Things I”m happy about today!

I am having pizza for dinner and that really makes me happy.

I was just at a kid’s birthday party with pom poms and trampolines and swings and cake and everything else that makes you want to be five again and that makes me happy.

I am happy about the hot chocolate I had at Starbucks coz it was so lusciously thick and creamy and it always cheers me up.

I feel happy when I think about Penguins of Madagascar which I saw yesterday..A laugh riot all the way.

I feel happy about my evening chamomile tea which always calms me down and relaxes me completely.

I am happy about the long 4 day National Day school holiday that’s coming up this week when we take off on a staycation.

I am excited about the long Winter break where we go back home to family

My newest food faves!

Lemonade is the answer to every health food lover’s comfort food craving. This Southern California joint is relatively new and has the most delectable lemonades, salads and wonderful protein packed into one delightful experience.

I love their avocado salad, their moroccan broth, the divine rotisserie chicken and just about everything else on their delightful menu.

The ingredients in each of the salads and sandwiches are handpicked to perfection and you seriously can’t go wrong with a place like this.

Dubai: A foodie’s idea of heaven!

Dessert heaven!

After the recently concluded Dubai food festival which lasted for like the longest time this year, it was time for the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards! Now, Time Out has been my savior in Dubai ever since I moved.. as they always helped and still help me figure out the best places to eat, the best spas, the best gigs in town..the list goes on…

And over the last few months in Dubai, I’ve tried some really cool food places and I have to admit that I have been very selective in where I’ve eaten..coz to be honest..I loveeee cooking and eating out has to be mind-blowing for it to fit into my scheme of things..

So it was a ginormous surprise to see all my favorite food places win..It was literally like all…yes each and every one of  the places that I’ve ever been..right from the ones I ate at in my maiden trip to Armani Hotel  @ Burj Khalifa back in 2010 to celebrate New Year’s right down to my favorite cafe won!!! Now this ain’t so exciting..but when u really really like a place..u want their hard work and their passion for food to be recognized…at least I do..

 

Atmosphere Lounge!

My happy place, Book Munch cafe where I always go to write..read up or pick up an interesting read won!!! Also, Beachcombers is my fav family brunch ever and they won in that category..Zuma is probably the best food I ever tasted and they won sooo many awards including Restaurant of the year.

Zuma!!

Now, I have NEARLY tried all the lounge bars (oh and I loveee that view of the Dubai fountains from the Armani bar/lounge), cafes and restaurants at the Armani but the food at Amal is truly unique and that award was well deserved too..I don’t particularly love Italian the way it is done at Ristorante at Armani…but I guess that food stays true to authentic Italian cuisine and maybe that was the criteria. I also adore Hakassan in Dubai and I keep going back for more. And I did wish that Okku and Nobu would win this year but Ossiano at the Atlantis which is my favorite seafood won too!!

Now, Pier Chic is where we always go for Vday..birthdays and just about any other really special occasion..hands down the best location in all of Dubai and I think they deserved the most romantic restaurant tag..and although I haven’t tried Tong Thai ( aren’t they like new?) I am dying to try it after that Best Thai win they snagged…Going to grab this week’s Time Out to check the complete list of winners..I wonder who won best Mexican..Fuego..Maya or someone else??

This has gotta be cool..I gotta still try a lot of the new ones that won this year but its so awesome just knowin that you’ve had the privilege of sampling gastronomical delights from the city’s best places..

Mo’s Diner!

Oh and btw..the Taste of Dubai was a tad disappointing this year as I didn’t really see as interesting a lineup of restaurants and things to do as last year but the Peruvian food festival which was part of the Dubai Food Carnival was totally the bomb as I love experimenting with new cuisine ( only sometimes btw)…Also, the Kerala festival was pretty interestin as I am a huge Mallu food fan..

Dubai is slowly and steadily building its rep as a dream destination for celebrity chefs and one of the coolest food capitals of the world and even without Nicole Scherzinger showing up in a skimpy white dress( she was here nonetheless!!!).. the idea of celebrating food in all of its grandeur all of last month was totally hawwwt!!

Dreamin abt goooey cheese pizzas at Bussola and the Yuan Cha dumpling brunch as I type this..great..so now that everyone knows what a major foodie I am..we can get that outta the way..phew…

To more divine food and well deserved awards!!

Lodi- The Garden Restaurant has an all new mango and summer menu!

I had read a lot of reviews about the Mango and Summer Menu at Lodi and I really wanted to give it a try. I am a big fan of everything related to the summer because summers are bright and beautiful. I agree it is quite hot but if you are willing to overlook that you have so many good things like mangoes, watermelons, guavas, passion fruit, blueberries and peaches. I love summer fruits and other than the beautiful ambience of Lodi I went to enjoy the new dishes they had come up with.

Drinks are always great to beat the summer heat and the Mango Mojitos, Mango Rosemary Martinis, Mango Margaritas Mango Mimosas, Mango Coladas and the wonderful and rich Aam Panna did just that. My favourite drinks included the mojito and the Aam Panna. There can be nothing as good as Aam Panna to feel refreshed and light during summer time.

The outdoors were quite warm but as the evening progressed it got really pleasant and moreover we were enjoying our chilled mango drinks so much that we didn’t even care if it was hot or not. We ate the starters outside, in the garden, underneath the star lit sky. I have to emphasise that Lodi is a very romantic place to dine. What could be better than dim lighting, chilled cocktails and the company of a loved one.

We ordered a salad and a soup. The salad had mangoes, avocados, cranberries and the dressing was of a white wine vinaigrette. The mango salad with smoked chicken and the cold mango soup with wine was moreish. The mains were served to us quite quickly and the staff was refilling our glasses and drinks all night. The staff also knew the menu and the ingredients of most dishes and they promptly answered all the questions we had for them. They also made some great recommendations for us. The Paella for instance was amazing, the calamari was slightly chewy but the rice and the spices were really delicious. The roasted chicken with mangoes and jalapeño salsa was another one of my favourites.

We were really full so we just ordered Mango Pudding (Kheer) and Mango ice cream which were both decent desserts. I loved my experience at Lodi and I know I will be back to try their new experimental menu whenever they are gonna try something new out. Must try!

Glamalicious: My pick of the best salons in the glitzy emirate!

Glamming up is not even a luxury anymore..its like a basic necessity and the feel good factor that comes with it has gotta rock..So here’s a list of my fav places to get a dream mani-pedi. instant glow facials or the classiest hair treatments.

1) Pastels at Ritz Carlton

Pastels at Ritz Carlton

Ah! Where do I even begin? All the therapists here especially Sharon and Angela are complete pros at what they do. The Lycon wax is impeccablly effective and the uber luxurious mani pedis are to die for. The hairdressers here are probably some of the best in the region and my favorites are Sasha ( he’s so good with cuts and color) and Anthony (for all my hair nourishing treatments, straightening and color as well). The hygiene levels and the quality of each product makes Pastels one of the frontrunners in the beauty game in Dubai. They don’t do facials but they have a spa on the same level at the hotel and I always get the Carita facials at the Spa which are the bomb!

P.S. I also love Renuka and all of the other staff at their Jumeirah branch which I’ve been to a few times and they even have the best facials ever in that one!

2) Sisters Beauty Lounge at Mall of The Emirates and Dubai Mall

Sisters Beauty Lounge

I love their ultra luxurious mani pedis which make you feel so pampered and glam all at once. I completely love the quality of the service and it helps that all of their staff is so warm and professional.

3) Belle Femme At Home

Belle Femme at Home

For all of those times when you’re too busy to step out, Belle Femme clearly has the best at-home salon services in all of Dubai. They have some really amazing manicurists who come with every possible thing that could convert your living room into a zen inducing spa and then they get right to work. I also tried their Aromatherapy massage and my therapist actually showed up with a massage bed and relaxing music, aroma candles and the works. Totally worth a shot and the prices are really reasonable which makes it great when you don’t want to burn a hole in your pocket. Also, look out for their monthly offers which include great discounts on blow dry packages, facials and other grooming essentials.

4)N bar at Ibn Batuta Mall

Nbar

I just completely fell in love with this place right after my first spa mani-pedi here last week. The therapists were so passionate about their work and the ambience is so relaxing and rejuvenating. Also, they are so perf for all your threading and waxing needs as Geetha, the beauty therapist is from Delhi and she is flawless with eyebrow shaping and stuff like that.

5) Nail Spa at Ibn Batuta

Nail Spa at Ibn Batuta

I love the quiet, inviting spa like ambience this place always maintains. The mani-pedis are always spot on and I love their facials. I’ve actually tried their DDS and Bee Sting and Deborah Mitchell Heaven facials and have seen remarkable results. I just wish they were a little less busy as it’s always so hard to get an appointment at a convenient time.

6) Nstyle in Marina Mall

Nstyle at Marina Mall

I like the Dermalogica facials with my therapist Richelle here but I just wish that the front desk staff was a bit more inviting and accommodating because a bad attitude instantly drives customers away. However, they’re very conveniently located at a mall right next to my place..so it scores on that front. And there’s a Pace n Luce hair salon right next door where Juliano gives me a super glam blow dry and so its perfect for a last minute makeover on date night I guess.

I would love to try NBar at home, The Cure in Media city and some of these amazing salons I read so much about in Jumeirah but I guess convenience always takes precedence over all else and we end up going to the neighborhood place which you can walk to instead of the one which feels like a long drive away. Tell me about some of your fav places to glam up and this could get interesting.

 

De-stress Heaven: My review of the Talise Spa!

Ever felt like you’re about to have an emotional meltdown and can’t handle life’s billion challenges all at once? Well..we all have days like that when the stress leaves you completely frazzled and overwhelmed and you just want to run away. Luckily, I snapped out of my stressful week with a soul nourishing treat that put me right back on track for the week ahead.

Talise Spa at the Al Qasr Hotel in Madinat Jumeirah is truly as heavenly as a spa can get. Imagine the most rustic, earthy interiors and treatment rooms that make you feel like you’re on a fancy island vacay..Imagine all that..right here in the scorching summer heat of Dubai.

Plunge pools

My therapist Amelia was from Nairobi in Kenya and we  started out by chatting up about amazing African getaways. She began with therapy soon after with the use of this lavender based soothing de-stress oil for my 90 minute aromatherapy de-stress session. It was so completely rejuvenating and I had to try real hard not to doze off..although that wouldn’t be so bad eh?

After my blissful spa massage, I snuggled with a book in the relaxation lounge and the therapeutic green tea helped me drift into a zone of complete relaxation..almost as if my worries didn’t exist. And I can tell you that that’s almost impossible for writers and compulsive worrying over thinkers like me.

I also had a relaxing steam session and I love that they have an array of steam and sauna rooms and some downtime in the plunge pool ensured that time just completely stood still. I have’t felt that calm and centered in months.

Talise Spa | pic jumeirah.com

I ended my blissful morning with a warm rain shower and a soothing head massage. I can’t hardly wait for my facial there later this month…! Hey..everyone deserves a bit of pampering in their birthday month right? I’m hoping you said yes there!

Yoga at Talise! pic courtesy jumeirah.com

I also love that they have Hatha, Vinyasa and Sunset Yoga classes with experts..all of which I plan on trying this month..but what I am most excited about is their Yoga Retreat from the 15th to the 17th of May which has massages, yoga class, yoga theory sessions and juicing gyaan all packed into one soulful weekend.

If you haven’t tried one of their signature massages yet..or even just been to the Talise Spa to witness  any of their heavenly rituals or yoga sessions, you ain’t seen nothin yet. Super like.

 

My favorite places to snuggle with a book ( and free WiFi)!!

Dubai is such an amazing place to be a writer. There’s a whole host of places where you can unwind with a book, some music or just a rejuvenating cuppa joe! Here’s a list of my happy places that you  have to check out for their unbeatable comfort food, their superbly refreshing drinks and just the blissful vibe that is so perf!

1) Book Munch

Book Munch Cafe

I always say that a bookshop and a store with delectable food and a dream ambience is my idea of heaven and this place is just a little slice of heaven on a cozy block of the Al Wasl Sqauare near Safa Park. I love everything from their interesting selection of books to the cozy corner for kids and the story sessions which are the so awesome for family day out. I can honestly not get enough of this place and it helps that the owner  Dareen is so warm and friendly and makes you feel so completely at home.

Warm Fuzzy factor: 4.5/5

2) Caribou Coffee

Caribou Coffee

This place is my favorite haunt as it’s like right below my house in JBR and has free WiFi which no one can survive without anyway.

The sandwiches and pies are truly scrumptious and I love love love how perfectly they cater to my need for a daily caffeine fix. They have a little fireplace, a bunch of good reads and the ambience is almost always so calm and  that it always always inspires me to write better.

Warm Fuzzy Factor: 4/5

3) Pantry Cafe

Pantry Cafe

This is another of my favorite places in Al Wasl Square and it would be yours too if you ever dug into their shakshouka on a bright, sunny morning. I love their selection of healthy, organic sauces, dips and other stuff to pic up for your home stash and they even have an utterly delightful organic kids menu.

 

Psst..I was just in yesterday with my BFF and we had the amazing chai latte and some gooey caprese sandwiches along with turkey bacon, scrambled eggs and a folded eggalicious omelet. So well done.

Warm Fuzzy factor: 4.5/5

4) The Archive

 

The Archive

Safa Park..great books..delish brekkie.This place has all that a person could want from a cafe..the perfect ambience and the perfect service. Please do yourself a favor and go there..like RIGHT NOW.

Warm fuzzy factor: 4/5

5) The Farm- Al Barari

The Farm Al Barari

This place feels like a mini vacay coz I always go there with the whole family for lazy weekend breakfast ( or rather brunch) and the drive is totally worth it coz the place is impeccably inspiring in every sense of the word. The only issue is that it’s so far away that it can’t be your everyday snuggle up coffee haunt.

Warm Fuzzy Factor: 4/5

I would love to hear about the places you guys love to hang out at and honestly this is just a mini list. I have a whole host of other favorites like some new ones at The Beach in JBR, The Paul’s Cafe with breathtaking tiramisu in JBR and so many others in Downtown like Fournil Di Pierre and Kris Kros. Drop me a comment with some of your faves and I’ll help you discover more through the blog from time to time as well.