DHS 10 DECEMBER 2010 ISSUE 392

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Contents
Features
15
What’s On Awards 2010
The winners, the gossip,
the best dressed and
more from the awards
night of the year

29
Seventh heaven
Find out what’s in store
at this year’s Dubai
International Film
Festival

41
A month of music
Guns N’ Roses,
Bryan Adams and
Creamfields compete
for your ears this month

51
Festive season sorted
We’ve got Christmas
all wrapped up, plus
the pick of what’s
happening on NYE
p51

p15
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 3
The round-up
12 125
Salaam Music and clubs
December in Dubai At the arcades with Tim
sorted Hassall & The August
Company plus this
38 month’s club diary
Competitions
It's a Christmas 131
extravaganza this Travel
month. For more, see A short trip to Cairo,
pages 72, 88, 96, 104, travel deals and going
128 and 160 on holiday with a
falconer
70
Films 143
Our verdict on the latest Hot list
releases, including Dubai’s top ten bars,
TRON: Legacy, Danny spas, brunches and
Boyle’s 127 Hours and restaurants
Gulliver’s Travels
162
75 Backchat
Eating out Catboy on feeling
Brought to you by festive before the rest
the letter M, we have of us
reviews of Mezlai,
Mistral and MezzaLuna,
plus chatting with
Giorgio Locatelli

91

p81
Art
Green Art Gallery’s new
space, art news and
five exhibitions to see
this month

99
Shopping
A cracking Christmas
gift guide and Sophia
answers your sartorial
head-scratchers

107
Mind and body
A trip to the new ESPA
spa, eyelash extensions,
a roadtrip to Al Ain, his
and hers at Armani/Spa
and this month’s best
beauty deals

117
Sport and outdoor

p109
Exercise expert Mr
Fitness and top tips
for latecomers to our
running mission

4 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

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 Phil Mickelson Martin Kaymer
The Masters Champion 2010 USPGA Champion 2010
THIS ISN’T BIG. ITS MAJOR.
20-23 January 2011

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US Open Champion 2010 The Open Champion 2010

For advance ticket sales please visit abudhabihsbcgolfchampionship.com

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 This month we’ve been...
Editor-in-Chief
Obaid Humaid Al Tayer
Group Editor & Managing Partner
lan Fairservice
Group Senior Editor
Gina Johnson | gina@motivate.ae

Senior Editor
Mark Evans | marke@motivate.ae
Deputy Editor
Helen Spearman | helen@motivate.ae
Features Editor Testing crackers, p51
Gareth Rees | gareth@motivate.ae
Chief Sub Editor
Iain Smith | iains@motivate.ae
Senior Designer
Sheila Lyn Carino | sheila@motivate.ae
Editorial Assistant/Picture Researcher
Karen Sequeira | karen@motivate.ae
Picture Researcher - Gulfpics
Wayne Fernandez | wayne@motivate.ae

Contributors
Naveed Ahmed, Victor Besa, James Brennan,
Louise Browne, Dominic Eliis, Hannah Fray,
At the What’s On
Vikram Gawde, James Houghton, Catherine
Still running, p122 Awards, p15
Jarvie, Russell Kempson, Richard Luck, Farooq

Editor’s note
Salik, Simon Smedley, Sophia Triantafillou,
Adam Workman

General Manager
Production and Circulation
S Sasidharan | sasidharan@motivate.ae
Production Manager
Sudhakar Chandran | sudhakar@motivate.ae
Production Controller
Murali Krishnan | muralik@motivate.ae
General Manager – Group Sales
Anthony Milne | anthony@motivate.ae
Senior Advertisement Manager
Dale Isaac | dale@motivate.ae
Advertisement Manager
Varsha Bhatia | varsha@motivate.ae
General Manager, Abu Dhabi
Joe Marrit | joe@motivate.ae
Advertisement Manager, Abu Dhabi
Darryl Wiley | darryl@motivate.ae
Annual Subscription GCC Dhs120 other countries US$70
(including Airmail charges)
Head Office: PO Box 2331, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 282 4060, Fax: +971 4 282 4436,
E-mail: motivate@motivate.ae
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London NW1 3ER, UK,
E-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae
I remember my best-ever Christmas gift. Stop! Police! was an electric
car racing set, resplendent with a US style cop car, whose job it
was to chase a juggernaut at breakneck speed around a figure
eight racing track, over the Golden Gate Bridge (not to scale,
unfortunately), and, well, back around the track again. It. Was. Ace.
It might not sound much in these heady days of iPads and online
trickery, but trust me, I had hours of fun with that thing until its sad demise, when
my older brother swapped it for something or other that I probably didn’t want, but
which he assured me was much, much better. (This is the lad, by the way, who once
swapped an empty shoebox for a bike to the kid down the road, telling him it was ‘an
Action Man deserter’. I kid you not.)
Today, when asked my Christmas wish list I responded with a Vivienne Westwood suit
and a subscription to Monocle.
Times might change, but Christmas hasn’t – it’s still a great time of year, regardless
of what’s on your wish list, and hopefully you get some time off to enjoy it. Should
you be worried about what to do, where to go, what to eat or pretty much anything
else Yuletide related, fear not, we’ve got you covered, with our Christmas made easy
guide, p51 (check out our quick guide to the best Christmas markets, too, p13 – a
personal fave). We’ve also taken the liberty of doing the same for New Year’s Eve, too,
so your festive season’s all wrapped up, if you’ll excuse the pun.
Oh, and should you happen to see an electric police car-based game when you’re
out doing your Christmas shopping, I’ll be more than happy to give it a home. Times
haven’t changed that much.
Enjoy the issue.

Printed by Emirates Printing Press, Dubai

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 11

 We're officially part of the Twitterati.

Salaam!
Follow us at WhatsOnDubai for
exclusive updates on nightlife,
restaurants and more around the
UAE. Tweet yourself.

Stocking filler-sized December

What’s hot Guess list

Whale sharks
A project has been launched to tag
endangered whale sharks swimming in
the waters of the Arabian Gulf. The Shark
Watch Arabia team, led by scientist
David Robinson, is aiming to
attach satellite tags to five
whale sharks a year for the
next five years in an attempt to
monitor the fish’s movements.
Apparently the whale shark is the
Really? What’s-his-chops? No,
you don’t say?
90%
ATLANTIS FOOD FESTIVAL
We were having lunch with a 'well-known
Michelin-starred Italian chef' at Atlantis this
month, and he let slip that a food festival
was being planned for the start of 2011

biggest fish in the ocean. You learn
something new every day.
www.sharkwatcharabia.com
Gulf for Good
Looking for a stocking-filler for the
nippers? UAE-based charity Gulf For Good
has released Incr-Edible, a food themed
book for children featuring games, puzzles
and recipes. It costs Dhs25 and all the
money goes to support children’s charities
in Haiti and Cuba.
Available in Early Learning Centre and
other UAE retailers
What’s not
involving all the hotel’s big name restau-
rants – Ronda Locatelli, Nobu, Ossiano and
Rostang. He also said, "but keep that quiet."
Oops.
80%
EMINEM
Every man and his hip hop-loving mutt has
been telling us that the real Slim Shady is
set to stand up on stage in Abu Dhabi some
time very soon. We heard he was originally
planned to appear on National Day, but
someone wisely pointed he probably wasn’t
the best man for that job… Nevertheless,
he will appear in the capital soon, we’re
assured.
GETTY/GALLO IMAGE
65%
HAKKASAN
This one’s direct from the VIP end of the
Grand Prix last month, where we met a very
informed man in the Abu Dhabi food indus-
try. Our man whispered that, following the
success of the world beating Chinese Hakas-
san in the capital, Alan Yau is set to open a
branch in Dubai. They’re also opening one in
Mumbai, too, should you be over that way.

Seasonal airfares
Christmas is coming. You want to make it
home in time for the big day. The only way to
do it is on a plane. But your ticket costs twice
the regular price so you can’t buy your gran
a Christmas present. It’s not the customers
they’re hurting, it’s their elderly relatives.
Carbon emissions
British consultancy firm Maplecroft has
named the UAE as the world’s most prolific
carbon emitter, heading up a 183 country-
ranking table. The firm puts the UAE’s high
carbon emissions down to the abundance
of desalination plants. Whatever it is,
ISTOCK
This month we’re going to…
FARMERS’ MARKET
It’s terribly exciting that the UAE is embracing
local, seasonal produce that has only travelled
from farms in Al Ain or Abu Dhabi rather than
clocking up the air miles like most supermarkets’
produce here. At the Souk Al Bahar Farmers’
Market you can buy a variety of veg (aubergines
and courgettes are in season now), as well as
organic eggs, poultry and meat. Wicker baskets
at the ready, people. The revolution has begun.
Fri, Souk Al Bahar, Old Town, Dubai, 10am to 5pm.

we’re not happy. Tel: (04) 4252240. www.bakerandspiceme.com

12 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010


Five Questions… Fred Fogherty
Fred Fogherty has been an
Illusionist, magician and self-
proclaimed mentalist for 17
years, gracing the stages of
Europe and Asia. This month
he starts a new residency at
the Sofitel Jumeirah Beach,
where he’ll be wowing the
crowd every Friday for the
next four months
Why Dubai?
I’m currently touring in the Middle East and,
luckily, Dubai is my first stop. And for good
reason – everybody knows about Dubai.
I can guarantee one and a half hours of
spectacular entertainment, including magic,
illusion, mentalism, music and dance in first-
class luxurious surroundings.
How did you discover you were a
mentalist?
Being a magician wasn’t enough, since magic
was nothing new. So I studied psychology
and NLP to learn more about human nature
and myself. It’s reality; it doesn’t involve super
natural power. As a mentalist, I can show you
it is possible to go inside people's minds and
extract information using my knowledge of
psychology, logic and observation.
What’s the strangest reaction you've
ever had?
I asked a member of the audience to assist
me with a trick that involved cutting her in
two and she was so scared that she fainted
on the table. Pretending it was part of my
show, I continued the act. She woke up to
KARMA KAFE
Getting a table at Karma Kafe over-looking
the fountains is near impossible, packed
with a cool crowd tucking into tempura,
black cod and wagyu. We will be heading
along after work for a bento box and two
drinks for Dhs99 (Sat to Thurs 6pm to 8pm)
and staying later on Sundays, where
there is 50 per cent off all drinks. Karma
can be sweet.
Karma Kafe, Souk al Bahar, Old Town, Dubai.
Tel: (04) 4230909. www.karma-kafe.com
an applauding audience.
Quick thinking. What’s the greatest feat
you have ever managed?
With magic, it’s probably the levitation of
a building of thousands of tonnes before a
flabbergasted crowd. With mentalism, it's
definitively playing Russian roulette.
Russian roulette?
Yeah, I can’t afford to make a mistake,
because a .357 Magnum can blow a hole
through a 50cm thick wall. It's a very intense
experience. Sometimes, if I’m not feeling
up to it, I stop the act. It's too dangerous
otherwise. Only three mentalists have ever
performed this feat, including me.
Dec 10 to March 31, Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah
Beach, The Walk, JBR, Dubai, daily 4pm and
8pm, afternoon show Dhs100 to 350, evening
Dhs200 to Dhs 890. Tel: (04) 4484848. www.
fredfogherty.com
WORLD SWIMMING
CHAMPIONSHIP
The FINA World Swimming Championship
is sure to make a splash at Dubai Sports
Complex this month, as 1,000 swimmers
take part in the 25 metre event. So if you
like to watch people splashing about in
Speedos, purchase your tickets now.
Dec 15 to 19, Dubai Sports Complex,
Dubailand, Dubai, 10am to 1pm and 7pm
to 10pm, heats Dhs10, finals Dhs30, Dhs150.
www.dubaiswimming2010.ae
FESTIVE MARKETS
Four Christmas markets
for you to visit
MADINAT MARKET
Seasonal snacks, gifts and treats will be on
offer at the Madinat’s annual Christmas
market. Santa will be making an appearance
from 6pm to 8.30pm daily, and there will
be plenty of activities to keep the family
entertained, such as a mini train and cookie
bakery.
Dec 9 to 26, Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouh,
Dubai, 5pm to midnight, free. Tel: (04) 3666730
SWISS CHRISTMAS
MARKET
Get a taste of Europe this Christmas at the
Swiss market in the courtyard at Abu Dhabi’s
Beach Rotana, where you’ll find regional
delicacies and gifts, and hear traditional carols.
Dec 9 to 11, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Tourist
Club Area, Abu Dhabi, free. Tel: (02) 6979000
SANTA’S CHRISTMAS
MARKET
If you still haven’t done your seasonal
shopping, then head to the gardens at the
Al Ain Rotana, which will be home to stalls
bursting with festive goodies for sale. Santa
will be making an appearance and carol
singers will provide the soundtrack.
Dec 16 to 17, Al Ain Rotana, Al Ain, from 5pm,
free. Tel: (03) 7545111
ARTE WINTER MARKETS
ARTE (Artisans of the Emirates) hold monthly
markets, with December's crafty offering
dedicated to Christmas. Over 120 exhibitors
will bring their creative wares to Times Square
for one weekend, with everything from
photography to gourmet food and fashion on
offer. A great chance to get a one-off gift.
Dec 10 to 11, Times Square Mall, Sheikh Zayed
Road, Dubai. www.arte.ae
Find us at
www.facebook.com/WhatsOnDubai
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 13
The Ultimate
Al Muntaha which means ‘The Ultimate’ or ‘The Top’ in Arabic lives up to its name by
offering unparalleled views of Jumeirah beach, The Palm and The World Islands while
you enjoy ‘The Ultimate’ in contemporary European cuisine.

Lunch 12.30pm - 2.30pm à la carte starting from AED 150 per person
Business Lunch 12.30pm - 2.30pm starting from AED 395 per person

Friday Brunch* 10.00am - 3.00pm starting from AED 395 per person
* Visit Al Muntaha for Friday Brunch at AED 525 per person between 10am – 12pm and receive a
complimentary Wild Wadi voucher each valid for 6 months.

Dinner 7.00pm - 12.00am à la carte starting from AED 230 per person
Dinner Degustation Menu 7.00pm - 12.00am 8-course menu starting from AED 745 per person

For reservations please contact:

Telephone: +971 4 3017600
Email: BAArestaurants@jumeirah.com

jumeirah.com
 Ladies and gentlemen, we present
the What’s On Awards 2010. The winners,
the dinners, the dresses and stresses.
Secret whispers, words of thanks and
where you, the readers, have been
dining this year

Because it’s
a people’s choice Scott Price
award, it’s more Chef Of The Year
important than
other awards that Temperamental celebrity chef Gordon
Ramsay trusted 29-year-old Scott’s talent so
have panels. It much he installed him at the helm of Verre.
tells you a lot. In a short space of time he has revitalised
the menu and overseen the installation of
– Rainer Becker, a fabulous chef’s table at the restaurant. As
we pointed out back in October, "Price is
founder of Zuma an exceedingly talented young chap". And
that’s why we named him our chef of the
year. Well done, sir.
Zuma chefs

Ian Fairservice
and the Zuma team

Eyaad Al-Kourdi, vice president and

country manager MasterCard

Zuma Middle East and Scott Price

Restaurant Of The Year Thanks for a

and Favourite Japanese great evening.
The team is well
The big winner from last year with four awards, Zuma remains happy
Dubai’s favourite Japanese as well as scooping the much-covet-
– text from Scott
ed big prize, Restaurant of the Year 2010. "It’s absolutely amaz-
Price the day
ing," Zuma founder Rainer Becker told us over lunch shortly after the awards
after Zuma’s win. "Because it’s a people’s choice award, it’s more
important than other awards that have panels. It tells you a lot."

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 15


Chef Norberto
Palacios
Asado
Favourite Americas
A regular on our monthly
Hot List, Asado is one of
our favourite restaurants in
Dubai, thanks to its warm
and welcoming atmosphere.
Peter Skudutis
Peter at Barasti
16 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
You clearly agree, with the
Argentinean restaurant famed
for its whole roasted baby
goat scooping the Favourite
Americas award.
The Barasti boys
enjoying their award
Barasti
Favourite Bar
Once again Barasti walked
away as the people’s favourite
bar, and it’s not surprising,
given that it’s a venerable
institution here in Dubai. A
US Consul General
to Dubai HE Justin
Siberell and Shona
McSweeney
Al Qasr pre brunch
Al Qasr
Favourite Brunch
A continued star at the top of our Hot List,
Al Qasr never fails to impress. Clearly the
Dubai-voting public agree, with the chic
brunch spot grabbing the star prize in a
Shona McSweeney hotly contested category. Well done to
all concerned.
constant reminder to every
visitor as to why they moved
to Dubai in the first place, it’s a Ashley Saxton and
sun, sand and a solid plate of Andreas Schnidrig
fish and chips haven.
 WHAT’S ON AWARDS 2010

Boulevard Café
Favourite café
We suspected Boulevard
Café was onto a winner
when we spotted a queue
there, early one Friday
morning. With a prime slice
of Old Town pavement to
call home, this Parisian-style
café produces breakfasts,
French favourites and
divine desserts from dawn
to midnight. It was also the
winner of What’s On’s best
sandwich taste test, and it Boulevard's Ryan De Villiers receives
seems the eating (and vot- the award from Eyaad Al-Kourdi,
ing) public have come over vice president and country manager
all Francophile. Ryan De Villiers and CD Kotze MasterCard Middle East

Thai Kitchen I’m so happy

Favourite Far Eastern for Rivington Grill.
Congratulations
Another What’s On favourite this. Park Hyatt for the organisa-
Dubai can do no wrong in our eyes. Its relaxed tion of the event, it
bargain brunch is firmly ensconced in the top
five of our Hot List, but we’re also regulars for
was amazing
dinner. We love the small sharing plates and
are particularly partial to the roasted duck – e-mail from
curry. And it seems you all agree, too. Good Emmanuel Sabater,
work, Dubai. operations manager,
Caprice Holdings

Chefs Paul and

Liz on the terrace

Action at Thai Kitchen

Rivington Grill
Favourite European
Ah, Rivington Grill, the Riv, RG,
our second home. The number
of times we’ve sat upon its
terrace enjoying the superb
Saturday roast beef with
Reef Fakhoury and Yorkshire pudding or lingered
Adrian Slater over an extremely long lunch
revelling in what the kitchen
has created from some of the
freshest produce in the city.
Head pastry chef Liz Stevenson
was as pleased as we were that
the team’s hard work had paid
off, and spend the night with Dee Kyriacoudes, Paul Bussey
a huge grin on her face. Well and Liz Stevenson
done Liz and co.

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 17


Cooking up a storm at Teatro
Teatro
Favourite International
International cuisine. What on earth does
it mean? Most restaurants fail to find a
suitable answer to that question and end
up with, well, a bit of a mess. Not Teatro.
Incorporating dishes from India, Italy, Japan
and Thailand it has a loyal following, so no
surprise that they took home the Favourite
International award. We’ll be back for a
plate of the fabulous lobster pasta soon.
Leo Holli, Alan Snyman
and Mark McCarthy
John Sinjobi and
Anthony Fernandes
The men behind the magic
at Armani Ristorante
Armani Ristorante
Favourite Italian
A stunning restaurant in Dubai’s
first designer hotel, Armani
Ristorante is a worthy winner
for its blend of familiar Italian fa-
vourites and innovative dishes.
WHAT’S ON AWARDS 2010
Chef John at the helm
Indego by Vineet
Favourite Indian/Pakistani
We’ve had the honour of most influential Indian chefs
meeting the charming Vineet the world has ever known,
Bhatia on a number of oc- with his distinctive dishes
casions and he’s one of the changing people’s perception
nicest fellows ever to don an of what Indian cuisine can
apron. He’s also one of the really be.
Sonia Casonato
"Salutations, Signore Armani.
Armani Ristorante is our new
favourite Italian," announced
What’s On in June, and the pub-
lic clearly agrees with us.
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 19
WHAT’S ON AWARDS 2010
A big thank you
for a superb event
last night. The Zuma
team Dubai and
internationally are all
very pleased by the
honour bestowed
upon us by the
What’s On Awards.
The two awards will
be displayed with
pride
– Ajaz Sheikh, director of
operations, Zuma
Estelle, Ajaz and Shab
The LPM hommes at work
La Petite Maison
Best Newcomer
Opened a mere two months,
gorgeous bistro LPM quickly
won the hearts and taste buds
of Dubai’s foodie scenesters,
claiming the number one spot
in our very own Hot List. Op-
erations director Paul Weldon
20 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
Shabestan
Favourite Middle Eastern
Given the (understandably) stiff competi-
tion in this category, Shabestan’s award-
winning streak is especially impressive, and
to take the prize again was always going
to be tough. However, its loyal following,
which flock en masse for the fresh bread
and sizzling grills, will have been in no
doubt that they were more than up to the
task. Shabestan, we salute you.
The whole Zuma gang
Zuma (Independent)
Favourite Japanese
Zuma has a habit of winning multiple awards. Voted Restaurant
Of The Year by us, the What’s On team, our favourite Japanese
restaurant also appears to be yours. For the second year in a
row, Zuma is the people’s Favourite Japanese.
The LPM team
was utterly thrilled
at the win and went
back to the restaurant
to take the trophy
on a lap of honour.
I thought I was
watching the FA Cup
Final or something
Ali Fatehnezhad, Janet Fittzner
and Uwe Michael
– e-mail from an insider
at La Petite Maison
Browne put his dinner jacket
on “just in case” when the
nominations were announced,
before gathering his thrilled
team and taking to the stage.
Nice jacket, Paul, and well Cedric, Izi and Paul of LPM
done, guys.
 The Fish Market is Dubai’s favourite “market style” fresh seafood restaurant which
offers unrivalled views of the Creek as well as the freshest seafood available. Choose
from a wide selection of freshly caught fish and an array of seafood delicacies, then
relax whilst our team of South East Asian Chefs prepare it exactly as you like it.
Fish Market, Seafood restaurant, is open daily for Lunch from 12:30 pm - 3:15 pm,
Dinner 7:30 pm - 11:15 pm

Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek

Baniyas Road, P.O. Box 476, Dubai UAE
For Bookings, please call 04-205 7333
Infocenter.Dxbza@radissonblu.com
radissonblu.com/hotel-dubaideiracreek
 WHAT’S ON AWARDS 2010

Hisham Mchater and Lady

Elizabeth Anson

The team at BBC

The chefs responsible

for Beach Bar & Grill's
success

Beach Bar & Grill

Favourite Seafood
We do like to be beside the Serving up fresh fish and suc-
seaside, and so do the dedi- culent seafood on the torch-lit
Belgian Beer Café cated diners at the Beach Bar
and Grill, who voted it their
terrace, dining here is more
of an experience than a mere Hisham Mchater
Favourite Pub Grub favourite seafood restaurant. meal.

Is this really the first time our beloved BBC

had walked away with a What’s On Award?
You people, you can be tough sometimes.
Fortunately, you came to your senses
this year and rewarded the pub where we
go to eat our grub. Cheers, BBC. Long may
you reign.

Paul De Visser,
Soumiya Bounyar
and Michael Szczepanski

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Favourite Steakhouse
Steven Greenwood, No compromises are made on addition of a new ladies’ night
Kieron Hunt, Tom Lord quality at Ruth’s Chris, a fact no doubt boosted the steak-
and Christian Knerr deeply appreciated by Dubai’s house’s appeal this year, with
carnivores who voted in their Monday nights packed at both
droves for this SZR spot. The the bar and in the cosy booths.

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 23

Season open. Game on.
For reservations, please call 04 405 2703.
Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, P.O. Box 75880, Dubai, U.A.E. Only at Shangri-La
 WHAT’S ON AWARDS 2010

Chi @ The Lodge

THE BAND Favourite Nightclub
The Maple Jacks rocked the
ninth What’s On Awards A previous winner and stalwart of Dubai’s clubbing
scene, if you’re looking for the party, then it’s prob-
ably at Chi. From fancy dress to Zane Lowe, this year
has seen some crazy nights at this indoor/outdoor
venue, with live acts and weekly DJ residenents
keeping the clubbing masses dancing.

Sir Maurice Flanagan

and Thomas Overson

Rugby 7s
Favourite Sports Event
More of an institution than an event, the rugby sevens
is a weekend-long party. Crazy costumes, die-hard
fans and an exuberant party crowd, for a few days in The Chi chaps with
December This Sporting Life takes over Dubai. With Motivate Group
capacity crowds at the new stadium last year, it’s no Senior Editor Gina Johnson
surprise that the gong went to this people-pleaser.

THE FOOD
Jebel Ali International
Hotel put on their usual
Rod Stewart
impressive spread Favourite Event
Rod the Mod was at his legendary best at this year’s
sell out show at The Sevens stadium. Packed with old
and new fans alike, Dubai was buzzing for days after,
with concertgoers and Dubai 92 listeners voting the
rock'n'roll legend number one.

Rania Hamadeh and

Anthony Younes

Jazz Festival
Favourite Festival
A true highlight of Dubai’s musical calendar, this
festival attracts jazz fans from the Middle East and
beyond with its eclectic line-up of humble heroes
Jonathan Gosselin
and big names. This year saw David Gray and James and Christine
Morrison grace the main stage, which obviously Santagelo
impressed you lot, as you thrust the award their way.

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 25

WHAT’S ON AWARDS 2010

Party people
A few highlights from a spectacular night

TWITTER WHISPERS
ON THE BIG NIGHT

@WhatsOnDubai
awards tonight!
Cracking out the
heels again : )
– princess2802

Just arrived at the

@WhatsOnDubai
awards. The set up
is amazing and the Regina Hackett
weather is perfect
– thatdubaiguy

Is @TomCruise at the
@WhatsOnDubai
awards tonight...?
– rockingtheshow

FACEBOOK CHAT
THE MORNING
Sune Pieterse AFTER What's On with Rivington Grill

Chi @ The Lodge -

best nightclub in
Dubai 2010 What’s
Tyra Nawaz On Awards! Thank u
everyone for voting -
much luv and thanks
– Sinbad Palanki

It was sooo much

fun
– Daleen Nel
Kyriacoudes

Thank you for

Tom and Dan from Dubai 92 having us : ) I really Ilana Vd Merwe Kate Bole
enjoyed the Mexican
food, oysters and
drinks
– Jibran Qazi

So thrilled for LPM

– a real honour!
Thanks so much for
your support
(Left) Tanya Abboud (Left) Masaharu Kondo
(Right) Carina Abboud
– Eileen Wallis
(Right) Estelle Michel Sir Maurice Flanagan

26 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

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ABU DHABI Tel: 02 6745000 AL AIN Tel: 03 7541150 DUBAI: Radisson SAS Tel: 04 2229687
Dubai Mall Tel: 04 3399330, Mall of the Emirates Tel: 04 3412424
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A magical pantom

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Seventh
heaven
The Dubai International
Film Festival returns with
a raft of great movies, all
manner of stars and a rare
opportunity to find out what
life’s like behind the camera
Entering its seventh year, the Dubai
International Film Festival (DIFF) continues
to mature at a rapid rate. Just look at the films
due to open and close this year’s cinematic
celebration – The King’s Speech, which is
already being tipped for Oscar success, and
the long-awaited 3D extravaganza TRON:
Legacy.
And the excitement doesn’t end there. For
DIFF 2010 will also showcase 127 Hours,
Danny Boyle’s harrowing follow-up to the
his world-conquering Slumdog Millionaire,
and The Way Back, the continent-spanning
adventure film that sees Academy Award-
nominated director Peter Weir head back
behind the camera for the first time since
Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The
World.
Like all good festivals, DIFF isn’t simply
interested in Hollywood. From a season of
must-see Mexican movies to an international
selection of children’s films, the festival
embraces cinema in all its forms. And if that
wasn’t enough, this year movie buffs will also
have the chance to learn directly from film
titans like the aforementioned Mr Weir.
The Dubai International Film Festival – it’s
what December was invented for.

Dec 12 to 19, Dubai International

Film Festival, Madinat Arena, The
ISTOCK

Walk, JBR, Mall of the Emirates and

First Group Theatre, Dubai, from
Dhs25. Tel: (04) 3913278.
www.dubaifilmfest.com

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 29

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Chicogrande
Down Mexico
way
This year, DIFF’s ‘In Focus’
strand casts special atten-
tion on the Latin American
movie hotbed
All manner of things come to mind when
you think of Mexico – Aztecs, earthquakes,
Acapulco... and, of course, awesome
motion pictures. During the last decade
alone, the home of luche libre and jai-lai
has given us such masterpieces as Amores
Perros, The Crime Of Father Amaro and Y
Tu Mama Tambien.
If you think Mexico has only recently
become a movie hotbed, you’re wrong – dead
wrong. For proof of this, look no further
than one of the highlights of the DIFF’s
2010 ‘In Focus’ season, Enamorada (Dec
15). A story of guerrilla warfare and illicit
love, Enamorada was filmed in 1947 by the
notorious Emilio Fernandez. A veteran of
the Mexican Civil War, ‘Indio’, as he was
30 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
known, is perhaps most familiar to Western
audiences for his portrayal of Apache, the
villainous ‘generalissimo’ in Sam Peckinpah’s
The Wild Bunch. While he made a good living
playing heavies in Hollywood, Fernandez was
first and foremost a filmmaker. And while no
sane person would question his manliness
– he arrived on The Wild Bunch set with 50
teenage concubines in tow – Fernandez’s films
are anything but hymns to machismo. Indeed,
in Enamorada, the women are every bit as
ballsy as the men.
Photographed by the late, great Gabriel
Figueroa, Enamorada looks for all the
world like an animated series of Ansel
Adams photographs. Featuring many of the
era’s top Mexican stars, this is a great place
to start exploring the nation’s cinematic
history in general and Fernandez’s
impressive filmography in particular.
If Enamorada doesn’t satisfy your appetite
for western adventure Mexican-style, Felipe
Cazalas’ Chicogrande (Dec 13) provides a
fascinating counterpoint to Fernandez’s
picture. Made this year but set in 1916, the
film was commissioned to commemorate the
100th anniversary of the Mexican revolution.
Centring upon the US Cavalry’s attempts to
A Tiro De Piedra
Endamorada
The Dead Sea
capture Pancho Villa following a raid on a
New Mexico outpost, you’re unlikely to see a
better horse opera all year.
Not that the season is solely concerned with
the Mexico of Zapata and Zorro. In Presunto
Culpable (Dec 13 and 14), documentary film-
maker Roberto Hernández examines the case
of wrongly convicted criminal Tono Zuniga.
Sent down in 2005 for a murder he couldn’t
possibly have committed, Zuniga’s trial is
re-examined by a brace of young attorneys
whose findings make Hernández’s film every
bit as important as Errol Morris’ Academy
Award-winning The Thin Blue Line.
It’s not just Mexico’s legal system that’s
broke, however. Sebastián Hiriart’s A Tiro
De Piedra uses the experiences of a young
sheepherder to highlight the poverty facing
his countrymen and the illusion of freedom
that’s offered by the United States. Meanwhile,
in Ortiz Cruz’s The Dead Sea (Dec 10 and 11),
a blackout sparks off a crime wave that only
comes to an end when the power is restored
and the wrongdoers realise that they must put
right their wrongs.
Various locations, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3913278.
www.dubaifilmfest.com
 DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

THE
ESSENTIAL
ED HARRIS
The film star’s must-see
movies
THE RIGHT STUFF
He’s played countless
memorable villains
(see The Rock, The
Truman Show and A History Of
Violence) but Harris was never better
than as John Glenn, the all-American
hero who became the first astronaut
to orbit the globe.
GETTY IMAGES

WALKER
Our man gives an
Academy Award-
worthy performance

Ed Harris
The Way Back star on
working with Peter Weir
and Colin Farrell
The Way Back is based on an incredible tale.
Were you aware of the story before you
read the script?
I had heard something about it – which
was just as well because if I’d only had the
script to go on, I might have assumed a tale
as remarkable as this could only have been
dreamt up by a screenwriter. To think these
people trekked from Siberia to India all but
defies belief.
What would you say to those who claim
The Way Back is just a film about people
walking?
That’s a bit like saying the Mona Lisa is just a
nice picture of a lady. And besides, those Lord
Of The Rings movies were largely about two
little guys walking, and audiences responded
to them pretty positively.
This is the second time you’ve worked with
Peter Weir.
Yes, although fortunately on this occasion,
I had a bit more time to prepare. With The
Truman Show, I signed on after the picture
had already started shooting. Originally,
Peter wanted Dennis Hopper to play the part
of Christof, the TV producer, but that didn’t
work out, so I got a call asking if I could come
down to the set ASAP. It turned out to be
a terrific experience but, usually, I prefer it
when I’m not flying by the seat of my pants.
Is your The Way Back co-star Colin Farrell
the real deal?
Absolutely and utterly. I’ve been in the
business a long time and I’ve seen a
number of people seemingly reach the top
of the tree in no time at all. The truth is,
in most cases, the person in question has
been working for ages. And that was the
case with Colin – he wasn’t an overnight
sensation. He’d been acting since he was a
teenager. Anyone who thinks his success
isn’t deserved clearly hasn’t watched his
work. You can’t hold your own opposite
Al Pacino [The Recruit] or Val Kilmer
[Alexander] or Brendan Gleeson [In Bruges]
unless you’re really good actor.
And which fine actors can we expect to see
you starring opposite in the near future?
Well, I’ve just finished a movie called That’s
What I Am with my wife [fellow actor Amy
Madigan] and the WWE wrestler Randy
Orton. And I’m just about to make a movie
called Man On A Ledge which seems to feature
every actor in Hollywood. Elizabeth Banks,
Ed Burns, Kyra Sedgwick, Sam Worthington,
Jamie Bell – quite a crowd, isn’t it?
Dec 15, Madinat Arena, Dubai, 8pm, Dhs80.
Tel: (04) 3913278. www.dubaifilmfest.com
in Alex 'Repo Man'
Cox’s demented period movie
about William Walker, the 19th century
American renaissance man who, not
content with conquering Nicaragua,
decided to make himself president.
APOLLO 13
Harris takes another
stab at all things
NASA, here essaying
Gene Kranz, the
veteran flight controller
entrusted with rescuing Jim Lovell (Tom
Hanks) and his fellow Apollo astronauts
from the far reaches of outer space.
POLLOCK
Long obsessed with
explosive action
painter Jackson
Pollock, Harris rightly
received an Oscar
nomination for his to-the-edge
performance in this, a film made all the
more remarkable by the fact he also
directed it.
NIXON
As E Howard Hunt, the CIA
spook who masterminded
the Watergate break-in,
Harris provides both a masterclass in
understated villainy and one of the high
points of Oliver Stone’s dark study of
America‘s most flawed president.

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 31


GETTY IMAGES
Colin Firth
The most English of actors
on his new period drama
and his love of Bob Dylan
In The King’s Speech you play the
painfully shy George VI. Was it hard to
affect a stammer?
It was tough in as much as we never knew
quite how bad George’s stammer was before
it was suggested he seek treatment. The
scenes in which he literally seizes up, we
have no knowing if things were ever actually
that bad. But playing an impediment is a
bit like affecting an accent – it’s the sort of
reason people become actors in the first
place. If you can’t do it, you should probably
find another line of work.
George never completely lost his stammer,
did he?
No, and from what I’ve read, it seems that,
even though things improved, he found the
condition utterly debilitating. You can only
wonder how things would have been had
the future Queen Mother not introduced
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
him to [eccentric Australian speech
therapist] Lionel Logue.
Is it true the Royal Family weren’t too keen
on this story being told?
I don’t know whether they had a problem
with us tackling it, but I understand that
someone wanted to write about the King’s
stammer back in the 1970s and they got
in touch with the Queen Mother and she
wrote back and said the events were so
painful, she didn’t want the story told
during her lifetime. That that was how she
felt so long after these events took place
give you some idea of how much this affair
took out of the Windsors.
You’re a widely admired actor. Is there
a particular performer you have a
fondness for?
Bob Dylan. I am in complete awe of the
man. I’m fortunate in that I’ve seen him
perform any number of times and each
concert is a special, life-enhancing occasion.
Dec 12, Madinat Arena and The Walk, JBR,
Dubai, 8pm, Dhs25.
THE BEST
OF THE
REST
The pictures you’d be an
idiot to ignore
Still haven’t seen anything you like?
Then check out the family-friendly
Cinema For Children segment, which
includes entertainment from as far
afield as Poland (The Magic Tree, Dec
19), Japan (Oblivion Island: Haruka, Dec
16) and France (Eleanor’s Secret, Dec 18),
and also showcases a live-action 3D
adaptation of The Nutcracker (Dec17)
featuring Nathan Lane, John Turturro,
Frances De La Tour and Richard E Grant
together with eight original songs
from Sir Tim Rice (The Lion King, Jesus
Christ Superstar). And then there’s hit
French comedy Copacabana (Dec 18)
starring the mother-daughter team of
Isabelle Huppert and Lolita Chammah,
acclaimed German drama Suicide
Club (Dec 17 and 18), new Romanian
masterpiece If I Want To Whistle, I’ll
Whistle (Dec 13 and 15) and Tamra
Davis’ awesome art documentary Jean-
Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (Dec
13 and 14). All this, plus Corridor (Dec 18
and 19), an edge-of-your-seat Swedish
psycho-thriller, and Biutiful (Dec 18)
the new film from Alejandro González
Iñárritu (21 Grams, Babel) which stars
the mighty Javier Bardem (No Country
From Old Men, Before Night Falls) as a
street criminal coming to terms with
mortality. In short, if there’s nothing
here that takes you fancy, you can’t be
that big a fan of film.
Various locations, Dubai. Tel: (04)
3913278. www.dubaifilmfest.com
Oblivion Is
land: Haru
ka
ecret
Eleanor’s S
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 33
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Sean
Penn
DIFF’s Lifetime Achievement
Award-winner
You appear to dislike Los Angeles. Is it
tough to work there?
My problem with LA is that
each street corner is a
reminder of something
stupid I did in the
past. That’s the
reason I’ve spent
much of my life
living outside of the
town – who wants
to be reminded of all
the dumb things they’ve
done?
Sweet & Lowdown is showing at DIFF. While
you don’t actually perform in the film, is it
true that you learned the guitar so you’d
look authentic?
Yes. It was a nightmare, actually. Time was pretty
tight so I had to learn it really quickly - and while
I picked things up pretty quickly when I was
younger, it’s very hard for me to do nowadays.
Orson Welles used his acting pay cheques
to finance his films. Have you ever gone
down that route?
Sure. I made Carlito’s Way because I needed
a huge chunk of change to get The Crossing
Guard into production. That’s not the only
reason I made that movie - working with Al
Pacino is its own reward – but getting my
movie made certainly influenced my decision.
Speaking of Carlito’s Way, was that a wig?
That was my own hair. I had it styled
especially to make me look like a balding
fortysomething.
You’re a favourite with the impressionists.
Who does the best Sean Penn?
I think I’m pretty good at it. And [Jerry
Maguire actor] Jay Mohr’s very good, too – he
hasn’t got the voice quite right, but he’s got my
walk down.
You have a cameo in Being John Malkovich.
What kind of film would Being Sean Penn
be?
It would be a horror movie. And there would
be nudity.
Dec 17, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai,
3.45pm, Dhs25. Tel: (04) 3913278.
www.dubaifilmfest.com
34 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
PETER WEIR
The Aussie legend on a
journeys – it’s
lifetime of learning subconscious
stuff but there’s
Seven years have passed between no disputing those
GETTY IMAGES
Master And Commander and The patterns are there.
Way Back. I take if you haven’t been
twiddling your thumbs? Do you think any of your films are
Believe it or not, I’ve been very busy. What underrated?
people forget is, it takes a very long time to I don’t know if it’s underrated, but I’m
make movies. One film can take up four always happy to hear good things about The
or five years of your life. Back in 2006, Last Wave [Weir’s 1977 crime drama about
I came very close to making a film with a lawyer, Richard Chamberlain, defending
Johnny Depp called Shantaram. It was a a band of Aborigines on a murder charge].
thriller about a heroin addict who escapes The Aboriginal issue has haunted white
from a maximum security prison and goes Australians for decades – I see our new
on the run. The problem was, me and the Prime Minister [Julia Gillard] is very keen
studio saw the film in a very different light. to address is, which is encouraging. But
They wanted one thing, I wanted another, with The Last Wave what I wanted to say
and since we couldn’t agree, I moved on. I was that, everything I’d learned about
remember Oliver Stone once saying that he Aborigines up to that point, at school and
wanted to make a film about the quiz show college, was complete rubbish.
scandals of the 1950s, and he was all good
to go when he decided it wasn’t a story he What drew you to The Way Back?
wanted to tell. Of course, Robert Redford It’s hard to say what draws you to any
ending up telling that story, but I can movie. I think ultimately I was drawn
identify with what Oliver was saying. You to the idea of endurance and the idea of
only get to make so many films in a lifetime. walking – ostensibly it’s just a long walk
Why tell a story that isn’t worth telling? and something like that is strange to film.
You’ve a very eclectic CV – from barking- What inspires you?
mad comedies like The Cars That Ate All sorts of things. It might surprise
Paris and the dark fairytale of Picnic At you but I’m actually a pretty big Monty
Hanging Rock to intelligent rom-coms Python fan. The first time I saw their
like Green Card and Hollywood epics TV show back in the 1970s, I was a
such as Master And Commander. Is there budding comedy writer. Seeing things
any pattern to the films you’ve made? like The Lumberjack Song had the most
I think there is, yes. Not that I’ve set out incredible impact upon me. Not that you’d
to make these films with a plan in mind. necessarily know that from my films.
There’s an old saying in filmmaking
that a director makes the same movie What advice would you give to film
over and over again. I don’t think that’s students?
quite true. What I can say is that, when Make mistakes – it’s a great way to learn.
you look back at your films, distinct Dec 15, Madinat Arena, 8pm, Dhs80. Tel:
patterns emerge. Certain themes, certain (04) 3913278. www.dubaifilmfest.com
WIN! DIFF TICKETS
There are so many films showing at DIFF that you couldn’t possible see them all,
but if you have as many must-sees on your list as we do it’s going to cost you a fair
few dirhams to satisfy your hunger for celluloid. Unless of course you enter this
competition to win tickets. For your chance to enjoy one of the fabulous films showing
at the Dubai International Film Festival, visit www.winwithmotivate.com and tell us...
Sean Penn starred in which of these critically acclaimed films?
a) Mystic River
b) Mystic Pizza
c) Magical Mystery Tour
 For Indulgence.
Unwind, Restore and Elevate.

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Now welcoming guests, One&Only The Palm, Dubai’s most intimate new beach resort.
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Film
School
Inspired by DIFF? From
acting to editing, the UAE
is geared up to get you
involved
DUCTAC
Dubai’s creativity hub has courses
for children, teens and adults in
diverse subjects from pottery to
zumba dance, but is best known
for its theatre and performance
programmes
FROM THE PAGE
TO THE STAGE
This writing and performance workshop
focuses on how text and acting interact
with each other, with seminars looking at
poetry and the spoken word, improvisation
exercises, character development,
transforming personal stories to TV scripts
and scriptwriting for theatre.
DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, Dubai,
Mon, 7.30pm to 9pm, Dhs1350. Tel: (050)
9273621.
www.ductac.org
ACTING FOR CAMERA
Over 13 and harbouring secret desires to
grace the silver or small screen? Take the first
step with these classes, which aim to reveal
the secrets and techniques involved in acting
in front of a camera. Aspects include the art
of the close-up, auditioning, presenting on
TV and screen versus stage. The twelve week
course runs in line with school terms and the
next session starts in January.
DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, Dubai,
Tue 4.30pm to 5.30pm, Dhs1,350.
Tel: (050) 4541713. www.ductac.org
36 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
TWOFOUR54
Abu Dhabi’s leading training
academy for media types has a
huge range of both scheduled
courses and specially tailored
programmes, with emphasis on the
technical side to get budding film-
makers into the industry
INTRODUCTION TO
LOGIC EXPRESS 9
AND LOGIC PRO 9
If you dream of being the next Hans Zimmer,
this is the one for you. With the Apple Logic
certification course, students learn how to
produce and compose electronic music.
Dec 12, three-day course Dhs3,800
APPLE FINAL
CUT PRO
The Apple Final Cut Pro certification training
teaches students how to edit professional-
quality video, with hands-on and interactive
instruction to explore the application’s
functionality.
Jan 29, three-day introduction course, Dhs3,800
MOTION GRAPHICS
The Motion Graphics Short Course
introduces students to the process of
combining multiple media types such as
video, animation, text and sound to create
compelling, dynamic Motion Graphics.
Mar13, six-week part-time course, Sun and Wed,
Dhs6,000. www.twofour54.com/en
ISTOCK
SAE INSTITUTE
One of the best-respected institutes
in the region, the SAE (School for
Audio Engineering) provides courses
from bootcamps to full degrees
as part of a worldwide network of
campuses
CINEMA BOOTCAMP
This two-day bootcamp is perfect for first-
timers, helping students learn the basic in
order to create their own short films. Students
will learn some cinema theory then dive
into exploring the latest HDDSL cameras.
The second day will cover the language of
cinematography, lights, crew, pre-production,
the shoot, editing and post-production work.
Dec 3 to 4, SAE Institute, Knowledge Village,
Dubai, Dhs2,100. Tel: (04) 3616173.
www.dubai.sae.edu
NEW YORK FILM
INSTITUTE
Part of the Abu Dhabi Film School, this training
body offers a massive choice of programmes,
from a one-week intensive course on creating
music videos to a two-year film-making course.
Our pick is the four-week full-time film-making
school, where each student will learn how to
write, shoot, direct and edit three of their own
films and acts as a crew member on nine other
sets. It takes commitment, but for a month
out of your usual schedule, this will open your
eyes to the film industry. Without the dreaded
casting couch.
Jan, Murour Road, E22 Next to Abu Dhabi TV,
Abu Dhabi, Dhs11,100. Tel: (02) 4466442.
www.abudhabifilmschool.com
 f fun for kids …"

the festive fun … "

ts o
to a holiday mood …"

eel
"… F
"… Lo
"… Get in

HANG OUT FOR THE FUN OF IT

Between 9 and 24 December, visit our Goodies & Gourmet area in the Atrium, which includes a gingerbread replica of the mall
and its neighbour, The Address Hotel! There are also carousel rides, a Christmas Tree made of water, fire jugglers and a host of
other entertainment activities on the waterfront promenade, including surprise visits from Santa. The extravaganza continues
at Dubai Marina Mall. It’s the place to hang out for fashion, fun, food and festivities.

MALL TIMINGS: Saturday to Wednesday: 10am – 10pm. Thursday and Friday: 10am – 12midnight.
For more details contact Guest Services on 04 436 1020.
 WIN
BIG THIS

Win with What’s On

CHRISTMAS!

WIN! A WILSON
TENNIS RACKET
SIGNED BY
ROGER FEDERER
AND VIP
TICKETS FOR
THE MUBADALA
WORLD TENNIS
CHAMPIONSHIP
The global tennis season starts in Abu
Dhabi, as six of the world’s leading
tennis players battle on centre court
at the International Tennis Complex,
Zayed Sports City over three days from
December 30. The all-star line-up includes
world number one Rafael Nadal, 16-
time Grand Slam Winner Roger Federer,
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38 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

 ABU DHABI MUSIC SPECIAL

APPETITE FOR
DESTRUCTION
Better late than never, Axl Rose is finally promoting Guns N’ Roses’ not-so-new album, with
Abu Dhabi at long last making it to his tour schedule. But why the wait?

Guns N’ Roses – or as his detractors like
to point out, Axl Rose and a band of
replacements – are at last in the midst of
touring after the anti-climatic release of the
15-years-in-the-making Chinese Democracy
almost two years ago.
Gone is top-hatted icon Slash, who left
acrimoniously in 1995 citing creative
differences (“I think the beginning of the end
was when we put a synthesizer on Paradise
City”, says the guitarist).
Drummer Matt Sorum was fired by Axl Rose
and Duff McKagan bailed soon after... Slash,
McKagan and Sorum went on to form Velvet
Revolver. Original drummer Steven Adler was
long gone, as was co-founder Izzy Stradlin.
A revolving door of new guitarists has
included solo shredder Buckethead and Robin
Finck of Nine Inch Nails, who entered the fray
in 1997 and 2000 respectively and left their
marks all over Chinese Democracy. Buckethead
eventually bailed on the band (largely because
he hated Finck) and later Finck, tired of
waiting for Rose to move the project forward,
returned to Nine Inch Nails – twice.
Still on board are Richard Fortus of
Psychedelic Furs, who joined in 2002 (replacing
Paul Huge who replaced Gilby Clarke who
replaced Stradlin) and Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal,
who signed up in time for their 2006 tour and
some (supposedly) final recording sessions.
The current tour is hosting the well-received
debut of newly arrived Darren Jay ‘DJ’ Ashba,
a guitarist for Motley Crue offshoot Sixx AM.
Bass and keyboards have remained stable
with former Replacements bassist Tommy
Stinson a rock solid member of Guns N’ Roses
since taking over from McKagan in 1997.
Keyboardist Dizzy Reed had been around with Rose in the late nineties.
since 1991 and shadowy programmer Chris “He called in pretty much every day, though.
Pitman quietly appeared on the scene in 1998. He’d ask who was there, what they were doing.
The drum stool has seen a high rotation, He’d say to tell them that, ‘I’m coming in, I’ll be
with Josh Freese doing extensive work on there in awhile.’ I’d tell the band, ‘Axl called and
Chinese Democracy, including co-writing the said he’s coming in’.
title track, before handing in his notice. A Then he’d never show up.”
hurt and angry Rose re-recorded with Primus Every few months, say sources, somebody,
drummer Brain. if not everybody, would get fired – at least
Later, session drummer Frank Ferrer
helped out and it’s Ferrer who’s booked for
the current tour.
Why the revolving door?And what took so
long?
There are many reasons, say insiders,
although the buck ultimately stops with
Axl Rose.
The business and emotional impact of the
original band’s break-up ate a
good part of the nineties,
and then when Rose finally
gathered an all new line-up
in 1998, he put them to
work rehearsing and then
(reluctantly) re-recording
all the songs from the
Guns N’ Roses debut,
Appetite For Destruction
and eating up a good part
of the year. Rose himself
would not show up for
weeks at a time.
“He’d be ‘on’ for a
couple of weeks and
then ‘off ’ for a couple
weeks,” recalls Dave
Dominguez, an engineer
who started the sessions

ROCK OF AGES
Tracing the stroppy rock leviathans’ tumultuous career...
1985 1987 1988 1990
Formed in Los Angeles by Release classic debut album Two fans die during GNR’s set at Drummer Steven
GETTY/GALLO IMAGES

motormouth frontman Axl Rose
and original guitarist Tracii Guns,
who departs later that year,
replaced by iconic top hatted six-
stringer Slash.
Appetite For Destruction, wh ich
becomes one of the biggest-selling
records ever, shifting 28 million
copies and counting.
UK festival Monsters Of Rock at Adler is fired.
Castle Donington.
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 41
ABU DHABI MUSIC SPECIAL

management could step in and resolve the issue.

“It took two days to break the room
down because he fired everybody,” confirms
Dominguez.
“(Axl) would show up at two, two-thirty,
and no one would be around, he’d get upset.
‘Where are they?’ ‘I don’t know, they all left.’
Then he’d call the next day. ‘Who’s there?’ ‘Just
Josh.’ ‘OK, have everybody leave. Have them
break everything down. We’re done.’”
When the sessions were on track and Rose
was in attendance, sometime’s he’d play with
the band but he’d rarely sing.
He would talk, however.
The studio was all business in terms of
never having guests, drugs or alcohol around,
but many nights the sessions would give way
to nights of storytelling as the entertaining
front man held court.
“He was, quiet, soft-spoken, very amicable
and friendly, and always very ‘up’,” recalls
drummer Chris Vrenna, who turned down
an offer to join the band after a few weeks of
sessions that Rose rarely attended.
“‘Hey, did you see the movie that opened
last night?’ or ‘did you see the news today?’ Or
‘check out these records today,’ that sort of thing.
He loved to debate or discuss something.”
There were long conversations about his
former band mates, especially Slash. “He
spoke of them fondly,” says a source. “Like
family members who were dead.”
The new material for years on end had
no lyrics. Rose had the band record and log
endless ‘bits’ of music.
“Some were three seconds long, some were
three minutes long,” recalls Dominguez.
Sometimes it was just a guitar lick. ‘Oh, that’s
cool.’ They were transferred to CD. Everything
had an ID and a number, then the CDs were
made for each member of the band. They
could go, OK, on set four, CD three, idea 15,
let’s do something with that.’ Then everybody
would take their CD home, get the part and
write something to that. It was intense.”
There was no hurrying or pressuring Rose.
‘Prodding’ often appeared to be grounds
for the dismissal of numerous producers,
record reps and managers.
Producer Youth was terminated; apparently
after Rose learned the man had been offered a
million dollar bonus if he met a deadline.
Sean Beavan, responsible for the unpopular
soundtrack song, Oh My God, lasted a couple
of years, as did Queen producer Roy Thomas
Baker and Caram Constanza, with Andy
Wallace the last one up with Rose eventually
taking the project to his home studio and later
declaring that he never did find a producer.
There were plenty of distractions taking
Rose out of music mode including off-the-
wall therapists dishing out treatments and
counselling in the new age centre of Sedona,
Arizona, which apparently didn’t involve
successful anger management – Rose was
arrested for fighting with airport staff on his
way home from there in 1998.
Rose was also constantly dealing with
dozens of lawsuits with band mates, the
record label and other business sources over
the rights to the Guns N’ Roses material and
other issues.
In 2002 when the album wasn’t ready as
expected.
Rose was convinced to reinvigorate (and
help finance) the project with a world tour in
2002 but that ended badly. Very badly.
After getting off to a good start in Asia
in the summer, it disintegrated first with
a no-show for the North American tour
opener September in Vancouver and again in
Philadelphia in December, both resulting
in riots.
The rest of the tour was cancelled and
Rose disappeared.
In 2004, the record company cut its
support amid long-standing complaints that
the project was out of control financially (and
to a lesser extent, creatively) and that Rose
was unappreciative and belligerent.
“They wrote him off,” says a source. “I
think they finally recouped enough of their
investment by releasing the live album and
the greatest hits package,” says a source, “and
weren’t really interested in making any new
commitments.”
Subsequent bouts of touring in 2006 and
2007 were low-key with not a lot of hoopla.
Rose finally agreed to release Chinese
Democracy in November 2008.
The resulting record, with its moments of
brilliance with layers and layers of musical
genius and true emotion was ultimately too
complex to be accessible to radio.
And with the label support still minimal,
an angry Rose refused to promote it beyond
one emailed Q&A with Billboard magazine
and some posts on a few Internet fan sites.
He withdrew from sight.
“He’s in one of his ‘down’ periods, revealed
a source. They can’t get him to do anything.”
It’s taken some time, but Rose is now finally
out of the doldrums and on the road, hitting
the capital as part of a fractured world tour
that saw him play the UK and South America.
Our advice is see him while you can
– who knows when he’ll get round
to the next tour…

1991 1994 2008 2010

Ambitious dual albums Use
Your Illusion I and II hit shelves,
topping the US Billboard
charts. Fans riot after Rose halts
a show in Missouri by leaping
offstage to collar a fan with a
video camera. Rhythm guitarist
Izzy Stradlin quits soon afterwards.
GNR go on hiatus. Slash and bassist
Duff McKagan exit in 1996 and
1997 respectively, leaving Rose as
the only Appetite... era member.
After 14 years of ceaseless line-up
changes, sporadic shows and
aborted recordings, mythical
album Chinese Democracy finally
drops.
Slash claims US$100m offers haven’t
tempted him to consider rejoining
GNR. "One of us will die before a
reunion," Rose suggests. McKagan
reconciles rather sooner, playing
four songs with GNR in London
in October, days before the band
announce their first ever UAE show.

42 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

For days without end
For tranquility. For relaxation. For friends. For conversation. For timeless afternoons.
The Jetty Lounge, beachside at The Palace, One&Only Royal Mirage. Now open. For you.

For reservations please telephone The Palace at One&Only Royal Mirage on +971 399 99 99
or email: fb.acourt@oneandonlyroyalmirage.ae
 18 ‘til he
Canadian rocker Bryan
Adams left school at 15 to
pursue a career in music,
room before they become sensible and realise
if you break it, you pay for it.
What have you got in store for us?
My shows are a little acoustic and electric,
you spend it on?
A piece of fruit.
Sensible. Is that how you’ve kept in such
good nick?
released his first album and I have the full band with me – so it will I had a conversation with the famous
be fully rocking. Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer once, as
at 20, and topped the UK You’ve just released an acoustic album, he was turning 100 years old, and I asked him
charts for 16 weeks with his Bare Bones… what the secret is to a long life. He said, “eat
record-breaking hit song Yeah. It’s been received very well, and the less and love women”. I couldn’t agree more.
incredible thing about it is I never wanted Are you still enjoying the bachelor lifestyle
Everything I Do (I do it for to release it as a major album. It was just at 51 or does some lucky lady have a
you) in 1991. Stopping off in something I wanted to have available to fans chance of snaring you?
that came to my acoustic show. When my Ha! That reminds me of that brilliant song
Dubai on his world tour, the record company heard about it, they asked from the movie Elizabeth. “When I walk the
30-year rock veteran shows me if they could release it. tightrope, don’t stop me, let me try; I want to
Your first album was released in 1980 – that take chances, find out what it takes to fly, I
no signs of slowing down must seem like a lifetime ago. don’t care at all if you agree, I belong to me.”
Yeah, but it was the best thing that could have What do you look for in a woman?
Dubai’s part of world tour, but this won’t happened to us. We were able to get out of the She’d have to be funny, self-deprecating,
be the first time you’ve been here, right? crappy bars and into the better ones – I had gentle, ambitious, kind and clever.
That’s right – we were the first Western my foot in the door, I proved to myself it was OK, let’s talk about 'that' song – Everything I
band to ever play Dubai, way before it possible to move forward, I’ve never lost that Do (I do it for you). Sixteen weeks at the top
was the metropolis it is now. So it’s good feeling. of the charts. 16! It’s fair to say, some people
to come by every few years to make sure Did you ever imagine yourself doing were over it. How do you feel about it?
you’re still making good humus and anything else? I love it – it’s an amazing song. There are a
falafel. Never. I couldn’t imagine anything better, few songs I’ve written, like Summer Of 69 for
It’s as good as ever. So how’s the tour can you? Play music, see the world, pay example, which are equally as big, but never
going so far? your rent. Perfect. got the accolades. The other song came at the
My life is lived on tour, one just rolls into What about the fame – is that something right time, but songs like 69 put it there.
the next. I do 120 shows a year. It’s good to you enjoy? You’re an extremely successful artist. What
be on the road, to see things, meet people, I don’t care about being famous. I just care would you like your legacy to be?
get out of your shell a bit, then go home about moving forward, that’s what interests I don’t dwell on the past at all, I’m only
with anticipation. I like being able to travel me. Music never gets dull. Ever. thinking about the present and the future. My
all over the place and see the world, it You’ve been in the music business for more legacy? 18 ‘til I die.
never gets old. All the major capitals are than 30 years. What’s the most important What have you got planned for the next 30
fascinating. We have a big tour of India lesson you’ve learnt? years? Do you plan on being on tour in your
coming up in February and I can hardly Don’t sign anything. 60s like Jagger?
wait to get there. It’s such an amazing Ha, is it true you learned that the hard way, Mick is amazing, one of the best rock
country. by signing a deal for $1? songwriters of all time. If I can be half as in
Touring with Bryan Adams doesn’t Yes, it’s true, back in 1978. It was a terrible shape and bright at his age, I’ll be happy.
GETTY/GALLO IMAGES

sound too wild. Was there a stage of deal. I signed to get my music heard when I What’s next for Bryan Adams?
your career where you went slightly off was 18. Believe it or not, I’m still signed to Bed. I’ve got to get up to fly to NYC. See you soon.
the rails? that one-dollar deal today – but there have Dec 17, Dubai World Trade Centre Arena, Dubai,
All young bands of any repute go through been a couple of renegotiations since 1978! 7pm, Dhs250 to 500. Tel: (04) 3913460.
a phase of demolishing at least one hotel If we gave you one dollar now what would www.bryanadams.com

44 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

 ABU DHABI MUSIC SPECIAL

e dies

WIN!
A MEETING WITH
BRYAN ADAMS
For a chance to win VIP tickets to this month’s
Bryan Adams gig in Dubai, plus the chance to
meet Canada’s most famous rock star, just visit
www.winwithmotivate.com and answer the
following question.

In what film did Bryan Adams’ song

Everything I Do (I do it for you) appear?
a) Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
b) Robin Hood: Men In Tights
c) Batman & Robin
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 45
 ABU DHABI MUSIC SPECIAL

CREAMFIELDS
ABU DHABI
Back for its second running after last
year’s debut event, hugely respected global
dance festival brand Creamfields once
SASHA’S
TOP 5
again fittingly brings the absolute cream
of the clubbing world to Abu Dhabi. The
ten-hour blowout is headlined by French

REMIXES
megastar David Guetta, supported by
multicultural trance trio Above & Beyond,
British progressive king Sasha (the only
artist returning from 2009’s line-up) and
Dutch dance floor destroyer Sander Van Renowned for big name remixes, Sasha
Doorn. They are also joined by two of the picks his five favourite re-workings from
UK’s brightest talents: trance, techno and his glittering career…
house-raiding rising star Gareth Emery and
breaks/house innovator James Zabiela. FELIX DA HOUSECAT
WATCHING CARS
GO BY

GARETH EMERY
The Manchester-based
DJ/producer reflects on a
landmark year in his career,
which saw him release de-
but album Northern Lights…
This has definitely been a watermark year:
I turned 30, finished my debut album and
bought a house for the first time. Now it’s all
done it’s nice to look back and think, ‘that was
a big year’ but whilst it was happening it was
bloody tough. So many things happened. I
For many people, this was the fly in the
ointment on the first Involver album. But
I really enjoyed working on it and we got
nominated for a Grammy.
THOM YORKE
THE ERASER
It was amazing to work on a Thom Yorke
track. Kid A was a life-changing album for me.
MADONNA
RAY OF LIGHT
The biggest remix I’ve ever worked on.
I remember getting the phone call to
work with Madonna. It was great. I was
jumping up and down on my bed.
UNKLE
GETTY/GALLO IMAGES

wrote my album in seven months and during IN A STATE

that time I was on tour, so I was abroad
half the time and then while I was home I’d
have three or four days a week in the studio
writing music. There literally was no time for
anything else: family engagements, friends.
I missed out on a lot of stuff. I didn’t have
a chance to sit down and reflect on turning
30, it was lost in a world of gigs and planes
and travelling. Creamfields in the UK was
one of the best festivals of the year, so I’m
looking forward to Creamfields Abu Dhabi.
I’m interested to see how it translates to the
Middle East.
In A State was a real pain. I’d just set my
studio up and slaved over the mix for
weeks, but the final result was epic.
LADYTRON
DESTROY
EVERYTHING YOU
TOUCH
I really liked the original and we
were going to do a big version,
but then came up with this
stripped back, wonky version.

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 47

ABU DHABI MUSIC SPECIAL
PAAVO SILJAMÄKI
(ABOVE & BEYOND)
The other members of Above & Beyond
played Yasalam in Abu Dhabi last year, but
this is your first visit personally. What are
you expecting?
I don’t know exactly, but I have high
expectations. I’ve heard a lot of people say
good things about Abu Dhabi and other
Creamfields parties we’ve played around
the world have been fantastic. But I’ve been
really surprised how the Internet means that
wherever we go, people know our songs
almost instantly. That’s been really amazing
in the last five years, everything’s happening
around the world at the same time.
And what can we expect?
We’re working on an artist album at the
moment, so we’ve been test-driving new
tracks. And our record label Anjunabeats
is ten-years-old now so we’ve asked our
48 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
favourite producers to remix classics from
the label, so we’ve got a lot of exclusive
new mixes.
Above & Beyond are massive festival crowd
veterans, having played to a million people
on a Brazilian beach in 2007. That’s one
mind-boggling big dance floor…
Yeah. The beach was 5km long and full of
people, soundsystems all along and with us
at one end. I don’t know if you can actually
see a million people on a beach because
of the curvature of the planet. There were
hands for as far as our eyes could see. It was
incredible.
Can constant global touring become
dizzying sometimes?
We do so much flying around it is all a little bit
of a blur for me, so to trace my tracks I Google
myself to see where I’ve actually been.
GETTY/GALLO IMAGES
JAMES
ZABIELA’S
FIVE-STEP
GUIDE TO
DJING
CONSIDER YOUR
SURROUNDINGS…
No two crowds are the same. If I’m
playing somewhere I’ve played before
and know what to expect, those gigs
are obviously much easier. You know
what to do this time.
USE THE BEST
EQUIPMENT…
I helped develop the [industry standard
Pioneer CD mixing decks] CDJ-2000s. All
my music’s on a little SD card that goes
in my pocket, you can arrange playlists,
browse chronologically and search really
easily.
BE PREPARED…
I always get nervous before a gig but I’m
more organised now and more relaxed
before I play. The more prepared you are,
the more you can improvise.
TAKE A CHANCE…
It’s easy to play big tunes and
rock a crowd. Anyone with a basic
understanding of mixing can do it, but
then there’s nothing to differentiate
you from the next person. You have to
have the X-factor. I’ll still risk it every time
because I’d feel dissatisfied if I didn’t.
HIRE THE RIGHT
PEOPLE…
When I started out I just wanted to play
records. I still do. But it’s a competitive
business. Without agents and managers I’d
be lost. Send your mix CDs to agents. That’s
how I got my break. Until I got signed to an
agency I’d never even been abroad.
December 9, Yas Arena, Yas Island, Abu
Dhabi, Dhs250. www.creamfields.ae
 Looking for the most magical way
to spend the festive season?
Set your sights on Grand Millennium Dubai Hotel

Sun kissed during the day and lit up by a kaleidoscope of festive lights at night, this
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We’ve got the holidays all wrapped up, from where to meet
Santa to the best NYE parties. Hang up your stocking, grab
a mince pie and get into the Christmas spirit

CHRISTMAS MEET SANTA IN CHRISTMAS AT

TREE LIGHTING THE SANDS
This year Gulf Ventures is hosting a festive evening DALE’S
If a night of carols, mulled wine, mince pies Combine a trip to the desert with meeting Santa.
and the annual lighting of the Christmas
tree doesn’t warm your cockles, then you
might as well change your name to Grinch
McScrooge.
Dec 6, Irish Village, Garhoud, Dubai, 7pm to 9pm,
free. Tel: (04) 2824750. www.theirishvillage.ae
BUY THE BEST
MINCE PIES
Extensive tastings by the team unanimously
concluded that most moreish mince pies are
available at Baker & Spice. Just bigger than bite-
size, with a home-made feel, delicious spiced
filling and flaky pastry means we’ll be buying
these and passing them off as our own.
Baker & Spice, Souk al Bahar, Old Town, Dubai.
Tel: (04) 4252240
BLOOMING-
near Al Awir, with a grotto, Christmas crackers,
sledge rides, sand boarding, barbecue, two house
beverages and unlimted soft drinks.
Dec 17, Gulf Ventures, Duba, Dhs175, children
Dhs50. Tel: (04) 4045880
PIERRE GAGNAIRE, PROPRIETOR
REFLETS PAR PIERRE GAGNAIRE
"WE HAVE OYSTERS FROM A FRIEND’S OYSTER
FARM IN BRITTANY, HOMEMADE FOIE GRAS, BEEF,
A GRATIN DAUPHINOIS, ROASTED CHESTNUTS,
A BIG CHEESE PLATTER, A FRUIT SALAD
AND A SOUFFLÉ"
MY
PERFECT
CHRISTMAS
One of the world’s best department stores
has a calendar of events to get you in the
mood this Christmas. Our picks are the
gingerbread house and festive desserts
cooking demo at 10.30am on Monday,
December 6, the tree decorating for kids
from 3pm on Saturday, December 11,
and the cupcake frosting on Saturday,
December 18. Aside from the special
events, Bloomingdale’s has some of the best
Christmas windows on display and some
lovely gifts in the souvenir shop – we’ve got
our eye on the Bloomie’s bear. Just saying.
Bloomingdale’s, Dubai Mall, Old Town,
Dubai. Tel: (04) 3505333

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 51

 DISHING OUT THE WORLD’S MOST ORIGINAL

ingredients
Walk into LuLu and you'll find a world of difference in everything
we bring to table. Fresh foods, ready-to-cook, fruits & vegetables,
spices, cheese, seafood… anything you need to cook up your
favorite meal is flown in daily from around the world.
With 83 branches in easy-to-reach locations and award winning
customer service catering to over 410,000 shoppers a day,
no wonder the world comes to shop at LuLu.

www.luluhypermarket.com

ABU DHABI AL AIN DUBAI SHARJAH AJMAN UAQ FUJAIRAH RAK

 MY
PERFECT
CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR

LIZ STEVENSON, HEAD PASTRY CHEF,

RIVINGTON GRILL
"THE FAMILIAL ASPECT OF WORKING WITH
A CLOSEKNIT TEAM MAKES THE DAY SPECIAL.
WHETHER AT WORK OR AT HOME, THE
PERFECT CHRISTMAS IS ONE WHICH LEAVES
EVERYONE CONTENT, WARM AND SATISFIED"

LET IT SNOW
The weather outside might be far from
frightful, but DUCTAC is still celebrating
the white stuff with Let It Snow, a stage
extravaganza with award-winning singer
Alison Jiear performing festive favourites,
show tunes and Disney classics, with her live
band and a specially formed local choir.
Dec 3 to 11, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates, Al
Barsha, Dubai, from Dhs120. Tel: (04) 3414777.
www.ductac.org

WORK PARTY
NIBBLES
Sadly, stale crisps and flat fizz usually prevail at
office Christmas parties, but BokaBento at The
Bonnington is putting the sparkle back this year.
TAKEAWAY
There are three menus available for lunch and
dinner, starting from Dhs165 per person, featuring
salt crusted rib of beef, tian of bell pepper, organic
TURKEY
turkey roulade, chocolate mille fuille and spiked Christmas dinner at home, without the
eggnog. You can pay Dhs145 extra per head for hassle of shopping, cooking and faffing BIG BIRD
two hours of unlimited wine and beer – often around with a meat thermometer? We’re Where? Le Méridien Dubai
necessary at a work do. in. Here’s our pick of places that will What do we get? Served alongside the
BokaBento, The Bonnington, Jumeirah Lake prepare your festive feast. Gobble, gobble turkey is chestnut and bread stuffing,
Towers, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3560600 glazed chestnuts, buttered broccoli
and carrots, roast baby potatoes, veal
TASTY BIRD chipolata sausages and cranberry sauce.
CHRISTMAS Where? The Palace How many people will it feed? There are

COOKING What do we get? A 6.5kg turkey, roasted

If slaving over a hot stove brings you out in a
cold sweat, then sign up for a masterclass at
MezzaLuna, where you can learn how to make
festive favourites with an Italian twist. You’ll
start off with a hearty breakfast, conquer
cooking three courses, master the perfect
cocktail, and enjoy lunch with the chef.
Dec 18, MezzaLuna, InterContinental Dubai Festival
City, Dubai, 10am to 2pm, Dhs450. Tel: (04) 7011127
RUBEN HERRERA AGUILERA, CHEF,
MAYA BY RICHARD SANDOVAL
"THE FESTIVE SEASON IS ALL ABOUT THE
WHOLE FAMILY COMING TOGETHER TO
COOK TRADITIONAL MEXICAN FOOD
FOR NOCHE BUENA""
MY
PERFECT
CHRISTMAS
potatoes with garlic and rosemary, honey
carrots, Brussels sprouts, apple stuffing and
chipolatas.
How many people will it feed? Eight
Price? Dhs750
The Palace, Old Town, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4287808
BARGAIN BIRD
Where? City Centre Hotel & Residence
What do we get? A 6kg turkey, apple and
chestnut stuffing, Brussels sprouts, roasted
potatoes, carrots, cranberry sauce and
gravy. Order before December 10 and you’ll
get a free 450g Christmas pudding.
How many people will it feed? Eight
Price? Dhs395
City Centre Hotel & Residences, Deira, Dubai.
Tel: (04) 6038600
three sizes of marinated bird, from 5kg for
eight people up to a whopping 10kg for 18
people.
Price? From Dhs440
Le Méridien Dubai, Airport Road, Garhoud,
Dubai. Tel: (04) 7022445
POSH BIRD
Where? The Address Dubai Mall
What do we get? Roasted turkey with
black truffle and goose liver filling,
cranberry and thyme sauce, Brussels
sprouts, Vichy carrots, potatoes and
green beans.
How many people will it feed? Six to
eight, depending on appetites.
Price? Dhs750
The Address Dubai Mall, Old Town, Dubai. Tel:
(04) 4388888

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 53

 MY
PERFECT
CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR

CHEF PAUL LUPTON, RHODES MEZZANINE

"CHRISTMAS IS NEVER JUST ABOUT GIVING
OR RECEIVING PRESENTS, BUT ABOUT
SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS,
DRINKING AND EATING, AND ENJOYING THE
COMPANY OF LOVED ONES"

CHRISTMAS AT
CARLUCCIO’S
If we were casting for the What’s On grotto,
Carluccio would be the man giving out the
presents. He’s jolly. Celebrate Italian-style this
year, with a festive shopping event from 6pm
to 9pm on December 9 where you’ll get 15 per
cent discount, plus canapés and deli nibbles at
both the Mirdif City Centre and Dubai Mall
branches. Children can decorate their own
piece of gingerbread on December 21 from
10am to noon at Carluccio’s in Dubai Mall,
where they’ll get free hot chocolate and wear
their very own apron, just like the big man’s.
Carluccio’s, Dubai Mall, Old Town, Dubai.
Tel: (04) 4341320. Mirdif City Centre, Mirdif,
Dubai. Tel: (04) 2843728
RAINER BECKER, FOUNDER OF ZUMA
TEA PARTY AT
PANTOMIME "I’M VERY TRADITIONAL. I DO A SMOKED
THE PALACE
FAVOURITE
SALMON WITH POTATO RÖSTI, LOTS OF
CAVIAR AND SOUR CREAM, A TRADITIONAL Children can meet Santa and the elves (and
What’s Christmas without a little entertainment? ROASTED GOOSE AND CARAMELISED have a photo taken) at this one of a kind
Aladdin at the Madinat is this year’s hot ticket, tea party, where there’s face painting, story
CHESTNUTS. NO SUSHI FOR CHRISTMAS"
CHRISTMAS
with comedy, dancing and enough ‘he’s behind telling and plenty of sweet treats, finger
you!’ mischief to exhaust the children. sandwiches and a hot buffet. Booking
Dec 22 to Jan 2, Madinat Theatre, Madinat MY recommended.
PERFECT
Jumeirah, Al Sufouh, Dubai, various show CHRISTMAS Dec 18, The Palace, Old Town, Dubai, 3pm
times, Dhs125. Tel: (04) 3666546. to 6pm, Dhs120, free for under-tens.
www.jumeirah.com Tel: (04) 4287852

SINGALONG
THE WITH SANTA
Gather the family around the Christmas

ULTIMATE tree for carol singing with Santa.

Dec 16, Millennium Hotel, Khalifa Street,
Abu Dhabi, 7pm, free. Tel: (02) 6146000

CRACKER Only two – yes really – of these beauties

from Asprey are in Dubai. To be found at
Bloomingdale’s, they might not look so
special, but at Dhs850 per cracker, you can
expect to find something pretty special
inside. You’ll get the standard hat and motto
(no joke though – we suspect sense of
humour might be lacking at Asprey) plus a
sterling silver gift, such as a bracelet, watch,
pen or money clip, making for either a very
extravagant cracker on the dining table, or a
really rather lovely present.
Asprey at Bloomingdale’s, Dubai Mall, Old
Town, Dubai, Dhs850. Tel: (04) 3505333

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 55

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR

ORANGE GLAZED
CARROTS, BRUSSEL
SPROUTS AND PEAR
RED CABBAGE BY

PREPARE THE
RHODES MEZZANINE’S
PAUL LUPTON

PERFECT CHRISTMAS FOR THE CARROTS

INGREDIENTS

DINNER t
t
t
1kg of carrots
250ml orange juice (from carton)
125g castor sugar
Chefs from three of our favourite t Salt
t White pepper
restaurants share their culinary knowledge,
providing you with all the ingredients METHOD
Place orange juice and sugar in a pan, reduce by
for a classic Christmas meal half and put aside for finishing the carrots
Peel the carrots and cut into 1cm discs
Cook carrots in boiling water until tender, drain
and leave to cool to room temperature
Return carrots to pan, add orange juice reduction
and heat before adding salt and white pepper to
serve

FOR THE BRUSSEL SPROUTS

INGREDIENTS
t 800g Brussel sprouts
t 100g almond flakes
t 80g butter

METHOD
Peel off outer leaves and cut a cross in the bottom
stalk of each sprout
Place sprouts in a pan of boiling, salted water and
cook until tender in the middle
Remove from heat, drain, leave to cool in a
container of ice water, drain again and put aside
Melt butter until bubbling, add sprouts and
almonds and sauté until golden

FOR THE CABBAGE

INGREDIENTS
t
One small, red cabbage thinly sliced
t
Three pears, peeled, cored and cut into cubes
TRADITIONAL ROASTED t
One large onion, sliced
POTATOES BY VERRE’S
t
500ml red wine
t
Two tbsp honey
SCOTT PRICE t
Knob of butter
t
Salt and pepper
INGREDIENTS
t Five large potatoes (King Edward, desiree, Marris METHOD
piper) Pre heat oven to 170˚C
t Five tbsp goose fat, Maldon sea salt, black pepper Place all vegetables in a braising pot, season
with salt and pepper, bring to a simmer, cover with
METHOD parchment paper and a lid and cook in the oven for
Pre heat the oven to 190˚C two hours, until syrupy. Check after one hour and, if
Peel and cut the potatoes to your preferred size dry, add water
Place in a lightly salted pan of cold water, slowly
bring to the boil and allow to cook for five minutes
Turn down heat and simmer until the potatoes
start to break at the edges
Drain off the water and return to the pan to dry
on the stove for a couple of minutes
While drying, start warming your goose fat in a
roasting tray until hot enough to fry the potatoes
Season potatoes with salt and pepper; add to the
roasting tray and stir until coated in goose fat
Place tray in the oven and roast for 20 to 30
minutes
Check and stir every five minutes until golden
and crispy

56 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

 CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR

WHAT’S
ON
WISH
LIST
What the team are asking
Santa for this year
Mark, Senior Editor
I love Christmas. Top
of my list would be a
Vivienne Westwood suit,
TURKEY, GRAVY, FOR THE GRAVY
INGREDIENTS
a pair of Technics 1200
AND CHESNUT AND record decks (in silver,
APRICOT STUFFING BY t 500g peeled shallots
t 15g thyme very important, that) a
RIVINGTON GRILL t 8ltrs veal jus subscription to Monocle
t 200g T45 flour and, like the rest of the
FOR THE TURKEY t 200g Lurpak butter world, an iPad. Although
INGREDIENTS
t Free range 4kg turkey METHOD
I’ll be more than happy with the
t Salt and pepper Sweat down shallots and thyme in butter normal Sunderland AFC home shirt,
t 175g unsalted butter Make a roux with butter and flour, add fat from aftershave and socks that I always
t Muslin roasting tray get... Merry Christmas!
Add veal jus, simmer and cook out the roux
METHOD
Helen, Deputy Editor
Pre heat oven to 180˚C, place turkey in roasting FOR THE STUFFING
tin, season with salt and pepper and massage the INGREDIENTS
If a new motor is out of the
seasoning into the skin t
One small onion, peeled and chopped question (the Pajero mockery
Melt butter in a large pan, fold muslin in four and t
25g butter must stop in 2011), I’m
lower into the pan until it soaks up all the melted t
125g dried apricots, roughly chopped jumping on the bandwagon
butter t
4450g sausage meat and requesting an iPad –
Lay the muslin over the turkey, completely t
Grated zest and two tbsp lemon juice despite suspecting I have no
covering the breast and upper thighs t
225g cooked chestnuts, roughly chopped
actual use for it. Much more
Pour 300ml of water into the roasting tin, place t
50g brown bread crumbs
practical, however, would be
into the oven and cook for three hours and 20 t
Two egg yolks
minutes, basting the bird every 30 minutes with pan t
Pinch of salt and pepper new sunnies and I’ve got my (squinting)
juices eyes on a pair of skull detail Alexander
Pierce the thickest part of the bird with a skewer. METHOD McQueen aviators to pay tribute to the
If the juices run clear, it’s done. If it’s pink, place back Fry onion in butter until soft and golden, then set big man. If all that is out of budget, I’d
into the oven until done aside to cook slightly
Transfer to a large serving dish, discard the muslin Place remaining ingredients in a bowl, mix well
be happy with a packet of Percy Pigs
and leave to rest for 30 minutes. Cover with foil to using your hands to knead. Use to stuff turkey or from M&S and some running socks, to
prevent the meat going cold cook separately be honest.

Gareth, Features Editor

Rumour has it I might be unwrapping
an iPhone, if I’m a really good boy.
But I’m planning on giving up digital
cameras and re-embracing
film, so I’d also like a Pentax
SLR film camera to sit
alongside the Polaroid I got
for my birthday and the 1950s
Kodak Brownie 127 I picked up for
my more visually appealing other half in
Venice. I’d also like a partridge in a pear
tree, dinner with an elf and a ride on
FC’s sled.

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 57

 MY
PERFECT
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR
CHRISTMAS

JOHN SINJOBI, CHEF, INDEGO BY VINEET

"II ALWAYS TRY AND CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS
BY COOKING SOME OF MY FAVOURITE DISHES
SUCH AS APPAM WITH CHICKEN STEW AND
CHRISTMAS PLUM CAKE"

SWEET STUFF FREE LIMO

Dentists should be on call this December; the
Grand Lobby at the Beach Rotana is packed
with enough treats to keep them busy until
summer. Expect traditional favourites like
puddings and pies, plus a giant gingerbread
house.
From Dec 5, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi,
Tourist Club Area, Abu Dhabi.
Tel: (02) 6979000
Book a table for four in Ember on
Christmas Eve and you’ll arrive in style
in a limo, free of charge. Ember is also
offering an hour of free babysitting so you
can enjoy the chateau briand, bubbles and
live music without naughty nippers.
Ember, The Address Dubai Mall, Dubai,
Dhs650 per couple including house
beverages. Tel: (04) 4387888.

PARTY TIME
www.theaddress.com

Dubai’s Sheraton hotel is throwing the

ultimate party for children this year, with a
visit from Santa (with a surprise promised),
Mr Magician performing, a special buffet and
bouncy castle.
Dec 10, Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort &
Towers, JBR, Dubai, 4pm to 7pm, Dhs100. Tel:
(04) 3153218
KICK-START
DESERT
DINNER
Blend Middle East and West at Bab Al
Shams. Arabian restaurant Al Forsan is
serving up a festive buffet, complete with
oud player, traditional entertainment and,
of course, a visit from Santa.
Al Forsan, Bab Al Shams, Dubai, Dhs210

CHRISTMAS
It can be hard to get into the Christmas
spirit when it’s 30 degrees outside, but if
this festive day doesn’t help then your only
hope is a flight to Lapland. Children can
decorate their own gingerbread house,
Santa will pay a visit, the Christmas Tree
will be lit, a choir will be singing and you
can tuck into mulled wine, eggnog and
mince pies. Prepare to feel Christmassy.
Dec 15, Sheraton, Abu Dhabi, from 4pm,
Dhs50, Dhs95 for children. Tel: (02) 6970224
including soft drinks, Dhs90 for children age
five to 12. Tel: (04) 8096194
BRUNCH BY
SINGING ON BURJ KHALIFA
SHEIKH ZAYED Make this one to remember. Fazaris is
ROAD hosting a brunch with alfresco dining,
views of Burj Khalifa, international dishes
The Shangri-La’s lobby should bring some and entertainment so you can eat, drink
cheer on the night before Christmas with and be merry.
old-fashioned carols and contemporary Fazaris, The Address Downtown Dubai, Old
seasonal favourites performed by their Town, Dubai, Dhs325 including soft drinks
choir. Santa will be stopping by at 7.15pm. or Dhs475 including house beverages and
Shangri-La Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, a glass of bubbly, 12.30pm to 4pm. Tel: (04)
7pm, free. Tel: (04) 4052703 4368799

MEXICAN
MAYHEM
Superstar chef Richard Sandoval brings
you a Mexican sharing feast to remember
this Christmas Eve. Live music from
The Bottom Line and a dip in the pool
are included. Bet you wouldn’t do that
at home – unless you’re from Mexico, in
which case, feliz navidad, amigo.
Maya, Le Royal Méridien, Dubai Marina,
Dubai, Dhs300 including pool and beach
access. Tel: (04) 3165550
DOWNTOWN
BUFFET
A celebratory spread awaits at The
Conservatory in Al Manzil on the night
before Christmas. All-time favourite
dishes will grace the straining buffet tables,
with five hours of eating on offer at this
Old Town eatery. Denim or constraining
clothing not recommended.
The Conservatory, Al Manzil, Old Town, Dubai,
6.30pm to 11.30pm, Dhs195 including soft
drinks, Dhs275 including house beverages or
Dhs375 including bubbly. Tel: (04) 4285888

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 59

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR
CRACKERS: TESTED
Which Christmas crackers went off with a bang?
BEST LUXURY
1) TOM SMITH DELUXE
CRACKERS
What’s On says: These rather lovely looking
crackers promptly covered us in glitter
(which remained for the next two days),
but we’ll forgive them for the high quality
gold crowns, gifts including an iPod case,
cufflinks and jewellery box, and booming
bang. A luxury choice for a fancy festive day.
Dhs190 for six from Spinneys
2) MINI RED CRACKERS WITH
GAMES
What’s On says: While they’re pretty
expensive given their number and size, you
also get a box of three mini games (Trivia,
What’s My Word?, and Buzz Words) so the fun
CHRISTMAS
BARBECUE
Poolside favourite Cabana is firing up
the barbie on the 25th, so if you’re tired
of turkey and sick of sprouts you can
seek refuge with Aussie-style grills and
complimentary pool access.
Cabana, The Address Dubai Mall, Dubai, Dhs195
per person include soft drinks or Dhs350 per
person including house beverages.
Tel: (04) 4387888. www.theaddress.com
MICHELIN
MENU
Scott Price, What’s On’s chef of the year,
has devised a four-course
lunch, including Gordon
AWARD Ramsay’s signature
WINNER sage, apple and chestnut
stuffing, Verre’s roast
potatoes and traditional turkey. See
page 56 for some expert cooking
tips from Scott.Hilton Dubai Creek, Deira,
Dubai, Dhs495. Tel: (04) 3182111
OLIVIER BILES, HEAD CHEF, REFLETS PAR PIERRE GAGNAIRE
"I’VE
I’VE NOT BEEN AS EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS TO COME SINCE I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD, AS THIS YEAR WILL BE THE FIRST THAT MY
THREEYEAROLD SON WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON AND ENJOY HIMSELF AS MUCH AS I USED TO"
60 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
lasts long after the bang. Perfect for families
who don’t like each other, these should fill the
long, awkward silences of Christmas Day.
Dhs100 for six from Marks & Spencer
3) LUXURY CRACKERS
What’s On says: Poor quality hat, but a joke
AND a brain teaser saved it for Debenhams, not
to mention some nice little novelties like mini
make-up brushes, folding scissors and a photo
frame. A very good price for 12 very good
looking crackers.
Dhs150 for 12 from Debenhams
BEST OVERALL
4) WHO AM I? CRACKERS
What’s On says: Akin to that game where
you write the name of a famous person on
a Post-It and stick it on your head, this
is a (alarmingly fun) Christmas version
involving antler headbands. Goodies
include colouring pencils, playing cards
and an eggcup, all revealed with a very
satisfying snap.
Dhs125 for 12 from Marks & Spencer
BEST FOR FAMILIES
5) FAMILY CRACKERS
What’s On says: Whoopee cushions and
those 'magic' red fish that predict the
future? Our kind of crackers! Aimed squarely
at children, the colourful hats, trivia and
jokes ("what is white, lives at the North Pole
and runs around naked? A polar bare") will
keep you amused, too.
Dhs125 for 12 from Debenhams
SEE SANTA ON A
JET SKI
As far from log fires and the Queen’s
speech as you can get, kick back on the
white sands of Nasimi beach, where
you can enjoy a beach barbecue for
lunch then watch Santa zip past on his
traditional jet ski and ‘reindeers’. We
might just go out of sheer curiosity.
Nasimi Beach, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, Dhs295.
Tel: (04) 4261001
BARGAIN
BELGIAN
The Belgian Café is closed for Christmas
lunch but is serving up a wallet-friendly
three-course set menu in the evening.
Expect a mix of Belgian dishes and
seasonal favourites, all washed down
with a wide selection of beers from the
drinks list.
Belgian Café, InterContinental Abu Dhabi,
Dhs175. Tel: (02) 666688
MY
PERFECT
CHRISTMAS
.
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CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR
SEAFOOD
SPECIAL
Pierchic’s romantic setting and fine fish fare
is a winner year-round, but offers a welcome
change from turkey and the trimmings this
Christmas. And included in the set menu is
half a bottle of champagne and free flowing
house beverages. Merry Christmas indeed.
Pierchic, Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouh, Dubai,
Dhs650. Tel: (04) 3666730
ITALIAN FEAST
Gather the family for an Italian-style Christmas
dinner at Sevilo’s. There’s a huge six-course menu,
complete with turkey, trimmings, unlimited wine
and beer included. Santa will be there with gifts, too.
Sevilo’s Italian Restaurant, Millennium Hotel,
Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi, Dhs225, Dhs110 for
children. Tel: (02) 6146000
CHAMPAGNE
AND FINE
DINING
Gary Rhodes’ Dubai outpost is serving Christmas
in its signature flair. A four-course menu created
by the man himself is guaranteed to set the bar for
years to come, with a glass of champagne on the
terrace at sunset and even a gift to take home.
Rhodes Mezzanine, Grosvenor House, Dubai
BARGAIN
Marina, Dubai, Dhs1250. Tel: (04) 3176000
DINNER FOR GOURMET AT
UNDER DHS100 THE ONE
Vista has two choices for the big day; slow
roasted poussin with all the trimmings for
Dhs95 per head, or roast beef with horseradish
mash, green beans and red wine jus for Dhs130.
Vista, Holiday Inn Express, Internet City, Dubai.
Tel: (04) 4275500
LIVE COOKING
STATIONS
Fill your boots at Jing Asia on the 25th, where
you’ll find international cuisines, live cooking
and festive favourites until midnight.
Crowne Plaza, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Dhs160,
7pm to midnight. Tel: (02) 6563000
MOUNSSEF OUAHDANI, HEAD CHEF,
BISTRO MADELEINE
"THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS IS ONE SPENT
WITH FAMILY IN FRANCE. WITH COLD
WEATHER, SNOW COVERED LANDSCAPES,
AND CHILDREN PLAYING BY THE OPEN FIRE
IN THE LIVING ROOM"
MY
PERFECT
CHRISTMAS
62 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
BUSSOLA ON
THE BEACH
Dine alfresco at Bussola this year, either
downstairs for the five-course set menu
(Dhs330 and Dhs165 for children) or upstairs
for a la carte pizza.
Bussola, The Westin, Dubai Marina, Dubai.
Tel: (04) 5117139
The One has created a special Christmas
menu featuring ‘seasonal starters’, ‘magical
mains’ and ‘festive finales’ with dishes like
turkey with the trimmings, salmon stack and
eggnog and pecan cheesecake. Two courses
will set you back a mere Dhs64, or go for the
full three courses for Dhs79. You’ll even get a
coffee for free.
Until Dec 30, The One, Khalidiya Theatre, Abu
Dhabi. Tel: (02) 6811900
TRIED AND
TESTED AT
RIVINGTON
GRILL
Winner of Favourite European at this
year’s What’s On Awards,
Rivington Grill is a
AWARD fantastic choice for top
WINNER British fare this Christmas.
The team is serving up a
set four-course menu from noon to 5pm
(Dhs350) using their usual outstanding
seasonal produce, such as Severn and
Wye smoked salmon, ‘Kelly Bronze’
roasted turkey and chestnut stuffing with
all the trimmings, your favourite puds
and a winning cheeseboard. The Riv will
also allow their loyal customers to go
a la carte, choosing much-loved dishes
(including a roast for traditionalists) as
they can on any other day.
Rivington Grill, Souk al Bahar, Old Town, Dubai.
Tel: (04) 4230903
BARASTI
BARBECUE
A solid pick for Dubai’s party people on the
big day, Barasti is serving an
a la carte menu throughout
AWARD Christmas Day then a
WINNER barbecue from 6pm. Live
music from Emanuel and
Stompers, plus DJs later on should get you
in the spirit. Failing that, there’s always the
frozen cocktails.
Barasti, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort &
Marina, Dubai Marina, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3181398
NYC STYLE
Manhattan Grill will transport you and
your clan to the big apple with its four-
course menu (available for both lunch
and dinner) packed with meaty cuts and a
fantastic selection of wines to complement
your yuletide meal.
Manhattan Grill, Grand Hyatt Dubai, Oud Metha,
Dubai, 12.30pm to 3pm and 7pm to 11.30pm,
Dhs350 per person including soft drinks.
Tel: (04) 3171234
 Season’s greetings

Mall of the Emirates: 04 341 4844 - Deira City Center: 04 295 8404 - Burjuman: 04 351 7009 - Mercato: 04 349 9115
Wafi City: 04 327 9669 - JBR - The Walk: 04 437 6494 - Mirdif City Center: Tel. 04 284 3223 - Dubai Int’l Airport - T3: 04 220 3360
 CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR

From yachts and luxury

hotel packages to six-course
meals and superstar DJs,
we’ve rounded up the best
ways to spend New Year’s
Eve 2010

PAUL VAN DYK

The Grammy Award-winning superstar DJ
clearly likes Dubai. He makes a return for a
New Year’s Eve party at Dubai World Trade
Centre that will also include vocalists,
dancers and acrobats. Cool.
Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, Dhs200 to
Dhs350. Tel: (04) 3326345. www.peppermint-
experience.com

360˚
OK, so charging an eponymous entry
fee doesn’t excuse the fact that you gain
nothing but entry for your money, but 360˚
is all about location. You’re sitting over
the waters of the Arabian Gulf, sipping
cocktails – the ideal way to celebrate
another year spent in the city of bling.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Al Sufouh, Dubai, from
9pm, Dhs360. Tel: (04) 4068999.
www.jumeirah.com PEARLS & CAVIAR

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 65


SKYLITE
Free? Yep, that’s right, the Must Have Soul
lads are not going to charge a fil for their
New Year’s extravaganza at The Yas Hotel.
And they’re promising a ‘secret special
guest DJ’. There must be a catch? No? OK,
then – we’ll be there.
The Yas Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 4pm
to 2am, free. Tel: (050) 1249640. www.
musthavesoul.com
ARMANI/PRIVE
You only receive one glass of champagne
for your Dhs500, but we’re sure Prive didn’t
name this night ‘Mysterious Seduction of
Dark Passion’ just for giggles. All we know
is that it will involve resident DJs, a visual
show and a special menu.
Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa, Dubai, Dhs500.
Tel: (04) 8883308. www.dubai.armanihotels.com
ATELIER
Six Defected DJs, including ATFC, Copyright,
M People’s Shovel, Miss Divine and Andy
Daniell, and a possible 2,000 people sounds
like a recipe for a pretty decent New Year’s
party at Dubai’s newest club.
Emirates Towers, Dubai, Dhs250 to Dhs450.
Tel: (050) 5655427
SPECTRUM ON
ONE
Spectrum On One is offering all the elements Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, 8pm
of its popular brunch package, with a few
added luxury extras. Cosmopolitan cooking
stations, endless Moet & Chandon, plus
caviar and foie gras should allow you to
sashay into 2011 in style.
Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 8pm
to 12.30am, Dhs795. Tel: (04) 3118316.
www.fairmont.com
ARMANI HOTEL
DUBAI
It may seem a little bit pricey, but if you
really want to impress your better half
you get quite a lot for your hard-earned
loot, including an Armani Classic Suite,
breakfast, 32 Italian Armani chocolates, 30-
minute spa treatments and dinner for two
at Armani/Mediterraneo. If that doesn’t
impress her (or him) nothing will.
Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa, Dubai,
Dhs4,480. Tel: (04) 8883999. www.dubai.
armanihotels.com
360°
PEARLS &
CAVIAR
There’s no more stylish way to celebrate
than with a Masquerade Gala Dinner. A
champagne reception, oyster bar, five-course
menu with wine pairings and fireworks over
the water with a view of the Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque.
to 3am, Dhs1,100. Tel: (02) 5098777.
www.shangri-la.com
THE
OBSERVATORY
Look down on everyone else’s celebrations
from the 52nd floor of the Marriott Harbour
Hotel, where you should be able to see all
the fireworks in Dubai as you enjoy bubbly,
beverage carts, buffet and a DJ until 2am.
Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai
Marina, Dubai, 8pm to 2am, Dhs1,000. Tel: (04)
3194000. www.marriott.com
AL MANSOUR
DHOW
Spend the early part of the evening focused
on more pressing concerns and eat late at the
international buffet while sipping half a bottle
of red or white wine and a creek cruise. Not a
bad way to see in the New Year.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, Dubai,
9.30pm to 12.30am, Dhs549. Tel: (04) 2057033
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR
THE YACHT
CLUB
The Hot List favourite is offering a set
menu with champagne and selected spirits
for Dhs795, house beverages and canapés
for Dhs495 or just Dhs150 entry. And
everyone can enjoy the DJs, singer Lee
Fields and a dance show.
InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Bainouna Street,
Abu Dhabi, Dhs150 to Dhs795. Tel: (02) 6666888.
www.ichotelsgroup.com
BICE
Start off the evening with a five-course
Italian meal before moving on to your party
of choice. You should never celebrate on an
empty stomach, after all.
Hilton Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, Dhs450.
Tel: (02) 6924993. www.hilton.com/Abu-Dhabi
ZENITH
It’s Arabic Night at Zenith this New Year’s
Eve. DJ Shady spins Arabic beats, there’s a
belly dancer and your drinks are included in
the price. Tables can be booked for Dhs2,000
to Dhs3,500.
Zenith, Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Abu
Dhabi, Dhs400, ladies Dhs200. Tel: (02) 6773333
VISTA ROOFTOP
BAR &
RESTAURANT
Four courses, wine and beer and fireworks
all for Dhs550. Not a bad deal, really, is it?
Express by Holiday Inn Dubai Knowledge Village,
Tecom, Dubai Media City, Dubai, Dhs550.
Tel: (04) 4275500. www.hiexpress.com
BARASTI
It’s Barasti as usual but it just so happens
to be New Year’s Eve. Bands, big DJs and
just Dhs150 for a standard ticket bought in
advance, including a food voucher. A table
for four with a bottle of bubbly and tapas is
Dhs3,500, a table for ten in the VIP lounge
with drinks is Dhs5,000 and the upper
deck will set you back Dhs1,500 per person
including buffet and a bottle of champagne.
Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Resort & Spa, Dubai
Marina, Dubai, 7pm to 3am, Dhs150 to Dhs5,000.
Tel: (04) 3993333.
www.lemeridienminaseyahi.com
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 67
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR
THE IRISH
VILLAGE
The classic Dubai expat New Year’s Eve.
Cheap entry, a buffet, music, midnight
fireworks and a traditional pub atmosphere.
Those who fail to plan always end up at the
IV, which is why most of them failed to plan
in the first place.
The Aviation Club, Garhoud, Dubai, Dhs250 to
300. Tel: (04) 2824750. www.irishvillage.ae
ASADO
Winner of the Best Americas prize at this
month’s What’s On Awards, there is no
more inviting restaurant in Dubai. For your
dirhams you get a four-course grill menu, an
Argentinean band and access to the late night
party at Ewaan afterwards.
The Palace, Old Town, Dubai, from 7pm, Dhs700.
Tel: (04) 4287808. www.theaddress.com
DUBAI MARINA
YACHT CLUB
The timing of this cruise will allow you and
your pals to enjoy a pleasant meal or start
the evening off with a pub session before
embarking on a cruise at 11pm, in plenty of
time to celebrate the chiming of the clock
at midnight. A glass of fizz and canapés are
included in the price.
Dubai Marina Yacht Club, Dubai Marina, Dubai,
11pm to 2am, eight to ten people Dhs7,500.
Tel: (04) 3627900.
www.dubaimarinayachtclub.com
EMBER GRILL
AND LOUNGE
Wow your other half with a romantic
evening for two at Ember, including a four-
course dinner and a saxophonist.
The Address Dubai Mall, Dubai, Dhs799 per
couple. Tel: (04) 4388010. www.theaddress.com
VERRE
If you fancy taking it easy this year, you
could do worse than dinner at celeb chef
Gordon Ramsay’s Dubai restaurant, where
What’s On Chef of the Year Scott Price is
serving up a Dhs695 six-course menu.
Hilton Dubai Creek, Dubai, Dhs695.
Tel: (04) 2277550. www.gordonramsay.com
CHECK OUT OUR CLUB DIARY FOR
FULL NEW YEAR’S EVE CLUB LISTINGS, P126
68 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
SHUJA YACHT
Just Dhs300 to celebrate the arrival of 2011
aboard a Yacht? We’re in. The package
includes buffet dinner, a cocktail, belly
dancer, live music and, of course, a cruise
along the coast of Abu Dhabi.
Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa
Street, Abu Dhabi, Dhs300. Tel: (02) 6742020.
www.leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com
IKANDY
Half a bottle of champagne, house
beverages, numerous nibbles and Pacha,
Ibiza resident DJ Greg Sahara. If you don’t
want to suffer the taxi home, why not book
a suite with breakfast for Dhs2,011.
Shangri-La Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai,
from 7pm, Dhs590. Tel: (04) 4052703.
www.shangri-la.com
STILLS
Everybody’s favourite Yas Island bar is one
of the cheaper options for December 31,
providing a New Year’s Eve set menu, a DJ
and it’s usual laid-back style.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Abu
Dhabi, from 7pm, Dhs175. Tel: (02) 6563000.
www.crowneplaza.com
THE IRISH VILLAGE
TAMANYA
TERRACE
You only receive one drink (a glass of fizz at
midnight), but for Dhs150 the tiny Tamanya
Terrace offers a DJ and some decent views.
Intimate and, most importantly, cheap.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City, from 8pm,
Dhs150. Tel: (04) 3669111. www.radissonblu.com
RHODES
MEZZANINE
A five-course menu designed by our pal Gary,
plus wine pairings, a glass of fizz as the clock
strikes 2011 and house beverages at Buddha
Bar and Gallery Bar for the after party.
Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, Dubai,
Dhs1,900. Tel: (04) 3998888.
www.grosvenorhouse-dubai.com
DINNER UNDER
THE STARS
Atlantis’ infamous beach is keeping it
relatively low-key with a sophisticated affair
offering a poolside aperitif, live cooking
stations, DJ and a fireworks display. OK, so
it’s not that low-key.
Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, Dhs1,875 to Dhs2,500.
Tel: (04) 4261000. www.atlantisthepalm.com
DHOW AND
ANCHOR
Whoever came up with the idea of combining
the excitement of New Year’s Eve with an
Agatha Christie murder mystery theme
obviously knows what our idea of a good time
is. There’s also a BBQ buffet, house beverages,
half a bottle of champers, a jazz band and
fireworks at midnight.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, 7pm to 1am,
Dhs990. Tel: (04) 4068999. www.jumeirah.com
RHODES MEZZANINE
 Where all your
wishes come true

Raffles Celebrations
Brimming with festive cheer, all our restaurants and bars have an exciting choice of
Christmas and New Year celebrations for you and your family to enjoy. You can also
stay in luxury amidst the enthralling festivities, on special seasonal packages. If you
need inspiration for festive presents, our ‘Gift of Living Well’ customised spa packages,
stocking fillers or gift certificates are great ways to show how much you care.

To make your booking, please call +971 4 324 8888 or email bookus.dubai@raffles.com

www.raffles.com/dubai
 FILM
TRON: Legacy
TRON: Legacy
WHO? Jeff Bridges, Michael Sheen,
Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde,
Bruce Boxleitner, Joseph
Kosinski (director)
TAGLINE ‘The game has changed’
ONCE UPON A TIME... In a virtual world, a drone worker
plotted to override the master
control program.
IDEAL IF YOU’RE IN THE Revisit that wonderful time in
MOOD TO... the early 1980s when anything
computer related felt impossibly
exotic and exciting.
WATCH THIS IF YOU The original Tron, naturally. And
LIKE... unless you’re one of those odd
people who doesn’t like Jeff Bridges,
there’s at least one terrific reason for
making space for this in your diary.
TOP TRIVIA Garrett Hedlund (Troy) was in
competition with Ryan Gosling
(Half Nelson) and Chris Pine (Star
Trek) for the role of Sam Wise.
WHAT’S ON TEN WORD The computer age is about to
REVIEW experience a reboot.
RATE OR SLATE? PREVIEW
70 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
127 Hours
127 Hours
James Franco, Kate Mara,
Amber Tamblyn, Treat Williams,
Kate Burton, Danny Boyle
(writer-director)
‘Every second counts’
Mountaineer Aron Ralston
(Franco) paid a visit to remote
part of Utah... and found himself
trapped under a boulder with
little hope of survival.
Experience the sort of true story
that would be dismissed out of
hand if it had been dreamt up by
a Hollywood screenwriter.
Epic, against all odds survival
stories such as Touching The Void.
After attending the picture’s
premiere at the Toronto Film
Festival, the real Aron Ralston was
so overcome with emotion he had
to be helped from the cinema.
Danny Boyle has somehow
managed to top Slumdog Millionaire. was a classic.
★★★★★
The Chronicles Of
Narnia: The Voyage
Of The Dawn Treader
Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes,
Georgie Henley, Will Poulter,
Liam Neeson, Michael Apted
(director)
‘Return to magic. Return to hope.
Return to Narnia’
Lucy and Edmund Pevensie
(Henley and Keynes) returned to
Narnia to travel with the newly
crowned King Caspian (Barnes)
to the very end of the world.
Revisit a more innocent age of
fantasy cinema where nobody’s
too nasty and everything’s
resolved in time for tea.
The earlier Narnia movies and
similarly themed fantasy pictures
such as Willow and The Never
Ending Story.
Voiced by Eddie Izzard in Prince
Caspian, swashbuckling mouse
Reepicheep is here performed by
Simon Pegg.
We’d be lion if we said it
★★★✩✩

The King's Speech
Monsters
Whitney Able, Scoot McNairy,
Gareth Edwards (writer-
director)
‘Now it’s our turn to adapt’
While on assignment in South
America, photojournalist Andrew
Kaulder (McNairy) agrees to
escort tourist Samantha Wynden
(Able) back to the US – a task
that would be far simpler if they
didn’t have to cross the ominously
monikered Infected Zone.
See a science-fiction film where
the special effects play second
fiddle to strong storytelling and
spine-tingling suspense.
Equally intelligent genre
offerings like Neill Blomkamp’s
District Nine.
Monsters was made for a mere
$200,000. By comparison, James
Cameron’s Avatar was budgeted
at over $230 million.
The evolution of sci-fi cinema
continues at a pleasing pace.
★★★★✩
Megamind
The King’s
Speech
Colin Firth, Helena Bonham
Carter, Geoffrey Rush, Guy
Pearce, Michael Gambon, Tom
Hooper (director)
‘From the director of The Damned
United’
The abdication of Edward VIII
(Pearce) left the painfully shy
George VI (Firth) to cope with
both a kingdom and a crippling
speech impediment.
Catch the sort of film Merchant
Ivory might make if a) they
weren’t so in thrall to EM Forster, content with a decent dash of salt.
and b) they hadn’t both been dead
for ages.
Classy royalist dramas such as The The recent Despicable Me which
Madness Of King George and The
Queen.
This is the second time Michael
Gambon has essayed George V:
he previously played the part in
the TV drama The Lost Prince.
Forget The King’s Speech: Firth
should prepare an Oscar speech.
★★★★✩
Megamind
Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey,
Jonah Hill, Ben Stiller, Tom
McGrath (director)
‘What if the bad guy won?’
Super villain Megamind (Ferrell)
defeated the heroic Metro Man
(Pitt), only to discover that life
without a nemesis is pointless
rather than pleasurable.
See an animated movie that isn’t
afraid to balance out its sugar
also depicted events from the
evildoer’s point of view.
Tom McGrath wanted to call
the film Mastermind but was
forbidden from doing so by the
manufacturers of the once-
popular board game.
Perfectly serviceable, but Pixar do
this stuff so much better.
★★★✩✩
FILM | NEW RELEASES
Gulliver’s
Travels
Jack Black, Emily Blunt,
Jason Segel, Amanda Peet,
Billy Connolly, Rob Letterman
(director)
‘Something big is going down’
Travel journalist Lemuel
Gulliver (Black) set off for
Bermuda only to find himself
stranded in Liliput, a place
where he dwarves the locals by a
good six feet.
See what happens when the
arch satire of Jonathan Swift
is blended with the Frat Pack
comedy stylings of Jack Black.
Fair-to-middling Black-
xploitation pictures like
Year One, Nacho Libre and
Shallow Hal.
Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears
Prada) turned down a leading
role in Iron Man 2 to star in
Gulliver’s Travels.
You will be entertained. Jonathan
Swift would be appalled.
★★★✩✩
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 71
 WIN
BIG THIS

Win with What’s On

CHRISTMAS!

WIN! DINNER
FOR FOUR AT
QAMARDEEN
HOTEL
Still not full of mince pies and chocolates
from your advent calendar? You and
three friends can win a delectable Italian
four-course dinner, including a bottle of
Prosecco, that will have you celebrating
the festive season in style. Indulge in
the gastronomic delights of Italy at Esca
Restaurant, the elegant dining destination
at Southern Sun Qamardeen Hotel. You’ll
find a dinner buffet, a la carte menu in
elegant interiors, state-of-the-art oven that
serves baked bread and pizza in a variety
of flavours, and an array of delicious salads
and desserts, so get ready for a generous
helping of Italian hospitality. For your
chance to win, tell us…
What cheese is normally used on
a pizza?
a) feta
b) stilton
c) mozzarella
ON
CLICHKMOTIVATE.CDOS
M
IT A
ND LO
WIN! A FESTIVE TEA AND SPA DAY TO
.WINW
WWW TER THIS A ITIONS
EN
COMPET

FOR TWO AT THE PALACE MORE

Unwind from the Christmas shopping then get in the mood with this seasonal
sensation from The Palace. You and a friend will enjoy the 60-minute Spa Wonder
treatment, followed by a four-hour festive tea (think mince pies, Yule log, apple
cinnamon crumble and scones). For your chance to win this lovely day, simply
tell us:
Which fruit will you find in mince pies?
a) Pineapple
b) Raisins
c) Mango

72 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

makeitmerrier

Celebrations are in double measure at the Village. Loads of

fun, food and festive fare for young and old. All the way from
a scintillating Xmas setting to a promising New Year dawn.

Xmas Starburst & Xmas Bazaar

Christmas lights smile on 1st December with the opening of the
Xmas Bazaar. It’s entertainment unlimited with Santa’s gifts for kids,
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info.thevillage@onetoonehotels.com onetoonehotels.com GPS coordinates +24° 28' 31.11", +54° 23' 16.84"
EATING OUT
Firstly, we’d like to congratulate all the winners
in this year’s What’s On Awards, including Zuma,
for their Restaurant Of The Year prize, and Verre’s
Scott Price, who scooped our Chef Of The Year
trophy, in what was a magnificent awards
ceremony last month. Well done all of you.
OK, down to December business. It’s that time
of year again – the festive season. And you
know what that means, don’t you? Food, and
lots of it. Golden turkey, fat roast goose, chestnuts roasting on
an open fire, brandy soaked Christmas pudding, oven fresh
mince pies – and all of it guilt free. You can feed your face
for the entire month until your New Year’s resolutions kick in
January 1 (or, if you’re us, January 2). To help you on your way,
we drank greedily from the overflowing cup of seasonal spirit
and asked three of our best chef pals to show you how to
prepare the perfect festive feast up front (p56). Also in Eating
Out this month, we trumpet the arrival of Mezlai, a new Emirati
restaurant at Emirates Palace (p76), enjoy an exclusive tasting
of Bice’s tenth anniversary menu (p79), join Italian chef Giorgio
Locatelli for a catch up (p81) and dine like Ibn Battuta at Mistral
(p82). Plus our verdict on MezzaLuna (p85), The Critic on celeb
chefs (p86) and Pierre Gagnaire on Reflet’s lunch menu (p87).
Merry Christmas, a happy New Year and good eating to you all.

Gareth Rees, Features Editor

LOCATELLI

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 75

 EATING OUT
Mezlai
The region’s first '100
per cent' Emirati
restaurant opens
You may have lived on these desert
shores for a few years now, perhaps
know the odd Arabic word and
can comfortably navigate your
way around the menu at your local
Lebanese when guests are in town
(“Manakish is just like cheesy bread,
mum, you’ll like it”), but you haven’t
scratched the surface yet, young ‘un.
Your favourite platter of fattoush
and hummus might be delicious,
but it’s not as local as you think
(sorry, Al Mallah, old late-night
friend). And for a taste of truly
Emirati cuisine you might need
to step out of your comfort zone a
little, as we found at Mezlai.
Claiming to be the first Emirati
restaurant in the UAE – and to be
fair, we can’t think of any others –
Mezlai has tapped into a market
others have foolishly ignored;
offering authentic cuisine to Abu
Dhabi dwellers and tempting
tourists with the promise of a once
in a lifetime dining experience.
Where they cleverly strike the
balance is boasting unusual items
alongside the faintly familiar,
although we would advise
against their listing Kraft cheese
as an ingredient. You can take
familiarity too far.
They could have gone all out
on the décor (camels and the
like), but instead you’ll find two
distinct dining areas; one near the
open kitchen and another tucked
around the corner with more
luxurious seating and alcoves for
private dining, where Emirati
customers were feasting behind
silk curtains. Rather than a cheesy
theme, the result is an elegant
space with double height ceilings,
huge lanterns and warm colours,
and the promise of the terrace
opening soon.
Food-wise, the easiest option
might have been to go for a set
menu (there are two, priced at
Dhs380 and Dhs550 per head
depending on how elasticised your
76 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
trousers are) and if dining with a
large group this is definitely the
way to go, with a tableful of dishes
to sample. However, there were a
few items on the a la carte menu
that caught our eye, so we decided
to go off-piste and share – a
decision we wouldn’t regret.
Your meal, of course, starts with
bread, a staple in Emirati cuisine. A
basket of paper thin rgag came to
the table with three dips, including
a piquant sundried tomato with
almond combo, swiftly followed by
rgag zataar. A million miles from
the 3am stodge you might have
tried, the near-transparent crepe-
like rgag was light, delicate and
served with honey and cheese to
nicely off-set the spice.
Next, the shark veloute. That’s
right, Jaws soup. Small, pale cubes
dripping in a fragrant, warming
oil that cried out to be mopped up
with bread.
While there are some dishes
you might recognise, such as
chicken biriyani, on offer steel
yourself and stay local, with
UAE raised lamb slow simmered
for 18 hours, local seafood and
mixed grills all coming out of the
kitchen with fanfare. We opted
for the Omani lobster, served
with saffron rice and three types
of mayonnaise, although it didn’t
need them. Served in its shell, with
juicy chunks of meat brilliantly
seasoned and topped with cheese,
it was faultless.
While our fellow diners were
clearly in it for the long-haul, with
plate after plate brought to their
tables, we ordered a ginger ale and
lime mocktail and called it a night,
despite the siren song of the carb
and cream heavy dessert list.
The well-planned menu,
charming staff and sedate
surrounds might jar with your
usual Friday night Arabic feast,
but Mezlai has created a tribute to
the cuisine, a place where you can
sample dishes like nothing else,
and truly tap into food from this
part of the world. And not a plastic
chair in sight.
of fish arrived in a bowl, and were
promptly covered with a veloute
of cream, garlic and saffron, then Need to know
topped with a mussel. While the
chef was obviously aware of not Location: Emirates Palace,
drowning the mild flavour of our Abu Dhabi.
finned friend, the soup could Tel: (02) 6907999
have used a little more seasoning Web: www.emiratespalace.com
and risked swimming into bland Open: daily 7pm to 11pm
waters. Luckily the next dish was Cuisine: Emirati
far from flavourless, a plate of Must eat: homemade lamb
homemade lamb sausages. Dark sausages
and dense, they were packed Bill for two: Dhs400 (without
with peppery punch, covered in alcohol)
tomato and caramelized onion and
In tweet form… Upmarket Arabic fare that
might educate but never shock. Go with
a group, ask for recommendations and
follow me
prepare to be impressed. Follow us at
WhatsOnDubai and WhatsOnAbuDhabi
 At your leisure
Abu Dhabi Golf Club,
serving up the best in quality entertainment
and leisurely dining options.
ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI
Every Monday from 6pm

ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ & ALL DAY A LA CARTE DINING
Every Friday

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE ACOUSTIC GUITAR WITH DANNY SHIRRAN

Every Friday from 6pm - 9pm

SATURDAY FLOATIN’ FILMS

Every Saturday from 7pm

NEW HOME-MADE POOLSIDE PIZZA

Take - aways are also available

Bice
The veteran Italian
is bringing back a
handful of old classics
to celebrate its tenth
anniversary this month
In 1926 Dubai didn’t exist – at
least not as the thriving metropolis
we recognise today. But far away
in the Northern Italian city of
Milan, an industrious woman
named Beatrice Ruggeri (Bice to
her friends) was busy setting up a
family orientated trattoria called
il Ristorante Da Gino e Bice (later
Bice Milano). And that’s where it
all began. Eighty-four years later
there are 23 Bice restaurant spread
across the globe from the USA and
Latin America to Europe, Africa
and the Middle East – including
three outlets in the UAE.
Bice, Hilton Abu Dhabi and
Bice Mare, Souk Al Bahar Dubai
(a seafood speciality restaurant
opened just last year) are both
popular, but it is at the Hilton
Dubai Jumeirah Resort that is set
to celebrate its tenth birthday this
month with a selection of favourite
dishes from the past decade
featuring alongside the regular a la
carte menu.
We were granted an exclusive
tasting of the old favourites before
they hit the menu following the
official birthday celebration on
December 7 and it’s clear to see
that Bice is still going strong after
ten years. Going more than strong,
in fact. It was bustling, even
though it was a Sunday evening.
And remember, a decade in Dubai
is worth several anywhere else,
making Bice’s ongoing popularity
even more impressive.
Our meat-free feast started with
a light lobster salad. The soft flesh
of several large lobster parts resting
on a smooth avocado tartar, with a
couple of salty spoonfuls of caviar
and a lemon dressing putting a
spring in its step. Then came three
al dente parcels of homemade
tortelli filled with spinach and
ricotta and smothered in a truffley
cream sauce and a sprinkling of
black truffle shavings just for good
measure. Followed by a main
course of sea bass fillet – yielding
flesh, skin on but not crispy
enough – surrounded by a small
posse of vongole (ever so slightly
shrivelled) and swimming in a
puddle of custard-bright saffron
and lime sauce, it was bang on
the money. Dessert was raspberry
crème brûlée, red berry sauce
and a white truffle ice cream that
didn’t seem quite right, but was –
especially with a spoonful of the
berry reduction. Each course was
served with a fitting wine pairing.
All in all, impressive stuff.
And, having dined at Bice, we’re
never going to be satisfied with
fewer than four trolleys again.
There was a seafood trolley, a
drinks trolley, a trolley loaded with
different bottles of olive oil and,
finally, cheese trolley. Bice clearly
loves trolleys. Luckily, so do we.
In tweet form… There are no birthday
blues at BiCE, with a menu that’s
follow me definitely worth celebrating. Follow us at
WhatsOnDubai and WhatsOnAbuDhabi
EATING OUT
A taste of
things to
come
Could one of these
three restaurants
become your new
favourite?
BAKER & SPICE
Dubai has come late to
the culinary revolution
in organic and sustainable
produce. How many café in
the UAE talk about 'food miles'
and their 'carbon footprint'?
How many know what those
terms mean? Well, Baker & Spice
sources its food locally, from
Omani fishermen and Abu Dhabi
farmers, making it one of a kind in
Dubai. This second outlet, located
souk-side behind Al Manzil Hotel,
specialises in freshly made breads,
pastries and cakes and operates
a home delivery service. Healthy
takeaway. Whatever next?
Dukkan Al Manzil, behind Al Manzil
Hotel, Downtown Dubai, Dubai,
7am to 11pm. Tel: (04) 4279856.
www.bakerandspiceme.com
BOHOUSE CAFE
We attended the grand opening of
Bohouse Café recently and came
away mighty impressed. Possibly
because they presented us with an
eggplant and fed us mini burgers.
Aimed squarely at the UAE’s
arty types, Bohouse is decidedly
bohemian, with white walls, bright
fabrics, indoor shisha lounge and
a vast terrace that overlooks the
beach, perfect for enjoying some
Need to know gelato and organic nibbles.
The Walk, JBR, Dubai. Tel: (04)
4298655. www.bohousecafe.com
Location: Hilton Dubai
Jumeirah Resort, The Walk, STAY BY YANNICK ALLENO
JBR, Dubai Michelin-starred chef Yannick
Tel: (04) 3991111 Alleno has had a hand in the
development of all the One&Only’s
Web: www.bicegroup.com
new restaurants. Zest, serving
Open: noon to midnight Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine, a
Cuisine type: Italian marina-side lounge specialising in
Must eat: lobster salad Mediterranean cuisine named 101
Bill for two: Dhs1,050 and finally, the pièce de résistance,
Stay. The fine dining restaurant has
a unique seating policy offering
'conversation' and 'sharing' tables,
as well as a pastry library.
One&Only The Palm, Dubai. Tel:
(04) 4401010. www.thepalm.
oneandonlyresorts.com
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 79
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Reservation : 04 207 1717 / 1216

rreekside Japanese Restaurant

Christmas Eve Japanese Buffet | 24 Decemberr 2010
Price : AED200 per person (food only) & AED 350 per person with house beverag
ages

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Reservation
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hhe Lobby
Lob y Caféfé
Festive Treats | From 16 December 2010
Traditional roast turkey complete with trimmings, festive gourmet hampers, freshly baked cookiees,
indulgent Christmas logs, delicious Marzipan Stollen and Panettone, colourful ginger houses
and many more…
Reservation : 04 207 1719 / 1216

a Dinner in Ballroom
ala
New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner | 31 December 2010
Price : AED700 per person
Entertainment by : DJ and belly dancers
Reservation : 04 207 1405 / 1216

SHERATON DUBAI CREEK HOTEL & TOWERS

PO Box 4250, Baniyas Road, Deira, Dubai | E-mail: dubai.creek@sheraton.com | Web: sheraton.com/dubai

Look us up on: ®
 EATING OUT

Mama Mia! On the

Michelin starred chef menu
Giorgio Locatelli Three things you
runs one of London's need to know

ISTOCK
most popular about the UAE
restaurants Locanda food scene
Locatelli, as well as
BARGAIN
Ronda Locatelli at BREAKFASTS
Not one, not two, but
Atlantis in Dubai three restaurants have
launched breakfasts available
How are things going at for Dhs35 or less. Carluccio’s
Ronda Locatelli? Breakfast Magnifica includes
scrambled eggs, turkey bacon,
We’ve been open more than two sautéed mushrooms, tomato,
years and things are going well. toast, juice and tea or coffee
Very well. We did 200 covers last for Dhs35. Bite Café at Iconic,
night. It was like a hurricane. I like meanwhile, serves eggs, sausages,
to come to Dubai and I’ve been beef bacon, toast, tea or coffee for
here 17 days already this year, but Dhs14 on Fridays and Saturdays
and Dhs20 weekdays. And, our
when I’m here I like to stay in the favourite, Bistro Madeleine has
restaurant – in my kitchen. just introduced a spin on its classic
Why’s that? breakfast for Dhs35 – eggs, turkey
Maybe it’s because I kind of like bacon, tomato, French fries, toast
it [laughs]. It’s just natural. I grew and jam, juice and a coffee.
up in the kitchen. When I had Carluccio’s, Dubai Mall, Mirdif City
Centre and Marina Mall, Dubai, 9am
problems when I was young, to 11am. Tel: (04) 4341320. www.
that’s where I hid. It’s almost like carluccios.com.
not working for me. So if there’s Iconic, Deira City Centre, Dubai, Sun
one place I feel comfortable, it’s in to Thurs 8.30am to 10.30am, Fri and
the kitchen. Sat 10am to noon. Tel: (04) 2943444.
Will you still be behind the www.theiconicstore.com.
Bistro Madeleine,
stove in your 60s, like Pierre if the guide came to Dubai.
InterContinental Dubai Festival
Koffman? How many would Ronda City, Dubai, 8am to 11am. Tel: (04)
Pierre is a big beast. Mama Mia! Locatelli get? 7011111. www.ichotelsgroup.com
He will never let go. It’s physically We set out to be a family
demanding. I’m only 47, but restaurant that produces GAME ON
sometimes after we do service at high quality food with fresh Hot on the heels of its ladies night
(free mocktails for the girls 6pm
lunch and I’m sitting in my office, ingredients. We don’t have the to 9pm every Monday), dim sum
I feel like I’ve been through hell little garnishes and things like specialist Ping Pong has teamed
and he and the boys are ready for Gordon does. Maybe he cares up with Hamleys toy store to
the evening! about things like that. I really launch Sunday Funday. Test out
don’t give a monkey’s! your multi-tasking capabilities,
You don’t care about Michelin? while trying to use your chopsticks
and play Monopoly, Scrabble,
How does the team here Yes, of course. As a chef, it was Cluedo or chess.
compare to the team in London? one of the best days of my life Ping Pong, Dubai Mall, Dubai, Sun
In London the boys are crazy. when they gave us the star in 6pm to midnight. Tel: 800 74641664
Here they are calmer. That calm London. I have had a Michelin
environment is better to learn in. star now for 17 years and it’s CURRY NIGHT
Cooking should not be rushed. useful to have somebody that is What better way to say goodbye
to the working week and wolf
You’re not a shouter like a guarantor of your quality. But whistle at the weekend than with a
Gordon Ramsay, then? business-wise, I don’t see anyone curry night, which is actually more
No. It makes good TV to see coming to the restaurant with the of an evening brunch. An Indian
Gordon going crazy and shouting, guide under their arm. banquet with house beverages for
but I must admit that it doesn’t Ronda Locatelli, Atlantis The Palm, just Dhs195. Not bad. Not bad at all.
make for a productive kitchen. Dubai, Sat to Wed 1pm to 11pm, Atrium, Grand Millennium, Sheikh
Zayed Road, Dubai, Thurs 7pm to
We spoke to Gordon last Thurs to Fri 1pm to midnight. 11.30pm, Dhs195. Tel: (04) 4299999
month and he said Verre Tel: (04) 4260000.
would get two Michelin stars www.atlantisthepalm.com

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 81

 EATING OUT

Mistral
Ibn Battuta Gate’s
Middle Eastern
offering opens
its door
Ibn Battuta is perhaps one of the
greatest travellers in the history
of the world. The 21-year-old
set off on a pilgrimage to Mecca
in 1325 and returned 30 years
later. He was the original rolling
stone, traversing the entire Islamic
world from Africa to Europe, the
Middle East, India and Asia (a
reputed 75,000 miles), writing the
Rihla – an in depth account of his
wanderings – upon his return. The
great man ate a good number of
meals in numerous countries in
his time and mentioned a few of
them in the Rihla.
Mistral, at the relatively new
Ibn Battuta Gate hotel, has drawn
inspiration from Battuta’s writings,
creating what they call a ‘new era
answer to the buffet’. We struggled
to spot anything ‘new era’ about
what was, undeniably, a traditional
Middle Eastern buffet with a few
Asian and Western touches.
Restaurants with buffet stations
are not usually our bag, but the
Battuta connection is more than just
a gimmick. Well, maybe it isn’t, but
the food was very good indeed and
the story of Ibn Battuta is enthralling
and provided something to talk
about over dinner.
baked bread started things off
nicely. We particularly enjoyed a
couple of crispy lamb sambousek
and an intriguing beetroot baba
ghanoush – an interesting twist
on the typical Arabic dip. Then
it was on to the main buffet for
meat galore – kebab, a couple
of fine shawarma, slices of roast
turkey carved to order (not sure
where in the Islamic world old
Battuta ate this, but the meat was
tender) and innumerable rice
dishes. All agreeably prepared
and not allowed to stew in their
heated incubators for too long.
Some homemade strawberry
ice cream, a finger dipped in
the chocolate fountain and we
were ready to follow in Battuta’s
footsteps. Taxi!
Need to know
Mistral is a gigantic, high- like, so this is a handy place – just a
ceilinged, open plan room with a brisk trot from Ibn Battuta Mall – Location: Ibn Battuta Gate
large open kitchen servicing a hot to slake a mean post-shop hunger Hotel, opposite Ibn Battuta
buffet, a bread station producing or a bargain brunch alternative Mall, Dubai
za’atar to order, a salad bar, a cheese (alcohol is extra, but a decent wine Tel: (04) 4445568
station and a dessert area. For just list is available). Web: www.moevenpick-
Dhs165 for dinner and Dhs125 for The vast selection of mezze hotels.com
lunch you can scoff as much as you accompanied by hot, freshly Open: from 6.30am
Cuisine type: Moorish/
In tweet form… Discuss the travels of Middle Eastern/
Moroccan adventurer Ibn Battuta while International
enjoying a plentiful, predominantly Middle Must eat: beetroot baba
follow me
Eastern buffet for just Dhs165. Follow us at ghanoush
WhatsOnDubai and WhatsOnAbuDhabi Bill for two: Dhs330

IBN BATTUTA TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS

1326 1332
Explores Egypt Meets Byzantine
before spending Emperor Andronikos 1368
1304 Ramadan in III Palaiologos in 1351 Dies in Morocco,
Born in Damascus and Constantinople on his Visits the Sahara having spent
Tangier, travelling to way to Afghanistan Desert, Mali and his final years as
Morocco Mecca and India Timbuktu a judge
ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGE

1325 1330 1346 1355

Sets of on Visits Somalia Begins his journey Completes
the Hajj to and the Swahili home to Morocco the Rihla
Mecca Coast from Quanzhou, China

82 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010


MezzaLuna
There’s a decent
Italian hidden away
at InterContinental
Residence Suites
The InterContinental Residence
Suites. Few people have heard of
it, and even less know where it is
(although we did hear a rumour
that former England cricket
star Freddie Flintoff was staying
there), so it’s not what you’d
describe as an easy place to find.
Let’s just say if you head towards
Dubai Festival City, somewhere
near Al Badia Golf Club, you’ll
be on the right track – but you
should probably check the website a few too many hunks of white,
for directions before venturing
out to find it.
But do try and find it, because
you’ll discover a rather nifty little
Italian restaurant there, just off
the lobby, that’s great for a spot of
lunch or a quiet dinner.
MezzaLuna is clean and bright
with an open kitchen making pasta
EATING OUT
and pizza to order and serving a Resisting the urge to go for This is not food to blow your
traditional Italian a la carte menu. pizza or pasta (you don’t need mind (though it may give your
We went for dinner, but with to hear us bang on about those gut a go), but it’s hearty and
floor to ceiling windows that old friends, do you?), we tried to honest, two can eat a couple of
would allow plenty of daylight in order the fegato alla Veniziana – a courses for less than Dhs300 and,
and outdoor tables, it’s probably dish of slow braised veal liver if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to try
more of a lunch option. We hear it with an onion and white wine the Venetian gastronomy.
also does a decent breakfast. gravy, described as ‘a foundation And if you fancy a tipple
From the antipasti selection stone of Venetian gastronomy’. after dinner – MezzaLuna is
we ordered what turned out to Unfortunately, the foundation sans alcohol – there’s Level
be an enormous plate strewn stone was off the night we visited 17, a pleasant bar with a
with a fabulous variety of Italian – isn’t that always the way in life? terrace located, perhaps not
cold cuts, cheeses, pickles and – so we opted for a nicely roasted unsurprisingly, on the 17th floor.
sundried tomato. Not common baby chicken, or rather the various
in Dubai. It would have done for separated parts of one, that was
two, but being a bit greedy we also supposedly marinated in red chilli, Need to know
devoured a bowl of slowly stewed mustard, rosemary and lemon but
beef brisket in a thick, tangy red lacked the punch those ingredients Location: InterContinental
wine sauce – superb for dipping promised, and a respectable Residence Suites, DFC,
breaded lamb rack in a port Dubai
crusty bread. Proper salt of the wine jus with a side of eminently Tel: (04) 7011128
earth peasant food, this. passable peperonata. Web: www.ichotelsgroup.
com
In tweet form… A quiet Italian hidden Open: 6:30am to midnight
from the hordes at Dubai Festival City, Cuisine type: Italian
serving traditional dishes in a pleasant Must eat: selection of
follow me
environment. Follow us at WhatsOnDubai Italian cold cuts
and WhatsOnAbuDhabi Bill for two: Dhs280
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 85
 THE CRITIC

Dubai’s press. Nothing strange

James Brennan knows
food. Having written on
everything from bhajis
to burgers for a string of
international publications,
James is now the
Middle East chairman
of the World’s 50 Best
Restaurants judging panel.
Don’t miss his monthly
musings every issue.
According to Gordon Ramsay’s
ex-business partner, and still, but
only just, father-in-law, Chris
Hutcheson, Gordon is “a very
strange character.” His words, not
mine. He’s so strange, in fact, that
when their company opened a
Ramsay restaurant in Melbourne,
Australia, “Gordon never asked
once how it was going.”
Thankfully for UAE-based
Ramsophiles, the volatile chef
with the cesspool vocab cares
a shade more about his Dubai
venture, Verre. So much so, in
fact, that he recently spent a
GETTY/GALLO IMAGES
about that.
Of course, Ramsay’s got his
work cut out, what with opening a
new chain of gastro-pubs on Mars,
and filming yet another TV show
where he makes hardened chefs
cry by just standing there, folding
his arms and glowering. And
that’s not to mention conducting
his ongoing family dramas in the
media like a bad season of Dallas. “WHEREAS RAMSAY’S TEAM
We can forgive Ramsay HAVE AN IDOL, GAGNAIRE’S
because, underneath all that
on-screen bravado and intensity,
PEOPLE HAVE A MENTOR.
he’s a jolly sort. And it’s a credit SOMEONE TO GUIDE AND
to his head chef Scott Price that
Verre is still a fine restaurant.
INFLUENCE THEM ON A
But Ramsay’s lack of presence ONE-TO-ONE BASIS”
raises certain questions about the
UAE’s celebrity chef restaurant studios or on racetracks. He makes Soon Dubai’s gastronomes
phenomenon. Are these places it out to Reflets in Dubai at least will have yet another celebrity
just cash cows for chefs who three or four times a year. And chef restaurant to patronise.
pop their name over the door he’s usually here for over a week, Jamie Oliver will be opening
and stand back as the mindless getting to know staff, and inspiring his new Italian place at Festival
dupes come rushing in with their them. “The team is the spirit of the City, and it remains to be seen
dirhams? How much of their story,” says Gagnaire. “It’s them what the socially aware chef will
time do these chefs owe their who carry the spirit of this place.” get up to when he comes here.
customers? And are they really Whereas Ramsay’s team have He’ll get a big thumbs up if he
worthy of their lofty status? an idol, Gagnaire’s people have a decides to protest outside Chili’s
One chef who might be is mentor. Someone to guide and in Garhoud. But if he takes

whole 24-hours in the city –
well, it was his first visit for two
years. Naturally, a fair chunk of
that 24-hours was spent racing
Audis at the Autodrome with
Pierre Gagnaire. Like Ramsay,
he’s got a glut of Michelin stars
and restaurants around the globe.
But he spends more time visiting
his kitchens than he does in TV
influence them on a one-to-
one basis. For all of Ramsay’s
charisma, star-quality and sense
of fun, I know which type of boss
I’d prefer.
Dubai’s press racing round the
Autodrome in VW camper vans,
then I’m quitting this food-
writing lark to become an arms
dealer. Enough’s enough.

86 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

 USHNA_WHATSON_DEC.pdf 1 11/24/2010 10:44:02 AM

Lunch with Pierre

Gagnaire
Multi-Michelin
starred culinary
magician Pierre
Gagnaire on his
restaurant’s new
lunch menu and his
plans for the UAE,
plus our verdict on
lunch at Reflets

Why should we come and try

the new lunch menu?
The idea behind the lunch menu
is to offer a great meal within
your lunch hour. Just because you
don’t have a lot of time on your
hands, doesn’t mean you can’t
enjoy quality.
You’ve just visited Reflets.
How’s it doing?
Very well. I am extremely happy
with the work done by the team.
My plan for the future is to gain
even greater recognition for the
quality of the food and service. And
to be the best restaurant in Dubai.
What plans do you have for
further UAE restaurants?
None. I'm concentrating on
Reflets. It is very easy to open
and close soon after, or simply
let go. A restaurant is a story you
write every day, and as I am not
a man of concepts, I have to be
extremely attentive to details in
order for each restaurant to have
its own story.
How do big name chefs, such
as you, benefit the Dubai
restaurant scene?
Perhaps by giving pleasure;
exposing both guests and the
restaurant team to quality and a
new approach to food.

“Just because you don’t have a

lot of time on your hands, doesn’t
mean you can’t enjoy quality.”

THE WHAT’S ON VERDICT

Here’s what we thought of Pierre’s new lunch menu

We ate four amuse bouche, including a cleverly constructed dish of white

beetroot ice cream and glazed eel, followed by a huge lump of frozen
mozzarella with radish, beetroot and cherry tomato and a dish of poached
cod in a traditional béarnaise sauce with crunchy winter roots and Darphin
potatoes. To be able to eat food this inventive in Dubai for just Dhs180 is a
minor miracle, enabling anyone with a spare couple of hundred dirham to
sample Pierre Gagnaire’s unparalleled culinary wizardry without forking out
Dhs1,000 or so for the full dinner experience.
Reflets, InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Mon to Fri noon to 2.30pm, Dhs180.
Tel: (04) 7011199. www.pierre-gagnaire.com

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 87

 WIN
BIG THIS

Win with What’s On

CHRISTMAS!

WIN! DINNER FOR FOUR AT

INDEGO BY VINEET
To celebrate winning Favourite Indian/Pakistani at this year’s What’s
On Awards, we have dinner for four with wine at this amazing
restaurant. With a fusion menu devised by Michelin-starred chef
Vineet Bhatia, an elegant dining space and wonderful staff, it was a
very deserving winner indeed. For your chance to enjoy this award-
winning food, simply tell us...
Which of the following are not staples in Indian cuisine?
a) Spices
b) Rice
c) Angel Delight
ON
CLICHKMOTIVATE.CDOS
M
IT A
.WINW ND LO
WWW TER THIS A ITIONS
TO EN E COMPET
MOR

88 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

FESTIVITIES ON THE HILL

From cozy Christmas lunches to New Year’s Eve parties hosted by some of Europe’s top DJs, Christmas and
New Year at InterContinental Abu Dhabi promises to be remembered well into 2011. Find out more about
our festive lunch and dinner specials across seven outlets, by calling 800 423463 or email us at dine@icauh.ae.
Don’t miss the carols and gingerbread house at our tree lighting ceremony in the Piano Lounge from 5-7pm
on December 12th.

intercontinentalabudhabi.com
 ARTS
p92 Pastures new
p93 It’s Christmas!
p93 All roads lead to
Al Quoz
p93 News in brief
p94 Five to see
p95 Get with the
programme
COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND CARBON 12

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 91

 ARTS

Pastures new
Green Art Gallery is one of
the most established on
Dubai’s art scene, but after
15 years in Jumeirah it’s
upped sticks and moved
to Al Quoz. Gallery director
Yasmin Atassi gives
What’s On the low-down
on the move

You’ve recently moved the gallery to Al

Quoz – what was behind that decision?
For the past two years we’ve been expanding
the gallery and programme and we needed
a bigger space that could accommodate
upcoming exhibitions and also give our
artists the freedom to exhibit without
limitation. The most important aspect for me
is that it gives my artists, and the curators we
work with, the ability to create and exhibit
bigger works without the limitation of space
irrespective of medium. For artists, such
flexibility is extremely important.
Do you see Al Quoz – and Al Serkal
Avenue in particular – as the new centre
of Dubai's art scene?
Absolutely. Actually, right from when we
first made the decision to move, we wanted
to move to Al Quoz. We were particularly
interested in moving to Al Serkal Avenue
as it has a very interesting cluster of art
galleries and offers big warehouse spaces.
Our old gallery was in Jumeirah and we have
been there since the gallery opened in 1995.
Back in the day, Jumeirah was the place to
be and was a very natural choice to open an
art gallery there. But, of course, times have
changed and, more importantly, artists’ works “Times have changed and, more importantly,
have changed and that requires bigger rooms, artists’ works have changed and that requires
higher ceilings and a more “rough looking”
space. bigger rooms, higher ceilings and a more “rough
Green Art Gallery was established in 1995 looking” space”
– how have you seen Dubai’s art scene
change over the past 15 years? citywide cultural policy. It’s been incredible about. Then in January, we’re planning a solo
It’s changed tremendously. I think what’s seeing the quality of the exhibitions being show for Turkish painter Ebru Uygun. She
amazing about what happened in Dubai is mounted in Dubai’s art galleries and the basically paints on canvas, then destroys the
that it was a very underground grassroots support they provide to their artists, each work into pieces and reconstructs them again.
movement of young people setting up and with their own identity, but with a huge Uygun’s work can be seen as a metaphor for
really trying to build an art scene. We all collective camaraderie. the deconstruction of traditional artistic
operate without any government support Tell us a little about what we’re going to practice. Yes, painting plays a role, but so
and have all worked together in creating a see in the gallery… does performance, collage, sound making and
very solid collectors’ base both in the city and This month’s show – the first in our new sculpture. This is going to be her first solo in
beyond. Unlike other cities in the Gulf region, space – is a group show from our collection. the Middle East so we are very excited.
our galleries were not set up as a result of a It will give visitors a chance to see what we’re www.gagallery.com

92 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010


It’s Christmas!
It won’t have escaped your attention in this
merry month of December that Christmas is
just around the proverbial with its prom-
ises of parties and presents, while wilfully
ignoring the fact that we live in a sun-soaked
desert by rounding all of that off with lashings
of fake snow. What we most look forward to
at this time of the year, however, are not the
material gains of the season, but the rather
more soul-sweetening ones that come in the
form of seasonal entertainment – and the
cheesier the better, we say. Which is why we’re
delighted to see that the Madinat Theatre is
continuing its annual panto tradition with
one of the genre’s finest – Aladdin. Billed as
‘family entertainment’ it may be, but there
are few things more fun at any age than the
SARAH MARTIN @ ICANDYFOREVER.COM
chance to shout dire warnings and chanted
reposts at men and women dressed in drag.
Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas with-
out it.
If a slightly more measured approach to
seasonal traditions is called for, may we
recommend Let it Snow? An evening of music
and song led by Olivier Award-nominated
performer Alison Jiear and a specially-formed
All roads lead to Al Quoz
Just in case you were
still in any doubt that Al
Quoz is where it’s at in
terms of the local scene,
another of the city’s well-
established galleries has
upped sticks and moved
there this month. Traffic,
the design gallery-cum-
shop, has gone mega
– two gallery spaces (one
currently showing work
from the Traffic collection,
the other a solo show by
Iranian painter Hesam
Rahmanian), a pop-up
education space that will
be used for discussions
and talks, bookstore and
on-site studio space for
the gallery’s resident
artists. All of which leaves
What’s On’s whistle well
and truly whetted. See
you there!
www.viatraffic.org
local choir. As the name suggests, punters can
expect Christmas classics aplenty, alongside
jazz numbers and well-known show tunes.
Best of all? Singing along is most definitely
encouraged – we’re warming up our vocal
chords right now.
Let it Snow, Dec 3 to 11, DUCTAC, Mall of
the Emirates, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3414777. www.
ductac.org. Aladdin, Dec 22 to Jan 2, Madinat
Theatre, Madinat, Beach Road, Dubai. Tel: (04)
3666546. www.madinattheatre.com
ARTS
News in brief
MATHAF OPENING IN QATAR
The Middle East’s ongoing
development as a major player on the
world art stage has just taken another
step forward with the announcement
that Mathaf (which means "museum" in
Arabic) Arab Museum of Modern Art is
set to open in Qatar on 30 December.
With an inaugural exhibition that
promises to showcase 100 years of
modern Arab art and a pre-exhibition
programme that kicks off as far afield as
Cairo, we think it’s fair to say that this,
not unlike the UAE’s equally ambitious
culture projects such as Saadiyat Island,
goes a long way to put the region very
firmly on the world stage.
www.qma.com
MIX AND MINGLE
It’s never been easier to share ideas
with likeminded individuals, as two very
different events taking place this month
reveal. Get your cultural knowledge
up to speed at one of Art Couture’s
monthly Art & Coffee mornings, which
offer discussions with an artist, curator
or other professional over a nice cuppa
in the pleasant surrounds of JBR. Or
take a tip from Shelter and take your
normally online musings offline at
GeekFest, an "offline social for online
people" taking place on December 17.
It’s good to talk, after all.
www.artcoutureuae.com
www.shelter.ae
DUBAI MUSEUM
It’s amazing just how few of the
emirate’s residents have paid a visit
to this, the official guardian of Dubai’s
maritime and cultural history. Make like
a tourist for an afternoon by wandering
its cool, calm corridors in the restored
Al Fahidi Fort – you won’t regret it.
www.dubaitourism.ae
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 93
 ARTS

Five to see

IMAGE COPYRIGHT OF THE ARTIST AND COURTESY OF THE FARJAM COLLECTION

ÅART IN IRAQ TODAY
Meem’s comprehensive overview of the contemporary Iraqi art
scene continues until the middle of this month. This second part ÅNUJOOM: CONSTELLATIONS OF ARAB ART
of a four-exhibition series running until April 2011 is a fascinating This latest group show – drawn from the seemingly infinite
insight into the art of a country that has many, many stories to tell. resource that is the Farjam Collection – is like a who’s who of
Fascinating. contemporary Middle Eastern art. Featuring works from the likes
Until Dec 12, Meem Gallery, fourth interchange, Umm Suqeim Road of Lara Baladi, Youssef Nabil and Mona Hatoum in media from
(near Marina Interiors), Dubai. Tel: (04) 3477883. www.meem.ae painting and sculpture to photography, it’s an ideal entree into the
artists and techniques of the region.
ÑTHE UNBEARABLE The Farjam Collection, DIFC Gate Village 4, off Zabeel Road, Dubai,
LIGHTNESS OF BEING free. Tel: (04) 3230303. www.farjamcollection.org
This group show from some
of the brightest and best of
the Carbon 12 stable features
works from What’s On favourites
Gil Heitor Cortesao and Sara
Rahbar, alongside US portraitist
Katherine Bernhardt and sculptor
Rui Chafes. Quite honestly we’d
be happy to find any of these in
our Christmas stocking.
Until Jan 10, Carbon 12, Warehouse
D37, Al Serkal Avenue, Al Quoz
1, Dubai, free. Tel: (050) 4644392.
www.carbon12dubai.com

ÉOPENING THE DOORS

 COLLECTING MIDDLE
EASTERN ART
Organised as part of Abu Dhabi
Art and with works secured
by Christie's – with a pedigree
like that, anyone with even a
passing interest in the region’s art
would be daft to miss this show. ÅTOMORROW IS NOW
Featuring 90 works by leading The apparently simple lines of some of Ines A Landmesser’s latest
practitioners from the 1920s to series of works belie a complex rumination on the changing society
today, the exhibition is the latest in which we live. Get up close and the 'wide open spaces' of her
in Abu Dhabi’s cultural arsenal. paintings reveal tight lines and layered paintwork – works that, like
Until Jan 8, Gallery One, Emirates the Emirates themselves, teem with life and hidden stories.
Palace, Abu Dhabi. Dec 5 to 15, Ghaf Gallery, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi, free.
Tel: (02) 6909000 Tel: (02) 6655332. www.ghafgallery.com

94 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

Get with the
programme

Archaeology and history buffs have several reasons to head to

Sharjah this month with a series of talks and demonstrations
set to take place in and around its Heritage Centre. Those keen
to know more about the region’s architecture can round off
an exploration of Bait Al Naboodah’s unique system of wind
scoops and Islamic-influenced light system with a practical
workshop on plasterwork on the 11th of the month. There’s
also a discussion about mleiha coins led by UAE University’s Dr
Hamed M Bin Seray, which takes place at Sharjah Archaeology
Museum on the 22nd. But for the truly dedicated – or those
who will simply do anything to avoid tinsel and turkey at all
costs – the Meet The Curator programme at Sharjah Museum ABU DHABI

of Islamic Civilisation finishes its 2010 programme with a

discussion on 'Islamic Architecture Between East and West' on
December 25. What are you waiting for?
www.sharahmuseums.ae

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 95

SBGC WO 88x245 XmasNY10 v3.indd 2 23/11/2010 15:21
 WIN
BIG THIS

Win with What’s On

CHRISTMAS!

WIN! A NIGHT IN THE

FAIRMONT’S IMPERIAL
SUITE, PLUS DINNER
FOR TWO
The newly refurbished Imperial Suite at Dubai’s Fairmont hotel is
a spectacular two-storey penthouse, boasting a Jacuzzi, rooftop
terrace and Bose home entertainment system. In addition to a
night’s stay, we also have dinner for two at The Exchange Grill, one
of the city’s finest steakhouses. For your chance to wind down from
the madness and merriment with this fantastic prize, simply tell us...
Which of the following is not a steak?
a) T-bone
b) Rib-eye
c) T-bird

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96 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

SHOPPING
p101 Sophia says
p102 12 gifts of Christmas

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 99


Sophia says...
We drag the oh-so stylish
Sophia Triantafillou away
from the helm at Emirates Woman
into the grubby What’s On office
to answer your wardrobe woes
It's my first work Christmas party since
I arrived in Abu Dhabi and I'm stuck on
what is appropriate attire. It's a young-
ish company and we're having dinner
and a disco in a hotel ballroom. I'm 27
and a size 12 to 14.
Sophie, Abu Dhabi
If the party is a
formal occasion,
go for a cocktail
dress that is more
on the chic side;
think short or three
quarter sleeve.
Team it with a
cropped jacket
or shawl for the
dinner, which you can whip off
once you arrive on the dance
floor. If it is a black tie event,
ensure you have a floor length
gown and it’s best to avoid any
halter or backless styles.
All dresses available at Reiss
My wife hates my Velcro wallet (which
I have had since university). Should I
buckle under the pressure and get a
leather one?
Mark, Hatta
Velcro wallets are for children and must be
avoided by men over the age of 13. Make
her happy and put it on your Christmas list.
Wallets by
Giorgio Armani
Got a fashion
© Gap 2010
question for
Sophia?
E-mail
editor-wo@motivate.ae
“A seat for every kid
at the table.”
What accessory would you
– Lauren Bush
recommend buying to liven up a LBD?
Jennifer, Satwa Co-Founder of FEED Projects
There are so many! Start with shoes. A
statement pair, whether metallic or matte,
will do the trick every time. Jewellery comes
next, so opt for either a stunning necklace or
earrings – never both, unless you are going
to a black tie affair. Have some fun
with your handbag and get a cute
clutch, think crystals, feather and
luxurious leathers.
Necklace by
Agatha
What do you want this holiday?
Shoes by Jimmy Choo
Where on the high street can I find a
good tux? I rented before moving to
the UAE, but there are loads of black
tie events coming up so I need to
take the plunge but can't afford to go
designer.
Paul, Old Town
THE DUBAI MALL
DEIRA CITY CENTRE
Zara and H&M are your best bets; you just
MERCATO | BURJUMAN
have to get in fast as they are one of the
MIRDIF CITY CENTRE
most popular items – especially at this
ARABIAN CENTER | MARINA MALL
time of the year. If you still have some
AL WAHDA MALL
dirhams in your pocket after your visit,
invest in a good quality pair of coloured AL JIMI MALL gap.ae
socks to spruce up the suit. Shoes should
be of the patent variety, but black
leather will suffice if short on funds. Most
important of all, even more than the socks,
is the bow tie itself. Purchase the type
where you have to tie the knot (not clip).
The clip ties look cheap and clown-like,
whereas a hand-tied bow tie looks super
chic, even if you are wearing high street.
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 101
 SHOPPING

gifts of
Christmas Your guide to perfect presents for man,
woman and child

ISTOCK
Hobie kayak
From Dhs2,500
Transform your weekends with
this kayak.
ACT Marina

Turtle adoption
Dhs200
Adopt a Hawksbill turtle
with the Marine Turtle
Conservation Project. This
turtly great gift includes a
cuddly toy turtle, adoption
Kymera wand remote control certificate, sticker, photo
Dhs330 card with turtle facts and
One step closer to being Harry Potter. info on the programme.
www.aido.com www.gulfturtles.com

Diptique candles
Dhs270
A lovely gift to last
the year.
Harvey Nichols

Globe-Trotter luggage
From Dhs1,590
Expensive, yes, but you can't put a
price on baggage carousel envy.
Harvey Nichols

102 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

 © Gap 2010
Cath Kidston purse
Dhs150
Encourage loved ones to spend
in style with this floral purse.
Bauhaus
BeatsPro headphones
Dhs1,815
Serious headphones for a
serious music-lover.
Virgin Megastore
BlackBerry Torch
9800
Dhs2,699 “For kids to know
The smartest
smartphone around. where they’re
www.du.ae headed but
remember where
they’ve been.”
– Naveen Selvadurai
Co-Founder of Foursquare
Alexander
McQueen booties
Dhs4,200
Surely an investment?
Harvey Nichols
MacBook Air
From Dhs4,499
Super light, portable
and stylish.
www.abmme.com

What do you want this holiday?

Braces by
Thomas Pink
Dhs300
Add some stylish festive
cheer to a dark suit.
Harvey Nichols

Fortis watch
Price on application
Sporty bling for the man in gap.ae
your life.
www.fortis-watches.com

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 103

 WIN
BIG THIS

Win with What’s On

CHRISTMAS!

WIN! A SPA
EXPERIENCE AT THE
GRAND MILLENNIUM
AL WAHDA
We’ve teamed up with one of the newest spas in
Abu Dhabi to offer one lucky couple and afternoon
of pure pampering. Zayna Spa at the Grand
Millennium Al Wahda is the biggest spa and health
club in Abu Dhabi, with an extensive treatment
menu and elegant surrounds. We have 'his and hers'
experiences up for grabs, including a caviar facial
and body wrap for the ladies, and Swedish massage
and face treatment for the gents. For your chance to
win a day of holistic relaxation, simply tell us…
What is the name of the new spa recently
opened in the Grand Millennium Al Wahda
Hotel, Abu Dhabi?
a) Zeyna Spa
b) Zayna Spa
c) Zina Spa
ON
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TO EN PET
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104 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

“For everyone to find The One”
Lily Aldridge, Model, Supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®

THE DUBAI MALL | DEIRA CITY CENTRE | MERCATO | BURJUMAN | MIRDIF CITY CENTRE
ARABIAN CENTER | MARINA MALL | AL WAHDA MALL | AL JIMI MALL gap.ae
 Villa G2/U1, Al Wasl Road,
Street No.79 / Jumeirah 1,
(opposite McDonalds,
same side as Life Pharmacy)

Mobile Hotline: 056 7283008

Telephone: 04 3420 420
MIND & BODY

p109 ESPA at Yas Hotel

p111 His ‘n’ hers
p112 Eyelash extensions
p112 Nurturing
experience
p113 Tips & Toes
p114 Spa deals
SPACES

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 107

 Celebrating the Season
Enjoy a variety of traditional treats with your family
and friends, with our splendid selection of festive
promotions in our restaurants and bars.

For bookings or more information

800 CROWNE (276963)

www.crowneplaza.com
 MIND & BODY

ESPA at Yas Hotel

Will Yas Island’s newest spa
live up to the hype?
There’s no such thing as a ‘quick tour’ of the
ESPA spa at Yas Hotel. This place is vast.
There’s even a lift, for Pete’s sake. And we got
lost trying to get back to the lobby. While size
can matter at a spa (there are few things more
uncomfortable and pointless than an over-
crowded relaxation room), ESPA clearly has
some design boffins behind the scenes, and
despite the acres of slate floor and seemingly
endless corridors, it has been laid out in a way
that creates a comforting feel. Rather than
rooms the size of aircraft hangars, there are
many different areas, from the modern
hammam and alfresco deck with loungers
overlooking the marina, to Metronap pods for
an energy-boosting snooze and the amazing
light therapy space (a bit like that sky-high
Bubble Room in Charlie & The Chocolate Fac-
tory) that changes colour every five minutes.
The men’s lounge even has a view of the F1
race track, so you can feel manly while sipping
your ginger tea. And don’t get us started on the
Irish cotton chocolate brown robes – a klepto
crime was nearly committed.
So, it’s fair to say we were impressed. But
would the treatments live up to the chic sur-
rounds? In a word, yes. A million times yes.
As the only ESPA spa in the Middle East,
they’ve taken this modern brand on board

“It’s fair to say we were impressed. But

would the treatments live up to the chic
surrounds? In a word, yes”
and run with it, so you’ll find no other prod-
ucts in sight. The signature treatments use 98
per cent natural oils, and begin with a foot
ritual (nice wash in a petal-filled footbath)
before you choose which products will be
used, all based on smell. With an afternoon
appointment we opted for the two-hour
Tension Soother with energizing oils to stop
us falling asleep at the many traffic lights on
Yas Island. The treatment includes dry body
brushing (scratchy), exfoliation and facial
cleanse, then hot volcanic stones being placed
on chakras to release deep-seated tensions,
before a full body and scalp massage to force
you into near slumber. Therapist Rinti was
fairly amused by our ‘very crunchy’ shoulder
knots, but they were no match for her expert
touch and she advised against spending so
much time at the computer. We love a bit of
life advice with a massage.
While we suspect many a businessman
might just nip in for a 40-minute Muscle
Reviver (Dhs300) which promises to get rid
of tension related headaches, ESPA has all the
makings of a destination day spa, with a food
menu, extensive facilities and a menu packed
with treatments to address all manner of
ailments or demands. We’ll be doing our best
to try every one.
ESPA, Yas Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 9am to
9pm, Dhs725. Tel: (02) 6560862

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 109

 swiss made

watches

His‘n’hers
Our guy and gal put the Armani/Spa through its paces
His
SIGNATURE
COLLECTION
TALK US THROUGH IT…
The Signature Collection
involves donning a pair of silk
pyjamas and enjoying a decent
60-minute massage combining
shiatsu, Thai and acupressure
followed by a pleasant (none
of that hideous squeezing and
steaming) facial with Skin Min-
erals products. Ask for Jacopo,
the senior therapist.
THE BEST BIT?
Aside from the silk pyjamas, it
would have to be the relaxation
lounge – soft drinks, food, a pot
of tea and a selection of quality
reading material.
ANY AWKWARD MOMENTS?
The treatment bed, or ‘ceremony
couch’, may have been created by
one of the foremost designers of
our age, but it almost suffocated
me. Placing your face in that
airless space is a bit like being
smothered by a pillow, so unless
you can breathe through your
ears, turn you head to the side.
HOW WERE THE DISPOSABLE
PANTS?
Pointless. Who needs throwaway
undies when they’re rocking a
pair of silk PJs?
SLEEP FACTOR?
Mr Armani’s ceremony couch is
actually a low-lying bed, making
it the most comfortable treat-
ment table in Dubai (aside from
the defective head hole). Sleep
should not be a problem.
WHO SHOULD GET
INVOLVED?
Anyone who is a fan of Gior-
gio Armani’s celebrated style.
Nobody else could have created
this spa.
HOW MUCH AND HOW
LONG?
Dhs820 for 90 minutes.
MIND & BODY
Hers
CUSTOM
TREATMENT
TALK US THROUGH IT…
Unsurprisingly, bespoke is
Armani’s modus operandi. You
pay for time rather than specific
treatments, so are welcomed
by an Armani-clad expert who
will find out what you need, via
a short questionnaire. For my
form-filling I was awarded a 50-
minute cleansing facial and deep
tissue back massage then headed
to the hydrotherapy area for rain
showers, steams and more.
THE BEST BIT?
The high-tech massage bed was
pretty heavenly when combined
with scalp massage and a heated
beanbag effort. That sounds a bit
elderly, but trust me on this. Top
marks for new UK magazines,
cereal bars and pomegranate juice
in the relaxation lounge, too. gised, then no doubt the team
could help you with that.
ANY AWKWARD MOMENTS?
The whole spa felt a bit chilly, so WHO SHOULD GET
I ended up covered in blankets INVOLVED?
during the treatment and didn’t Truth be told, this spa is one for
warm up until waiting outside the boys – all clean lines and
for my car. dark grey – rather than a girlie
spa. Head here for a functional
HOW WERE THE DISPOSABLE treatment with superb products
PANTS? by accomplished therapists.
Well, presumably Mr Armani
was involved so they must be HOW MUCH AND HOW
Dubai’s only designer dispos- LONG?
ables. Small, black and stretchy. Dhs650 for 90 minutes.
Molto Italiano.
Armani/ Spa, Armani Hotel
SLEEP FACTOR? Dubai, Burj Khalifa, Dubai, 9am to
High, but that was because my 9pm.Tel: (04) 8883888.
custom treatment was designed www.dubai.armanihotels.com
to relax. If you need to be ener-
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 111
 MIND & BODY
Nuturing
experience
What’s On reader and
mum-to-be Hannah
Fray went in search of
a pregnancy-friendly
massage in Dubai… and
finally found the pre-natal
pampering she’s been
looking for
Ever since I became pregnant
I’ve barely managed to relax
for a minute. From three
solid months of violent
morning sickness through
to that crippling backache
that takes hold in the later
stages of pregnancy, the
condition offers little mercy.
For months now I have been looking
for a spa that understands and can help –
if only temporarily – take the stresses and
strains away. As a spa enthusiast I had no
problems picking up the phone to some
of my regular haunts to ask if they could
cater for a woman in the family way …
but my requests were apparently too
specialist for most.
So it was with great relief, now that I
am seven months pregnant, that I found
The Spa at The Address Dubai Mall
accommodating and more than willing
to meet my needs.
As a first-time customer to this
particular spa, I was more than impressed.
The ambiance was second to none and
the selection of drinks and fruits offered
topped off a feeling of real luxury.
The masseuse was attentive and asked a
series of incisive questions about the way
I felt and how my body was responding to
pregnancy. The way she positioned bundles
of pillows suggested that she had done
this before. When the treatment started it
became clear they were experts.
I had come to the right place. Working on
my stretched muscles and aching calves,
months of tension simply melted away.
The therapy was well worth waiting
for. Who knows? Maybe I’ll find some
time after the baby’s born to go back and
indulge once more.
The Spa, The Address Dubai Mall, Old Town,
Dubai, Tel: (04) 4388888. Dhs460.
www.theaddress.com
112 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
Eyelash extensions
Will longer lashes lead to
a fuss-free beauty regime,
or will they be shedding
THE
VERDICT
quicker than a Christmas
tree on Boxing Day?
THE SALES PITCH
Bin the mascara and chuck the curlers out,
if you can spare the time and money then
spend the party season with lashes to make a
cartoon cow jealous. Sisters Beauty Lounge
will affix your peepers with extensions that
should last up to a month.
THE TREATMENT
The look you’re going for with these Before
enhancements is doe-eyed ingénue, not Lily
Savage, so when the therapist asks if you’d like
a ‘natural’ or ‘dramatic’ look, it might be wise
to go for the more subtle approach. You can
also choose from colours like violet and green
– not exactly in keeping with what nature
gave you, but attention grabbing nonetheless.
Far from the strip of fake eyelashes you
see clumsily stuck to the eyelids of showgirls
and hen party attendees, Sisters uses between
70 and 100 individual lashes per eye, placing
each one 1mm from your lash line. Your After
eyelids are separated with special tape – not
as A Clockwork Orange as it sounds – and
the process takes around an hour and a half two-week mark, and a few were determined
(longer if you opt for a more dramatic look), enough to hang on until week three, but you
so we recommend a little nap. can go back for maintenance every fortnight.
Reactions were varied, from girls asking
THE VERDICT quietly if we’d had extensions and if so where,
You’ll wake up with lashes so long and thick how much and begging for details, to a
we suspected an enthusiastic flutter might certain member of What’s On not noticing
trigger a tornado somewhere in Middle and saying that men don’t care about these
America. Use your new weapons with things. Well, they might not care, but for a
caution. In theory you can shower, swim few weeks of waking up looking good without
and sleep as normal, but need to keep your reaching for the mascara, we’ll definitely be
new lashes away from water for 24 hours, be getting involved again.
careful with the make-up remover and, as we Sisters Beauty Lounge, Dubai Mall, Dubai. Tel:
discovered, avoid getting smashed in the face (04) 3399307. 1 Shk Shakhbout Street, Zaab,
by giant waves. These babies are strong, but Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 2222501. Dhs600 for a full
not invincible. set with in-fills from Dhs200.
Our new lashes started shedding around the www.sistersbeautylounge.com
“You’ll wake up with lashes so long and
thick we suspected an enthusiastic flutter
might trigger a tornado somewhere in
Middle America”
Tips & Toes
Luxury? In Al Ain? We
take a road trip to
investigate
It might be best known for
roundabouts, the zoo and the
(frankly, amazing) Hili Fun City,
but a secret spa is lurking in the
Garden City. Situated opposite
Al Ain Mall and above a bank,
Tips & Toes is the last thing you’d
expect to find in this part of town,
yet plenty of pampered ladies
have sought it out. Far from the
dusty car park below, the spa is a
bejewelled space of red and purple
silks, reclining chairs, treatment
rooms and dark woods, with a
team of staff waiting to massage,
file and enhance.
If you’re taking the time to
drive the 90 minutes from Dubai,
then it makes sense to make a
day of it, and luckily Tips & Toes
had a treatment list to inspire
even the most jaded spa fan. As
the name suggests, nails are a
strong suit so we kicked off with
a special mani-pedi with a ginger
scrub and masque (Dhs180) for
a refreshing – and Christmassy –
spin on the classic.
Face next, and Hollywood’s
favourite brand Yonka makes
an appearance, with a selection
of facials to suit all skin ages,
conditions and problems. We
opted for Le Grand Classique
(Dhs350 for 90 minutes), a deep
cleansing treatment that will get
rid of all those pore-blocking
nasties without using too much
steam, which can damage and
stretch skin. After the fairly
painful extractions, you’re treated
to a massage and mask so you
don’t leave the room with the
dreaded red face.
Other unexpected treatments
are available, from eyelash
extensions (Dhs500) to LPG
slimming (Dhs400 per session),
which should get you ready for
that LBD and ill-advised work
party indulgence.
While the day spas of five-
star hotels offer a (frequently
expensive) poolside retreat, it is
possible to spend an afternoon
being treated like a princess and
get polished results. You might
just need to get in the car.
Tips & Toes, Opposite Al Ain Mall,
Al Ain. Tel: (03) 7640511
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 113
 MIND & BODY
Spa news
Get party ready with these
discounts and deals in the
land of all things pretty
SPACES
Spaces, an in-store spa
concept, offers speedy
treatments and good
value packages so you can
fit in your Christmas shopping
around a little pampering. The Express
Package (Dhs270) includes a 30-minute
facial, mani-pedi and free 30-minute body
massage. Impressive stuff indeed. Men
aren’t neglected either, with a relaxing
facial, mani-pedi and 30 minutes of
reflexology for a mere Dhs200.
Spaces, Oasis Centre, Level 3, Sheikh Zayed
Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 5154400. Spaces,
Iconic, Deira City Centre, Dubai.
Tel: (04) 2957271
114 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
PASTELS
You could be a bit cheeky with this one. Buy
any product from the Cloud 9 range (for
curling or straightening) and the team at
Pastels will give you a free demonstration on
your own hair. Our plan is to buy some kit for a
gift and walk out with a lovely barnet. Giving
and receiving in the same visit. Thumbs up.
Pastels, Al Wasl Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3947393
HEAVENLY SPA
Treat yourself and your harried other half to
the two-hour 55-minute Cherish Moments
package for two, this December. You’ll both
enjoy a welcome foot ritual, Arabian body
scrub, 85-minute massage, facial and light
lunch from the spa menu.
The Westin, Dubai Marina, Dubai, Dhs1,217
per person. Tel: (04) 5117901
THAI PRIVILEGE SPA
The new year sales have started early at
Thai Privilege Spa, where they’re offering
30 per cent off when you book the Siam
Heritage package. You’ll get 180 minutes
of detoxifying relaxation including the use
of Thai herbs to steam and draw toxins
to the surface, then a signature massage
to improve energy flow and blood
circulation.
Villa 1047, Uttamah Villas, Al Wasl Road,
Dubai, Dhs455. Tel: (04) 3489679
NATURAL ELEMENTS
Sign up for the two-week December
package at Le Méridien Dubai’s fantastic
gym and you’ll get full use of the two
pools, Jacuzzi, steam room, fitness centre,
a free body composition test, day pass
voucher and 50 per cent off in either
the spa or salon. Perfect for losing a
few pounds, before gaining them over
Christmas.
Le Méridien Dubai, Airport Road, Garhoud,
Dubai, Dhs1,200 peak and Dhs900 off-peak.
Tel: (04) 2170000
 SPORT & OUTDOOR

p119 Anyone for tennis?

p121 Mr Fitness
p122 Run with us!
ISTOCK

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 117

 SPORT & OUTDOOR

Anyone for tennis?

With grubby whites,
borrowed racquets and
Wimbledon aspirations at
the ready, we hit the courts
How lovely it must be to be from one of
those families that are good at tennis;
powerful father with the killer serve, elegant
mother with her impeccable outfit and nifty
volley, and little Charles and Henry with
their miniature racquets and tournaments
at the weekends. Sadly, the team at What’s
On are more The Bash Street Kids than Enid
Blyton. But could it be too late to learn
the sport?
Inspired by the Mubdala Community Cup
and Federer’s thighs, we roped Sergio from
Tennis 360 (who are helping to host the com-
petition) into giving us a lesson. The poor
mug. Firstly, he needed to assess what level
we were at, which resulted in one of the least
dignified performances the Ritz-Carlton
courts have probably ever seen.
Gareth had kept it quiet that last year he’d
played every week, while I had lessons ap-
proximately 20 years ago – a revelation that
succeeded in making me feel both old and two players at (dramatically) different levels,
unaccomplished. Super. Still, Sergio didn’t Sergio covered the basics, elevating both
seem too appalled (or hid it well) so we got our games with ease and Gareth’s serve was
to work. Starting with forehands, he talked instantly improved. I even hit the ball onto
us through each motion, connecting each the correct court a few times. Maybe the fact
movement with the eventual hope of us con- that the Tennis 360 team work regularly with
necting with the ball. What was especially
“We covered forehand, children meant that he was able to relate.
appreciated was the fact he explained why backhand, volleys We covered forehand, backhand, volleys
each stage was necessary, rather than just in- and serves in just 45 minutes, using some
structing us into the right pose, which meant
and serves in just 45 inventive bits of kit, from plastic spots to
it all made sense much more quickly. With minutes” help with feet positioning (Gareth didn’t
need them) to a giant fishing rod attached
to a tennis ball to help with extension in
serving (Gareth didn’t need that either). For
less than an hour of exercise, the session was
surprisingly tiring, with aerobic movement,
strength in the swing and explosive speed all
incorporated – and no doubt as we improve
we’ll get an even better work out.
While tennis probably won’t form the
backbone of many people’s regular exercise,
a weekly lesson could prove to be a social,
and somewhat entertaining, way to learn a
new sport. And maybe one day, just one day,
we’ll have sparkling whites and a backhand
to envy.

Tennis 360, Dubai, 45-minute semi-private

lesson for two Dhs300. Tel: (04) 4478960.
www.tennisthreesixty.com

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 119


Mr Fitness
Our resident exercise guru
answers your health and
fitness questions
There’s no nice way of saying this, but
I sweat a LOT when exercising. My
fitness needs improving, but is this an
indication that I’m really out of shape?
Vipin, Karama, Dubai
Honestly, sweating a lot is nothing to
worry about when you are exercising – I
know a lot of fit people who do just that.
When you sweat during exercise it tends
to be a sign of an efficient cooling system.
An athlete (we are all athletes at one level
or another) who has adapted to keep the
body core cool during exercise will shunt
blood to the skin’s surface more quickly
and release heat from the body. At the
same time, the sweat glands increase their
output and thus cool the body during
sweat evaporation. While fit people tend
to produce more sweat than more seden-
tary people, they lose less sodium, because
the body reabsorbs more of it. The result
is a more efficient cooling system.
Can you explain BMI to me? I’m 6’2”,
and weigh 115kg, which puts me in
the ‘obese’ category but I’m just a big
build and muscled. Should I ignore
my BMI?
Ahmed, Jumeirah, Dubai
Simply, Body Mass Index (BMI) is a
relationship between your height and your
weight. It does not differentiate between
lean body mass (muscle) and fat mass,
which is where the misclassification can
occur. Whilst it has its uses in quickly
evaluating the average individual who sits
in front of a computer and is never active,
it may not be the best indicator of you
weight health. According to BMI some
of the best athletes in the world today,
competing at the highest levels possible
are clinically obese!
A better indicator to use is body com-
position analysis to determine functional
weight – simply, percentage of tissue
that is metabolically active and useful
(muscle), versus percentage of tissue that
is metabolically useless (fat).
Got a fitness
question for
James?
E-mail
editor-wo@m
otivate.ae
Is it possible to become addicted to
exercise? I go to the gym before work
and by 8pm I’m itching to work out
again. Is this normal?
Adora, Jumeirah, Dubai
It’s not technically in my capacity to say
whether this is normal or not. However, to
my knowledge there is no current accepted
diagnosis for ‘exercise addiction’ or similar
disorders. There is however the recognition
of inappropriate compensatory behaviour
in those suffering from Bulimia Nervosa in
order to prevent weight gain.
Personally, I have come across people
in the past who appear to be what I would
class as addicted to exercise. What you do
need to bear in mind is that although you
may feel like you want to do more train-
ing, it is the time you allow your body to
recover that facilitates the best gains. On
one side, training traumatises our bodies
to some degree causing it to breakdown
and on the other side, recovery, regenera-
SPORT & OUTDOOR
tion and good nutrition enables the body
to repair, grow and become stronger.
The trick is discovering whether you are
exercise obsessed or just an avid exercise
enthusiast…
I am currently a qualified yoga teacher
but would like to also become a
personal fitness trainer, can you give
me any advice on where I can study in
dubai or even a online course that
will garantee me the qualifications?
Also how long would it take me to
become qualified?
Lucy, Dubai
ME Fit Pro, based here in Dubai, are the
leading education and training provider
in the Middle East and they offer a Level
2 Fitness Qualification which is known
as Fit-Q and endorsed by the Australian
Fitness Leaders Network. Once you have
completed the Fit-Q course, which takes
about three months, you are highly encour-
aged to take the ACE (American Council
of Exercise) exam which will take you up
to Level 3 in the industry. ACE is more
globally recognized and all of the Fit-Q
lectures provided by ME Fit Pro are geared
up to prepare you for the ACE exam.
There are online options such as the
NASM-CPT course ( National Academy
Of Sports Medicine – Certified Personal
Trainer) which can be done via an online
portal but you don’t get the benefits of the
person to person teaching, which in my
opinion you can’t beat.
If you’re interested in finding out more
about the training and education provided
by Me Fit Pro then the best person to
contact is Phil Elder. His email is phillip@
mefitpro.com
What Mr Fitness James Houghton
doesn't know about staying healthy
isn't worth knowing. In his seven
years as a personal trainer, he's
helped West End actresses lose the
pounds and worked with the Arabian
Gulf rugby sevens team to keep them
in peak condition.
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 121
 SPORT & OUTDOOR

Run with us!

Race day is looming. Our
trainer-clad feet bounce
closer to the start line
every day, but first we must
negotiate running’s nemesis
– the carb packed festive
period. Our marathon
expert – managing director
of The Energy Clinic Chris
Miller – talks us through the
final weeks of training and
resisting temptation

Chris Miller joined us for the What’s

On Awards last month, where he ate
an astonishing quantity of food while
admonishing us for our over indulgence
(quite rightly) and excusing himself with the
line “you’ve got to feed that body”. And so
you have, but Christmas is on the way and
although the goose is getting fat, it doesn’t
mean you can too.
“In terms of resisting temptation, the key
thing is to focus your mind on what it is
you’re about to do,” says Chris. “When you do
a run you can reward yourself with the extra
carbs or whatever, but if you don’t train you’ll
just make yourself heavier, which when you
come to race day will make you slower and
generally less fit. It will be a lot harder.”
So if you want to enjoy your Christmas
dinner, make sure you run at least 15km
before you delve into your stocking. And
if you do eat one too many mince pies,
remember it’s not the end of the world. Don’t
let it affect your confidence.
“If you do fall off the wagon, you need to
get back on,” advises Chris. “Just write it off,
understand that it happens sometimes and
you can’t always be perfect. But tomorrow is
another day and you can get up and do the
right thing.”
And if up to this point, with the Dubai
Marathon and the 10km on January 21 and
the RAK Half on February 18, you’ve been
naughty and not done enough training (any
training) Chris advises that you seriously
consider if you’re ready or not – especially if
you fancy having a crack at the marathon.
“You need to have a serious look in the
mirror. The last thing you want to do,
especially if you haven’t been doing a lot of
physical exercise, is put your body through pushing yourself too hard from that point
the kind of punishment it will receive over onwards, eating well, keeping yourself active,
26 miles,” he warns. “You are slamming your doing relatively long runs but not with the
feet into the floor, essentially jumping up and same kind of intensity or with the intention of
down for 26 miles.” increasing speed.”
And if you’re determined to give it a go anyway? But you should still stick to your training
“Understand the consequences. It’s going to schedule, with at least one shorter run of
hurt afterwards, it’s going to be horrible while six to eight miles and a longer run of 12 to
you do it, but if you have the right mental 14 miles.
attitude you’ll get to the end like everyone “You want to do them nice and easy.
else, get the medal and be able to say you’ve Faster than you’d run the marathon, but you
done a marathon.” don’t need to increase your speed. Just keep
So, you heard the man, there’s hope for your legs used to doing the volume of work,”
everyone. But if you have been attending says Chris.
our weekly What’s On running session or
following Chris’ training advice on this page, Chris’ Christmas gifts
you should be reaching your maximum for runners
distance and starting to think about taking LFoam massage rollers, Dh75, Amazon.com
things down a notch. LHeart rate monitor, all good sports shops
“By mid-December, a month away from the LGym Boss, Dhs75, Gymboss.com
marathon, you should have done the longest LBorn To Run, Christopher McDougall,
long run that they’re going to do (probably Dhs35, Amazon.com
around the 22 mile mark),” says Chris. LSurvival Of The Fittest, Mike Stroud,
“Within the final month you want to be Dhs30, Amazon.co.uk
reducing the length of your long run – not LTrainers, Saucony, Dubai Mall
RUN WITH US!
Join our free weekly What’s On training session with Chris and Mr Fitness at Safa Park, 6.30am every
Monday. For more information, contact gareth@motivate.ae. Also keep an eye on our Twitter
(twitter.com/WhatsOnDubai) and Facebook (facebook.com/WhatsOnDubai) for updates and our
blog (www.runwhatsonrun.wordpress.com) for more detailed advice.

122 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

 BAND E
MUSIC OF THTH
MON

Tim Hassall
& The August
Company
This fairground attraction began in a
Dubai high school, where Tim and Faye
performed together then lost touch in
that classic post-graduation whirlwind.
A chance 7am meeting four years later
at Glastonbury festival rekindled the
creativity and lead to the group forming,
with Tim and his songwriting as the
backbone and local musicians joining to
collaborate for crowds as diverse as 5,000
at Beirut’s Outdoor Festival and more
intimate gigs at Dubai’s Alpha. Tim’s
new album, This Restless Heart, features
Faye on keyboards and backing vocals
and will debut live at The Madinat in
February. Until then, you can hear him
from Wednesday to Saturday 8pm to
11pm at The Wharf at Mina A’Salam.
http://timhassall.bandcamp.com

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 125

 CLUB DIARY
This month’s clubbing highlights

9
WEEKLY
Substance @ Catwalk
Underground house with residents Steve
Darley and Rich Showell.
Golden Tulip Hotel, Al Barsha, Dubai, 9pm to
3am, free. Tel: (050) 4517002
WHAT'S ON PICK
DJ Yoda @ Nasimi Beach Boutique
The utterly brilliant British turntabalist
makes a welcome return to the UAE, armed
with his usual bag of mixing tricks.
Nasimi Beach, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, 9pm
to 2am, Dhs100, Dhs50 before 9pm, ladies
free. Tel: (055) 2004321
Fergie @ Ill Communications
Progressive house from the erstwhile BBC
Radio One DJ.
Rooftop, Trilogy, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai,
10pm to 3am, Dhs100 to Dhs130. Tel: (050)
7258277
Acos Coolkas @ Audiotonic
The Russian duo return for a synth-powered
twilight set.
360˚, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Al Sufouh,
Dubai, 4pm to 2am, free. Tel: (04) 4068999.
www.audiotonic.dj
Kiko Navarro @ MustHaveSoul
The Pacha, Ibiza DJ previews his new
album, Ocho.
16
WEEKLY
WHAT'S ON PICK
DJ Solo @ Freshly Laced
Solo is building quite a following with his
hip hop, soul and funk infused sets at the
Ibis Hotel in Barsha. The DJs start doing
their thing at 10pm, but don’t miss the
happy hour 6pm to 8pm or the Dhs20
Caipirinhas from 8pm.
Ibis Hotel, Barsha, Sheikh Zayed Road,
Dubai, 10pm to 3am, free. Tel: (04) 43996699
Get D.U.M.M. @ Catwalk
Dubai stalwart Matt Charles rinses the
tech house.
Golden Tulip Hotel, Al Barsha, Dubai, 9pm
to 3am, free. Tel: (050) 4517002
SYNFetic @ See You Next Friday
presents SYNFetic
Dubstep, Drum’n’bass, breaks and electro
from SYNF resident DJs Da: Funct and Just
Some Kid.
Studio, Trilogy, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai,
10pm to 3am, Dhs90 to Dhs130. Tel: (050)
7258277
WHAT'S ON PICK
Lee Burridge @ Ill Communications
Former Bomb resident Burridge
touches down for a set of his trademark
progressive house.
Rooftop, Trilogy, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai,

9
Skylite, The Yas Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 10pm to 3am, Dhs100 to Dhs130. Tel: (050)
4pm to 2am, free. Tel: (050) 1249640. www. 7258277
musthavesoul.com
Duff Disco @ Audiotonic
Dennis Ferrer @ Chi Garden Nu disco producer spins, well, nu Disco.
Soulful house New York style from the Also check out the Residents Rubdown
veteran DJ and producer. December 24. DJ Yoda @ Nasimi
Chi @ The Lodge, Al Nasr Leisureland, Dubai, 360˚, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Al Sufouh, Beach Boutique
9pm to 3am, Dhs120, free before 11pm. Tel: Dubai, 4pm to 2am, free. Tel: (04) 4068999.
(04) 3379470. www.chinightclubdubai.com www.audiotonic.dj

10 Brahms & Co @ Zuma

French jazz duo Brahms &
Co combine decks, trumpet
and vocoder to produce a
unique sound that has seen
them become regulars at the
Bed Supper Club in Bangkok,
Kudeta in Singapore and the
Pershing Hall in Paris, as well as
perform at catwalk shows for
Dior and Gucci.
You have quite an interesting set up.
How did you hit upon that formula?
Completely by accident. We met on stage
at an event on the Champs Elysees, Paris.
We found that Brahms on the decks and Co
with the instruments worked really well.
Why Zuma?
Rainer Becker, the co-founder of Zuma,
came to visit us in the Bed Supper Club
in Bangkok and within two minutes
asked us to come to play at his place in
Dubai. The food at Zuma is amazing.
The Chilean sea bass, seared beef with
Oriental dressing, soft shell crab, spicy
tofu and crispy fried langoustines are
firm favourites.
Wow – sounds like you know your
food. And yet you still manage to fit
into those sharply cut suits…
It is all about the suit. These days,
people don’t dress up any more to
go out – so we dress up the party. We
come from Paris, so we are always well
dressed and our usual style is smart
casual. The key ingredient to a good
suit? A good tailor in Singapore.
What else have you got going on at
the moment?
We are currently recording an album
– we have been on the road for five
years, so we play and record in our
portable studio. After Zuma Dubai we
will go to Doha, Singapore and then St
Petersburg.
And 2011?
Keep doing what we love. No need for
a long holiday – life is a holiday.
Zuma, DIFC, Dubai, 7pm to 9pm, free. Tel:
(04) 4255660. www.zumarestaurant.com

126 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

 CLUB DIARY

17 Steve Lawler @ Allure by

Cipriani
British DJ and producer Steve Lawler has been
a driving force on the house scene since
his early days organising raves in his native
Birmingham. A favourite of Space in Ibiza,
Lawler continues to tour globally and runs
digital-only label Viva Music.

Is this your first time playing Abu Dhabi?

Yeah. I’ve been playing Dubai for years at Peppermint, but
never Abu Dhabi. Dubai’s a VIP crowd. I’d expect Abu Dhabi
to be similar.

30
Do you check out the local cuisine before shows?
I make a habit of it wherever I go. I love going out to dinner,
the whole social aspect and eating great food. Not only really
nice restaurants, but also street food.
GETTY IMAGE

Is there anywhere in the world you still aspire to play?

Paul Van Dyk @
Peppermint Experience
Yolanda Be Cool @ Chi
The people’s favourite nightclub
welcomes the Aussie duo behind 2010 hit
We No Speak Americano.
Chi @ The Lodge, Al Nasr Leisureland, Dubai,
9pm to 3am, Dhs120, free before 11pm. Tel:
(04) 3379470. www.chinightclubdubai.com
I never got the chance to play Love Parade in Germany. I really
wanted to. There was talk about doing it next year. That’s gone
completely out the window after the disaster [21 people died
at this summer’s event, leading to its cancellation].
You’ve been promising an artist album. When’s it due?
No idea. I’m going into the studio, but that could still mean
the album will be released in ten years time. Writing an
album is out of my comfort zone. My comfort zone is four-
to-the-floor house music for a dance floor. With my album
I’m specifically not going to do that. The whole approach is

23
different.
Allure by Cipriani, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (505) 969543

We Are @ Catwalk
The Catwalk residents collide, as Steve Defected @ Atelier

31 Only In Dubai
Darley, Rich Showell, Adam and Dan, Defected DJs ATFC, Copyright, M People’s
Afroboogie and Matt Charles do their thing. Shovel, Miss Divine and Andy Daniell.
Golden Tulip Hotel, Al Barsha, Dubai, 9pm to Atelier, Emirates Towers, Dubai, 9pm, Dhs250
3am, free. Tel: (050) 4517002 to Dhs450. Tel: (050) 5655427

24 @ Habtoor Grand DJ Greg Sahara @ Ikandy

Residents @ MustHaveSoul
Simon Reid and co man the decks to see in
Christmas Day.
Sylite, The Yas Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi,
4pm to 2am, free. Tel: (050) 1249640. www.
musthavesoul.com
Hot on the heels of his debut
album Warrior, Dubai-based
DJ and producer Dion
Mavath launches his new
residencies in the biggest nightclubs
in the world.
Ambitious. Back in Dubai though,
what can we expect from you on
New Year's Eve?
The Pacha, Ibiza resident plays in 2011.
Shangri-La Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai,
7pm, Dhs590. Tel: (04) 4052703. www.
shangri-la.com
New Year’s Eve @ MustHaveSoul
The MHS residents are joined by a ‘secret DJ’.
We’re intrigued.
Skylite, The Yas Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi,

30
Most importantly, great music from 4pm to 2am, free. Tel: (050) 1249640. www.
night Only In Dubai (OiD), this musthavesoul.com
one of the foremost DJs of 2010. Axwell
month with a New Year’s Eve

CTRL @ Catwalk
Dark, edgy, tech house from Afroboogie.
Golden Tulip Hotel, Al Barsha, Dubai, 9pm to
3am, free. Tel: (050) 4517002
Paul Van Dyk @ Peppermint Experience
The Grammy Award-winning DJ returns to
Dubai for the New Year’s Eve party.
Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, Dhs200 to
Dhs350. Tel: (04) 3326345. www.peppermint-
experience.com
Tom Middleton @ Audiotonic
Eclectic king Tom Middleton is joined
by Vincenzo and residents Mr Mr and
Tristan Bain and, apparently, 17 minutes of
fireworks. 360˚, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Al
Sufouh, Dubai, from 9pm, Dhs360. Tel: (04)
4068999. www.jumeirah.com
Mysterious Seduction of Dark Passion
@ Armani/Prive
New Year’s Eve fun, with the Armani/Prive
resident DJs.
Armani/ Prive, Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj
Khalifa, Dubai, Dhs500. Tel: (04) 8883308.
www.dubai.armanihotels.com
30
hasn’t played in Dubai for three years.
party starring Swedish House His success as an artist, as well as
Mafia star Axwell being ranked as a top ten DJ and being
a member of the super group The
Swedish House Mafia means you can Tom Middleton @
What’s OiD all about? Audiotonic
OiD is more than a nightclub brand expect some amazing tunes.
– it’s a lifestyle entertainment brand Habtoor Grand Hotel, Dubai Marina,
complete with CDs, DVDs and clothing. 9pm to 3am, Dhs450 to Dhs650. Tel: (050)
If you look at 90 per cent of the world’s 7186232. www.dionmavath.com
biggest nightlife brands, a DJ whose
music pushes the brand further fronts
them. So if you like the type of music
I produce or play then you will love
the OiD nights. As well as the monthly
night, we will also be holding OiD
Outdoors every two months, which
will be a larger concert event with big
name artists.
Sounds like you have grand plans?
We’re not looking to compete just in
Dubai, because it’s such a small market.
We are looking to go global and take
it to the biggest nightlife brands.
Within five years we want to be having

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 127

 WIN
BIG THIS

Win with What’s On

CHRISTMAS!

WIN! A GAGGIA BABY DOSE

COFFEE MACHINE
Whether you’re passionate about coffee or just want to save
bucks on your daily cappuccino, this little beauty is the answer.
Ensuring constant pressure and optimum water temperature,
you’re guaranteed the perfect crema every time. Impress
dinner party guests, start your day the right way or re-gift
it to your caffeine addict friend, the Baby Dose is a cracking
addition to any kitchen.
For your chance to put a coffee-induced spring in your step,
simply tell us…
Gaggia is from which country?
a) Italy
b) Denmark
c) Fiji
WIN! A SUPER-STYLISH
CANON IXUS 130 CAMERA
We’ve teamed up with Canon Middle East to offer one lucky What’s
On reader the chance to win the sleek and stylish IXUS 130. This
camera offers the ultimate combination of fun and innovative
features in a stylish, sculptured design measuring a super slim
17.8mm at its thickest point. Available in silver, black, orange and
pink, the IXUS 130 is ultra-chic and ultra-portable enabling you to
capture the moment, wherever you are.
Want it for Christmas? Well, to be in with a chance of winning
answer the following question:
How many colours does the Ixus 130 come in?
a) Two
b) Three ON
CLICHKMOTIVATE.CDOS
M
c) Four
IT A
.WINW ND LO
WWW TER THIS A ITIONS
TO EN ET
COMP
MORE

128 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

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 TRAVEL

p133 Paris on the Nile

ISTOCK

p140 Travels with...

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 131

 TRAVEL | CAIRO

SHORT
HAUL

Mysterious
Pyramids of Giza

Paris
Cairo can, at times, seem a
truly ferocious beast of a city.
Known as Um ad-Dunya
(mother of the world), the

on the
Egyptian capital meanders
chaotically between an ancient
civilization, a medieval Islamic
marketplace and a modern
day metropolis – all of which
is served with an unhealthy

Nile
The ancient pyramids and chaotic
bazaars of Cairo inspired the
Orientalists, and today the city’s artistic
spirit lives on in its art galleries, cafés
ISTOCK
dollop of static traffic and
nonchalant smog.
It is, of course, home to one
of the Seven Wonders of the
World, the Giza Pyramids,
and accompanying Egyptian
Museum – the wonder here
being why such a splendid
collection of antiquities is
displayed in the fashion of
a child emptying a box of
The Khayer Lego on the floor. As well

and antique shops Bek mosque as exploring the captivating

remains of Ancient Egypt, the

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 133

From extravagant Gala dinners to traditional buffets and turkey takeaways with all the trimmings,
why not join us at Al Raha Beach Hotel for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY NEW YEAR

Sevilla Restaurant (24 & 25 December)
Enjoy our festive Christmas Buffet Brunch prepared by our award-
winning chefs.
Dhs 185* per person, half price for children under 12 years of age.
Azur Restaurant (24 December only)
Begin the celebrations in style with a glass of bubbles followed by our
extravagant seven course dinner menu.
Dhs 235* per person, half price for children under 12 years of age.
Our popular Bubbles and Tapas Brunch will get everyone in the
festive mood, with free-flowing bubbles and Sangria and delicious
home-made Spanish cuisine.
Dhs 290* per person, half price for children under 12 years of age.
Sevilla Restaurant Gala Dinner
With an extravagant buffet to choose from, plus a line-up of live
entertainment, you’re guaranteed to see in 2011 in memorable style.
Dhs 420* per person, including welcome bubbles / Dhs 490* per
person, including selected beverages.
Azur Restaurant
Enjoy an opulent 6 course set menu inspired by the flavours of the
Mediterranean, then party until the early hours in Enigma nightclub.
Dhs 320* per person.
*Subject to 10% service charge and 6% tourism fee.

Managed by Danat Hotels & Resorts, a Division of National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels
P.O. Box 38616, Abu Dhabi, UAE | T. +971 2 508 0555 | F. +971 2 508 0444 | Toll Free 800 ALRAHA | E. info@danatresortalraha.ae | www.danathotels.com
A Member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts

River Nile at dusk
“Decades of pollution and negligence have
taken their toll on these grand structures and
today they stand largely in a state of disrepair”
city is also famed for the unrivalled, ethereal
beauty of its historic mosques and Coptic
Christian churches. There is, however, a third
and slightly more sedate theme running richly
through the veins of Cairo.
The city has long been regarded as the
artistic heartbeat of the Arab world and
today its cafés, antique shops and art galleries
continue to offer a small slice of the Parisian
lifestyle in an exotic North African climate.
The relationship between Paris and this
part of the world extends back to the 19th
century to a time of mutual admiration.
While French artists and writers, bored of
their own bourgeois aesthetic, looked to the
mosques, sail boats and sheeshahs of the
Orient to inspire a more exotic backdrop for
their works, Cairenes looked to Hausman’s
Belle Epoque Paris architecture to give them
TRAVEL | CAIRO
European credibility in their own city. This
blend of European and local references gives
Cairo’s skyline a truly unique identity, but
decades of pollution and negligence have
taken their toll on these grand structures and
today they stand largely in a state of disrepair.
The best spot to first soak up this faded
grandeur is Downtown Cairo; the city centre
designed by French architects commissioned
by Isma’il Pasha in the late 19th and early
20th century. Ask to be dropped off outside
the famous Groppi café on Talaat Harb
Square, a once cherished tearoom for
the Cairene social elite that now serves
barely edible cakes in barely decorated
surroundings. The beautiful mosaic entrance
nevertheless remains perfectly intact and Ceiling of Muhammed
from here it is possible to duck down any of Ali Mosque
the major streets leading off the square, which
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 135

have a host of seedy bars, musty old antique
shops and the occasional art gallery.
Downtown Cairo’s antique shops are
impossible to miss. Each explodes out onto
the pavements with all manners of bric-a-
brac providing endless entertainment for
nostalgia buffs. Gramophones, chandeliers
and furniture are amongst the most readily
available items, all of which are sold in
questionable condition by overenthusiastic
shopkeepers who strongly claim otherwise.
If you want a more modern take on arts
and crafts in Cairo, head to the impressive
Townhouse Gallery just off Hussein El Me’mar
Pasha Street, which has three floors dedicated
to exhibiting the works of contemporary Arab
artists. The renovated house and its adjoining
warehouse space also provides studios,
classrooms, a library and a bookshop and is
therefore the perfect way to infiltrate Cairo’s
vibrant arts scene – just make sure to check
ahead for opening times and to see what new
exhibitions are on that week
The constant hustle and bustle of
Downtown Cairo is certainly one way to
work up an appetite, and if you’re not brave
enough to sample any of the area’s many
shawarma or koshery (Egypt’s national dish;
a mixture of rice, lentils and macaroni)
hole-in-the-wall eateries, stop-off instead at
the rather eccentric Felfela. Serving hearty
traditional Egyptian cuisine, the restaurant’s
bizarre jungle theme can entail sharing a
dining table with a bubbling fish tank, caged
doves or even the odd stray terrapin. Local
recommendations include taameya (an
Egyptian spin on falafel – made from deep-
fried fava beans as opposed to chick peas)
and baba ghanoush (essentially just aubergine
mixed with various seasoning), both of which
are rich in flavour and even richer in calories.
Once fully nourished, it’s time to leave
Downtown Cairo and brave the even more
manic neighbourhood of Islamic Cairo. Here
you can savour the old city bazaar (Khan el
Khan El-Khalili bazaar
TRAVEL | CAIRO
Café at Giza
Khalili), narrow street markets and breathtaking
Ottoman mosques that inspired the Orientalists
in the 19th century. To witness firsthand just
how one influenced the other, visit the site of
Ibn Tulun – arguably the city’s oldest surviving
mosque – which shares its entrance with the
Gayer Anderson Museum; the former residency
of an English major who accumulated a vast
collection of Oriental art and furniture during
his time living in Cairo in the 1930s.
While the Mosque of Ibn Tulun is cherished
for its sparseness and tranquility – the
perfectly symmetrical arcades and stunning
spiral minaret make this an absolute must-
see – the Gayer Anderson Museum is a far
more cluttered affair. Narrow corridors and
small winding staircases link the rooms of the
museum, each of which grows more bombastic
in design and theme as the tour unfolds. Major
Anderson was a true hoarder and it’s deeply
Cairo downtown area amusing to envision him once pottering around
this tall rickety building, carefully arranging his
artefacts and pompously naming every room
– our personal favourite is the Chinese Room,
which doesn’t appear to reference anything
from remotely near the Far East.
The close proximity of the mosque
and museum also illustrates just how
misrepresentative the Orientalists lavish
spin on Islamic culture actually was. Yet it is
impossible not to get caught up with all this
interior design madness, but to really crank it
up to five on the Orientalist Richter scale, opt
to spend a night at Le Riad Hotel De Charme.
One of only two boutique hotels in Cairo, Le
Riad was opened only a year ago by a French
entrepreneur who ambitiously renovated
a derelict building on El Moez Street, very
close to Khan el Khali. The mosques along
this cobbled road have similarly been
immaculately restored and at night they
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 137
 TRAVEL | CAIRO
“The Turkish Hammam inspired walk-in showers
and elegant roof garden show deftness of
touch, and the sheer extravagance and size of
each suite feels like waking up in a palace”
are lit up in a combination of greens and
reds to look remarkably like a scene out of A traditional felucca
the Disney version of Aladdin. Continuing boat on the Nile
this theme, Le Riad has 17 suites, each of
which are individually decorated according
to a particular period or society in Egyptian
history – ranging from the Pharonic and
Ottoman suites through to the Modern-Arabic
suite. With its eye-watering colour schemes,
the hotel doesn’t initially appear to do subtle,
but the Turkish Hammam inspired walk-in
showers and elegant roof garden show deftness
of touch, and the sheer extravagance and size
of each suite feels like waking up in a palace.
No princely excursion, however, would be
complete without a felucca boat trip down the
Nile. The most painless way to sort this out is
to go to the dock on the corniche opposite the
Four Seasons Hotel in Garden City. Here you
will find a plethora of white broad sailboats
complete with Egyptian captains in traditional
dress waiting to sail you away from the noise
138 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
The impressive
Cairo skyline
and dust of the capital on an aquatic mattress
of calm. Go at sunset when the smog floods
everything with an atmospheric hazy orange
light and makes the city look like the subject of
a 1970s Polaroid picture. Take some very British
liquid refreshment and a picnic and recreate
your own Agatha Christie-inspired scene, a
world away from the flashing multi-coloured
fairy lights and pumping Egyptian pop tunes of
some of the Nile’s other naval inhabitants – the
perfect end to your Orientalist outing in Cairo.
Need to know
WHERE TO STAY
Le Riad Hotel De Charme, 114 Muiz Li
Din Allah Street, Cairo, Egypt, Dhs1,100
to 1,500 including breakfast and tax.
Tel: +202 27876074. www.leriad-
hoteldecharme.com
HOW TO GET THERE
LDirect flights from Dubai to Cairo with
Emirates Airlines from Dhs2,000 return.
LDirect flights to Cairo from Abu Dhabi
with Etihad from Dhs1,500 return.
CURRENCY
100 EGB = Dhs63
 TRAVEL | TRAVELS WITH...
Travels with…
Jannes Kruger
As falconer at Ras Al
Khaimah’s the Banyan
Tree Al Wadi, South African
Jannes Kruger entertains
guests with daily bird of prey
displays, runs the Middle
East’s first falconry course
and oversees a breeding
programme for Saker falcons
and indigenous owls. It’s
safe to say he’s fond of birds,
but he’s also a passionate
conservationist and not a
big fan of cities
Three cut price escapes
for the festive season
ACE ALEXANDRIA
This is a real gem, ladies and gents. Three
nights at a four-star hotel in Cairo, two
nights in Alexandria, breakfast, visits to the
Pyramids of Giza and various other sights
ISTOCK
with an English speaking guide, all your
transfers and return economy
flights from Sharjah Airport –
all for Dhs2,740 per person.
Available until April 20,
2011. Bargain, in our book.
www.airarabia.com
140 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010
What’s the best holiday you’ve ever had? My camera. I take loads of photos to make up for
I’m not at all turned on by shopping malls,
nightclubs or architecture, so I tend to veer
towards nature when I’m on vacation. My most What destination serves the best food?
memorable trip was to the Kgalagadi Trans-
frontier Park a few years ago. I discovered an
active Martial Eagle nest and spent days with
a camera and binoculars next to the road ob-
serving the parents feeding and protecting the Lanka. There is a small family run restaurant
eaglet. My poor partner was bored to tears.
What’s been your biggest travel disaster? most amazing coconut curry dishes and are
I rolled my car on a deserted farm road. I was the friendliest people you will ever meet.
flung through the windscreen and landed on
my back next to the road. The small sedan
was a total write-off, but miraculously I only
suffered minor scratches and sore ribs
If you could advise people to visit one
destination, what would it be?
If you are a city person, take your pick. One
city is like the next in my opinion. For wildlife,
definitely Kruger National Park in South Africa.
THAI TREAT
Planning on spending the festive season
here in the UAE? Yes? Then how do you
fancy a pre-Christmas luxury break for you
and your better half to Thailand? Return
flights, four nights at the opulent Trisara
resort in Phuket in an ocean view room with
a pool, breakfast and transfers for Dhs7,645
per person. Activities available include
cruises to local islands, snorkelling and yoga
classes, but we’d just lounge by the pool for
the entire trip if we were you.
www.dnata.com
TRAVEL
EXTRA
What are your three top tips for surviving
a long airport stopover?
I absolutely hate flying and airports. My only
advice is to do your utmost not to go com-
pletely insane by any means at your disposal.
I once missed a connecting flight in Ethiopia
and they managed to lose my luggage as an
added bonus. Just the thought of the experi-
ence drains the energy from my body.
What item do you never travel without?
my lack of skill. That way I stand a decent chance
of at least ending up with a few good shots.
Where I grew up barbecues and red meat are a
way of life. In fact, we jokingly refer to chicken
as a vegetable. I’m not overly excited by spicy
food, but I’ll never forget the meals I had in Sri
in Unawatuna called One Love. They make the
Banyan Tree Al Wadi, Al Mazraa, Ras Al Khaim-
ah. Tel: (07) 2067777. www.banyantree.com
“I rolled my car on a
deserted farm road. I was
flung through the windscreen
and landed on my back”
LUXURY CHRISTMAS
If you’re looking for a somewhere special
to spend Christmas, you could do a lot
worse than The Chedi in Muscat. You can
avoid the hassle of a long journey and for
RO144 (Dhs1,375) per person per night
spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
in five-star comfort, including breakfast,
early check-in and late check-out, 20 per
cent spa discount, a four-course Christmas
Eve dinner and a Christmas Day brunch
serenaded by a jazz band. And if you want
to stay a few nights before or after, it’s
just RO50 (Dhs480) per person
per night with breakfast
from December 20 to 27
(excluding December 24 and
25, of course).
www.mebreaks.com
novotel.com

Together with you,

let’s celebrate a fabulous
CHRISTMAS DAY SPECIAL
in all our Restaurants & Bars.

Bring your party to our party

& experience the unforgettable
glee of the NEW YEAR!

For reservations, contact Novotel Centre Hotel Abu Dhabi Tel: (971) 2 633 35 55, Fax: (971) 2634 36 33
Novotel@novotel-abudhabi.ae / H0662-FB1@accor.com www.accor.com
THE HOT LIST
Key
New entry

Non-mover

Up

Down

p145 Bars
p149 Restaurants
SPECTRUM ON ONE

p153 Brunches
p157 Spas

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 143

 THE HOT LIST THE
FINEST FOR
BEVERAGES
BARS AND
BITES

Barasti 360˚

ATMOSPHERE LOCATION BEST FOR PRICE WHAT’S ON INFO

SAYS...

1
Filled with pretty At the centre of Meet friends for a It’s far from cheap Building 3, DIFC,
Great Dubai, Sun to Thurs
girls and men with a DIFC, Caramel’s quick post-work – neighbourhood
atmosphere, the 11am to 2am.
pretty healthy bank leafy terrace offers drink, be tempted hazard – but ladies
chance of celeb- Tel: (04) 4256677.
balance, Caramel respite from the by the menu then get half price
spotting and www.carameldubai.
is packed with the concrete jungle, settle in until cocktails from
Caramel seriously good com
beautiful people. while inside you’ll midnight. Try the 6pm to 9pm on
food. We’re sold.
find a city-style bar. kobe sliders. Tuesdays.

2
Depends when you Slap bang in the Music and serious Ouch. The dirhams We’re willing Jumeirah Beach Hotel,
go. It’s chilled on Arabian Gulf, we posing. Dubai’s finest stack up if you Al Sufouh, Dubai, Sun
to overlook the
Friday and Saturday recommended break out thei finery arrive early and to Thurs 5pm to late,
slow service for Fri and Sat 4pm to
afternoons but catching a golf come Friday for leave late. the tunes and 2am. Tel: (04) 4068769
once the sun sets, buggy up the jetty those all-important views.
360˚ the party goes off. to 360’s gangplank. photos ops.

3
Miami pool party. Media City. One Mingling. This Pretty decent, Try the evening Media One, Dubai
DJ under the stars. of the last places place is packed actually, with high Media City, Dubai, Tues
brunch on a
That constant you’d expect to find with revellers both rollers getting to Sat noon to 3am. Tel:
Friday then head (04) 4271000. www.
threat of being watery debauchery. post-brunch and poolside tables. out to the pool mediaonehotel.com
thrown in the deep mid-week. Go with to continue the
M Dek end. We love it. a group. party.

4
Varies wildly Right on the beach. Quiet sundowners Annoyingly The Marmite Le Méridien Mina
between laid-back Split between with the sand expensive to be Seyahi Resort &
of the bar
cool on the beach, poolside and between your toes. honest. About Spa, Dubai Marina,
scene, you can’t Dubai, 11am to 2am.
to mania at the bar – beachside, there’s When the hoards of Dhs35 for a tiny deny Barasti’s Tel: (04) 3993333.
it’s a brave man that usually a quiet or sunburnt tourists drink in one of popularity. www.lemeridien-
Barasti pushes to the front hot spot depending turn up it’s your cue those little plastic minaseyahi.com
on a Friday night. on what you’re after. to leave. glasses. Sort it out.

5
Packed with pals Cracking views of Escape Dubai at this Some of the beers A warm breeze Crowne Plaza Festival
sharing dinner, the SZR skyline cosy pub, complete are pricey, but City, Dubai, Sun to
with a cold beer
romance alfresco from the terrace, with Euro-feel, the food is pretty Mon 6pm to 2am, Tue
and moules to Wed noon to 2am,
and boys getting valet parking and fantastic food and an reasonable. frites. Job done. Thurs and Fri noon to
boisterous at the bar. shopping nearby extensive drinks list. 3am. Tel: (04) 7012222.
Belgian Beer should chill you out. www.ichotelsgroup.
Cafe
com

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 145

NOVEMBER
 HOT ON
BARS THE HEsEDLubSai Marinai
The Addres , DIFC
11 Blends, mercy
12 The Gra Mall
s, The Ad dress Dubai
13 Neo e Westin
, Th
14 Senyar lam
r, Mina A’Sa
15 Bahri Ba

Neos Zuma Left Bank

ATMOSPHERE LOCATION BEST FOR PRICE WHAT’S ON INFO

SAYS...

6
Slick. The restaurant Zuma kick-started Rocking some High-end prices Building 6, DIFC,
Hot staff and Dubai, Fri to Wed noon
is downstairs, but DIFC’s rep as a grown up garb, at a high-end bar. a cool crowd
there’s serious chat nightlife hub and throwing back Choose wisely to 2am, Thurs noon to
make us feel all 3am. Tel: (04) 4255660.
and card swapping continues to set the some sakes and and you’ll be OK. warm inside. www.zumarestaurant.
on the terrace. standard. enjoying the We usually stick to Might be the com
Zuma loungey music. mojitos. sake, too.

7
Fix up, look sharp In the tallest Money to burn? As steep as the Burj The bar is Armani Hotel, Burj
and bring your building in the This is the place for Khalifa. Khalifa, Old Town,
beautiful but
A-game to this world. Dress to you. Also great for Dubai, Mon to Sat
definitely one 10pm to 3am. Tel:
tres swank Armani impress Giorgio. people watching for special (04) 8883888. www.
outpost. and wondering occasions. armanihotels.com
Armani/Prive how you’ll pay the
bill.

8
Civilised, with Right on the creek A few drinks, Reasonable given Don’t leave Park Hyatt Dubai,
outdoor tables at one of the most lovely canapés the stunning Deira, Dubai, Sun to Fri
without
overlooking the beautiful hotels in and picking out setting and quality from 6pm to 1am, Tel:
sampling the (04) 3172222, www.
yachts and killer the land. which boat you’d of fare. raw bar. dubai.park.hyatt.com
cocktails. have. The Pershing,
The Terrace please.

9
Pretty buzzing At the heart of Great BOGOF value Not bad at all, even We nicknamed Aquara, Dubai Marina,
most nights, but Dubai Marina, with and the weather outside of happy Dubai, daily from 6pm
it The Youth
out of control come the water literally a is perfect for hour. to 12 midnight, Tel:
Club last winter (04) 3627900, www.
Thursday when the stone’s throw from this place at the – lots of young dubaimarinayachtclub.
world and his pal the vast deck. moment. pups. com
The Yacht turn up for happy
Club hour.

10
Calabar comes into Right at the centre Cocktails and chat. Above average, but Did we mention The Address
its own during the of Old Town, Don’t expect super this isn’t the kind Downtown Dubai,
the beanbags?
winter, when you affording you great speedy service, of place to chuck Emaar Boulevard,
can crach out on views of the Burj though. pints down your Downtown Dubai,
daily from 6pm to
the beanbags with Khalifa from said throat anyway. 2am, Tel: (04) 436 8888,
Calabar some pals. beanbags. www.theaddress.com

146 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010 OCTOBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 146

A BUSINESS HOTEL
THAT SPECIALIZES IN

‘HO HO HO’... ... AND A ‘HAPPY NEW YEAR’.

The festive season is upon us again, and there’s no better

way of spending this joyous occasion, celebrating with family
and friends at Cristal.

Lots of festive food, festive gifts and festive spirit will make this
Christmas and New Year, a celebration you’ll never forget.

Dinner for two, one night stay and a complimentar y

massage for AED 499*

Christmas lunch, dinner or New year’s eve dinner with gifts

for the kids at AED 119*

Christmas goodies available at Blendz.

Call 02 652 0000

Zayed the 1st Street, adjacent to Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre
Web: cristalhotelsandresorts.com

* Subject to 10% service charge and 6% tourism fee DYNAMIC HOSPITALITY

 THE HOT LIST
THE
ELITE
OF THE
EATING OUT
RESTAURANTS SCENE

Indego by Vineet MARCH 2010 WHAT’S ON 149 La Petite Maison

ATMOSPHERE INTERIOR FOOD LOCATION PRICE WHAT’S ON INFO

SAYS...

1
Booking is White panelled Chef Izi likes DIFC, where We managed DIFC, Gate
Best Newcomer
essential. Hurry walls with to keep things you’ll find our to drop Dhs930 Village 8,
(without at the What’s Dubai, Sun
and you may moulding simple and two favourite
alcohol), but On Awards last to Fri noon
be able to aplenty, sociable, with restaurants
two could eat month says it to 2.30pm
wheedle your contemporary sharing of his within tottering
La Petite well for Dhs650. all, doesn’t it? and 7pm to
way in for the artworks, dark, outstanding distance of each 11pm. Tel: (04)
Maison Gypsy Queens bare wood Niçoise (from other. 4390505. www.
on December 7 floors, a long bar. Nice) cuisine lpmdubai.ae
and 8. encouraged.

2
Check out Eat in the bright Colin Clague’s DIFC. The area it Dhs1,000 for Winner of our Building 6, Gate
Parisian jazz downstairs departure will be helped to make two. The Ebisu Village, DIFC, Sat to
Best Restaurant
duo Brahms & restaurant, or felt more deeply a dining hot Express lunch Thurs 12.30pm to
award and voted 3pm, Sat to Wed
Co’s residency, sink into one of than the team spot. menu (miso Best Japanese 7pm to midnight,
finishing the comfortable will admit, but plus main) is Restaurant by Thurs and Fri 7pm
Zuma December 10. If sofas in the Zuma still has Dhs62 and the you, the people to 1am. Tel: (04)
you’re lucky you lounge area for one of Dubai's Ebisu (miso plus of Dubai. 4255660. www.
may catch us on a more relaxed most innovative three courses) is zumarestaurant.
the decks. meal. kitchens. just Dhs120. com

3
The people’s A be-cushioned Vineet Bhatia Grosvenor Dhs900 We’ve known Grosvenor
(and our) welcome area, rewrote the House. Pop out (without Indego was House, Dubai
favourite Indian a winding rulebook for onto the terrace alcohol), which the best Indian Marina,
Restaurant is stairway and a Indian cooking. for a post- for this level of restaurant in Dubai, Sun to
cosy restaurant. fine dining is Dubai for a Thurs 7pm to
always warm The recently dinner tipple.
Indego by well worth it. long time, and 11pm. Tel: (04)
and inviting. revamped menu 3176000. www.
Vineet is a triumph. it seems you
have too. grosvenorhouse-
dubai.com

4
Always buzzing, The moment Chef Chris Book a table Dhs400 for two. There will Souk Al Bahar,
make sure you you step into Lester has left, on the terrace Try the Dhs80 Level 3, Old
always be a
book a table RG the sights, but the menu for 6pm on and Dhs100 Town, Dubai,
place in our noon to
in advance – sounds and boasts some a Saturday lunch menus. hearts, and our 11pm. Tel: (04)
especially if you smells of the fine new dishes, and order the bellies, for the 4230903. www.
Rivington want to dine on open kitchen including a rare roast beef Riv. rivingtongrill.ae
Grill the terrace. awaken your (in Dubai) beef and Yorkshire
senses. Wellington. pudding. We’ll
be there.

5
Even when the The designer Gordon Ramsay It’s the wrong Dhs395 for We’re looking Hilton Dubai Creek,
restaurant’s followed the put Verre in the end of town three courses Sun to Fri 7pm to
forward to even
not full, Verre blueprint for a capable hands but, until it and Dhs495 for 11.30pm. Tel: (04)
the six-courses. greater things 2277550. www.
maintains an air contemporary of chef Scott moves (we from our Chef
For the chef’s gordonramsay.
of majesty. fine dining Price. One of the hear this may of the Year Scott
Verre table it’s Dhs695 com
restaurant down big man’s better be on Gordon’s per person Price and his
to the last piece decisions of agenda), it is without alcohol. talented team.
of cutlery. 2010. worth the taxi.

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 149

 HOT ON
RESTAURANTS TH E HEEzaLniS
ne
11Rhodes Mez
Ristorante
12 Armani
13 Margaux
a
14 Terra Firm
15 Asado

West 14th Rhodes Twenty10 Traiteur

PRICE
ATMOSPHERE WHAT’S ON
INTERIOR INFO FOOD LOCATION PRICE WHAT’S ON INFO
SAYS... SAYS...

6
There’s always Forget the Roll up, roll Reflets has its Dhs1,000 and Take a day off
InterContinental
a sense of minimalism of up, by a ticket own private then some, but Dubai Festival
most modern floor at the work, book a City, Dubai, 7pm
reverence in to Gagnaire’s the three- table at lunch
the air at Pierre restaurants, magical culinary InterCon. Is course lunch to 1am. Tel: (04)
Pierre favours that exclusive and prepare to 7011128. www.
Gagnaire’s Dubai emporium. menu, available be amazed.
purple carpet, enough for you? ichotelsgroup.
Reflets outpost. pink chandeliers See what we Monday to com
Par Pierre and mahogany thought of the Friday, is a
Gagnaire’s balloon-back revamped lunch bargain at just
chairs. menu, p85. Dhs180.

7
Traiteur is the The high, The recently Do we need to Three courses for Traiteur will Park Hyatt
ideal restaurant vaulted ceiling revisited menu tell you again two for around come into its Dubai, Deira,
for a romantic is Traiteur’s includes such that Park Hyatt Dhs615. Dhs280 Dubai, Sun
own this festive
assignation. standout design intriguing Dubai is our per person for to Fri 7pm to
dishes as roast favourite hotel season. midnight. Tel:
The Christmas feature, but the three-course
Traiteur scallops stuffed in the city? (04) 3172222.
Day brunch is it is the open with Comte set menu. www.dubai.
sure to be fully kitchen below cheese. park.hyatt.com
subscribed. that powers
proceedings.

8
People are Pure NYC, with Order the 300g Beside the Dhs550 for It didn’t win Oceana Beach
beginning to low lighting, Australian rib beach at two without a What’s On Club, The Palm
discover this a cocktail eye medium- Oceana Beach alcohol, making Award, but Jumeirah,
New York-style bar and even rare and enjoy. Club, which it cheaper West 14th is Dubai, noon to
than your our favourite 3pm and 6pm
steakhouse, the requisite is not an easy
West 14th average Dubai steakhouse. to midnight Tel:
despite the fact exposed brick in place to find steakhouse. (04) 4477601.
that it’s rather the gents’ toilet. (print the map www.west14th.
well hidden. on the website). ae

9
It’s still pretty Purple and It’s a grill, just like It seems Gary We spent We’d advise a Le Royal
busy at black play the Gary promised. is trying to take Dhs630 for a Méridien Beach
table upstairs
Twenty10 so it’s leading role, Order the lamb over Dubai meal for two. Resort and Spa,
for a more Dubai, 7pm
best to book creating a rack rare. Marina one You could easily romantic to midnight.
ahead. design that Gary hotel at a time. spend more, or if evening at Tel: (04)
Rhodes describes as you were careful,
Twenty10 Twenty10. 3995555. www.
"gangster". Fair a little less. garyrhodes.
enough. com

10
With its cocktail The sunken Go for yellowtail The Monarch Dhs700 should Our second The Monarch
bar and restaurant sashimi, black Dubai may buy you three favourite Dubai, Sheikh
private dining floor and dim cod or our not flaunt its courses, sushi Japanese Zayed Road,
rooms, Okku lighting gives perennial luxuriousness and sashimi. spot in town Dubai, 7pm
– big words, to midnight.
encourages the effect of preference – the or its prime Tel: (04)
Okku the late night descending crispy rice. address, but given the
competition. 5018777. www.
lounge lizard. below decks on we’re not afraid okkudubai.com
a ship. to do just that.

150 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010 OCTOBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 150

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 THE HOT LIST
OUR
PICK
OF THE
BRUNCH
BRUNCHES BUNCH

Traiteur Al Qasr

ATMOSPHERE FOOD LOCATION BEST FOR PRICE WHAT’S ON INFO

SAYS...

1
It’s always fully Do you like Jump aboard Persuading Ready your Madinat
The proud Jumeirah,
subscribed, cheese? How an abra and your mum and credit card for a owner of a
despite the about made- check out the dad that you’ve painful Dhs495 Dubai, 12.30pm
What’s On to 4pm. Tel: (04)
price. So book to-order steak? bars at Madinat made it. It’s transaction. Award for Best 3666730. www.
ahead. Sushi? Oxtail Jumeirah post- compulsory to Brunch. The jumeirah.com
Al Qasr burger? Come brunch. visit Al Qasr at people have
on. What do you least once every spoken.
like? Al Qasr is 12 months.
likely to have it.

2
A live jazz Chef Franck Whether you Anyone with Up to you. Go for the Park Hyatt
band, open Detrait and his book a private style, taste, élan Dhs295 sans champagne
Dubai, Deira,
kitchen and team do classic dining room, a and a love of alcohol, Dhs425 Dubai, noon to
sun streaming table near the option. Brunch 4pm. Tel: (04)
French brasserie timeless French with house is not about
through the open kitchen 3172222. www.
fare. And they food. beverages, compromise.
Traiteur windows should buffet or a seat dubai.park.
be the key do it very well on the terrace, Dhs550 with hyatt.com
ingredients at indeed. enjoyment is Veuve Cliquot or
any successful guaranteed. Dhs1,500 with a
brunch. limo pick up.

3
You’ve been to Fresh sushi Home to both The best Kitsu (no Haven’t we Building 6, DIFC,
Zuma before, and sashimi Zuma and La Japanese food alcohol), Dubai, 12.30pm
said enough
right? Has and a thrilling Petite Maison, in Dubai. Dhs315. Kowaku to 4pm. Tel: (04)
already? It’s the 4255660. www.
it ever been selection of DIFC now has (with alcohol), best Japanese zumarestaurant.
lacking custom? dishes from the some serious Dhs425. Kyasha restaurant in com
Zuma No, and brunch inspired regular culinary clout. package with Dubai. Full.
is no different. menu. champers, Stop.
Book ahead. Dhs550.

4
Take a table Duck noodle Right on the It’s all a la carte, Dhs225 with If Thursday Park Hyatt
on the terrace soup. Papaya water at the so you don’t alcohol. An night was
Dubai, Deira,
and kick back salad. Gently Park Hyatt have to leave absolute Dubai, noon to
and enjoy the heavy, give 4pm. Tel: (04)
spiced curries. Dubai, which, in your seat. If bargain. yourself a break
bobbing boats 3172222. www.
Vast basket of case we haven’t you’re a lazy so on Friday.
in the Marina dubai.park.
Thai Kitchen and the gentle rice brought to made it clear, and so looking hyatt.com
jazz drifting table. is our favourite for a civilised
from the hotel in Dubai. afternoon.
speakers. You've found it.

5
Light, bright Live cooking Sunshine floods This is a real Dhs395 with Did we mention InterContinental
and buzzing, stations whip the vast room people-pleaser alcohol, Dhs295 Dubai Festival City,
the cheese
with a live band, up Peking and the terrace – a huge choice without. Dubai, 12.30pm
room? to 4pm. Tel: (04)
terrace and a duck, pizzas, overlooks the of chow, great
7011111. www.
merry crowd. barbecued cuts skyline, so either service and not ichotelsgroup.
Anise and more – but way you’re onto too rowdy. com
don’t miss the a winner.
cheese room.

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 153

 BRUNCHES HOT ON
THehEouH EELSnch
se Malt Dru
11 War ious
12 Bubbalic Café
Be lgian Beer
13
14 Yalumba
ne
15 Media O

Armani/Hashi Spectrum On One

PRICE
ATMOSPHERE WHAT’S ON
FOOD INFOLOCATION BEST FOR PRICE WHAT’S ON INFO
SAYS... SAYS...

6
Not as infamous Champagne, Saunter onto A notable The Dhs425 Madinat
It’s time people
as its next door steak, seafood, the terrace, brunch with price tag puts Jumeirah,
neighbour Al order a duck started talking Dubai, 12.30pm
sushi – all the friends or it at the higher
Qasr, but always wrap from one about Mina to 4pm. Tel: (04)
usual high- visitors. end of the
well attended. of the outdoor A’Salam. 3668888. www.
end brunch spectrum.
Mina A'Salam cooking stations jumeirah.com
suspects. The and try and
cocktails and spot the turtles
setting make it swimming
special, though. below.

7
It’s appropriate Platters of On the beach, A chilled out Dhs300 for Don your Le Royal
to turn up to grilled meat and in the pool or alfresco party. pool and beach sombrero,
Meridien Beach
this brunch fish between nodding to the access from Resort & Spa,
in swimming 1pm and 4pm rhythms of the 10am to 6pm, pull on your Dubai Marina,
shorts, so it’s fair on the Maya live mariachi plus lunch swimmers and Dubai, 10am to
to say it’s pretty terrace. band and DJ. and a 30 per crack open cold 6pm. Tel: (04)
Maya laid-back. cent beverage one poolside. 3165550. www.
discount leroyalmeridien-
between 5pm dubai.com
and 7pm.

8
DJ and banter Sushi buffet, Dubai’s only Sushi and sake Dhs290 Knock out views, Armani Hotel,
inside, cool robati grills, designer hotel. lovers. Also a (without insanely good
Burj Khalifa,
breezes and platters of great shout alcohol), Old Town,
Dhs380 (house food and a lively Dubai, noon
views on the nibbles brought if you’ve got vibe make this
beverages), to 3.30pm. Tel:
terrace. This to the table and children in a welcome
Armani/Hashi Dhs585 (04) 8883888.
is an elegant a la carte mains tow – there’s (Bollinger). Go newbie to the www.dubai.
brunch on that are worth a supervised for the Bolly. scene. armanihotels.
prime Dubai the brunch playroom. com
real estate. price alone.

9
The friendly This is "BBQ the Take a table Meat, drink A very A meat The Grand Grill
waiter makes South African outside for a and being as reasonable feast of epic Steakhouse,
this experience, way", which more traditional merry as an elf Dhs295 with proportions. Habtoor Grand
making sure means an end- barbecue on Christmas alcohol or Brilliant. Resort & Spa,
you’re never Lobby level,
less procession experience. Day (the start Dhs225 without.
The Grand thirsty and Dubai Marina,
are devouring of plates laden of his year-long Dubai, 12.30pm
Grill with grilled holiday).
your fair share to 4pm. Tel: (04)
of flesh. Good meats. 3994221. www.
banter, too. thegrandgrill.
com

10
One of Dubai’s Eight kitchens Come Friday Multinational Dhs550 for Spectrum On Fairmont
most popular serving up afternoon, the eating. the full bubble One will never Dubai, Sheikh
brunches, cuisine from first floor of the experience, disappoint. Zayed Road,
Spectrum Europe, Fairmont Dubai Dus395 for the Dubai, noon to
Thailand, China, 3pm. Tel: (04)
Spectrum always entices a is devoted Hops and Vines
India, Japan and 3325555. www.
On One good crowd. the Middle East. entirely to option or Dhs295 fairmont.com/
brunching. sans booze. dubai

154 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010 OCTOBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 154

 THE
THE HOT LIST DADDIES
OF THE
HEALTH AND
SPAS LEISURE
SCENE

Armani/Spa Amara Sensasia Urban Spa

THERAPISTS MENU THE SPA PRICE WHAT’S ON INFO

SAYS...

1
Knowledgeable There’s a lengthy One of the most There are monthly Park Hyatt Dubai,
A treatment at
and professional, and luxurious list beautiful spaces offers that take Deira, Dubai,
these relaxation of treatments on in Dubai, Amara Amara makes 9am to 10pm.
the sting out of
experts will take offer. Grouped has a courtyard everything Tel: (04) 6021234.
the steep prices –
you from stressed by theme, there’s with daybeds, a better. We www.dubai.park.
but the quality of
Amara out to blissed out. an emphasis stunning outdoor love it. hyatt.com
We recommended on rituals and pool and each products, spa and
Sue if knots packages that treatment room therapists more
are your main include pool and has a private than justify them.
problem. health club access. outdoor shower.

2
Quiet, kind and Innovative and Asian chic with Choose wisely and That ginger tea The Beach Club, Al
with a firm hand imaginative, you’ll splashes of jewel you’ll get an hour- alone makes Nafura, Shoreline
when necessary, find treatments tones; the cosy long massage for it worth the Apartments, The Palm
Sensasia’s staff you never knew rooms are a true Dhs310. trip, but the Jumeirah, Dubai,
treatments are 10am to 10pm.
are trained to the you needed. retreat. And the Tel: (04) 4227115.
Sensasia highest standards. We love specific dressing gowns are amazing too.
www.sensasiaspas.
Urban Spa massages like the best in town. com
the Hi Heeler for
aching feet.

3
There’s a mix Talise sets itself The treatment Various, but the The Optimal Al Qasr, Al Sufouh,
of nationalities apart with its rooms are linked 80-minute Royal Dubai,
Health
and specialities, naturopath, life by leafy outdoor Hammam is a fair 9am to 10pm.
Assessment Tel: (04) 3666818.
from massage coaching and pathways, with Dhs450. (Dhs1,495 until www.jumeirah.com/
therapists to a GP. medical testing, an outdoor pool December 1) is talise
Talise Spa This spa is packed in addition to the tucked away for superb.
with experts. large spa menu. those day-long spa
sessions.

4
Modern zen There are You’d never expect It’s pricey, but Quiet and The Address Dubai
awaits at this separate menus this shrine to worth it for luxurious, with Mall, Old Town, Dubai,
vast spa, with for ladies and de-stressing to the quality of quality added 9am to 9pm. Tel: (04)
experienced gents. Particularly be mere minutes treatments and extras, this spa 4388888.
is a true retreat. www.theaddress.com
therapists on recommended from the hectic snooze you’ll enjoy.
The Spa hand to guide you is the Jet Lag Dubai Mall. It’s the
from reception to treatment. perfect antidote
relaxation. to an afternoon of
shopping.

5
An international There’s no As stylish as you’d Not as bad as The unique Armani Hotel, Burj
mix of staff. treatment menu expect from you fear, with 90 Khalifa, Old Town,
'decide for you'
We had a as such, just book Giorgio. It’s a sleek minutes costing Dubai,
approach is 9am to 9pm.
knot-busting a time slot (from space with dark Dhs650, up to great for spa Tel: (04) 8883888.
South African. 90 minutes to a greys and clean Dhs2,500 for a newbies. www.dubai.
Armani/Spa Impressive. full day) and the lines. See our full day. armanihotels.com
therapist decides. review on p111.

DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S

OCTOBER 2010 WHAT’S ON
ON 157
157
 HOT ON
LSOnly
THE HEa,EOne
SPAS &
y Sp
11 One&Onl Mirage
Royal l,
rContinenta City
12 Spa Inte ai Fe stival
enta l D ub
InterContin Dubai Marin
a
13 N.A.I.L.S, nd Spa,
14 The G ra
tt Dubai
Grand Hya Al Maha
s Spa,
15 Timeles rt
Desert Reso

Banyan Tree Al Wadi Thai Privilege Spa

THERAPISTS MENU THE SPA PRICE WHAT’S ON INFO

SAYS...

6
Male and female The menu invites Shared steam and Mid-range, with Desert Palm, Al
What could be
therapists are you to 'drop sauna facilities a 60-minute Ann Awir Road, after
available with your robe, cares make it an ideal better than a International City,
Semonin massage
their extensive and guard'. destination for rub down then Dubai, 9am to 9pm.
for Dhs450 and an
knowledge. Cheeky. There are couples. We steak at Rare? Tel: (04) 3238888.
hour of reflexology
Lime Spa They’re happy to Anne Semonin especially like the Nothing. www.desertpalm.ae
answer questions, treatments, plus clever two-way for Dhs395.
or just let you a choice ranging windows so you
nod off. from ear candling can look out over
to sculpting rituals. the polo fields.

7
The female Each month Hidden away in Well priced at We tried a 1074 Uttamah Villas,
therapists at this brings new an Al Wasl villa, around Dhs350 fruity orange
Al Wasl Road, Jumeira,
ladies-only spa treatments and the spa is a cosy for an hour-long Dubai, 10am to 10pm.
undergo two discounts. You’ll escape with a massage. Keep an facial a few Tel: (04) 3489679. www.
years of training find everything lovely garden for eye out for those weeks ago thaiprivilegespadubai.
and the results from blow-dries to yoga. special offers, too. and are still com
Thai Privilege are impressive. luxury rituals, all glowing.
Spa with a Thai flavour.

8
The team at The extensive list It’s an impressive You’re on The Palm A spa that Atlantis The Palm,
Atlantis will greet covers gentlemen’s spa with a huge so expect to pay will have you Palm Jumeirah, Dubai,
you with ginger shaves, expert staircase, beautiful the big bucks, 10am to 10pm. Tel:
with two-hour wanting more (04) 4261020. www.
tea, treat you to pedicures, lengthy "floating" walkway (and asking for
packages costing atlantisthepalm.com
some high quality rituals and more. and underwater- a pay rise).
Spa & Fitness Dhs1,000. They’ve
pampering then Particularly themed treatment priced it with
Centre bring more tea. recommended are rooms. tourists in mind,
the Clarins facials. but it’s worth
treating yourself.

9
All graduates Asian-inspired It's a bit of a trek to Five-star prices The Rainforest Banyan Tree Al Wadi,
from the Banyan therapies in exotic RAK so you need for five-star Ras Al Khaimah, 10am
includes an ice
Tree Academy, treatment rooms. to spend the day treatments, but to 10pm. Tel: (07)
igloo, tropical 2067777.
so you're in safe (which means an hour in The showers, www.banyantree.
hands. spending big) to Rainforest (a hammam and com
Banyan Tree make the journey hydrotherapy more.
Al Wadi worthwhile. experience) is only
Dhs77.

10
Super friendly Try the fourhanded Seriously soft Slightly above Enjoy a The Monarch, Sheikh
and dedicated to Mandara dressing gowns, average at Dhs470 Zayed Road, Dubai,
massage
making your me- Massage. You’ll Elemis facials for the 65-minute 9am to 10pm. Tel:
and lunch at (04) 5018888. www.
time as enjoyable be pushed, pulled and the beautiful Muscle Ease Okku or Ruth’s themonarchdubai.
as possible. and pulverised steam room were massage. Chris for only com
Mandara Spa into a state of our highlights. Dhs299.
somnolence by
two therapists.

158 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010 OCTOBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 158

 WIN
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CHRISTMAS!

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160 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

 Backchat with Catboy
Along with my Christmas tunes, I have also
amassed quite a collection of seasonal films.
From the first of December, I plan to watch at
least one festive film per day. I have no hard and
fast rules on the order, but Christmas Eve is al-
ways saved for Frank Capra and James Stewart.
I’ll even watch TV I’d normally baulk at. For
instance, I never watch cookery shows but every
year I stare at Nigella’s Christmas Kitchen and
daydream about a well-proportioned turkey.
I have an open door policy throughout
December. Anyone is welcome to join me. It
Our man on the radio claims The reason I can associate with that plot so is the one time of year I shake-off my reclusive
easily is I absolutely love Christmas films. In shackles and become a genial, occasionally
Christmas is a time for all – fact, I love most things about this time of year. rambunctious, host. Friends are welcome to my
even reclusives like him For me, being in Dubai only magnifies these food, drink, movies, music and company, no
feelings. I may be in the Middle East and De- questions asked. I almost feel a duty to provide
I am writing this on board a United Airlines cember may be hotter than most British sum- unabashed festive fun.
flight, stuck on the Tarmac in Honolulu. This mers, but when you walk through the door of And what’s the pay-off, you might ask. It’s
is the return journey from this year’s Dubai Chez Cat, you’re walking through a wormhole simple. This is the one bit of tradition I have left
92 Barasti Big Deal. I have approximately two into the traditional British Christmas. in my life. I don’t like birthdays, Valentines Day,
days of travelling ahead of me. If I don’t make Here’s how I run things. First of all, for me Easter or New Year’s Eve, but Christmas will
every connection back to Dubai, I am going to Christmas begins on the first day of Decem- always be special. I love the coming together to
miss my flight to Sri Lanka, which is an early ber. That’s when the tree goes up. It has to be a break bread. I love the imagery and iconogra-
Christmas treat to myself. real fir, preferably Norwegian, every year. Yes, phy. I love the carols, the unwrapping of gifts,
We have been sat on the runway for well over they’re expensive but nothing beats opening the the afternoon nap, the bad telly, the chocolates,
an hour now because the plane’s GPS is on the front door and breathing in that pine aroma. I the hours spent trying to get a small red hat
fritz and, as the affable pilot has pointed out, we bet half of you are saying BUT WHAT ABOUT and cotton-wool beard on my feral kitty for just
need it to get over the water. I’m pretty relaxed THE MESS? To those people I say this... Pine one photograph, the storytelling, the excite-
about it now because I have a five-hour ‘safety needles on a tiled floor is not the Da Vinci ment and, of course, the feast.
buffer’ in LA. That mood will change with time. Code of cleaning problems. Most of my life is spent wearing a cynical,
That said, the whole thing smacks of a feel- Next is the music. In the car, the villa and sarcastic coat. For one month each year it’s nice
good, festive, family film. I’m Chevy Chase, a as often as I can get away with on Dubai 92, I to take it off and put on a Christmas sweater.
hard-working, gaff-prone yet lovable buffoon play a selection of Christmas music that I’ve Merry Christmas, all.
just trying to get home for Christmas. Every- been adding to over the years. My normal
thing that can go wrong will go wrong, but just music snobbery goes out of the window and I Catboy hosts the Catboy & Geordiebird
in the nick of time I’ll get home and it will be welcome Mariah, The Darkness, Slade and even Breakfast Show, Sun to Thurs, 6am to
the best Christmas ever. Band Aid 20 with open ears. 10am, Dubai 92. www.dubai92.com

Don’t miss next month’s What’s On for

what’s new in the Emirates in 2011, backstreet
curries and Dubai’s best salads

162 WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2010

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