< Previous50 C EO M I D D L E E A S T NOVEMBER 2020 ontblanc is dedicating its latest Great Characters edition to the life and legacy of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Created from select materials and shaped by highly skilled Montblanc artisans with great care and artistry, the collection is made up of three writing instruments, each one paying tribute to an important stage of Elvis Presley’s career: a special edition, inspired by his 1968 comeback concert; a limited edition 1935, evoking his time in Las Vegas; and a limited edition 98, based on the ‘Aloha from Hawaii’ concert broadcast via satellite to 1.5 billion people across 40 countries. Many design details of the special edition are inspired by one of the artist’s great passions: cars. Elvis purchased around 300 models during his life, giving most of them MONTBLANC PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE FAMOUS ENTERTAINER AND KING OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL GREAT CHARACTERS EDITION: Elvis Presley M away as gifts. His heartbeat for sleek tail fi ns, ultra-comfort and powerful V8 engines with a wild sound was like music to his ears. The silhouette of the writing instrument is inspired by the shape of a spark plug, and his quote “Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine” is embossed on the cone. The V-shape of the clip and its 8-hole design reminiscent of the engine block are a further tribute to Elvis’ love of cars. The pattern on the cap and barrel of the special edition, as well as the barrel of the LE 1935 and LE 98, are inspired by a ring custom-made for the famous ‘Aloha in Hawaii’ concert. While the top of the clip is decorated with the initials EP in reference to the design of his sunglasses. In honour of that unforgettable voice, the Montblanc emblem on the cap top is combined with the ELVIS logo, the fi rst time the iconic emblem has been adapted. And the barrel is adorned with “Elvis has left the building”, the memorable words spoken by the concert announcers at the end of numerous live appearances in the 60s and 70s informing his audiences there would be no more encores so that the crowd would leave the venue. montblanc.com LUXURY | MONTBLANCNOVEMBER 2020 C EO M I D D L E E A S T 51 PLEASURE | STYLE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. TAKING THEIR CUES FROM THE PALETTE OF AUTUMN, THIS SEASON’S STYLE MUST-HAVES EMBRACE SUBTLE MUTED NEUTRALS AND POPS OF COLOUR AUTUMN HUES: Fall in love 1. Clemence Scarlett Shona Joy midi dress, Bloomingdale’s. 2. Phillip Lim, high waist trousers, Bloomingdale’s, 3. 124EVER ‘Sara’ leather mules, Bloomingdale’s. 4. Double-buckle women’s shoes, Santoni. 5. Axel Arigato Clean 90 sneakers in suede leather, Bloomingdale’s. 6. , Ami poppy print T-shirt, Bloomingdale’s. 7. Tailored camel blazer, Bloomingdale’s.52 C EO M I D D L E E A S T NOVEMBER 2020 ith the searing temperatures of the summer months seemingly consigned to the history books for another year, golfers across the region are fl ocking back to the fairways in their droves, making up for lost time given the temporary closure of courses earlier this year as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus. And there are plenty to choose from, given the UAE’s reputation as one of the world’s leading golfi ng destinations. In a bid to stand out from the crowd, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club has teed up a ‘Stay & Play’ promotion, combining a round of golf on one of the emirate’s most STAY AND PLAY W DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB HAS TEED UP A PERFECT PROMOTION, COMBINING A ROUND OF GOLF ON ONE OF THE EMIRATE’S MOST PICTURESQUE CHAMPIONSHIP COURSES AND AN UNFORGETTABLE FIVE-STAR LUXURY HOTEL STAY AT THE PARK HYATT DUBAI PLEASURE | DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB NOVEMBER 2020 C EO M I D D L E E A S T 53 picturesque championship courses and an unforgettable fi ve-star luxury hotel stay at the Park Hyatt Dubai. At the recent World Golf 2020 awards, hosted at the Park Hyatt Dubai, the hotel was named ‘Middle East’s Best Golf Hotel’, while Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club received the award for the ‘Middle East’s Best Golf Course’. The par 71 course at Dubai Creek, measuring 6,967 yards, is a memorable journey from the fi rst tee to the 18th green. The superbly manicured fairways are undulating, demarcated by mounds, date and palm trees, and most other times by water. Apart from the Creek, which comes into play on at least four holes, several artifi cial lakes add to the beauty and diffi culty of various other holes. The Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club course sets up for a thrilling fi nale to a round with its two par 4 closing holes. The 17th and 18th have the Creek guarding the entire left side of the fairway. While the 17th can still be conquered with some smart play, the 18th requires mandatory cerebral involvement on every shot. There is water on the left and a long bunker on the right, beyond which is water again. A good drive will still leave you with a long iron into the tiered and sloping green, which is guarded at the front and right by a body of water. When the game of golf is over, rest assured fi ve-star luxury awaits in the Park Hyatt Dubai. The property feels like a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city, with guests besotted with the fusion of global styles, from Greece to Marrakech, New England, Ibiza and beyond. Elegance, sophistication and utter resplendence reign supreme, with every guest also having access to The Lagoon, swimming pool, fi tness centre and mini golf. With views of Dubai’s Creek and architectural landmarks, a round of golf at this established course is a bucket list moment for residents and visitors.54 C EO M I D D L E E A S T NOVEMBER 2020 FOOD | AL FRESCO SEASON RETURNS TAIKUN GARDEN, VIDA DOWNTOWN Best for: Dinner, evening drinks and shisha Newly refurbished Taikun has opened the doors of its al fresco terrace, where guests can expect an upbeat, lounge-style vibe and enjoy contemporary Pan Asian cuisine with a side of entertainment by resident DJ and dancers. Open from 7pm to 3am daily, Taikun’s terrace is now welcoming guests to enjoy dinner, drinks and shisha. From the menu, diners can expect a veritable feast of Asian cuisine – the menu includes an exciting variety of sushi, wok dishes, and traditional street food options. Contact: +971 4 528 3780 reservations@taikundubai.com taikundubai.com LA SERRE TERRACE, IVIDA DOWNTOWN (pet-friendly terrace) Best for: Coffee catch-ups, breakfast and lunch . Traditional French eatery and bakery, La Serre Boulangerie has reopened its terrace to welcome guests to enjoy everything from breakfast through to dinner. Positioned along the Downtown Boulevard, the outdoor terrace allows customers to bring along their pets to join them for a morning cup of coffee. The ideal spot for an indulgent breakfast or lunch, diners can expect to enjoy classic French fare, including highlight dishes such as avocado eggs benedict, pain perdu, and La Serre’s famed almond croissant. Open from 7am to 10pm, daily. Contact: +971 4 528 3779 reservations@laserre.com | laserre.com DISTILLERY BEER GARDEN, SOUK AL MANZIL Best for: Afterwork drinks, ladies’ and gents’ nights. Distillery Gastropub has opened a new beer garden that offers glittering views of Burj Khalifa. Now open for guests, the terrace space is a new outdoor extension of the restaurant and bar where customers can enjoy everything from a daily ‘happy hour’ that takes place from 4pm to 8pm with drinks priced at AED 35, weekly Wednesday evening and Friday afternoon brunches, and more. Open for enjoyment during Dubai’s winter months, Distillery’s terrace is a space where diners can enjoy gastropub favourites in a playful and affordable way, plus a wide range of drinks including craft cocktails, draught and bottled beers, ciders, and wines. Contact: +971 54 998 2003 reservations@distillery.com | distillerydubai.com TERRACE SEASON RETURNS AFTER A HOT, QUIET SUMMER, THE UAE IS EMBRACING THE RETURN OF COOLER WEATHER AND THE CHANCE TO ENJOY EXCEPTIONAL FOOD WHILE ENJOYING STYLISH OUTDOOR SETTINGSNOVEMBER 2020 C EO M I D D L E E A S T 55 FOOD | THE RETURN OF AL FRESCO SEASON Fine dining L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon offers French fine fare in a stylish setting. N EXPANSIVE PRIVATE OUTDOOR terrace opens in DIFC this autumn, allowing guests to experience the best of French fine dining under the stars in a refined and friendly set- ting. The terrace opening marks the official opening of this exciting new venue, representing the next era in the Joël Robuchon story. Re-imagined for a new generation, the spirit of L’Atelier reflects Robuchon’s cuisine, whilst confidently carrying it forward to welcome sophisticated diners in a highly casual ambience. Guests are invited into the world of renowned French artist Philippe Pasqua, who has over the course of eighteen months, handcrafted a unique series of bronze vine sculptures especially for the Dubai venue. L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon has found quick success in its soft open- ing phase, with Robuchon’s protégée, Executive Chef Axel Manes, presiding over the kitchen, offering healthy and seasonal ingredients, selected from over 100 different producers, favoring dishes with only a few elements, that allow the key ingredients to shine. Manes’ authen- tic cuisine sets the tone for a 2.0 version of Joel Robuchon’s signature dishes, offering the best of French cuisine and the finest of fine dining in a refined yet informal atmosphere. During the week, guests can select the Business Lunch menu, which incorporates Robuchon’s classics for AED129 AED. This daytime offering is available Sundays - Thurs- days, from 11.30am to 3.30pm. atelier-robuchon.ae; 04 297 7729 A ONE OF THE GASTRONOMY WORLD’S MOST REVERED TALENTS OPENS A RESTAURANT IN DUBAI THAT’S DESTINED TO BE A ‘TOP TABLE’ YEAR-ROUND L’ATELIER DE JOËL ROBUCHON Folly by Nick & Scott The popular rooftop restaurant has relaunched its Friday brunch offering from 1pm to 4pm. Dishes on the menu include whipped goat cheese with pum- pernickel and watermelon, crispy hen’s egg with pancetta and maple syrup, grilled rib eye with cabbage sesame and green salsa and crispy chicken with creamed jacket potatoes and tomato vinaigrette. The house beverage pack- age is priced at AED 350. Details: Open from 5pm to 12am, Sat- urday to Thursday and 1pm to 12am on Friday. Diners can email reservations@ folly.ae or call 04 439 8535. Belgian Beer Café The popular vintage Belgian bistro has reopened its outdoor seating, and guests can enjoy front-row seats to views of the iconic Burj Al Arab. This Euro-pub delivers a wide variety of traditional Belgian dishes to enjoy every Friday during brunch from 2pm to 5pm. Guests can enjoy this authen- tic brunch, including draught hops and house beverages for just AED199 Details: Open from 4pm on weekdays and 12pm on weekends, reservations can be made by calling 04 447 0227. 56 C EO M I D D L E E A S T NOVEMBER 2020 FOOD | MEDITERRANEAN BITES he Palm’s signature Italian restaurant, Torno Subito has reopened, with the gastronomic creations of Chef Massimo Bottura available for diners to sample Guests can indulge in a selection of traditional Italian dishes such as Torno Subito’s modern salad - a combination of 14 ingredients sourced from Dubai and Modena. Tagliatelle al ragu, tagliatelle with Massimo’s favorite hand chopped wagyu ragu, roasted octopus with smoked potato cream, veal juice, hazelnuts and puffed vegetables, and tiramisubito an extra light TORNO SUBITO RE-OPENS ITS DOORS T tiramisu with mascarpone are also amongst the highlights on this carefully crafted menu. The ingredients are hand-selected from top-quality suppliers to ensure that Italian authenticity is recreated at this, the chef’s fi rst restaurant outside of Dubai. Located on the Palm Jumeirah at the W Dubai,The Palm, Torno Subito welcomes guests for lunches or dinners, with both a stunning outdoor terrace and an interior that evokes a 1960’s décor giving diners either option. wpalmreservations@whotels.com ITALIAN FLAVOURS SHINE THROUGH AT TORNO SUBITO AVLI’S SEASONAL DELIGHTS GREEK CUISINE REIMAGINED IN DUBAI This popular eatery in the heart of DIFC has garnered quite a loyal following thanks to its welcoming ambience that evokes an airy Greek restaurant, while serving up impressive dishes that put an epicurean twist on Greek staples. As business continues to return to the DIFC, those looking for a weekday lunch option can enjoy dishes in a lunch set menu, while the a la carte option allows for relaxed dining in the interiors that are reminiscent of the open-air courtyards of the Mediterranean. Epicurean journeys start with a selection of starters, including beef tartare with koulouri wafers fi nished with kalamata olives and grated graviera, or loukouma bombes; stuffed with crab, mozzarella cheese and fi nished with sweet honey butter and graveria. Mains feature a sophisticated selection including a baby marrow and buttered leek tart; topped with herb crème fraiche and served with a crisp asparagus and fennel salad and octopus stifado; slow-braised octopus in a green olive and tomato ragu served alongside creamy semolina. For a sweet and refreshing end to their meal, guests can delight in portokalopita; a zesty orange and fi lo tart served with vanilla ice cream and an orange and vanilla syrup, or devour Loukoumades topped with hazelnut dust, honey and cinnamon sugar. avlibytashas.com; 04 359 0008NOVEMBER 2020 C EO M I D D L E E A S T 57 BULL AND BEAR | REVIEW here’s a scene in the Martin Scorsese-directed movie, The Wolf of Wall Street where pill-popping, money-crazed moral vacuum Donnie Azoff, portrayed with exhilaratingly comic timing by Jonah Hill, fi res a young team member before popping the poor kid’s goldfi sh into his open mouth as a fi nal insult. While live aquatic creatures are thankfully absent from the movie-inspired brunch at Bull and Bear restaurant in Waldorf Astoria DIFC, there is a an Aperol-Spritz version of the unfortunate THIS YEAR WON’T GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS INSPIRING FEELINGS OF BULLISHNESS, BUT AT THE WALDORF ASTORIA’S NEW BRUNCH, THERE’S ENOUGH UPLIFTING AMBIENCE FOR A DECENT FACSIMILE OF 1980S WALL STREET HI-JINKS T BLUE-CHIP BRUNCH creature, immortalised in red jelly, ready for you to gobble up, perhaps while fl inging fake banknotes (provided) over your table heaving with oysters, beef tartare and burgers – the gastronomic interpretation of 1980s-style profl igacy and excess. It’s a breath of fun, irreverent fresh air that is welcome after a year in which even ex-stockbroker Jordan Belfort might have struggled to make bank. While the fi lm that inspired this decadent weekend escapade propels the viewer along on a wave of lunatic action, depravity and furious, fantastical exploits, the brunch itself stays safely on the right side of maniacal excess. Well, for the most part, anyway. The drinks are free- fl owing and the ambience encourages a certain amount of letting down of hair. It’s an elegant, plush spot, with refl ective décor elements, rich velvet accents and high ceilings that instantly give you a lift when you step inside. The restaurant proper has garnered several awards since opening in 2019 as an upmarket and sophisticated steakhouse, and its new brunch adds to its weekday offering with a decadent, colourful and lavish concept that riffs on the Scorsese fi lm of 2013. The combination of excellent live music, fantastic dishes served a la carte, and glitzy New-York style décor of the restaurant, propels you effortlessly along on a decadent journey of taste, sight and sounds. The drinks are free-fl owing, the atmosphere is relaxed and convivial, and seriously impressive dishes (the tuna with jalapeno is a standout, as is the wagyu beef tartare) are punctuated with humorous and edible touches – the goldfi sh is joined by a dessert platter of bank notes, edible coins and bars of gold served up on a platter featuring a stocks and shares printout. Prawn cocktail, beef Rossini, alligator pear and octopus are also served straight to the table; the presentation is highly aesthetic (think oysters on dry ice). The gold bull and bear sculptures at the entrance to the restaurant are evocative of the ones standing outside the New York stock exchange. It’s a reminder that all markets rise, fall, crash and build up, and what better way to escape some of this year’s less pleasant realities than by indulging in a perfectly curated power brunch? A soft drinks of bubble package is available, the former at AED290 and the latter for AED450, which seems like a sound investment for a few hours of elegant decadence and great food. waldorfastoria.com BY JOLA CHUDY Presentation Guests are treated to imaginative cuisine in a stylish, relaxed setting58 C EO M I D D L E E A S T NOVEMBER 2020 Taarek Hinedi vice president of FedEx Express Middle East and Africa Operations MALL TO MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMEs) in the region contrib- ute approximately $1 trillion to the region’s economy every year. However, crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic remind us that no economy is safe from challenges. While many economies are re- opening, the pandemic has drastically changed the way people shop and use products, services and technology. It has also changed how organisations approach their day-to-day business. Many SMEs are quick to act, thanks to either their size or singular focus. This tation and product orders, helps you deliver a better customer experi- ence. Most SMEs are made up of a close-knit team, where all members practice an “all hands on deck” ap- proach to business. Small technical blind spots may turn into business issues in times of crisis, when the organizations are further stretched. For example, if a retailer only stocks products when a customer places their order online, less visibility across your logistics process might lead to delays in scheduling deliveries or miscom- municating the committed delivery timeline. To be better prepared, con- tinuously imagine the “what if” scenarios, such as how your logistics partner can support you in notifying customers about delays in advance or update you on the border restrictions in certain areas. Where possible, divide the vulnerabilities you find in a process into phases so that you know when something needs your urgent atten- tion. This way, you can make quick decisions and assign additional team support where needed. Covid-19 has revived the impor- tance of preparation and planning for business continuity and recovery. Using e-commerce to bring your ser- vices closer to people, being team- focused and having greater visibility across all processes will help to effectively manage demand, distribu- tion, and deliveries. Doing so will meet customer needs in a convenient and consider- ate way, which is key for business recovery. In short, by strengthening and enabling three pillars of business continuity: customers, team members, and processes, SMEs will achieve business resilience, ensure busi- ness continuity and emerge stronger despite challenging times. gives them a unique opportunity to build business resilience and ensure re- covery by focusing on their customers, their team members, and processes. Since social distancing has become the new normal, customers increasingly appreciate businesses that use crea- tive ways to engage them. For instance, rather than eat at a restaurant, a family might prefer to create a dine-in experi- ence at home where they are comfort- able in their environment. Nielsen reported that before Covid-19 only 21 per cent of people in the UAE shopped online. Today, the number has increased to 41 percent. With changing consumer behaviour, small businesses can take advantage of the new opportunities created by Covid, addressing customers’ new priorities, and maintaining a positive relationship with them. This way, you will be able to retain existing customers and poten- tially widen your market outside of your geographic area. No company, regardless of its size, is immune to economic or environ- mental challenges. To gain your team’s continued support in delivering the best service, it’s important that you are transparent from the very begin- ning about future plans and considera- tions and seize every opportunity to re-engage with your team. Even as the situation normalises, make it a busi- ness practice to keep them informed on how you plan to prioritise their health and safety, especially if their job role requires them to be in the field, interacting with customers. Do regular catch-ups with your team to make sure they feel comfort- able and understand the changes the business is going through. Explain what is expected from them and discuss the pain points or challenges they might face with their work. Understanding the processes of each department, from inventory and warehouse management to transpor- S FINAL THOUGHTS END FEDEX EXPRESS MIDDLE EAST’S TAAREK HINEDI SAYS SMES HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD BUSINESS RESILIENCE AND ENSURE RECOVERY WHAT SMES MUST DO TO ADAPT TO THE ‘NEW NORMAL’Utilities Middle East seeks to answer these and more questions by bringing together top government officials, senior water utilities executives and experts as well as members of the academia in its first ever Water Week Forum. Join us on November 16th, 17th and 18th for three days of compelling, thought leadership dialogue that will provide unique insight into the measures that combine conservation, supply capacity and operational efficiency in a bid to ensure uninterrupted access to water for this region. 16th - 18th November 2020 How best can public and private utilities leverage advancements in technology to boost supply capacity while mainstreaming water stewardship? For sponsorship information, contact: Sonali Kanwar Sales Manager T: +971.4.444.3391 M: +971.55.684.8664 E: Sonali.Kanwar@itp.com Baset Asaba Editor T: +971 4 444 3159 E: baset.asaba@itp.com 2020 Sponsor:Next >