Team What's On pick their favourite things in the UAE right now

These are our favourite things in the UAE right now…

Working up a sweat at… 1Rebel x Gymshark

I’ve been training at 1Rebel for over a year now, and as someone who previously hated working out, it’s been a bit of a mindset gamechanger. The London-born studio has fast become one of Dubai’s most popular spots for a sweat session, thanks to its calorie-busting workouts and music pairing that make you feel more like you’re in a nightclub than a gym. But this week, I was at 1Rebel for a special class of half Ride (spin) and half Reshape (a mix of weights and cardio), for the UAE launch of Gymshark. The cult British fitness brand has launched its UAE site, with same day delivery in Dubai. What better way to celebrate than a 60-minute class in all Gymshark clobber? – Alice Holtham, Group Editor

@1rebeluae

Checking out Dubai’s new dinner show… Aretha

Does Dubai really need another dinner and a show concept? I thought not, but that was until I went to the opening night of Aretha last night. The newest venue from Rikas Hospitality, it’s right next door to one of their existing concepts Chez Wam at St Regis Gardens, which also happens to be one of my favourite restaurants in the city right now. So, I went with high expectations. The venue has all the pizzaz that you’d hope from a dinner and a show concept – crimson velvet curtains, a shiny white grand piano lit by a single spotlight, and disco balls dancing above the dining room. The menu is quintessentially Dubai dishes, think plump oysters, a burrata salad, truffle pizzetta and beef carpaccio, but it’s all well executed and great for sharing. The show is the real standout, though. Where others opt for circus acts and acrobats, this is purely about the music, with a fantastic roster of solo artists, guitarists and pianists rotating their way around popular tunes designed to get you dancing. – Alice Holtham, Group Editor

@arethadubai

Getting a tasty preview of a very limited edition burger at… Eleven Green

I’m writing this in contravention of my own self-appointed-ban on talking about the Dubai burger scene. I’m extraordinarily opinionated about it, my stance is completely inflexible and I will loudly espouse my bundamentalist views on anyone too polite or too slow to run away from the unsolicited Bread talk. The silver lining for listening to this collateral belligerence, is that I feel I’m usually right. This week, I got a sneak peek at next week’s one-day-only special from burger master craftsmen, Eleven Green. The El Reno Burger will make an appearance on Tuesday May 28, and then it will vanish into the meaty ether from whence it came. Dhs59 (but, free for the first eleven customers) – it’s an ode to Oklahoma: double-pressed wagyu patties, American cheese, jalapeños, house sauce – and grilled onions. And somewhere in there, is just the faintest hint of a cowboy campfire chilli, so fragile that anything more than a whisper and it vanishes. – Miles Buckeridge, Deputy Editor, Dubai

@elevengreen.uae

Chasing my colleague Manaal around… Laser Island

Somebody call HR. I’m kidding, this isn’t a Baby Reindeer situation. It’s just in a laser tag scenario – old loyalties vanish, friendships evaporate – all that’s left is the battle royale of man vs world. Adventure Island opened this week and I’m genuinely still in shock from the entertainment-to-price ratio. Dhs59 for a game of Fortnite IRL and Dhs59 for 15 minutes of Pixel – a sort of high energy, digitally enhanced cross between the Floor Is Lava and Nokia’s Snake. – Miles Buckeridge, Deputy Editor, Dubai

@adventure.island.ae

Redefining fast food with…Chef Vincent Le Moal

The longstanding image of fast food as greasy, high calorie, terrible-for-health, terrific-for-tastebuds indulgence has been burned into our minds for aeons, but Chef Vincent Le Moal has arrived in the capital with Beau Restaurant, and a vision to disrupt that image. Stroll around Marina Mall and look out for Beau’s taxi-style roaming car, which will whisk you off to a fine eat that puts out some absolutely ingenious creations. I’m not saying anything more because, A. You need to try it for yourself and B. You need to watch this space for more information. Happy weekend. – Dinesh Ramanathan, Deputy Editor, What’s On Abu Dhabi

@beau.restaurant

Discovering Abu Dhabi’s growing entertainment options at…Mission: Play! by Mattel™

Just when I was starting to feel like there’s a new restaurant or premium retail space opening in town every day, The Galleria Al Maryah Island read my mind and inaugurated Mission: Play! by Mattel this week. It’s great to see the space growing its entertainment options for shoppers of all ages, and a quick visit to this one introduced us to some classic brands that our kids would enjoy, like Hot Wheels and Barbie. The venue doesn’t try too hard to be the ‘best this’ or the ‘greatest that’ – it just keeps things simple and guarantees a fun day out for your children. And maybe even for you. – Dinesh Ramanathan, Deputy Editor, What’s On Abu Dhabi

@missionplaybymatteluae

Curing a cold with yummy tomato soup from… Souperior ME

Falling in love with my new earrings from… Enso Design Lab

There isn’t a piece from Enso Design Lab that I wouldn’t wear with joy. The home-grown brand, founded by Bulat Han, is committed to making high-quality, sustainable jewelry pieces that harness the influence of art and functionality. Simple yet sophisticated, the designs are meaningful and intricate – I was instantly drawn to the Momentum earrings (Dhs990), designed by Anie Goista. The gold-plated earrings are playful and feminine, and with their fluid lines and graceful curves, they represent the fleeting beauty of the present moment. They’re more or less all I wear now; they pair well day and night. One of the best things about the brand is its attention to detail in all aspects. Even the packaging provides one of the most aesthetically pleasing, luxurious, and gratifying unboxing experiences – ideal for a meaningful gift, whether for a loved one or yourself. – Tamara Wright, Online Reporter

@enso.design.lab

Listening to… Macklemore Hind’s Hall on repeat

“The Nakba never ended; the coloniser lied.”  In a world of Drake’s and Kendrick Lamar’s, be a Macklemore. The iconic American rapper, who’s set to perform in Dubai this October, released Hind’s Hall, in support of Palestine last week. All proceeds from all streaming platforms will be donated to the UNRWA for Palestinian refugees. During the three-minute song, he hits out at other musical artists for not speaking out, social media censorship, police brutality, and the killing of innocent Palestinians. Hind’s Hall samples a well-known Arab artist, Ana La Habibi by Fairuz, a pro-Palestinian Lebanese singer. It gives me goosebumps. Free Palestine. – Tamara Wright, Online Reporter

Pretend furniture shopping at… West Elm

I’m officially moving out, and my move-out date is coming closer – I don’t have an apartment yet. But, I’m moving out. Which means that I need to furnish an entire flat, which is expensive, yes, but it is oh so fun! Over the weekend my man and I decided to start looking for ideas and wandered into the wonderful West Elm. It might be out of my budget but I can’t get over how comfy the couches are, how beautiful the wood finish is on the coffee tables – and don’t even get me started on their gorgeous dining room sets. I’m living a pipe dream that my apartment will be furnished with West Elm couches and rugs but a girl can dream. – Shelby Gee, Junior Reporter

@westelmmena 

Meeting the magical people behind… Billionaire Cookies

It’s no secret that part of our jobs require us to meet lots of different people who are all doing wonderful things. This week one of my meetings was with the wonderful women behind the incredible homegrown cookie brand, Billionaire Cookies. I don’t think I’ve ever had a meeting where I clicked so well with the ladies over anything so quickly. Our love for cookies was only the start of it, Baby Reindeer talk (if you know, you know), celebrity encounters and everything in between. But mostly it was about their cookies and their amazing story of leaving the corporate world to follow their passion for baking cookies. It’s legendary and so are they. – Shelby Gee, Junior Reporter

@billionairecookiesdubai

Witnessing Atlantis being lit up by… Martin Garrix

When Martin Garrix gets on stage, he is not human. He becomes one with the music he’s playing and his show is perhaps the most electrifying set I’ve ever experienced. I was able to catch him live at Atlantis, The Palm, this past weekend, as the first part of the Atlantis Live concert series. The stage was massive and the energy was insane, and when 5,000 people jump in unison to one beat and you can hear your heart in your head, it’s incredible. As a party girl who can’t keep still if music is in the vicinity, I couldn’t stop dancing and not for one second did I feel the need to sit down. Martin, the man you are. – Manaal Fatimah, Junior Reporter

@atlantisthepalm

Escaping to another time with…Heeramandi

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi is a cinematic universe like no other. That is his signature – impossibly grand, lavish worlds, full of high ceilings, chandeliers, regal costumes, stunning jewellery and heartbreaking stories of love and loss. The namesake show, available to stream on Netflix, is set in the lanes of Heeramandi, once a centre of courtesans and the performing arts, and now Lahore’s red light district. My mum and I binge watched it in one night, and it was worth every minute. – Manaal Fatimah, Junior Reporter