TIMEOUTABUDHABI.COM | SEPTEMBER 2023 | VOL 22 | ISSUE 04 | DHS12 | PRICE INCLUDES VAT | AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATIONShow starts at 8:30pm thelaughterfactory.com featuring: Jack Gleadow, DANE BAPTISTE & Karen Rontowski september 15-23 The ‘Sweety Darling’ tour TO DUBAI ADS copy.indd 104/08/2023 08:44timeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 3 FEATURES AND REGULARS 6 City life 6 Things to do 34 Sheikha Fatima Park foodie guide 42 Furniture stores 48 Snow Abu Dhabi 52 Food 58 Nightlife 62 Art & Culture 66 Hype dish MiZa PAGE 24 Get down to business Whether you’re sick of eating al desko, need to impress a client, or just want a bargain lunch, we’ve got the round-up for you PAGE 64 Family- friendly eats Kid-approved restaurants across the capital with play areas and special menus (with not a white tablecloth in sight!) PAGE 12 Let your creative juices flow Painting? Check. Pottery? Check. Resin art? Check. Whichever way you want to get creative this month, you’ll Ànd it in our cover feature Abu Dhabi Discover the best of the city this month4 Summer 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com JOIN THE CONVERSATION It might be a *slight* exaggeration, but it does seem like time passes differently in Abu Dhabi – and we feel this no more keenly than now. With the inÁux of new residents (and the return of those who left for cooler climes over summer), it’s like New Year falls in September, rather than January. And just like the Gregorian calendar, we think it’s the perfect time to achieve a long-planned goal, or give something new a go. Always wanted to get arty (and crafty)? Then our cover feature has you covered with the city’s top creative classes. Want to try new restaurants? You can do that for less with our business lunch round-up. And if you’ve not had the chance to visit Snow Abu Dhabi, be sure to check out our guide. Go on, why not embrace this new New Year and Ànally commit to that thing you’ve been wanting to do for ages. Hello, Abu Dhabi Dianne Apen-Sadler Group Editor facebook.com/ timeoutabudhabi timeoutabudhabi @timeoutabudhabiyoutube.com/ timeoutgcc Published by ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC © 2023 Time Out Group Ltd, London, UK. Time Out Abu Dhabi PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel +971 4 444 3000 www.itp.com Offi ces in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London & Mumbai ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Martin Chambers Editorial Director Holly Sands Time Out Abu Dhabi Editorial Group Editor, Time Out Abu Dhabi & Time Out Doha Dianne Apen-Sadler Tel: +971 2 245 0087 email: dianne.apensadler@itp.com Group Arabic Editor Aline Alkhoury Tel: +971 4 444 3695 email: aline.alkhoury@itp.com Group Video Editor Bharat Tahiliani Tel: +971 4 444 3559 email: bharat.tahiliani@itp.com Digital Content Lead Jeffrey Casiño Tel: +971 4 444 3591 email: jeffrey.casino@itp.com Content Executive Rodelito Mamuad Tel: +971 4 444 3657 email: rodelito.mamuad@itp.com Contributor Hiral Kapadia Events & Marketing Events & Marketing Manager Eleanor Ashton eleanor.ashton@itp.com Events & Marketing Executive Kate Galaktionova kate.galaktionova@itp.com Art Head of Design Rita Ghantous Contributing Designer Hiral Kapadia Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles Image Editor Jemima Joy Group Video Editor Bharat Tahiliani Video Editor Hana Morsy Videographer Ajith Narendra Production Production Manager Denny Kollannoor Production Coordinator Balasubramanian P Tel: +971 4 444 3871 email: balasubramanian.p@itp.com Distribution & Circulation Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira Tel: +971 4 444 3669 email: avinash.pereira@itp.com Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Tel: +971 4 444 3236 email: rajesh.pillai@itp.com Advertising Group Commercial Director Sally Whittam Tel: +971 4 444 3348 mobile: +971 56 104 0567 email: sally.whittam@itp.com Commercial Manager Stuart Singleton Tel: +971 4 444 3000 Mobile: +971 52 352 3645 email: stuart.singleton@itp.com ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. Published under the authority of and in collaboration with Time Out Group Limited London UK. Printed for sale in AGCC and Egypt only. The name and logo of Time Out are used under licence of Time Out Group Limited London UK. Time Out Abu Dhabi regular news-stand retail price is £3.50/Dhs12.00.6 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com IF YOU’VE LIVED in the UAE for a while, or even if you’re totally new to the emirates, there’s a good chance you will have heard of the legendary Dubai restaurant 3Fils. The Asian eatery has racked up gong after gong, and it’s deÀnitely the kind of place you have to visit at least once, particularly if you’re a seafood lover. And Abu Dhabi residents will soon have their very own 3Fils concept to try right here in the capital, as SLRP Ramen is opening on Yas Island this month. Found inside Yas Mall’s huna Food Hall, you’ll get the chance to dig into authentic Japanese ramen bowls crafted by chef Shun Shiroma from Sunday September 3. Wondering what’s on the menu? Dubai 3Fils ramen spot headed for Yas Mall residents got a teaser of the tasty plates earlier this year when 3Fils held a series of SLRP Mondays pop-ups. You can expect expertly crafted Japanese ramen dishes featuring hand-pulled noodles – slurping is actively encouraged here – as well as kushiyaki, sushi and sashimi, melt-in- the-mouth wagyu sandos, handmade gyozas and more. “It is an honour to work with the 3Fils team and now SLRP to develop and cook my favourite dish in the world – ramen,” Chef Shun said. “I am very excited to start this new venture in Abu Dhabi. Arigato.” From September 3, SLRP Ramen will be open between noon and 11.30pm daily. The opening day will see activities including a live custom shirt station, merch giveaways, ramen making, and kushiyaki grilling, as well as a live Japanese calligrapher on-site writing personalised names for guests. If you’re yet to experience huna Food Hall, the dining destination features 20 different dining concepts, including BB Social Dining, Saigon and Tazal. O Opening Sun Sep 3. Open daily noon-11.30pm. huna Food Hall, Yas Mall, Yas Island, slrpramen.com. “The menu includes ramen, kushiyaki and more” City Lifetimeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 7 BACK IN APRIL, the capital’s very Àrst plant- based meat factory opened in Khalifa Industrial Zone. And now you can buy GMO-free, soy-free, allergen-free, gluten-free, vegan, and halal- certiÀed kebabs, soujuk, minced meat and burger patties at supermarkets across the city. All of the products are made using pea protein (no, we don’t know how it gets that meaty taste either). Switch Foods is available at stores including Carrefour, Organic Food Café, Grandiose, Geant, Union Coop, Sharjah Coop, Al Maya, Abella and Spinneys. You can also order Switch Foods via online platforms such as Talabat, Careem, Kibsons and Noon. While prices are subject to change, right now a 250g pack of minced meat will set you back Dhs14, while the 240g soujuk pack is Dhs19, according to Carrefour’s website. A four-pack of burger patties is Dhs34, and the 240g of plant-based kebab meat is Dhs20. If you’re new to plant-based cooking, not to worry, because Switch Foods has a handy recipe page on its website, with dishes like kebab arayes or hummus with soujuk. O switchfoods.com. ARE YOU THE kind of person that looks up the restaurant you’re planning on visiting, hunts down the menu, and picks out exactly what you want to eat well in advance? Or spends hours researching and planning out every element of a trip abroad, down to the hour (or even the minute)? Then you’re going to love this: You can now explore some of Abu Dhabi’s best attractions virtually. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Aldar, Miral, twofour54, and Ethara have teamed up with Super League to create Yas Island Tycoon – Roblox. The virtual world spans 25 square kilometres, and you’ll be able to explore Yas Island and pay a visit to top attractions including Yas Marina Circuit and Etihad Park. You’ll even be able to swing by Time Out Towers, aka twofour54’s Yas Creative Hub. There’s also a dedicated Experience Abu Dhabi area where you’ll be able to visit Louvre Abu Dhabi, Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Al Ain Oasis and Sir Bani Yas Island. When you Ànally do get to visit any of these landmarks IRL, we imagine it’s going to feel a bit like visiting San Andreas after playing Grand Theft Auto, or Florence after playing Assassin’s Creed II. Rashed Al Omaira, Chief Commercial OfÀcer at Aldar Development, said: “The virtual Yas Island experience unlocks new opportunities for a global audience to explore the island as a world-class destination to live, visit, and work. The effective use of innovative content creation not only enables us to tell the story of Abu Dhabi but also allows people around the world to become immersed in it.” O roblox.com. Explore top attractions virtually New plant- based meat hits shelves8 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Things to do Time to fiesta Saadiyat Beach Club has just launched a new Latin night. Held every Thursday evening, you can embrace the rhythm, passion, and vivacity of Latin culture, and dig into tasty plates and sips, over at La Salle between 8pm and 11pm. O Dhs199. Every Thu 8pm-11pm. Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, saadiyatbeachclub.ae (050 132 8425).timeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 9 Culture LETTERS OF LIGHT Louvre Abu Dhabi welcomes new exhibition In mid-September, Louvre Abu Dhabi’s newest exhibition Letters of Light will open. Inside, you’ll Ànd the most important and beautiful manuscripts from the three Abrahamic religions – the Quran, the Christian Bible (Old and New Testaments) and the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). O Dhs63 (general admission), free entry (kids under 18). Opening Wed Sep 13. Open Tue-Sun 10am-midnight. Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, louvreabudhabi.ae. WALK AMONG THE STARS NYU Abu Dhabi has a new light installation The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi has unveiled its new light installation, N O W I S W H E N W E A R E (the stars). Featuring nearly 5,000 points of light and a 496-channel sound system, the experience will completely immerse the visitor in the cosmos. Book through nyuad-artscenter.org. O Dhs105 (adults), Dhs52.50 (kids). Fri Sep 1-Sep Sun 3, Tue Sep 5-Sun Sep 10 2.30pm-5.30pm, 7pm-11pm. The Black Box, Saadiyat Island. SHOP LOCAL Last chance to visit Ripe Market The ever-popular outdoor market moved to an indoor space at Abu Dhabi Mall in May, and you can pay a visit until the end of September. Head down before then for arts and crafts, fashion, jewellery, accessories, home décor and more from local brands. O Until Sat Sep 30. Every Sat-Sun 10am-9pm. Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Zahiyah, ripemarketme.com. Around the world Love street food? Then you’re going to want to get yourself down to Chuck & Frida. Hailing from Slovakia, the new food hall at Yas Mall is home to a world of Áavour, with juicy patties at Regal Burger, Hawaiian eats at Poké Bistro, traditional Vietnamese baguettes at Banh-mi-ba, specialty coffee at Cuppa Joe, as well as various snacks from all over the world at the Street Food section (and it’s all in one cool, airconditioned space). No jostling around on hot sidewalks in search of tasty food here… O Open daily 10am-10pm. Yas Mall, Yas Island, chuckandfrida.ae. Head to Barbie World If you want to be a Barbie Girl in a Barbie World this month, get yourself down to L’Arc Cafe in Shakhbout City to experience a very pink pop-up, complete with themed plates and a Barbie Box for photos. O Until Sat Sep 30. Open daily 8am-midnight (ladies only). Shakhbout City, @larc.ae (02 491 7115).Next >