Life

While being a popular hotspot for tourists worldwide, these note-worthy eateries in Dubai have also hosted some famous celebrities becoming spots where you’re most likely to bump into a royal or A-lister.IndochineAt the end of 2019, over three decades after the flagship restaurant opened in NYC in 1984, Indochine arrived in Dubai. It didn’t take long for the new DIFC haunt to attract its own celebrity crowd and less than a year on Indochine Dubai has played host to tennis ace Roger Federer, Dubai-based influencer entrepreneur Karen Wazen, Italian fashionista Chiara Ferragni and actress Lindsay Lohan.The Arts ClubWhile The Arts Club hasn’t been open for long, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai already visited the exclusive Dubai members’ club twice. He’s dined at the club’s Brasserie, a concept born at its European flagship venue, The Arts Club London, and their Nikkei Cuisine concept, Rōhen.Avli by TashasAvli by tashas is regularly frequented by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan, the Crown Prince of Dubai. The restaurant captures the essence of Greek cuisine combined with a chic and sophisticated space reminiscent of the Mediterranean after having opened more than two years ago in January 2019.GaiaGaia by Chef Izu Ani is another of Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan’s favourite spots, but it’s also frequented by celebrities. Rapper 50 Cent paid a visit to this famous eatery back in 2019 and it’s sure to attract many more such individuals thanks to the delicious food and the chef’s popular reputation.Also read: The Dubai royal-approved guide to DIFC restaurantsBuddha BarAs sophistication reaches new heights at this striking venue, popular UK singer Craig David has previously been spotted at this venue which brings a host of sensory experiences to you with exceptional views of Dubai Marina. Located at Grosvenor House Dubai, this majestic two-storied venue features striking overhead chandeliers, opulent décor and large bay windows.CZN BurakWhile this establishment by Turkish celebrity Chef CZN Burak has only been open for a few months, it’s already had many famous faces come through its doors. Known for his viral videos on social media with his over the top cooking techniques, Chef Burak has welcomed personalities such as Christiano Ronaldo and Sheikh Hamdan have all been seen at this dining haven.Nusr-Et SteakhouseRoyals King Mohammed VI of Morocco and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, have both previously been spotted at Nusr-et by ‘Salt Bae’. Similarly, UFC champion Conor McGregor, who is currently residing in Dubai, was also recently seen dining at the venue. Located at Four Seasons Resort, Jumeirah Beach Road, this intimate restaurant is constantly buzzing with energy.NobuThis sleek Japanese restaurant situated at the renowned Atlantis, the Palm, brings one of Dubai’s finest dishes in an innovative Japanese-Peruvian setting with a winning formula featuring celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, as it continually welcomes familiar faces such as the Kardashians, David Beckham and Jennifer Lopez and her Alex Rodriguez.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Instagram More

One of the most popular car brands in the Middle East, Mercedes-Benz, has recently introduced a new model – the Mercedes GLB – to the UAE market with Gargash Enterprises.Described as “the perfect partner, whatever comes”, the EW team recently put the new luxury SUV to the test to see if this was the case.SpaceWhile the car is described as “the most versatile compact SUV” Mercedes-Benz has ever built, you’re definitely not short of space in this SUV. In fact, it feels incredibly spacious with more than enough room making it a comfortable and smooth ride for both the driver and all passengers. The car also comes in both five-seater and seven-seater options, making it ideal for large or growing families.SafetyHaving spent a week zipping around Dubai in the Mercedes-Benz GLB, it’s a car you can feel totally comfortable and safe in. Not only does it offer an unbelievably smooth ride, but the advanced technology ensures the car can see up to 500 metres ahead thanks to its camera and radar systems. This also ensures the driver is aware of their surroundings at all times.StyleSometimes when it comes to large SUVs, style can be compromised. But with the GLB, you don’t lose out on this and it offers a truly elegant and stylish ride.Tech-savvyThe GLB also includes the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) which features the touch-display screen at the front of the car, steering wheel with touch control buttons, Bluetooth connection and more. You can also activate the voice control element which is prompted by saying “Hey Mercedes”.VersatilityA key win for the new GLB is how versatile it can be, which is particularly important in this region. Not only does the GLB offer both five-seater and seven-seater options – the first compact vehicle from Mercedes-Benz to offer this. It also can be adapted for off-road driving with the Off-Road Engineering Package which, according to the experts, “adapts the power delivery of the engine, the characteristics of 4MATIC and ABS intervention control for off-road driving in easy terrain”.The verdict: A stylish and comfortable ride, ideal for an investment for growing families.For more information about the Mercedes-Benz GLB visit gargash.ae.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied More

April’s – ‘The Gratitude Issue’ – Download Now Founder of The Goodness Company, Geeta Pahlajani has built a brand based on everyday essentials. We discuss her gratitude for the positive impact this is carving out for future generationsWhat do the first 30 mins of the day look like, your morning routine?I start my morning at 5 am with an Ayurvedic tea blend followed by an hour of yoga in our garden. Some days I may alternate this with a mindful breathwork meditation practice. A key rule I have been strictly following for the last few years is to have the first 2 hours of my morning tech-free. What inspired you to launch The Goodness Company?The Goodness Company started from a personal need. I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2008, and this required a complete overhaul in my lifestyle. It is believed that celiac disease first started with the introduction of GMO technology. At this stage, I had little knowledge about natural ecosystems and their impact on the human body as a lot of the information we are exposed to is obfuscated by clever marketing tactics. Whilst looking for good quality, clean label-conscious products there was nothing available in the local UAE market, and it was getting increasingly frustrating having to import everyday essentials. I was working with a large global FMCG at this point but knew something had to be done to fill the gap as I had many friends experiencing similar challenges. This is how The Goodness Company journey started.The brand is focused on sustainability. Has this been the case from the start? Sustainability has always been at the heart of The Goodness Company since its conceptualization in 2017 far before being sustainable became trendy. Our core values are aligned with The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, especially number 12 which is – responsible for production and consumption.How has The Goodness Company evolved as a brand?In today’s climate, evolution is ongoing, and this is no different for us. We started as a small niche to test the market with a focus on a few products in 2018. After having increased our product range and distribution reach over the last 2 years and in 2021, it has since then continued in momentum. With sustainability and conscious consumption becoming mainstream, we foresee rapid growth moving forward. What key lessons are you grateful for from your mentors?Being a perfectionist by nature; I learned that this is not the best trait in a small-medium enterprise environment. The best advice I have received is to start small, fail fast, fail often and pivot quickly. We need to learn from our mistakes and look back at them as experiences rather than failures.What lies at the core of the brand’s DNA?Positive Social Impact. Everything we do has a larger lever in positively impacting individuals, society, and the world at large.What have been the hurdles you have experienced in your career and how did you overcome them?Starting a business ground up comes with its own set of hurdles daily.– HR: Building a team that has the same values to see the brand flourish has been a large challenge. However, over the years we have identified a mechanism to hire for mindset rather than just skills.– Unethical Practices: It is common practice for an innovative brand like ours to be copied and launched by a large player as their own idea. This has happened to us several times; now we just view this as a form of flattery and remain undeterred.– Market Acceptance: The Goodness Company was launched when the market was still very nascent and conscious consumption practices were not mainstream. Our flagship vegan chocolate range has taken 2 years to reach FMCG potential and acceptance by retail players to be launched into major supermarket chains in the UAE. Consistently educating consumers through various channels whether social media, events, popups, partnerships have been integral to overcome this hurdle. Creating demand and brand value is a long journey and takes time; this is where I have seen a lot of businesses lose patience and give up.Could you tell us about your CSR initiatives?We are partners with One Tree Planted, a nonprofit environmental tree-planting charity. We support them in reforestation efforts to reduce the severity of global climate change and restore the natural balance of plant life on the planet.How does the brand offer a holistic approach to sustainable living?Sustainable living is a journey and with busy modern lifestyles; a very difficult one. Therefore, a large part of our efforts goes into educating the consumer to make conscious decisions and use their purchasing power wisely. Our products are designed to make easy switches without any compromise:-Chocolate: our plant-based chocolate and spreads range is indulgent yet nutritionally dense, all-natural and does not compromise on taste in any way.-Copper Collective: this vertical supports an artisan community of copper craftsmen in Moradabad, North India to preserve their craft. Copper is self-sterilizing and eco-friendly; with this collection, we have interpreted ancient traditions for modern needs. Our copper bottles are very popular with expats and Emiratis as they are aesthetically pleasing and offer healing benefits (as believed in Ayurveda).-Conscious Ware: This range was designed to provide sustainable alternatives to household staples offering the perfect balance of creativity and elevated functionality. Our reusable glass and steel straws are designed for the modern consumer whilst our bamboo toothbrushes come in a minimalistic design with no compromise in efficacy vs regular plastic toothbrushes.At The Goodness Company, we believe that rather than trying to be perfect; small positive changes can make a large collective difference.This is ‘The Gratitude Issue’ – what are you grateful for?Survival of The Goodness Company through the pandemic we are currently living in; hopefully with the worst behind us. I have seen many close friends lose flourishing businesses overnight but having The Goodness Company survive this difficult period and come through stronger with a positive forecast makes me very grateful to everyone who has believed in my vision and in the brand – especially our employees, customers, and partners.April’s – ‘The Gratitude Issue’ – Download Now – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied More

April’s – ‘The Gratitude Issue’ – Download Now Muna Al Gurg isn’t just a leading Emirati businesswoman, she’s also a philanthropist passionate about giving back on a local and global scale.Can you talk us through your career?After a short stint at an advertising agency, I joined our family business in 2000, the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group (ESAG), to focus on marketing and communications. Since 2009 I’ve been Director of Retail, responsible for strategy and operational development of the Group’s international and local retail brand portfolio. It’s been a fascinating experience, as I’m the second generation of our 60-year-old business.What inspired you to venture into philanthropic work?Both my parents were role models and had traits that I wanted to emulate and build upon. During my teens and early twenties, I was greatly influenced by my father’s charitable projects across geographies spanning East Africa, the Gulf and across to the Indian subcontinent. He eventually went onto to build one of the UAE’s first official family-sponsored charity foundations.My late mother believed that every individual has a role in bettering their community and was a supporter of the arts in helping establish the first Dubai Community Theatre. She also did a lot of work with the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.My initial personal exposure to philanthropy and the satisfaction that comes with it was from the building of a school in Bwejuu, Zanzibar, for 300 children which we were able to build through the family foundation. I was involved throughout the design until its completion. Honestly, the sense of fulfillment is difficult to put into words.How do you give back to the community?Education and healthcare have been equal passions for me. Through the years I’ve been involved with several community outreach projects. The most recent one being the donation towards building a neonatal intensive care unit in Jenin, a Palestinian city in the West Bank. The donation will buy new equipment for the unit in the state-run Khalil Suleiman Hospital. The support is desperately needed in the occupied territories where newborns lack adequate access to healthcare. The project is being managed by the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.Which career milestones are you most proud of?When I completed my MBA at London Business School (LBS), I realised how access to the right kind of educational opportunities can help change futures. Setting up the Muna Al Gurg scholarship for Arab women at LBS has been a moment of pride for me personally, particularly as I’ve seen women from diverse career backgrounds graduate and thrive.Who would you say your mentors are in life and how are you grateful for them?My sisters and I were brought up in an environment where hard work and determination were encouraged and celebrated. The life experiences that we had in our formative years was the mentorship from our father. These lessons helped shape our life paths and was the fuel for our individual successes and passion for social causes.We’re all about female empowerment, as are you. How do you help empower women?There are many reasons women leave their professional careers, but especially so after childbirth, sometimes never to return. After I became a member of the ‘30% Club’, a global campaign to increase gender diversity at board and senior management levels, I looked inward throughout our organisation to find ways to further support our female employees.Most private sector organisations in the UAE currently offer a 45-day maternity leave. We explored the issue and came to understand that this somewhat limited policy was a significant factor in women opting to at least temporarily leave, and in many cases never returning. We decided to change this at ESAG Group to give mothers greater flexibility in their work-life balance, whilst also taking an extra step in not losing business talent and diversity. I proposed to increase our maternity leave to 90 paid days which was approved by our board at the start of 2020.From a funding perspective, I have supported female entrepreneurs by investing in Mindshift Capital – a global, women-run venture firm investing in amazing women-led companies solving important problems.How has the support you have in turn received, shaped you as a woman?One of the biggest inspirations of my life has been my aunt Dr Amina Kazim who played a big role in my childhood. She was the first UAE national female physician and the only Emirati anaesthetist in the country. She was also the first UAE national woman to obtain a private pilot license. Despite facing many challenges, her spirit of giving and also sharing knowledge with many left a great impression. I hope to emulate her zeal for life.How do you want to inspire others?I think it’s important to talk more about philanthropy. Our region is one which celebrates charitable giving but has historically been discrete about it. There’s an opportunity to magnify the impact of what is being done by adopting a strategic approach. I’ve been fortunate to have recently worked with the Gates Foundation in helping me assess and optimise my philanthropic work. In the not too distant future, I plan to establish my own foundation, specifically to create empowerment pathways for women and girls across the Middle East and North Africa. I hope we’re successful in our mission, but also aspire to be an example to other budding philanthropists that want to take a similar journey.What does it feel like being a woman in this region that is paving the way for others?I am fortunate to be an Emirati citizen as the UAE believes in offering equal opportunity to all and focuses on gender balance in every sphere. I have learned that competence is essential. Have the ability to communicate clearly. Voracious curiosity and listening well —to what is being said and sometimes to what isn’t, is important. Also, stand up for yourself without being overly aggressive, and create bonds with people you respect and admire by finding a commonality.What are your hopes for women in the future? My conversations with Gen Z and the Millennial generation indicate there’s a growing interest in social impact and meaningful entrepreneurship. I hope that those who have the means and resources ‘pay it forward’ within the community and society. Each of us has a talent that can be used for the greater good, what is required is the mindset to transform thought into action.What have been the hurdles you’ve experienced throughout your career?When I began my journey as a young business leader, the challenge was to be heard in a room full of men, some of whom were also older and more experienced. Over the years I have learned that it is important to be assertive and find your voice if there are goals to accomplish.What have been the key milestones?The most significant milestones relate to our family business. First was when I joined ESAG and took over the responsibility of strategy for the retail arm of the business. The next milestone was when my father, who is the founder of our business, decided to hand over the reins to his three daughters. And finally, the satisfaction that I have taken the lead in creating gender balance and inclusive policies that enhance women’s participation within the UAE’s private sector.This is ‘The Gratitude Issue’ – how do you practice gratitude in your life? Over the years and especially during 2020, I have realised that a crucial aspect of maintaining well-being is gratitude. I make it a practice to list three things that I am grateful for every morning. This helps me face the day with greater positivity.April’s – ‘The Gratitude Issue’ – Download Now – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied More