"You don't have to be Einstein to work out that things are slowing down."
Not the words of an Embittered Expat™ retrenched from his tax-free job in one of Dubai's endless "Cities", nor a disgruntled journalist having a whinge over an overpriced pint of frothy haram-juice in the Radisson's Media Bar, but a quote from the CEO of one of the world's biggest construction companies operating in Dubai:
"There are undoubtedly issues in Dubai."
The latest word has it that Abu Dhabi has already bailed Dubai out. Dubai allegedly made the desperate (or cunning?) move of courting Saudi and Iranian funds, and fearing increased Iranian influence, Big Dhabi stepped in.
Despite that, the official line is that Dubai still has US$80 billion worth of debt, and no one knows exactly what needs refinancing when:
"The Dubai government has announced it has debts totalling $80bn, but has yet to release a detailed outline of its servicing requirements or the ability of its assets to generate cash flow.
"Borse Dubai is seeking to refinance a $3.8bn loan which matures this week, but officials say the government-owned group is finding it hard to secure the financing it needs from foreign banks, in spite of strong initial interest."
Meanwhile Dubai Holdings is restructuring and consolidating to cut costs, while local newspapers blame the international economy rather than any wobble in the sheikhly Vision™ :
“Dubai will be the fastest city to recover from the impact of the ongoing credit crunch, and the emirate’s real estate sector will once again witness a period of long term boom."
But when international newspapers are printing "lurid rumours" that the Palm Jumeira is sinking and only cockroaches come of out of the hotel taps, the confidence needed to restore Dubai's boom times may be a very long way away.
Comments
HE Justice Dr Jamal Al Sumaiti, Director General of Dubai Judicial Institute (DJI), welcomed a high-level delegation representing the College of Law at the American University in the Emirates (AUE). [Wired by: DubaiCityGuide.com - A Cyber Gear Company]
Dubai Customs won the "CIO in Government" award at the Catalysts Awards, sponsored by the GEC Media Group and organised by Enterprise Channels MEA in Dubai recently. [Wired by: DubaiCityGuide.com - A Cyber Gear Company]
Found at the tip of the Palm Jumeirah, facing Atlantis, The Palm, The Pointe is a new destination by master developer Nakheel, featuring 1.4 million square feet of shopping dining and leisure activities.
Since the grand opening in December, more and more restaurants have opened their doors, turning The Pointe into one of the city’s fullest new foodie destinations.
Here’s a guide to all the brilliant new restaurants you’ll find at The Pointe.
Yet another new Greek restaurant in Dubai has arrived, this time at new Palm Jumeirah destination, The Pointe. The restaurant, lounge and sprawling al fresco terrace enjoy expansive views over the Arabian Gulf , while on the menu guests can expect a playful menu reminiscent of traditional Greek cooking. Menu highlights include the creamy tarama, almond crusted feta cheese, and lamb chops from the Josper grill.
Ena, The Pointe, 3pm to 1am Sun to Weds, 3pm to 2am Thurs, 1pm to 2am Fri and Sat. Tel: (04) 243 6668. enarestaurant.com
Formerly found at Golden Mile Galleria Mall, Kyo has moved to The Pointe and is now licensed. Split over two floors and boasting both in and outdoor seating, it’s home to a new Friday brunch which promises to take guests on a journey through Japanese cuisine.
KYO Restaurant, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, 12pm to 12am weekdays, 12pm to 1am weekends. Tel: (04) 557 5182. kyorestaurant.com
Mexican seafood is what’s in store at Palapa, another recent opening at The Pointe. Offering a cosy, relaxed indoor and outdoor seating and sea views, it’s got a Latin American Hacienda feel, with an array of ceviche, taquitos, quesadillas and signature seafood dishes on the menu designed to remind you of the streets of Mexico.
Palapa, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, 12pm to 12am Sunday to Thursday, 12pm to 1am Friday and Saturday. Facebook.com/PalapaThePointe
Described as a ‘hub for seafood lovers’, Hook & Cook is found on the ground floor of The Pointe and serves up fresh seafood in nautical-inspired interiors, sea views and shisha every day.
Hook & Cook, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, 12pm to 12am Sunday to Wednesday, 12pm to 1am, Thursday to Saturday. Tel: (04) 2443214. hookandcook.ae
From the mind of two Michelin star Chef Mathieu Viannay, Rue Royale is a chic French eatery at The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah. It’s got a Parisian tea-room feel with an outdoor terrace boasting prime views of Atlantis The Palm. Head down for breakfast and be sure to order the French Toast soaked in vanilla cream.
Rue Royale, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, 8am to 12am weekdays, 8am to 1am weekends. Tel: (04) 241 2828. rueroyalerestaurant.com
The second serving of Seafood Kitchen has opened its doors on The Pointe. As well as serving up an array of fresh European seafood dishes, it runs some brilliant mid-week deals such as an mussels deal on a Tuesday, oyster night on a Wednesday, ladies’ night on a Thursday and a Friday brunch.
Seafood Kitchen, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, daily 12pm to 12am. Tel: (054) 3094520. Facebook.com/SeafoodKitchenDXB
Thai and Vietnamese dishes inspired by age-old recipes are what you’ll find at Mama Pho, the two storey Pan Asian restaurant at The Pointe. With rustic wooden furnishings and a relaxed vibe, it’s a great option for a laid-back midweek or weekend bite when you’re in the mood for some pho.
Mama Pho, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, daily 12pm to 12am. Tel: (04) 568 4436. Facebook.com/MamaPhoThePointe
Follow the red neon lights of the Chinese dragon and you’ll find Fat Chow, a Cantonese restaurant now open for business. Menu highlights include peking duck, Cantonese chicken and chili crab. There’s also a fun, sharing menu featuring classic bites, soups, Dim Sum and Bao, as well.
Fat Chow, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, daily 12pm to 12am. Tel: (04) 568 4435. Facebook.com/FatChowDxb
ALSO READ: 8 brilliant outdoor breakfast spots to enjoy this weekend
This European bistro is the latest waterfront opening at new Palm Jumeirah destination, The Pointe. It’s got both indoor and outdoor seating at its first floor location, and the menu reads like a roll-call of the most popular bistro dishes, that include steak tartare, chicken liver paté, grilled entrecote andd confit duck leg. Lighter bites include gourmet sandwiches and salads, with the menu finished off with an array of desserts such as crème brulée, apple tarte tatin or chocolate fondant.
Fitzroy, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, daily 12pm to 12am. Tel: (04) 568 4229. @fitzroydxb.com
A modern take on an Asian street food hall, you’ll get an array of Pan-Asian dishes at this huge new eatery. It’s split into the wonderfully named Pad Thai Boulevard, Dumpling Mews, Ramen Route and Pho Lane. Each area is dedicated to serving popular dishes from across China, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam.
— For the best of Dubai straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
The post So many new restaurants are now open at The Pointe appeared first on What's On Dubai.
It is impossible to know whether this post at Al-Emirati.com on the victims of the recent Air India disaster is intended to be some appalling attempt at humour or satire, but by every single measure it is absolutely beyond the pale:
Not really. Not only do I not care if the victims "rest in peace" but it seems to me that they are, rather, resting in pieces!
I am of course talking about flight IX 812 from Dubai to Balglapour (or some other hell hole, they're all the same) that recently crashed (click here)
I know I know. Mean, blah blah. The way I see it is as follows. The UAE is (about) 50% Indians, Something that I, and 90% of all other Emaratis see as a bad thing.
This plane, carrying Indians who live and work here, means that 160 indians that clog up the roads, cause accidents, fail code inspections at Indian restaurants, speak like this guy, and are a general drag on the security of the UAE, wont be coming back. That is a very GOOD thing!
I can only pray that this happens every week!
Sadly, we'll probably have 160 new VISAs for 160 new Indians issued in 3 hours... And the authority in charge of this will flaunt that, as if it's a good thing.
The Dubai clubbing scene is thriving right now, with big names coming to town every weekend, it’s hard to keep up. This weekend will see Blond:ish come to Soho Garden, Buddha Bar host a Mykonos-style party and Gwen Stefani will close the Dubai World Cup.
Here are 10 big nights to check out this weekend.
Blond:ish is a DJ best known for remixing Maya Jane Coles and Black Coffee. Since originally forming as a duo in 2008, Blond:ish has since become a solo act in the form of Vivie-ann Bakos. She will be headlining Soho Garden’s Thursday night party alongside Resident DJs Adam Graca, Jean B, Jixo & Danz and Mar+Mer.
Soho Garden, Meydan, Dubai, 9pm to 3am, Thursday March 28. Tel: (052) 433 3375. sohobeachdxb.com
This Australian band have been bringing their cross-genre music from festival to festival for over a decade and will soon bring their electronic tunes back to Dubai for a DJ set at Zero Gravity’s new Thursday night brunch, Club Inc. The ‘Tarantula’ hit-makers will be preluded by English drum & bass producer, Friction.
Club Inc, Zero Gravity, Sky Dive Dubai, Dubai Marina, 8pm to 2am, Thursday March 28, Dhs199. Tel: (04) 399 0009. 0-gravity.ae
British rap star, Tinie Tempah, will be back on Thursday March 28 to make his Drai’s debut. Early bird tickets for the gig at Drai’s are available now, priced at Dhs100 for ladies including a welcome drink, and Dhs300 for guys including two house drinks. After early bird, general access tickets will be available for Dhs200 for ladies with two drinks included, and Dhs400 for guys with three drinks included in the ticket price. Tinie Tempah will also perform at White on Saturday March 30.
Tinie Tempah at Drai’s, Gate B, Meydan, Dubai, 10pm to 3am, Thursday March 28, tickets from Dhs100 for ladies and Dhs300 for guys. Tel: (052) 388 8857. draisdxb.com
For two days, Warrior Grooves will take over Barasti for a tribal party on Thursday March 28 and Friday March 29. The electronic dance festival will feature DJs Tom Ferguson. Greg Stainer, Scott Forshaw. Live music fans will also enjoy the beats of the ‘Drum Warrior’. With LED costumes and a unique show design, this event promises to bring the vibes of the world’s biggest festivals to Dubai.
Warrior Grooves, Barasti Beach, Dubai Marina, 10am to 3am, Thursday March 28 and Friday March 29, free. Tel: (04) 399 3333. barastibeach.com
On the last Friday of every month, Buddha Bar in Grosvenor House, dedicates a night to one of its counterparts from across the globe. This week is the turn of Mykonos and it promises to bring new music, new food and new signature beverage experiences. Mykonos’ party vibes will be brought by DJ Nick, who will take the decks from 7pm.
Buddha Bar DXB Sessions Vol 5 Mykonos, Buddha Bar Dubai, Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, 7pm to 2am, Friday March 29. Tel: (04) 317 6000.
The Lonely hit maker will be in town to perform at Base on Friday March 29. Releasing music since 2004, Akon has amassed a string of top ten hits including I Wanna Love You, Don’t Matter and Sorry, Blame It On Me as a lead artist, as well as collaborating with stars including Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, Eminem and David Guetta. The entrance will be free for the first 100 ladies and Dhs150 after, it’s Dhs250 for men all night.
Akon at Base Dubai, Dubai Design District, 10pm to 4am, Friday March 29. Tel: (055) 313 4999, Dhs150 ladies, Dhs250 men. basedubai.com
Big news for music lovers. Rap group, The Recipe, is celebrating their 10 year anniversary with a gig on the QE2. Taking place at the Yacht Club, the event will also feature Moh Flow, Freek, Foriegn Beggars, Menon and more.
10 years of The Recipe, Yacht Club, Upper Deck, Queen Elizabeth 2, Mina Rashid, Dubai, free. facebook.com/therecipedxb
After you’ve spent the day celebrating Blue Marlin’s seventh anniversary, get down to The Hatch for the official after-party. Located seven floors underwater on historical ship, Queen Elizabeth 2, The Hatch is a no-frills affair that’s all about the music. Collect your wristband from Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE Reception during during the 7th anniversary, or register at thehatchdubai.com.
The Hatch, QE2, Mina Rashid, Dubai, 11.30pm to 3am, Friday March 29. Tel: 050 375 9715. thehatchdubai.com
Popstar, songwriter and lead singer of No Doubt, Gwen Stefani is set to perform at the Dubai World Cup horse race on Saturday March 30. The Hollaback Girl hitmaker will close a glamorous day of racing as Dubai World Cup returns to Meydan this weekend. Stefani is scheduled to take to the stage at 9.30pm. Packages for the race start from Dhs350, which grants race-goers to access to Apron Views, where Stefani will be performing.
Gwen Stefani at Dubai World Cup, Apron Views, Meydan Grandstand, Meydan, Dubai, 9.30pm to 11pm, March 30, tickets from Dhs350. Tel: (04) 327 2110. meydan.ae
Following the Dubai World Cup, head to Soho Garden for Cafe Mambo, an Ibiza style party with DJs Adam Graca, Jixo & Danz, Mar+Mer and Jean B. The weekly residency normally takes place on Fridays but this week has been postponed to Saturday March 30 due to the Dubai World Cup.
Cafe Mambo, Soho Garden, Meydan, 9pm to 4am, Saturday March 30, free entry. Tel: (056) 82 22 559. facebook.com
— For the best of Dubai straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
Images: Facebook/Supplied
The post 10 big nights to check out in Dubai this weekend appeared first on What's On Dubai.
Lawmakers rejected Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal for a third time yesterday, sounding its probable death knell and leaving Britain’s withdrawal from the EU in turmoil on the very day it was supposed to quit the bloc. The decision to reject a...
On 30th March, the UAE will join more than 188 countries across the world in marking the Earth Hour 2019, switching off lights to show its commitment to protect the planet and raise environmental awareness. [Wired by: DubaiCityGuide.com - A Cyber Gear Company]
It is impossible to know whether this post at Al-Emirati.com on the victims of the recent Air India disaster is intended to be some appalling attempt at humour or satire, but by every single measure it is absolutely beyond the pale:
Not really. Not only do I not care if the victims "rest in peace" but it seems to me that they are, rather, resting in pieces!
I am of course talking about flight IX 812 from Dubai to Balglapour (or some other hell hole, they're all the same) that recently crashed (click here)
I know I know. Mean, blah blah. The way I see it is as follows. The UAE is (about) 50% Indians, Something that I, and 90% of all other Emaratis see as a bad thing.
This plane, carrying Indians who live and work here, means that 160 indians that clog up the roads, cause accidents, fail code inspections at Indian restaurants, speak like this guy, and are a general drag on the security of the UAE, wont be coming back. That is a very GOOD thing!
I can only pray that this happens every week!
Sadly, we'll probably have 160 new VISAs for 160 new Indians issued in 3 hours... And the authority in charge of this will flaunt that, as if it's a good thing.
he Dubai-owned Godolphin Stable are primed for one of their most successful Dubai World Cup days with four serious chances in the nine races on tomorrow’s glittering card. Charlie Appleby and Godolphin’s retained rider, William Buick, team up with top...
