, and influences from Italy and Spain. Available on Monday, 9 September at 6pm and 9pm. AED 1,200 per person.

GO: Visit https://grupodanigarcia.com for more information. 

Tuesday 10 September

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival

In celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Hakkasan Dubai will serve a specially curated menu crafted by Executive Chef Andy Toh. The eight-course set menu begins with a delicate dim sum duo of roasted duck and wild mushroom and seafood xiao long bao with Sichuan chilli, followed by a lotus root and mizuna salad. For the main course, enjoy a selection of dishes, including osmanthus-glazed wild corvina, grilled Silver Hill duck breast, and wok-seared ribeye beef. The meal concludes with Hakkasan’s signature mooncake, featuring flavours like Sichuan and raspberry, kumquat and ginger, along with a pandan and mango dessert made with pandan panna cotta, fresh mango, rice, and pandan tuilles. Available from 10 to 17 September, from 6pm to 11pm. AED 598 per person.

GO: Visit www.atlantis.com for reservations and more information.

Wednesday 11 September

Feast at Osteria Funkcoolio

Akmal Anuar, the innovative force behind some of Dubai’s most celebrated dining spots, has introduced a new weekday lunch offering at Osteria Funkcoolio. The meal begins with a fresh Mizuna Salad followed by Black Garlic and Egg Pizza, Cavatelli with Fish Ragu, Crispy Eggplant and Fettuccine Pesto with Burrata. With just 30 seats, this intimate venue is ideal for those who appreciate a meal with a touch of exclusivity and stunning waterfront views.

GO: Visit https://widget.servmeco.com for reservations and more information.

Thursday 12 September

Have lunch at XU

Renowned for its Cantonese cuisine, XU at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates offers a sophisticated dining experience perfect for a refined lunch break. Crafted by Chef Lai Min Wei, the venue’s business lunch menus feature signature dishes, dim sum, and a carefully designed vegetarian option. Expect a selection of starters such as chicken and sweetcorn soup and the chef’s steamed dim sum selection. Available Monday to Friday from 12pm to 3pm. AED 100 per person, with the option to add a dessert for an additional AED 20.

GO: Visit https://xudubai.ae for more information.

Friday 13 September

Journey to Egypt

Due to popular demand, Aida is returning to Dubai Opera this week to kick off its 2024-25 season. This renowned production, performed by the Polish National Opera under the direction of Roberto Laganà Manoli, brings Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece to life. The opera tells the compelling story of an Ethiopian princess who is enslaved by the Egyptians and falls in love with a military commander, creating a tragic love triangle with the pharaoh’s daughter.

GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.

Saturday 14 September

Indulge in a Japanese exotic seafood dinner

FRNDS invites you to enjoy a meal featuring the finest Japanese exotic seafood delicacies this weekend. Indulge in a selection of premium Japanese seafood, including sea urchins, scallops, prawns, and clams. Enhance your meal with an omakase sushi and sashimi selection, expertly paired with some of the rarest sake choices from the venue’s in-house sommelier. Seating for this exclusive dinner is limited to ensure an intimate and unforgettable evening.

GO: Visit www.frndsdubai.com for reservations and more information.

Sunday 15 September

See Andy Warhol’s Pop Art pieces

Nearly four decades after his passing, the King of Pop Art still holds sway, shaping the world of creativity and the very concept of fame. Andy Warhol: The Glam Factory, an exhibition at The Foundry, showcases Andy Warhol’s most celebrated masterpieces, including his iconic Monroe portraits, while also exploring how his visionary work transformed the 20th century.

GO: Visit https://feverup.com for more information.