The FACT UAE Weekend Guide: 5 to 7 January
These are the very best things to enjoy in Abu Dhabi and Dubai during the first weekend of 2024.
New year, new start! The first weekend of 2024 is upon us, and while the return to work following the festive season may have been difficult, we have plenty of inspiration for a weekend full of fun and adventures. Read on for our picks of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi and Dubai this weekend.
Friday 5 January
Stay in Ras Al Khaimah’s first overwater villas
If you’ve been daydreaming about going to the Maldives, you can get a taste of that closer to home. Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort has 174 guest rooms, suites and swoon-worthy overwater villas. Located in Mina Al Arab, Ras Al Khaimah, the new resort features a sunken bar, a large outdoor pool, and plenty of water sports to keep the family entertained. Come dining, Mekong is home to Southeast Asian cuisine, while Beach House serves grilled fish and seafood.
GO: Visit www.anantara.com for more information.
Enjoy a beachfront lunch
Make the most of the al fresco season and enjoy a dedicated MICHELIN-starred business lunch at Massimo Bottura’s Torno Subito. Choose a specially selected two- or three-course set menu while taking in the Dubai skyline. Torno Subito’s lively ambience, imaginative cuisine, and seaside charm make it a must-visit for those seeking a delightful outdoor dining experience in Dubai. Available from Monday to Friday. AED 150 (two courses) and AED 175 (three courses).
GO: Visit https://www.opentable.com for reservations and more information.
Dance the night away
Palazzo Versace Dubai welcomes Ru Williams as the newest resident artist at the FACT Award-winning Q’s Bar & Lounge. Hailing from Hartford, Connecticut, Ru is a hometown sensation who has captivated audiences with his dynamic performances, setting the stage ablaze for artists such as Bobby Valentino, Keyshia Cole and Ne-Yo. Influenced by musical icons like Boyz II Men, James Brown, Sam Cooke and Stevie Wonder, Ru’s soul-stirring performances will undoubtedly leave you in awe. Wednesday to Sunday, from 7pm. AED 250 (minimum spend per person on Wednesday and Thursday) and AED 350 ((minimum spend per person from Friday to Sunday).
GO: Email dining@palazzoversace.ae or call 04 556 8805 for reservations and more information.
Saturday 6 January
Hit the beach
Located at W Dubai – The Palm, the newly-opened BCH:CLB aims to push boundaries with its blend of art, entertainment, global music, and distinctive Mediterranean flavours. Guests can expect relaxed sundowners and eclectic beats from day to night in an ambience enriched with live performances. And through it all, refreshing cocktails and Mediterranean flavours will fuel the experience with a poolside menu designed to transport guests to coastal landscapes, complete with crudo delicacies and a variety of dishes straight out of a wood oven.
GO: Follow @bchclbdxb on Instagram for more information.
Have brunch at Beefbar
To mark the arrival of 2024. the FACT Award-winning Beefbar has introduced its all-new Beefbar Bossanova Brunch. Indulge in dishes like Hamachi Crudo, KFC (chicken fried using Kobe beef fat) and Quesadillas. For the main course, guests can select from Beefbar’s best-selling items, including Black Cod and Steak Frites, before concluding the meal with a dessert selection. Saturdays, from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. AED 350 (soft beverages), AED 450 (house beverages) and AED 750 (Champagne).
GO: Visit https://beefbar.com for reservations and more information.
Witness Mariah Carey’s five-octave vocal range
Abu Dhabi is hitting the high notes with a performance from the singing sensation Mariah Carey at the Saadiyat Nights concert series. Mariah hails from New York, United States. She has a rags-to-riches success story and shot to fame after handing a demo tape to Columbia Records’ music executive, Tommy Mottola. He listened to the tape on his ride home and immediately turned back around to meet the singer. In 1990, she released her first album, Mariah Carey, which went to number one in the US album charts. Over Mariah’s career, she has sold more than 220 million records. She has an endless list of hit singles, which include Always Be My Baby, Emotions, Fantasy and Hero.
GO: Visit www.ticketmaster.ae for more information.
Sunday 7 January
Have lunch at Kai Enzo
Embark on a thrilling culinary journey at Chef Izu’s Japanese Mediterranean rooftop restaurant. Kai Enzo has expanded its offerings to include weekend lunch featuring apple and daikon salad with foie gras, lobster rolls with caviar, wagyu katsu sando and cherry blossom panna cotta. Enhancing the gastronomic offerings is a meticulously curated cocktail menu divided into two sections: ‘By the Sun,’ capturing the essence of the rising sun, and ‘From the Sea,’ showcasing the beauty of the Mediterranean.
GO: Email reservations@kaienzo.com or call 050 959 1275 for reservations and more information.
Celebrate Orthodox Christmas
Indulge in the festive spirit and embrace tradition with the Orthodox Christmas Brunch at the FACT Award-winning Saadiyat Beach Club. Expect festive favourites, masterful main courses, and decadent desserts complemented by live entertainment and a shoreline setting. Sunday, 7 January, from 1pm to 4pm. AED 455 (soft beverages), AED 555 (house beverages) and AED 655 (premium beverages).
GO: Visit www.saadiyatbeachclub.ae for reservations and more information.
Dine at Smoki Moto
Korean steakhouse Smoki Moto is now open in Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah. The high-end dining spot features a tabletop barbecue, where diners can savour uncompromisingly fresh ingredients while enjoying trailblazing design. Smoki Moto is the first high-end Korean steakhouse in Dubai, encapsulating the energy of Korean cities, paired with cutting-edge dishes.
GO: Follow @smokimotodubai on Instagram for more information.
