From dining out to yoga, staycations and takeout, here’s everything you need to know for an incredible weekend in the UAE
Dubai
RARE, Meliá Desert Palm Dubai
RARE, the Oak-wood-fired grill with a gorgeous al fresco terrace that overlooks the hotel’s polo field, is hosting a laid-back à la carte lunch on Saturday, packed with South American favourites. Tuck into seafood ceviche, baked provolone, slow braised beef cheeks, black cod fillet, and much more. End on a sweet note with churros or the RARE alfajor (vanilla baked meringue, espresso and coffee-mocha ice cream), among others.
Saturdays from 1-4pm. Call +9714 602 9323.
Couqley’s French Bistro & Bar
The Parisian Bistro has unveiled a Spring menu comprising fresh ingredients and colourful plates. Indulge in grilled portobello, grilled calamari, raclette burger, white asparagus risotto, pan-seared sea bream in a shrimp bisque and more. Tuck into decadent desserts such as apple pie, crème brûlée, pain perdu with berry compote and a chocolate mousse. Diners can opt for a two-course or three-course meal with the option of adding a glass or bottle of grape as well.
From February 25, 5-8pm. AED139 per person (inclusive of a two-course meal) or AED169 per person (inclusive of a three-course meal).
Yoga @Topgolf Dubai
Get your stretch on and enjoy a relaxing, Insta-worthy weekend. Set in Topgolf Dubai’s outfield with skyline views of Dubai Marina, the 50-minute yoga class is for all yogi levels, organised by Shimis Yoga. The session is followed by a social coffee and healthy bites including the fruity Topgolf watermelon pizza of refreshing fruits, yoghurt and coulis.
Topgolf Dubai, Fridays from 8-9am. AED150 per person (carry a mat and towel). Book online.
TAJ Dubai
Located in the heart of downtown Dubai, the hotel welcomes UAE residents to a fun-packed getaway. Guests booking the Luxury City View or Luxury Burj View rooms will receive F&B credit equal to the room rate to use across their entire stay. Expect gourmet culinary experiences across the hotel’s culturally diverse and award-winning dining concepts. These include Tesoro for international cuisine; Bombay Brasserie for classic Indian fare; The Eloquent Elephant for contemporary British dishes; or Treehouse for creative concoctions and Mediterranean-Asian bites whilst enjoying glittering views of the Burj Khalifa.
February 15-March 15. AED650 onwards. Call +9714 438 3100.
Hutong Dubai
Enjoy the authentic taste of Hutong’s fiery dishes and the signature whole roasted Peking duck with pancakes in the privacy of your own home. The duck will be delicately pre-sliced and delivered with plum sauce, thinly sliced cucumber and spring onions, alongside fresh pancakes served in a bamboo steamer. Other dishes on the ‘Hutong at home’ menu include a wild mushroom and truffle bao, steamed dim sum platter, wagyu beef millefeuille, aromatic beef rib in lotus leaves and the Sichuan-style lobster. Deliveries also include how-to instructions and insider tips on how best to enjoy Hutong at home.
Order online.
Abu Dhabi
Brunch & Cake
The Barcelona-born dining spot has launched in Abu Dhabi. Head there for New York cheesecake-style ricotta pancakes, pepperoni pizza with chilli-honey jam, deep fried pizza bites and burrata toast, all exclusive to this location.
Shop#9 Marsa Al Bateen Marina, Sunday-Wednesday from 8am-10pm and Thursday-Saturday from 8-10:30pm.
Hoi An Restaurant, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri
The Vietnamese eatery has revamped its supper club experience, the Super Sapa dinner. The all-you-can-eat menu stems inspiration from homely meals cooked in the kitchens of the Sa Pa region in northwest Vietnam. Whet your appetite with prawn and fish cakes, garlic mushroom fried rice, wok fried egg noodles and seven spice marinated lamb in a pepper sauce. The mains and dessert specials change daily, giving diners a chance to try new dishes.
Tuesday to Friday from 6-9pm. AED168 per person (inclusive of soft beverage) or AED228 (inclusive of house beverages). Call +9712 509 8888.
VaKaVa, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
The pan-Latin concept has launched a brunch featuring popular Latin American staples, as well as lesser-known traditional specialities. The menu changes every two to three weeks, giving diners a chance to sample a range of dishes from the region. This table-service experience showcases hot and cold starters, followed by a choice of signature mains, before ending with a classic dessert. Feast on scallop tiradito, beef filet anticucho, wild mushroom coca flatbread, sea bass infused with lemongrass, ginger and miso, striploin steak topped with chimichurri, and more.
After brunch, make your way to VaKaVa’s expansive terrace lounge for sunset beverages.
Fridays, brunch from 2-5pm, sundowners from 5-7pm. AED295 (inclusive of soft beverages) or AED495 (inclusive of house beverages). Call +9712 811 5666 or email etihadtowers.fbreservations@conradhotels.com.
Ras Al Khaimah
The Rolling Stove Food Truck, Hilton Garden Inn
Planning a road-trip up north to the picturesque emirate of Ras Al Khaimah? Make a pitstop at the newly launched food truck, stationed at the hotel’s car park overlooking the Marina. The casual food truck serves up street food bites such as Bombay grilled sandwiches, spicy samosa chaats, kim chi(cken) burgers and homemade momos.
Daily until April from 6pm-12am.