Christmas in Dubai

December 10, 2017 by monica Leave a Comment

CHRISTMAS IN DUBAI done differently..

ROOFTOP CHRISTMAS IN OLD AND NEW DUBAI

Have Christmas lunch in Al Seef - that's the newest development by Meraas down by Dubai Creekside. Head towards Meena Baazaar and follow the brown signs.

Eat at a place called Kona Grill. You're on a roof top terrace overlooking old Dubai, the wooden abras and the more modern yachts moored along side. Then walk off your meal taking in all the new development. Think along the lines of a much bigger, wider Bastakiya.

Food wise expect a really reasonable 5 course menu with choices of starters like avocado rolls, poke bowls or hot shrimp tempura, followed by soups then for mains choose from a traditional roast turkey plate or a salmon with spicy glaze or shrimp and lemon penne with rocket. Plus desserts plus if you have room mince pie with your coffee!

All on this roof top setting, you can have your package with or without alcoholic beverages. Here's the full pdf of the Kona Grill Christmas menu. A bargain at AED 199 with soft drinks and AED 299 with house beverages!

Kona Grill Menu for Christmas

and here is their New Year's Eve offering:

Kona Grill NYE menu 2018

They also have fireworks over the next 4 or 5 week ends in the evening.

HAVE A FESTIVE SUSHI LUNCH THEN GO VISIT THE LOUVRE

LOVED the Louvre gallery museum in Abu Dhabi and I recommend you combine your visit there these holidays with a superb sushi lunch at the Spanish based 99 Sushi Bar on Al Maryah Island. It's in the Four Seasons hotel in Abu Dhabi. I really recommend the corn fed chicken gyozas, the seared tuna and salmon sushi and the soft shell crab maki rolls.

If you're going for Christmas they will plan a sumptuous buffet lunch or dinner and that will be customised according to whether you're vegetarian or non vegetarian. Expect to pay around AED 400 per head including soft drinks.

The setting is stunning with views over the sea on the terrace, there is also a vertical garden wall and just altogether top end luxury all round, so perfect for an alternative festive meal. You must call to book ahead for this deal though and mention DoinDubai.

Reservations on 02 672 3333.

It's about 10 to 15 minutes drive to the Louvre from here.

We had lunch at 99 Sushi then went to the Louvre in the afternoon. Check out the current Instagram competition to see if you could WIN a meal here too!

School term over, holidays for everyone almost here so what better way to start than with a Glorious Foodie GIVEAWAY! AED 500 to spend at the super stylish @99sushibar_ad at the Four Seasons Abu Dhabi on Al Maryah island. Here’s what you have to do to be in with a chance to WIN! 1. Follow @DoinDubai on instagram 2. Follow @99SushiBar_ad on instagram
3. Tag 3 friends 4. Tell me who you’d take with you if you won this prize
5. Winner announced on 21st of December here
6. Extra entries for those who like DoinDubai's FB page! Please note that neither Instagram nor Facebook have in any way sponsored this contest nor are they affiliated with it in any way. . . . . . . @99sushibar #99sushibar_ad @fsabudhabi #sushi #lovesushi #yummy #stylish #fabulous #dynamiteprawns #makirolls #softshellcrab #delicious #contest #competition #buzzfeedtasty #girlgains
#abudhabi #abudhabifood #luxurylifestyle #win #competition
A post shared by Monica Kapila (@doindubai) on Dec 14, 2017 at 9:55pm PST

CHRISTMAS PLAY TRY A NEW NIGHT BRUNCH ON THE 25th

Have a lighter meal during the day and then save your serious eating for Christmas Night at a newly launched Night brunch called Shades of Play. Where and what is Play all about? Play is located on the 36th floor of the H hotel on Sheikh Zayed road and the main chef is Reith Othman who came from Zuma! But the food on offer is called Mediterrasian and served in posh surroundings. There is no terrace but there is a dj!

The deal and I think it's a really good one if you can get there before 9pm, is below:
Four-course gourmet set menu, including two courses of sharing appetizers, main dish, dessert and house beverages.
Date: Every Monday
Price: AED 300 per person if you're seated and have placed your order by 9pm that includes free house beverages
AED 450 per person from 9:30pm to 12:30am with free house beverages

TRY SOME TOP END CHRISTMAS CATERING

Remember Dish Catering from our Ramadan Nights series? They are offering 2 different Christmas Catering services during the Festive period - a full festive meal that includes Welcome Canapes, Buffet of mains and Desserts or a sharing option with all the trimmings. It's all very well having food delivered and doing Turkey Takeaways, but then you've still got all that serving out and warming up to do! Did I mention the clearing up?

I LOVE the idea of trained staff doing a proper set up wearing Santa hats and Christmas aprons. No spots for 24th and 25th of December, so book now for next year - but there is availability on the other days of the festive period.

So treat yourself and your visitors to a classy party style meal with all the work done for you.

Prices from AED 220 per head that includes all the crockery and cutlery but there is an extra cost for the staff depending on whether you want your bar person to serve drinks etc. Treat yourself, it'll be the main Christmas Story this year!

Did I say you can also request for traditional Christmas drinks like Gluwein and Egg Nog! Do they bring Christmas Crackers too? Here are the details you'll need to book

kelly@dish.ae or info@dish.ae or 04 4221613. Have a look at the Dish Catering Christmas Menu to whet your appetite!

SANTA BABY NOT JUST A SONG AT NOLAS

If you're feeling a little light in the wallet after Christmas don't worry! You can still go a special Festive Ladies Night on Tuesday 26th of December. It's called the Santa Baby Ladies Night and expect obviously Santa who'll be giving all the ladies some presents, there's a live jazz band, a cool terrace and a relaxed indoor vibe with comfy sofas.

The deal? 4 complimentary beverages for the ladies, some of which are Festive in origin so think Egg Nog and Mulled drinks plus 50% off your food bill. Order a la carte from a festive menu. So sink into those sofas and listen to the some live jazz with Santa Baby! They reckon a MAX of AED 100 per head including all food and drink. That's on Boxing Day.. We're at Nolas in JLT of course in Cluster P for Party at the Blue Bay Armada hotel... just follow Santa's footsteps!

MISSED THE LIVE BROADCAST?

The live broadcast happens on a Tuesday, this week Tuesday 21st of November from 3 to 4 pm, but if you missed it, then you can listen to the podcast.

We'll add it into the article here when it's ready for uploading, the day after the live broadcast. But in the meantime, we've left the podcast from the last show in for you to listen to.

Those of you reading this article in your email or on RSS feed may not see the podcast here unless you click on 'view email in browser'

Alternatively visit THE TICKET BLOG HERE.

Don't miss the show on Tuesday Dubai Eye 103.8 The Ticket - listen live

We will post the shows podcast here when it is available to us.

If you'd like to collaborate, then click here to find out how you could work with me on Blogger Events, Food Photography, Foodie Videos and PODCASTS!

Thank You Monica.

December 30, 2016 by monica Leave a Comment

FOOD NEWS AND REVIEWS 27th DECEMBER 2016

How about a special NYE dinner plus a concert ticket to a show hosted by world renowned dj duo Axwell and Ingrosso? Topped off with fab views of the Burj Khalifa fireworks at midnight. We're partying at the Meydan on the 31st! Get a 360 degree view of Dubai in an iconic space under the crescent shaped roof of the Meydan in Dubai's SKY BUBBLE! Various packages still available out of the 8 on offer but we picked this one.. Lucky number 7!

This package includes:

New Year's Eve Dinner at the Sky Bubble
General Admission Concert Ticket
Spectacular views of the fireworks from Burj Khalifa
Easy access, free parking for 8600 cars

AED 999 per person | Download NYE Sky Bubble Menu

A money no object NYE, after all it is Dubai!

A Party like it's 1999 package in Business Bay at Flavio Briattore's Billionaire Mansion!

We're talking Beluga caviar here with oysters on ice, Sumosan sushi, and wild mediterranean seabass or maybe you'd prefer some grilled wagyu fillet grade 12 with some baby artichokes! Plus you get some midnight lentils soup!

Only AED 2500 with house beverages or a mere AED 4500 for very classy, top drawer bubbles.

BUT if you want to taste the highlife at home, you could just get a Caviar chauffeur to deliver you a tin of top grade caviar and party like it's 1999 every year!

AED 300 for a tin of Amstur - American Sturgeon caviar. Not too salty, no fishy taste either, choose from 4 different grades Imperial, Royal, Empress Organic, or the top of the range Select.

Remember the golden rule, never use a metal spoon!

A real domesticated NYE for some if you live in the vicinity of the Arabian Ranches, Victory Heights, Sports City or surrounding areas. Even better if you spend the night at a mate's in the Ranches, no awkward trips home!

NYE at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club in the very smart, newly refurbished restaurant or on the terrace overlooking the golf course. There's even a special fireworks display put on by Emaar as well as a live band. Food is mainly offered in a buffet style arrangement with some live stations that include an oyster station!

Over 10 different salads, a seafood and sushi bar, a live oyster bar, a live dim sum bar, a noodle and rice station, a bbq section with things like Korean spicy lamb chops, lime and chilli tuna steaks and prawn kebabs, a traditional roast carving station.Then mains that include things like butter chicken and honey and soy salmon and lamb moussaka!

A bargain I think at AED 425 with soft beverages and AED 625 with a full drinks package, cheaper if you're members so AED 395 or AED 550.

Happy 2017 with a good offer from Emaar.

LOVE the sound of this urban NYE at City Walk!

In a brand new hotel that opened on 15th December, this is ultimate in Urban Cool. The 1st licensed hotel in City Walk, try NYE at the Chival restaurant in Hotel Ville, a luxury boutique hotel that's part of the Autograph collection, owned by the Marriott group.

Delicious Design is key here and the menu sounds equally good featuring dishes like Lobster with purple potato, Moroccan spiced lamb and buttermilk risotto.

I love the sound of the wild mushroom truffle risotto with roasted peas as the veg option here!

AED 650 without alcohol, and AED 850 if you're imbibing.

Views of the Burj Khalifa in a the very trendy setting of City Walk all for free.

We'll be reporting on a meal from here in a January show, as this is also a must do new restaurant.

December 11, 2016 by monica Leave a Comment

TURKEY TAKE AWAY

I’ve never done a Turkey Take Away for Christmas before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect!

But now I’m sold.

We tried the Turkey Take Away Christmas meal from Jones the Grocer so we could share a review on Dubai Eye 103.8 The Ticket Food News and Reviews radio show.

In a word – excellent. Here’s why…

What you need to do at home before your Turkey Take Away arrives

Prepare the dishes and platters you’ll need to serve your food. Set out your dishes with cutlery on a kitchen table so you can transfer your food before taking your meal to your Christmas table. Clear as much counter space as you can in your kitchen. Remember to have the right tools to carve your turkey.

How does your Turkey Takeaway look when it comes to your door

It looks like this. Very easy to carry, convenient boxes that enclose tin foil containers that are sealed well to keep in the heat. Our turkey arrived piping hot.

Can you reheat your Turkey Takeaway

Yes you can if you don’t open the sealed foil containers, just pop in a pre warmed oven. We decanted out gravy into a jug and heated that in the microwave.

Does it look homemade on your Christmas table

We all thought so.

The giveaway of course will be that you don’t look stressed and exhausted from organising and cooking the Christmas dinner yourself!

Post Christmas meal snacks

The cheese platter could be saved for a small meal or kept to accompany drinks on boxing day. The same goes for the ginger bread house.

What you need to know about ordering your Turkey Takeaway from Jones the Grocer

Whatever you order will feed more people than you think. We thought ours was good for 6 to 8 people. We could have fed 10 people easily with this amount of food.

Festive Turkey Take-Away Prices:

· Roast turkey, stuffing and gravy – AED 575

· Roast turkey, stuffing, five trimmings and gravy – AED 775

· Roast turkey, stuffing, five trimmings with gravy and 2 deluxe platters – AED 1275

· Gingerbread house – AED 95

· Mince pies (pack of 4) – AED 26

· Fruit cake – AED 29 small, AED 49 large

Left Over Ideas

Well you tell me, but I liked the sound of pea and mint soup, a turkey and mushroom pie, and some crumbled ginger bread run through some good quality vanilla ice cream!

Thank you

Monica (liberated from the kitchen this Christmas ! )

Festive wishes to all and thanks to Jones the Grocer Dubai.

Check out:

20 ideas for Festive Food and Fun in Dubai, all in one place, all in one format!

Still time to enter our Festive Giveaway Bonanza, that’s another meal you won’t have to cook at home this festive season.

December 6, 2016 by monica Leave a Comment

FOOD NEWS AND REVIEWS 13th DECEMBER 2016

Get authentic this Christmas with a Tree Lighting ceremony in the desert at the iconic Bab Al Shams. Not sure if there'll be 3 wise men, but you might see camels and a few stars! Hot chocoloate and gingerbread cake FREE, no entry charge either plus a cool carol concert as well. All happening on Friday 16th of December from 6.30 pm, a GREAT way to start the Christmas holidays don't you think? See you down there.. Read all the details on that event at our Festive Food and Fun page. Scroll down till you see An Oasis of Festivities, then click for details.

Known for it's high quality produce, it seems an obvious bet for a terrific Turkey Takeaway. But don't just think Turkey Takeout, how about making a meal from the sides of mega cheese boards and seafood platters with gravadlax and caper berries as well as or instead of your traditional Turkey Dinner. We unboxed a feast of a Turkey Takeaway from Jones the Grocer at home on Sunday, here's what to expect if you take home your turkey! Some slots still available for the 25th. To give you an idea of prices for roast turkey with stuffing, gravey, 5 trimmings gravy, as well as two deluxe platters – AED 1275. I reckon that would feed 6 to 8 easily, so I think AED 182 for one huge meal or two if you use the deluxe platters later, using gourmet ingredients, is very good value. Full post on Turkey Takeaway up now.

We're back on Club Vista Mare on the The Palm Jumeirah, but this time we're catching our Christmas Dinner first! 5/6 of you can go Christmas fishing on the Ibn Albahr boat, catch your dinner and then come back to the Palm for it to cooked according to your taste! Middle Eastern, French Provencale or Indian. Here's Fadi one of the owners and a veteran fisherman telling you a bit more about what you might catch. ADD VIDEO. Alternatively just book and eat a brilliant seafood lunch on the Ibn Albahr terrace. Felt like I was on holiday in Dubai..

Want to have a really good Christmas Dinner out but don't want to get too formal about it? Then try the Festive Meals at Pantry Cafe in Bay Square. A down to earth community cafe that's still classy and uses really good quality ingredients. Festive Food on the menu at the Pantry Cafe from the 18th to the 25th of December. Expect Christmasy ingredients like chestnuts, cranberries and parnsnips and pumpkins! Loved the sound of the orange glazed brussell sprouts with spiced pecan nuts! No set price either, just order what you feel like, a la carte! Break the rules and have your mains made of sides! Who needs Turkey when you've got sides like these! Had this for lunch yesterday!

Try a Vietnamese Christmas dinner, 7 courses including a five-spice turkey, scallops with thai basil, glass noodles and chilli samba. No mince pies but instead try raspberry and cinnamon parfait with crispy meringue and pistachio! On 24th and 25th of December from 7pm AED 395 or AED 595 with a beverage package. But I'm also tempted by their Christmas day brunch offering 50 Festive Flavours of Vietnam, unlimited Vietnamese tapas expect crispy Canadian lobster and shiitake ravioli, wok-fried golden garlic prawns. 25th December 12.30 to 4pm how much? Very reasonable AED 230 for food! AED 350 for house beverages.

Christmas in Dubai