It’s Hotting Up in Here! | The April ‘Luxe List’

This month’s Luxe List gives you the luxury low down of where to be and be seen this April, from The Hedonista’s take on Dubai’s latest hot-spots Ruya and Folly, to the gastronomic chocolate-filled heights at St Regis Abu Dhabi and The Rosewood,  to fashion collection airstream trailer tours with Tory Burch to galleries galore at Galleries Week at Warehouse421 via the Hermès Laundromat pop up and finally to dancing the night away with the Gypsy Queens at La Petite Maison, we have your April Luxe List right here.

Feel the Fusion Heat at Ruya | Grosvenor House in Dubai

Sarah Walton (aka The Hedonista) shares with us what is hot on the fusion front at Ruya. With Colin Clague at the helm, d.ream (Coya, Nusr-et and Zuma) behind the scenes and Studio Conran and Partners on deck for the design, Ruya has been the restaurant many have been waiting for.

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Image Courtesy of Sarah Walton for The Hedonista
 
Well established now, and over any of the hiccups opening can provide, it’s now a good time to pop in to try Chef Clague’s trademark fusion between Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines – less Japanese than Zuma and more Turkish than Qbara, but refined and exploding with flavour like both. Although Ruya is self-positioned as a Turkish restaurant (with the menu including classics like kibbeh, pides and kofta), you’ll also find recipes that cross cultures, either by style or ingredients.
 

Interiors are both plush and sleek; Arabic tiles, moss walls and velvet meet marble, matt brass and mirrors. The space is expertly divided into very different zones, including our favourite area, with a central two-sided communal couch that appears semi-al-fresco when the entire walls are opened to the elements.

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Image Credit Sarah Walton for The Hedonista
 
Nights start quietly but music is slightly clubby, so chatter gets rowdy later in the evening. The Friday brunch starts with an appetizer buffet (heavy on the Japanese influence here), and follows with hearty Turkish mainstays delivered to the table, partnered with a very decent house wine.
 
Click here for the full review at The Hedonista & for reservations click here.

Al Fresco Fashionista Fun with the Tory Burch Garden Party Collection Tour | 14-29 April 2017

This April the Tory Burch ‘Garden Party’ Collection is touring Dubai by Airstream trailer. Step into spring and discover Tory Burch‘s latest collection as it tours the city.

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Image Courtesy of Tory Burch

The first stop for this original vintage inspired pop-up boutique is this weekend at City Walk in Dubai. Climb aboard the super-styled exclusive trailer pop-up to browse and buy the Tory Burch floral & foliage, 1960’s inspired spring collection. Expect al fresco fashionista fun in the temporary pop-up garden surrounding the Airstream trailer and look forward to sipping complimentary lemonade when you visit this unique traveling store.

To read more in The Luxe Diary on this event, click here.

Chocolate Week at The St Regis Abu Dhabi | 13-17 April 2017

Experience the height of luxurious chocolate indulgence at The St Regis Abu Dhabi this Easter week. Whether it is for Easter brunch at Villa Toscana where the restaurant will showcase an exceptional array of Weiss chocolate Easter treats, or for the Mini-Masterchef’s Easter Egg-stravaganza at the Terrace on the Corniche, the Remède Spa Chocolate Indulgence or even the St Regis Bar Cigar & Chocolate Evening – there is something chocolatey for everyone!

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To read more in The Luxe Diary on this event, click here.

Demoiselle by Galvin at City Walk in Dubai | An Afternoon Tea to Remember

Less than three weeks into its opening – led by Chef Patrons Chris and Jeff Galvin – Demoiselle by Galvin has fast become a buzzing hotspot in City Walk’s budding culinary scene.

This spring, Demoiselle by Galvin introduces the perfect venue for residents and visiting guests to spend their afternoons with the stunning venue’s take on ‘Salon de Thé’. Combining the heritage of the Galvin brand’s British origins, served with a delicate European finesse, Demoiselle by Galvin journeys guests through their version of the beloved centuries-old afternoon tea.

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The perfect way to spend a leisurely afternoon with friends or for an early, light bite after work with colleagues, Demoiselle by Galvin’s Afternoon tea is a modern tradition with something for everyone.

To read more in The Luxe Diary on this event, click here. For reservations click here.

The Rosewood Abu Dhabi | Rediscovering an Old Family Favourite at Aqua Brunch

The Friday brunch at Aqua at the Rosewood has always been a firm family favourite at The Luxe Diary. But it’s recently relaunched format has us very excited. With authentic Spanish paella, the best fondue this side of the Dolomites and succulent oysters both from Ireland and Brittany, this revamped brunch has something to offer everyone in the family. Our highest praise is for the quality of ingredients and their consistent standard as well and the atmosphere and attention of the staff. The Aqua brunch is a real culinary break for the whole family.

For reservations, please click here.

Gypsy Queens at La Petite Maison Dubai | 19 April 2017

La Petite Maison Dubai – the home of Cuisine Nicoise – hosts a special ‘one-night only’ and not-to-be-missed performance by the French pop band, The Gypsy Queens, on Wednesday 19 April, playing electrifying hits from 20.00-21.00 and 22.30-23.00. Diners will enjoy an evening meal and music by the band known of it’s acoustic pop sound.

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The Gypsy Queens has performed in front of the likes of Elton John, Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli, Quincy Jones, Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, David Beckham, Prince William, Prince Harry, Vladimir Putin, Prince Albert of Monaco, Bono, Janet JacksonGwyneth Paltrow, Stella McCartney, Paris Hilton, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jude Law, Madonna, Simon Cowell, Jane Fonda, Michael Douglas, Sean Penn, Lance Armstrong, David Cameron, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, David Hasselhoff, Giorgio Armani, amongst others, or events such as the inauguration of The Shard Building in London, and all the Jet Set’s parties.

For reservations call or click here.

Hermès Luxury Laundromat Pop-Up | 13 – 22 April 2017

Next stop for the exclusive ‘Hermès-matic’ styling pop-up is Dubai, at Place des Lumières, City Walk 2, from 13 to 22 April 2017.

Hermèsmatic pop-up shop. Courtesy of Hermès
Photo: Martial Schmeltz

At the pop-up expect to receive exclusive styling tips on the 100 and one ways to tie your Carré and, along with the opportunity to purchase vintage scarves dyed in the laundromat’s unique signature denim blue or fuschia pink, you can have your own pre-loved Hermès Carré revived at the ‘Hermès-matic’ laundromat too!

To read more in The Luxe Diary on this event, click here.

Elegantly poised at Folly | Madinat Jumeirah

Sarah Walton (aka The Hedonista) also shares with us what is elegantly cooking at Folly at the Madinat Jumeirah. Nick and Scott (Previous heads of Gordon Ramsey’s Verre, their own venture Table 9, and a sojourn into cafes and retail with Taste Kitchen in conjunction with Spinneys) are finally back in a licensed venue, and it’s a dream.

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Image Courtesy of Sarah Walton for The Hedonista

Filling some of the space of the now-closed Rivington Grill and a smattering of tiny terraces over the rooftops of Madinat Jumeirah, with views of the canals, abras, palm and Burj Al Arab, this will become a bucket-list restaurant for many a traveller. The menu is laid out into small, medium and large plates, encouraging diners to graze and share, especially good for balmy, lazy evenings with a view. The dishes almost fit into the ‘Modern British’ genre, but often have a Middle Eastern twist, fitting the setting.

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Image Courtesy of Sarah Walton for The Hedonista
Exteriors are expansive, with earthy tones, sublime views and plenty of romantic nooks and viewpoints. The interiors somehow melds a London pub with a Moroccan riad; think exposed brick, dark woods, textured blue tiles and earthy ceramic crockery.
 
Click here for the full review at The Hedonista & for reservations click here.

Galleries Week | 12 – 19 April 2017 | Warehouse421

Warehouse421 in partnership with Abu Dhabi Art presents Galleries Week’, open at Warehouse421 in Abu Dhabi between 12-19 April. The inaugural event showcases six galleries, presenting a wide variety of artworks at a range of price points. With prices beginning at AED 2,000, ‘Galleries Week’ offers first-time art buyers entry into the world of collecting.

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Dedicated to enabling galleries to connect with Abu Dhabi residents during the year, the week-long event will feature local and regional galleries: Salwa Zeidan from Abu Dhabi, Cuadro Fine Arts Gallery and ElMarsa from Dubai and ATHR and Hafez Gallery from Jeddah alongside GALLERIA CONTINUA from Italy, France, China and Cuba.

For a full schedule of events at Galleries Week, click here.

 #LuxeList #April #LuxeApproved #TheLuxeDiary

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