Dubai, UAE: Joe’s Backyard, the neighborhood barbecue restaurant at Holiday Inn Dubai Festival City, has launched its hot summer offer, giving residents and visitors money-saving deals on its lip-smacking flame-grilled dishes and thirst-quenching beverages.

From now until Sept. 30, weekend brunches are offered on a Buy One Get One, with packages starting from AED275 per person. Guests can choose one dish from the starter, main, and dessert selection and enjoy three hours of unlimited selected house beverages.

Begin the weekend vibes with the Caribbean Night Dinner every Thursday evening from 9:00 pm onwards. Enjoy the most delicious barbecue treats and pair them with the coolest drinks while listening to live DJs playing high-energy beats.

On Friday and Saturday, guests can choose to dine in the afternoon or in the evening, with two sets of brunches to choose from. The Friday Brunch starts at 1:30pm to 4:00pm and 8:00pm to 11:00pm. Catch performances by the resident DJs while indulging in the juiciest steak, crunchy fish and chips, and tempting desserts.

Spend your Saturday at Joe’s Backyard and bid the weekend goodbye while having the Hubble Bubble Brunch. Come in the afternoon from 2:00pm to 5:00pm or in the evening from 8:00pm to 11:00pm and choose from a selection of starters, mains, sides, and something sweet to cap the lovely meal.

Located on the 19th floor, the amazing sunset on this restaurant’s terrace and the panoramic views of the Dubai Creek will add to every guest’s wonderful weekend dining experience.

Book your table now, email reservations@joebackyard.com or call 055 709 4509.

People don’t stay in one place too long, they move up. That’s how they do it in Dubai.

Renata Messarra, managing director at Reborn Consultancy, a public relations firm, started out in this expat city more than 10 years ago, fresh from finishing her BA in Advertising and Marketing in Lebanon.

“I decided to move to Dubai to discover my potentials. After getting employed in great companies, where I’ve been given the chance to perform my work in domains like corporate events, media, outdoor marketing, fashion and hospitality among others, I have decided to fly on my own. I’ve always been interested in entrepreneurship since day one,” Renata tells Dubai Vibes Magazine.

She brings more than a decade of experience with particular strengths in the areas of digital marketing, events and public relations especially in the food and beverage industry. Her years of creative experience were acquired from handling well-known local and international brands.

Renata, who was born in Lebanon and raised in Bologna, Italy, has recently formed her own public relations firm that, she says, “really fills a gap in the market…with a vision of being a leading communication agency in the UAE, focused on delivering award-winning campaigns.”

“I’ve been in Dubai for over 10 years, which allowed me to see the evolution of the market and understand how Dubai will be the best living city in the world based on His Highness Sheikh Mohamad Al Maktoum’s vision,” says Renata.

She added: “I have travelled to over 40 countries, and the experience helped me to have a better grasp of the world by learning and experiencing the different cultures of each country that I have visited. 

“Dubai is my place to go for work. I’ve never felt working anywhere else as there are all nationalities under one roof here and it’s so dynamic.”

What keeps her going? 

“Challenges and achieving my goals. And mostly being surrounded by the people I love, who are the key when it comes to supporting me in reaching my dreams and ambitions. In the end, the foundations of successful business are simple: experience, goals, purpose, passion and most important, values,” says Renata.

Another thing, she says, is that  Dubai is “home to everyone who has a dream.”  The city, she added, “offers all the opportunities for everyone to  achieve the impossible as long as they are a hard worker.”

“Opportunities knock at your door everyday.”

Dubai, UAE: It’s shopping galore once again in this international city that never sleeps!

Emaar Malls has recorded an increase in net profit by 80% to AED 622 million (US$ 169 million) during the first six months (January to June) of 2021, compared to a net profit of AED 345 million (US$ 94 million), during the same period in 2020, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported. 

“Our efforts continue to focus on diversifying and growing the malls’ retail offerings, while driving new developments forward to ensure ongoing financial profitability. With customers’ expectations consistently evolving, along with the growth of new target markets, it is critical that Emaar Malls continues to reimagine the retail sector and deliver innovative, unmatched experiences. With Dubai’s unique agility to embrace change, we are constantly looking to go beyond the demands of the next generation of shoppers,” WAM quoted an Emaar spokesperson as saying. 

Revenue for H1 2021 amounted to AED 2.048 billion (US$ 558 million), an increase of 23 per cent compared to the H1 2020 revenue of AED 1.660 billion (US$ 452 million).

Revenue for Q2 2021 increased by 27 per cent to AED 1.147 billion (US$ 312 million), compared to the Q1 2021 revenue of AED 901 million (US$ 245 million).

Emaar Mall’s e-commerce fashion and lifestyle platform, Namshi, a wholly owned subsidiary, recorded sales of AED 427 million (US$ 116 million) for Q2 2021, 65 per cent higher than Q1 2021, and recorded online sales of AED 685 million (US$ 186 million) in the first half of 2021. Namshi’s strong performance is credited to its persistent growth in the GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. With the addition of over 240 new brands earlier this year, combined with exceptional demand during Ramadan and Eid, Namshi has delivered impressive revenues for the first half of 2021.

In the second quarter of 2021, Emaar Malls has continued to see a steady recovery from the pandemic’s impact on the global retail market. Emaar Malls has delivered healthier than projected profits as the company continues to experience recovery across the business. (WAM/Tariq alfaham) (Photo courtesy of WAM)

When he was a kid, Chris Daymon’s idea of a hero was largely inspired by a collection of early Superman comics. 

“A ‘hero,’” he tells Dubai Vibes Magazine, “was somebody who had supernatural powers like being able to fly or have laser vision or the strength to bend steel.”

“But as I grew up,” he added, “I realized everyone can be a hero and an inspiration to many.”

Indeed, the pandemic tested everyone’s survival skills. And for Chris, it was about a career shift from being a successful fashion writer and a researcher to a Covid nurse.

“In March last year, I lost my job as a researcher for a semi-government company that track updates and news on construction projects in the region. After being jobless for a month and two weeks, I realized that the pain, anguish and despair at times could be really unbearable. I was depressed. It was difficult to think where to get your means of income,” recalls Chris.

“One of my friends told me to try my luck at being Covid-19 Nurse. I got the job and became team leader of a Swab Team in Ajman. Then I was transferred to Al Razeen 4 Quarantine Facilities in Abu Dhabi where I became the head nurse of the evening shift. 

“Today, I am working with a Dubai team as a Covid-19 vaccination nurse. I have been lucky enough to have had the pleasure of meeting some healthcare professionals, who have inspired me.  

“My life experiences have helped me realize that I feel the best about myself when I am given the opportunity to help and care for others,” Chris says.

Having a career revision was tough, he said. “There will be certain adjustments. But it’s more challenging. In the nursing profession, you deal with many aspects of patient care, and I enjoy the variety in the routine. 

“At the risk of personal safety, we go to work every day at a clinic or hospital and help patients deal with symptoms related to Covid-19.  It is an act of great courage to willingly enter an environment that could expose us to the coronavirus,” Chris says.

Despite this, he said he is always ready to go back to the frontline. “That is where I am needed,” he said. 

Chris arrived in Dubai six years ago. His first job was being a customer service and sales. He met iconic Filipino fashion designer Michael Cinco who saw his talent in writing and collaborated with him.

Dubai, UAE (August 3, 2021) – The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel has announced the opening of Bait Al Nakhla, a new dining concept which serves signature Middle Eastern dishes and presents an array of time-honored rituals and performances amid a venue that makes you feel at home.

Meaning “The House of the Palm,” Bait Al Nakhla offers dine-in guests with stunning and sweeping views of the Dubai skyline, enjoyed within the comforts of the elegant dining venue. The space’s warm-colored interior is adorned with vintage Middle Eastern lamps and carpets, and is infused by bakhour incense to transport guests to the magic of olden-day Arabia.

Bait Al Nakhla’s menu features a delicious range of signature Middle Eastern dishes served in classic Arabic plates, which are perfect for sharing. The chef’s specials include brown wheat tabbouleh salad, slow-roasted camel meat, charcoal lamb kibbeh, shish tawook, and ful with tahini sauce.

Embodying true Arabian hospitality, guests will be welcomed and guided throughout the culinary and cultural journey at Bait Al Nakhla. There is a suoq where one can buy traditional garments and other distinct keepsakes from the region. Ladies will get complimentary small henna tattoo, while a table with a minimum of four guests will receive a free souvenir. Every weekend until the month of September, Bait Al Nakhla will showcase an Arabic live band, or Middle Eastern folk performances to keep the guests entertained.

Bait al Nakhla is open daily from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm for lunch, and from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm for dinner. As an introductory offer, a sharing style feast is available for AED 179/  instead of AED 250/ per person. This price is inclusive of unlimited garwa coffee, hot and cold mezze, main course dishes, and desserts, as well as a range of drink options including Arabic beverages like qamar al din, karkade, and laban, soft drinks, select juices, tea, coffee, and water. Kids aged between six and 12 years can avail 50% discount while children five and below dine for free.

This special rate is valid until end of August 2021. For bookings and more information, visit theretreatpalmdubai.com, call +971(0) 4 524 7777 or send a WhatsApp message to +971(0) 50 263 0765.

DUBAI, UAE: Over one million passengers are seen to travel through Dubai International Airport in the next 11 days prompting officials to urged travellers to stay abreast of the latest travel regulations and plan their journeys as DXB is preparing for what could be the hub’s busiest weekends so far this year, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Tuesday this week. 

The world’s busiest international airport is expecting to handle more than a million passengers over the next 11 days (August 12-22) with daily peaks averaging 100,000 passengers during weekends, WAM said in its report.

The report explained that the surge is a result of the seasonal peak at the end of the summer holidays when families travel back to the UAE coupled with recent changes in travel regulations for the UAE affecting several countries. 

The UAE recently eased travel regulations for inbound and transit passengers from several Asian and African countries including India, while the UK upgraded the UAE to its ‘Amber’ list of countries opening quarantine-free travel for certain category of travellers.

“We are prepared, and we are doing everything we can to make sure that passengers have a safe and smooth experience at DXB. But given the recent changes in travel requirements, which can often differ depending on the starting point and the destination of a journey, passengers can make a big difference to their airport experience by following a few simple rules and tips,” WAM quoted Essa Al Shamsi, Vice President of Terminal Operations at Dubai Airports, as saying.

“Considering that volume of passengers will be significantly higher in the arrivals area during this period, it is important that meeters and greeters do not congest the road in the terminal forecourt and that they pick up their arriving friends and family in comfort by using the car park or valet service,” he added.

Considering that travel requirements have changed globally over recent weeks and months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dubai Airports strongly urged all customers to: 

• Always check with their airline for information on travel requirements specific to their journey.
• Confirm the terminal their flight is arriving into/departing from before coming to the airport.
• Make sure they are aware of and meet the travel requirements of the country they are travelling to (including a negative PCR test report before the start of their journey).
• Use the airport’s ample designated parking areas or valet service to receive their guests in comfort. Stopping vehicles to pick up guests from the arrivals forecourt is a traffic violation and causes congestion in and around the terminal.
• Ensure they always wear a protective face mask and maintain physical distancing at the airport.
• Abstain from travelling or visiting public places and seek medical advice if they are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms. 
• Ensure that their travel documents (passport and Visa) are updated and valid before heading to the airport.
• Say their goodbyes at home to help avoid crowding at the terminal forecourt.

Dubai Airports is working closely with its service and commercial partners including 55 international carriers, 100-plus food and beverage and retail outlets, and control and health authorities, to ensure the well-being and comfort of the customers.

DXB is taking comprehensive measures to maintain the health, safety and wellbeing of customers and staff across its facilities. These measures include periodic cleaning, facilitating the testing of inbound passengers and vaccination of airport staff, social distancing markers, providing hand sanitiser stations around the airport, use of protective plexiglass at check-in and immigration counters, availability of PPE and facilities for the safe disposal and handling of biohazard material (PPEs), in addition to increased levels of sanitisation in compliance with international standards as set out by relevant local and federal authorities. (WAM/Tariq alfaham) (Photo courtesy of WAM) 

Dubai, UAE: Firetti Contemporary and MORROW collective announce NFT | IRL, a forthcoming group exhibition where NFT (non-fungible token) artworks and their physical counterparts will be exhibited side by side. This is the first of its kind exhibition in the region. The revolutionary event merges both digital and physical worlds aiming to build bridges between crypto art and traditional or IRL (in real life) art. 

MORROW collective is the leading NFT partner for galleries and are NFT curators. With MORROW, Firetti Contemporary has produced a series of NFTs from a selection of their artists, which are hosted in the MORROW gallery in the virtual reality platform called Cryptovoxels.  

Firetti Contemporary strives to build a multidisciplinary art space with a strong identity to an international platform by representing both established and emerging artists from all over the world. Bringing together like-minded individuals and pioneers of the artistic and expressive future, the gallery assembles a dynamic curation of works that encourage the importance of individuality as well as establishing collective alignment.  

NFT | IRL forms a response to the rapidly changing landscape of art and creativity. By closing the gap between the two worlds, Firetti and MORROW are aiming to make NFTs more accessible to those in the real-life sphere. The exhibition will consist of digital NFTs, displayed on screens next to the physical works. Audience members will also have access to augmented reality and VR, through innovative tech platforms installed in the exhibition.  

Mara Firetti, Founder and CEO of Firetti Contemporary, says: “The emphasis of this exhibition is to shine a light on the technological developments within our field, whilst at the same time hosting a high quality, curated and impactful exhibition. NFTs are already changing the way that art is bought and sold and, as we move towards the future, where this will be increasingly mainstream, it is important to embrace these changes”.  

In line with Firetti and MORROW’s combined sustainability ethos and values, the exhibition will operate at net zero carbon, with all emissions offset through the website: offsetra.com. The exhibition has sparked the interest of CNN and additional regional and international news agencies.  

The participating artists include Ahmed Emad, Kadara Enyeasi, Irvin Pascal, Josh Rowell, Helidon Xhixha and Fatiha Zemmouri. 

NFT | IRL marks the beginning of these artists’ journey into crypto art. Their works bring forth themes ranging from war and conflict to freedom and social change. Their styles range from abstract to figurative and ensure substance and narrative, bringing compelling stories from around the world into one space. Art is not only about beautiful aesthetics; art can also change lives offering new perspectives for each and every viewer.  

Opening of the exhibition to the public will be available from the 10th of August starting 19:00 onwards. 

By Jojo Dass

An expat herself, Natasha Inman is no stranger to the issues involved in living thousands of miles away from home.

Coming from Leeds, a city north of England where she has stayed for some 29 years and worked as a licensed accountant for 10 years, Natasha moved to Dubai in February last year.

“I immediately discovered the infectious energy here and desire to succeed,” Natasha tells Dubai Vibes Magazine.

But as the narrative goes, there’s a price for everything.

“The absence of friends and family is a huge contributing factor; the majority of your support network is no longer in touching distance. Adjusting to a new life, new job and a new culture can be a lot to take on in a short space of time and often leads to higher levels of mental stress and anxiety,” says Natasha.

“I also think the working culture is much different to other countries and there’s a pressure for people to work relentlessly long hours and weekends. Everyone has the physical capability to sit at a desk for 15 hours a day, but we often neglect and forget that rest and reflection is just as important for our wellbeing and to allow us to perform at an optimal level,” she added.

Natasha, who advocates mental health, said sleep, along with exercise and a good diet, help in finding the work-life balance.

One silver lining to last year’s lockdowns, she said, was that it enabled her to discover her inner entrepreneur, which led her to create a sleepwear range made of silk.

“Not only is the smooth, frictionless texture of silk comfortable to wear and sleep on, it also comes with a myriad of health benefits – it keeps your hair and skin hydrated and it helps keep you cool,” Natasha says.

There is also a core belief in it: “Having suffered from poor mental health in the past, I try to be an advocate in promoting ways people can invest in their own mental well-being. I wanted a brand where I could combine my passion for posh pajamas, help raise awareness of the importance of good mental health and contribute to a positive change in the world,” Natasha says.

And so, in her efforts to be socially responsible, Natasha donates AED 15 to the Al Jalila Foundation to support mental health research, for every purchase made on stateofrem.com.  

“Having a successful brand and business is important to me. But making a positive change to society and the world gives me even greater satisfaction. I want people to buy from ‘State of REM’ and leave with the best pair of pajamas they’ve ever bought, with the knowledge that they’ve also made a positive contribution to society and someone’s life,” Natasha says, referring to her sleepwear range’s brand name.

“I think State of REM’ has given me a renewed sense of purpose. It’s what gets me up in the morning and what I dream about at night. Having something to focus on that you’re interested in and passionate about when you’re away from friends and family has given me a lot of stability and focus,” she says.

Dubai, she added, has also influenced her. “Being surrounded by inspiring entrepreneurs and successful businesses has really rubbed off on me. If I was still back in the UK, I don’t think I would have set up this brand, Dubai has definitely inspired me to start and find my purpose,” she says.

Dubai, UAE:  Celebrate India’s 75th Independence Day weekend at Flavours of India at Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Dubai. To mark the momentous holiday, Flavours of India will serve a buffet spread featuring popular Indian food including the well-loved butter chicken and biryani, a variety of chaat, mouth-watering masala dishes, a range of kebab and kofta specialties, and more.

This special India Independence Day dinner is priced at AED75/ per person. Plus, guests who are 75 years old and above can dine for free when they book with their family. The buffet is available from 12th to 14th August 2021, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

To book a table, call +971 4 309 8177, send a WhatsApp message to +971 52 398 1654, or email dining@ramadajbr.com. Terms and conditions apply.

Lloy Rubio Drummond studied artistic baccalaureate in Barcelona, as he had always wanted to be an interior designer. 

“Things have turned a bit,” he tells Dubai Vibes Magazine, “and so now I am implementing some of my creative and artsy skills in the restaurants, I work at.”

Born in Barcelona, Lloy, who has also lived in Ibiza,  first arrived in Dubai in February 2013, looking for a different work environment and career experience.  

“I was approached by a manager I had in Ibiza. He offered me a position in Jumeirah Group, and since then, it has been a very satisfying rollercoaster experience. 

“I guess it is true what they say:  ‘If after the second year you are still in Dubai, you must be liking it.’ Dubai has given me many positive things –  on the professional and personal side.”

Lloy left Dubai in March 2018 for a new experience with Sunset Hospitality in Lisbon, Portugal, and stayed afterward in Barcelona for another year. 

“We were homesick. So, we wanted to live sometime in Europe close to our families. But, we missed Dubai so much we decided to make a move back to the desert in August 2020,” he recalls.

Lloy is general manager at Lola Taberna Española, a casual dining Spanish restaurant in Barsha Heights. 

“Lola is a project we had worked on together with Antonio Gonzalez, CEO of Sunset Hospitality Group, back in 2016. It was a project created out of passion, dedication, but mostly love for Spanish culture. 

“As a Spaniard, it makes me proud to show Dubai a bit of our culture and gastronomy. So, there was no way I was not coming back to open Lola. It was already written in the books! I feel grateful to Antonio and the Sunset team, who have brought me back and trusted me on this new project,” said Lloy.

Besides, hospitality runs in the family. “My Dad has been in this industry for many years. He has always tagged me along and visited different venues since I was a baby. So, hospitality is a way of life for me in everything I do,” says Lloy.  

The restaurant opened on Dec. 20 last year. “It was a great opening with excellent feedback from all our guests, considering the timing we are running  after a worldwide lockdown and the Christmas season on top of us,” Lloy said.

There were challenges, he said, “but these should not limit you.”

“You should challenge the challenges,”Lloy said.

 Opening a restaurant is a great experience, he said. “You have so many emotions, and effort put into it, but once you have opened it and look back at how it began, it was such a satisfying feeling. 

“The team is the most important part of a business; the members are the pillars to our success. So, it is important to find the right people you trust and who share the same goal. It’s like planting the seeds and have enough patience to wait for the fruits, in this case, the results,” said Lloy.

The restaurant has been reaping continuous success, and the numbers are increasing every month, he said.