Dubai Fruit & Vegetable Market

Whether you shop daily, weekly or monthly for your groceries visit the Dubai Fruit & Vegetable Market if you have not already done so. The selection is massive to the say least but you will notice that many stalls sell similar items. My suggestion is to find someone you like and stick with them. Loyalty or the illusion of loyalty is, in my case, rewarded.

The gentlemen at the fruit stall that I visit are always smiling and will make sure I receive nice produce and will slip in some extra bananas or mandarins for me.

Fruits galore!

The lovely gentleman at the fruit stand I frequent

And of course, vegetables.

The Dubai Fruit and Vegetable market is located in Ras al Khor Industrial area and easily accessable from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (when going south bound it is just passed Mirdiff City Centre). The market is also conveniently located next to Union Coop so it is great for one stop shopping. Be aware though that Union Coop will not have the same selection as Carrefour but it has some great deals.If you are purchasing a large amount of fruit and vegetables a trolley guy will only set you back AED10 so give them a tip.

I recommend going earlier in the morning especially in the summer months as there is no air conditioning.

Happy shopping and load up on some healthy fruit and veg!

A taste of Autumn

There comes that time of year when #PSL is used again and people await the aromas of pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg. In Dubai we are missing the scent of dried leaves and the crunch of dried leaves under our feet. We don't get to experience the biting winds which precede winter nor do we get to take out the racks for one final attack on the remaining maples leaves that blanket our lawns. We we do have though is Starbucks; ready and willing to indulge our craving for the taste of autumn. I take mine tall, one pump of syrup, no whipped cream and a dash (or three) of cinnamon. Maybe next season we will even be graced with the Pumpkin Scone, one can only hope. For a more humourous approach to the Pumpkin Spice Latte craze check out this article from the Canadian weekly, Maclean's.

Cinnamon Roll and a tall Pumpkin Spice Latte

So where are you enjoying your #PSL? And do you miss about Autumn?

A Dubai Escape and Ramadan Reflection

Now that we are in the first week of Ramadan Dubai slows down a bit, less tourist, expats and just people in general. Work hours shorten and invitations to an Iftar are inevitable. It is a time to reflect and think back on the good times and the not so good times that we have had. I feel that Ramadan puts me into a introspective mood. One of these things I think back on and smile about was a trip to Oman a couple weeks back. It was an ideal little weekend escape and it brought us high into Jebel Ackdar outside of Nizwa. I am going to let the pictures do the talking. Have a wonderful Ramadan and if you are wondering where to head in Eid try making a camping trip to Oman, it is worth it.

At the abandon village at the base of Jebel Ackdar

At the abandon village at the base of Jebel Ackdar

Tom and Serg: an Al Quoz hotspot

Al Quoz continues to suprise. Maybe it was that having three rather fantastic bistro/breakfast style restaurants in what is usually considered an industrially area threw me off but I did not expect this. Near the Times Square Centre in Al Quoz is not only a Lime Tree Café but also Tom and Serg and The One Café (which I have yet to try). Tom and Serg was suggested to me by a friend and I am so very glad she did.

A large and light flooded place, Tom and Serg seems to be quite the meeting place. On a Saturday we were quite glad to have met at 09h30 because later it got quite busy. And I was always under the impression that nothing happened before 12h00 in Dubai.

Coffee artistry

Our Gado Salad

Pumpkin Squash Croquette

The Our Gado salad was a big hit with both sets of friends that I have gone here with. And the menu, though small, is still quite diverse. What I found that stood out in particular was how fresh the food, and ingredients in general, tasted. Serve is wonderful and friendly; the general vibe really does take influence from the Aussie coffee culture.

Tom and Serg draws a diverse crowd from young families to students studying and professionals having a lunch during work hours. Parking, both paid and unpaid, is in abundance and Tom and Serg can be the prefect respite from shopping at Ace Hardware which is just around the corner. 

At.mosphere

At.mosphere in Burj Khalifa is a must visit if you are looking for a more indulgent way of enjoying the Burj Khalifa and its magnificent view of Dubai. Having been there twice now I can safely say that both times the service has been lovely. And the view cannot be beat. Getting there at the start of high tea (during the weekday we were able to get in at 14h30) will generally guarantee you a window table. And really, where else would you want to sit?

Unlike some of other high teas in Dubai, At.mosphere allows you to have different hot drinks, you can go from a latté to a tea and back again if you so wish. You will also be served a small hot appetizer and fresh fruit drink before the high tea display with its small desserts and sandwiches comes out. You will also be served scones as needed. Throughout your time there will also be live music. The first time I went there was a harpist and the second time we were serenaded by a live singer. 

With regards to dress code:

-Men: must wear shirt with collar and sleeves and closed shoes. Wearing shorts, bermudas, baggy or torn jeans, shirts with large/colourful prints and sports shoes are not allowed when visiting At.mosphere. Sandals are only allowed when worn with national dress.

-Women: are not allowed flip flops, baggy or torn jeans, shirts with large/colourful prints or sports shoes

View from the WC

Looking over Downtown Dubai

At.mosphere can be reached at +971 4 8883444 for reservations.

DubFest 2014

If you have nary a clue of what your upcoming weekend entails then head over to the Al Ghurair Centre in Deira. Running until the 29th of March, DubFest is a free event which brings together 30 different acts from break dancers to comedy and acrobatics and every child's favorite: the balloon sculptor. What's On did a small article on DubFest and the breakdancers in the video were preforming at Al Ghuraur Centre while my friend and I were there on the weekend.

We had gotten ourselves a table at Cafe Gerard and sat back to watch an acrobat from Australia.

The Aussie acrobat

The fearlessness, determination and training that must go into her routine is truly awe inspiring and our table at Cafe Gerard was the perfect place to view it from. We decided on a late lunch as well and went for mushroom soup, a turkey and cheese panini. The food was not bad, I feel that the panini could have had more fresh vegetables in it and taste wise it wise quite neutral. My friend also ordered a iced cappuccino which was delicious.

The panini with frites

Dancers inside Al Ghurair Centre

Al Ghurair Centre is easy to access from Union Metro Station especially for those who have no patience for driving in Deira; I am guilty of that. The event is free and runs until the 29th of March. The shows, of which there will be about 300, run from 16h to 23h on weekdays and 14h to 23h on weekends. Take your kidlets and have some fun enjoying the different shows at Al Ghurai Centre.

Dubai International Horse Fair 2014

Today starts the 10th Dubai International Horse Fair in the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event goes from the 20 to 22 of March. Unfortunately you cannot register online any more but there is still at the door registration available. Entry is free. Definitely go if you are a horse enthusiast or just to want to gather more information on equestrian activities in the UAE.

Show timings:

Day        Timings

Thursday (20th)          11 am - 8 pm

Friday (21st)               2 pm - 8 pm

Saturday (22nd)         11 am - 8 pm

Performance Arena Schedule:

Thursday 20th March

11:30 am: Dubai Police K9 Demonstration

1:00 pm: Polo Chukkas / Polo Cross Class

2:00 pm: Farrier Demonstration

2:30 pm: Spanish Horse Performance

3:30 pm: Spanish Horse Performance

4:30 pm:  Spanish Horse Performance

5:00 pm: Farrier Demonstration

5:30 pm: Polo Chukkas  / Polo Cross Class

Friday 21st March

2:15 pm: Farrier Demonstration

2:30 pm: Polo Chukkas / Polo Cross Class

3:00 pm: Farrier Demonstration

3:30 pm: Spanish Horse Performance

4:30 pm: Spanish Horse Performance

5:30 pm:  Spanish Horse Performance

6:30 pm: Polo Chukkas  / Polo Cross Class

Saturday 22nd March

11:15 am: Auctions Presentation

11:30 am – 7.00 pm: Horse Auction

Let me know what you think of it. Have a great weekend.

link