Tom and Serg

The end of Ramadan signals two pretty exciting things in Dubai – Summer is slowly coming to an end (ok, not really but a girl can be optimistic) and NEW menu’s at all of my favourite café’s (Tom and Serg, Fraîche and Cycle Bistro to name a few). Since coming back from my holiday in Australia, I have pretty much made it my sole mission to taste my way through Tom and Serg’s new menu – and it has absolutely not disappointed.

For anybody in Dubai that has not been to check out the Al Quoz coffee lovers heaven, I honestly don’t know how you have been functioning in Dubai for the past 10 months. Yallah. Now.

I was beyond excited to see the addition of shakshouka to their menu – this is my absolute favourite dish to order for breakfast, and one of my favourites to make at home so I am always a pretty tough critic (read my blog on the Pantry café to hear how I really feel about this). Tom and Serg’ s shakshouka did not disappoint – my breakfast partner thought it was a little too spicy but it was perfect for me – it is the perfect size for breakfast and the sourdough that it is served with complements it perfectly. I really had no faults on this one and am already thinking about when I can have it again.

Another new addition on the breakfast front is the smoked salmon bagel which I opted for sans hollandaise – it is a pretty big breakfast option and I was really impressed by how much smoked salmon was on my plate (thanks, guys) – the capers weren’t over indulged and the poached eggs were the perfect consistency. Once again, super impressed.

A lot of the old favourites from the previous menu have stuck around like the Baghdad Scramble which is always a winner, although lately the sausage has been looking a bit on the skinny side. And of course, the scramble with goats cheese which has become a staple on the menu.

Their coffee has seen a bit of a revamp with the addition of cold drip to the menu which is a god sent on a stinky Summer day but if I am completely honest I can never really go past ordering a Magic as my go-to (if you’re usual order is a flat white, I beg you to switch it up a little with a magic next time you go).

Moving on to lunch and it is a pretty impressive affair. So far my favourite dishes have included the Gado which has held onto its place from the previous menu, the seared tuna with soba noodles (perfect for anyone watching their weight) and the cauliflower salad. The super salad has also stayed on which is a definite go-to of mine.

 

The Gado is a definite favourite and perfect option for any vegetarians – the silken tofu, quinoa and eggplant swim perfectly in a satay style sauce, topped with bean sprouts and sweet potato crisps.

The seared tuna is paired with a super refreshing citrus dressing which packs a punch with more than a hint of chilli and the cauliflower salad is super tasty. The Reuben and the parmi both look pretty impressive but are a bit too heavy for me to try.

If you’re feeling a little dusty from the night before, The Morning After Wrap should sort you out – it is probably too greasy for me to have on a normal day but if you’re sporting a bit of a hangover this is your quick fix. Oh and the falafel wrap is super yummy as well.

The best thing about Tom and Serg has never been its’ food or coffee but their amazing crew that keep things fresh, always greet you like family and know their sh*t when it comes to good food and coffee. Serg is usually floating around making sure everyone is happy which is something I miss from back home – the personalised service when it comes to dining out. Airia can usually be found tweaking or having a giggle which always makes the whole experience even better.

OH and one more thing – Tom and Serg is on the Snapp wagon so for every eight visits you can earn a free dessert which definitely works for me.

Where: 15 A St, Al Quoz (just around the corner from Ace Hardware)

What to order: The Gado for something different

How much will it cost me: A coffee and spot of lunch won’t break the bank, you’re looking at approx. 80 dihrams.

Singapore

Writing this post, as I look out from my hotel room onto a rather gloomy and ominous looking Singapore day, I feel strangely at home in this foreign country. As the lightning flashes and rumbles of thunder are heard, I can reflect on my 48 hours in Singapore, and realise, unsurprisingly, that I absolutely love this city. 

 

Day one in Singapore, and I was off to an early start. Having travelled from Australia, back to Dubai, to Singapore and then onto Australia again, my body clock is completely confused. This time, it worked to my advantage as I was out of the hotel by 8am and ready to explore the city. 

 

Taking a short walk to the Marina area, I finally saw for my own eyes the Marina Bay Sands and neighbouring area,  which is a really incredible sight. The almost galactic style architecture of the Marina Bay Sands building and neighoburing Science Centre is eye capturing. I walked through the Olympic viewing area and of course across The Helix Bridge. It seems everything in Singapore is planned and designed meticulously, which pays off by the impressive nature of the city. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands define luxury, I was there so early however that I missed out on going inside, but I have a feeling the price tags may have been a little out of my league! 

 

There is something about Singapore that is extremely sterile, as I walk through the streets and admire the architecture and magnitude of a city that has made itself from pretty much nothing, I can’t help but feel that I am just a pawn in a game much bigger than myself. The buildings, the shops, the people, all seemed too perfect, as if one wrong move and the entire house of cards would come tumbling down. I spoke to a taxi driver who described Singapore as a city with roads that are perfectly lined and everything runs smoothly, but once you take away those strict and enforcing lines, chaos would ensue. As a tourist, these are the things that make Singapore such a great attraction; it is an easy place to travel to with everybody speaking English or as they say “Singlish”, and the city set out in a very easily navigable way. 

 

Moving on from the Marina area, I made my way into Chinatown by foot. I have said it before, but I absolutely love exploring a city by foot. It’s the little nooks and crannies you find along the way that make the adventure so special. 

 

I lost myself in the marketplace of Chinatown and emerged on the other side, close to Maxwell Food Centre. I had heard of the infamous chicken and rice dish in Singapore, and had heard Maxwell Food Centre was where I had to go to taste it. I looked for the stall with the longest queue, Tian Tian, and waited my turn to order this Singaporean staple dish. Costing $4, I was blown away by the simplicity yet depth of flavours something so simple as poached chicken and rice could taste. The rice is so fluffy and chicken so tender – I was in heaven. If you are travelling to Singapore, this is a non-negotiable must do!

 

Making my way away from Maxwell Food Centre towards Duxton Hill, I came across a tiny Tea House aptly named “Tea Chapter”. The walls were filled with endless styles of tea and quaint pots and cups so cute I could have bought the whole store. Having just eaten lunch, I didn’t make it upstairs to the tea house but this is on the top of my list of things to do next time I am here. 

 

A trip to Singapore is not complete until you have experienced shopping on Orchard Road. I was recommended to do a Hippo bus tour down Orchard Road, however, I attempted to brave the road on my own. My best tip for shopping on Orchard Road is to stay away from the high street brands we all know well and see in every other city in the world – yes, I am talking about Top Shop, Zara, H&M and Forever 21. Don’t get me wrong, I love these brands and do a lot of my shopping from them in Dubai, however, Singapore has some amazing local designers and cool boutiques that are absolute must sees. 

 

Narrowing down to two stores that if in Singapore, I recommend you find are Blackmarket in Orchard Central and Rockstar by Soon Lee which is actually on Grange Road, not Orchard. I instantly fell in love with the quirky layout of both of these stores. They are quintessentially “Asian” in that quirky style that when I try to pull it off I look absolutely ridiculous but my Chinese or Japanese friends look ridiculously cool in. Blackmarket was a little out of my price range, but I managed to do some spending in Rockstar, my favourite purchase is a map of the world by the Future Mapping Co! I cannot wait to put it in my apartment in Dubai! 

 

As the storm clouds rolled in, I decided to hang up my walking shoes and leave the rest of Singapore to discover another day. Singapore seems to have an endless list of things to do and see and with so many bars and restaurants, you are always sure to have a good time when you travel here. 

 

After travelling to Hong Kong and Singapore, I am falling more and more in love with Asia and can’t wait to discover more about this amazing continent! 

 

Iftar at Vida Hotel

This is my second Ramadan in Dubai so I absolutely had to try an Iftar! I can’t believe last year I didn’t make it to one – I think there is a huge difference between living in Dubai as a flight attendant where you aren’t in the city 24/7 so you don’t fully embrace the lifestyle to living here fulltime.

I felt like maybe I should ease my way into my first Iftar so we bypassed the tent experience and chose to break fast at Vida Hotel Downtown at their 3 in 1 restaurant. I absolutely love this property – I am such a big fan of everything they do, they have their service down to a tee and it has to be one of the least pretentious hotels in Dubai. I love going to Toko or even just sitting poolside for sheisha and mezze.

The Iftar was really lovely – our table setting was so cute and we had dates and apricots on the table as a traditional way to break fast. We were absolutely starving so went straight to the salad buffet which had a really healthy, fresh selection of cold mezze – all of your old favourites are there from olives, to fetta and beetroot salads and of course labneh, hommus and baba-ghannoush. Mains were ordered directly to the table and we all stuck to the mixed grill which was exactly what you would expect – succulent beef, lamb and chicken marinated in Arabic spices. So far so good on the health front.

 

Next up was the endless array of desserts which is where my “cheat day” really came into play. I am such a sweet tooth and an absolute sucker for Arabic desserts – pistachio is my favourite flavour for desserts so it is no wonder I absolutely love Arabic food. The stand out dessert was surprisingly the date pudding which we paired with vanilla ice cream which wasn’t overpoweringly creamy but a mild complement to the pudding. There is also a nut station with absolutely every nut and different types of dates under the sun.

 

We sipped on traditional drinks like Jellab, Tamar Hindi  and Laban as well as Morrocan Mint Tea and Arabic coffee.

Where: Vida Hotel

Price: AED170/Iftar until 10pm

What I loved: This Iftar steered away from contemporary favourites & felt like an authentic Arabic feast.

 

Summer Loving

Berries, watermelon & pineapple in the sun!

I recently celebrated my birthday and unlike previous years, there was no big party, no fancy dinner or drinks and generally no over the top excitement. I spent my birthday reflecting on the last twelve months of my life where I have seen enormous changes personally and professionally – I have spent the last year improving myself, aiming to live in the present, embracing every opportunity I have been given and learning as much as I can as I embarked on a new career in Dubai.

So on my birthday, instead of downing one too many cocktails, I was awake early and feeling fresh (it is amazing what an alcohol-free lifestyle has on your energy levels) and was at Kite Beach early enough to have a spot of paddle boarding before the crowds set in and the mercury rose. Paddle-boarding has to be one of my favourite ways of meditating – there is something so calming about being out in the ocean (especially when you are the only one in the sea for miles) and reflecting – what was already such a special morning for me was made all the more with the presence of a friendly dolphin swimming away from its’ pod to wish me happy birthday right next to my board! Not long after I spotted a sting ray (which I embraced with a little less grace) and a sea turtle ducking under the waves. There really is no other way to make my heart burst with happiness than a morning out on the sea, soaking the Vitamin D and feeling the positivity from activating my endorphins.

 

 

The Cycle Bistro

I am such a morning person which may be surprising considering my profession (surprisingly enough PR isn’t all about going to parties)! It is no surprise then that my favourite meal of the day is breakfast – no matter how late my night is or how early I have to wake up for work, I always make sure I start my day off right.  

For me the perfect weekend starts off with an early exercise session on Friday morning, be it walking, jogging, yoga or a beach swim, I love to start my Friday off active – then I usually head to one of my favourite breakfast jaunts. In Australia this was a weekend ritual and now that I am back in a routine again, it is starting to creep its way into my life once more! 

The Paleo lifestyle has become hugely popular, and I love that healthy eating has become somewhat of a trend lately as I am an absolute health freak and have previously struggled to find yummy food in Dubai that isn’t going to throw off my eating plan. The Cycle Bistro in Motor City has to be one of my favourite places for breakfast – not only because it is so close to my apartment and not just because their staff are absolutely amazing – but you know that every time you order from The Cycle Bistro there aren’t going to be any hidden surprises in your meal (think unnecessary salts, sugar and fats). 

The Cycle Bistro is a Paleo cafe, so you can push your eggs on toast to the back of your mind, but don’t think that just because it is healthy it isn’t going to be amazing! I love how creative the menu is in following the Paleo lifestyle – there is almost always a pancake option on the menu, usually with berry compote or grilled banana for those with a sweeter tooth but I usually go for poached eggs or protein heavy option. Even though it is a Paleo cafe, there are still great options for vegetarians. 

The main draw card for the Cycle Bistro is that it serves Raw Coffee – hands down the best coffee in Dubai – and even better, you can have Almond Milk latte’s which are absolutely amazing and a perfect treat if you are being really strict on your diet! 

The Cycle Bistro actually has THE best smoothies in Dubai – trust me, I am super picky when it comes to smoothies and I feel like I am on a perpetual journey to find the best (read: healthiest) smoothie in Dubai. I absolutely hate it when I hear people talk about “healthy” juices and smoothies but the smoothies at Cycle Bistro are actually healthy! I had the beetroot, maca & berry smoothie and it was amazing! My sister had the green smoothie which was also really good! My rule of thumb whenever ordering a juice or smoothie is that it has to be vegetable based and I see no value in ordering a sugar riddled drink even though it is fruit (it is not always good for you!) – for me it has to be nutrient rich and ideally with a great supplement like maca or LSA. 

There are so many misconceptions regarding “healthy” eating in the UAE and it is so refreshing to see a cafe like The Cycle Bistro that enables you to dine out and not ruin your eating plan. 

The Cycle Bistro is in Motor City and open 7 days a week and during Ramadan open for takeaway from 10am.

What I love: A good coffee without having to venture too far from my desert oasis. Perfect if you are based in Motor City, Arabian Ranches, Sports City, JVC

 

Green Smoothie goodness!

 

We Ruled the Roast.

Tom and Serg just keep bringing the goods.

 

I am the biggest fan of their day time offerings and the thought that they would potentially be shut during Ramadan was almost unbearable – luckily for myself and any good coffee lovers in Dubai, the Al Quoz café has stayed open for takeaway during the Holy month and have orchestrated quite possibly the greatest pop-up concept to date: Rule The Roast.

 

Daily during Ramadan, Tom & Serg is open for Iftar for roast lovers – the concept is brilliant – no table service and almost reminiscent of the old RSL bain-marie, no extensive menu, just a good old-fashioned Sunday roast. You can choose from two sizes, big or king, and a selection of Angus beef, chicken, fish or lamb with all of your favourite trimmings like cheesey cauliflower (this was absolutely ridiculous), roast vege’s and any self-respecting Aussie will order the side of fries with chicken salt & gravy.

 

Everything about this was good and quintessentially Tom & Serg – no fancy frills, just good food in a laidback atmosphere. If you’re like me and grew up with Sunday roast as a weekly tradition, Rule the Roast is the perfect comfort food and if you can fit it in, you must try the apple pie for dessert.

 

With rumors a buzz that Tom & Serg will be opening a second establishment in 2014, I can only hope it is a dinner concept because they proved with this pop-up that right now, they can rule pretty much anything.

 

Where: Tom & Serg, Al Quoz

Price: AED80/AED95 for Big/King Roast plus sides

What I loved: The Tom & Serg crew welcome you back like family every time, good people offering amazing food and fantastic service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lagos, Portugal

It is absolutely no surprise that I have absolutely, head over heels, fallen in love with Lagos. 

This beautiful piece of paradise has taken me back to a place of peace and relaxation that after months of living in the crazy city of Dubai, I had almost forgotten about. 

I think a lot about being present, and enjoying the present moment for exactly what it is, and I have not felt more present than during my time in Lagos. 

The city is so perfect in its simplicity. The picturesque beaches and of course the awe inspiring grottoes create a vibe throughout the city of total relaxation and happiness. The historic centre is bustling with restaurantes and you can easily lose yourself walking the tiny cobble stone streets and discovering something new each day.

The beach was obviously the main draw card for me to visit Lagos, so it is no surprise this is where I spent nearly all of my time. In just three days I got myself into a little routine here. My days consisted of waking up by 6am for a quick run through the streets, to return to where I was staying, Praia Dona Ana, for some yoga and stretching followed by meditation. This is something I don’t get to do nearly enough in Dubai so it was so amazing to be able to take this time out in the morning to reconnect with my body. 

After heading back to the hotel for some post work out breakfast, you would find me on one of Lagos’ beautiful beaches. Praia Dona Ana and Praia Camillo were my two favourite. My favourite time to come to the beach was after my run when absolutely nobody else could be seen on the beach. It was so amazing to be the only person on Dona Ana, taking in its’ beauty and revelling in its peace. By 10am the beaches start to fill up and by the afternoon it is almost hard to find a spot on the beach to lay down your towel, so to think I had it all to myself three days in a row, is absolutely too amazing to comprehend. 

By lunchtime I would head into the historic centre for a walk around town before deciding on a cafe to eat at. My favourite spot for lunch was Casa de Pasto o Ze which not only provided delicious meals but also an atmosphere that for someone eating alone was very entertaining. For lunch they offer a “touristic” menu which consists of the soup of the day, bread and olives, a choice of main meal (I chose Tuna Steak Algarvian style), a dessert, espresso and a drink of your choice (vinho de casa, of course). All of this for 10 euros is a great deal and you will find most of the cafe’s along the main promenade offer something similar. Alternatively, they offer a fantastic menu, and when I returned for a second time I chose the pork “Portugese style” which was absolutely delicious. 

For the afternoon I would make my way through the cobble stone streets back to the beach where I would usually write, or take a siesta until the sun began to cool down.

On one of my afternoon strolls I discovered a gelateria that makes all of their gelato fresh in-house everyday. It was one of those food moments, when you don’t want it to end and you walk around for at least half an hour afterwards with a huge smile on your face. Located on Rua Marques de Pombal, it is right in the city centre. I chose mango gelato which the salesperson told me was made from fresh mangoes and it absolutely blew my mind. For dessert on my last night, I went back to try a sweeter flavour and tried the rocher and the oreo. I have travelled all over Italy and am honestly not sure if I will ever taste gelato as good. Hint: this is a MUST if you visit Lagos! 

 My favourite dinner restaurante came from a recommendation from the extremely helpful and insightful website Simply Lagos. The site is a passion for two Canadian expats who have been travelling to Lagos for seventeen years. I was lucky enough to meet the couple when I visited Onde Norte restaurante in Dona Ana. This place gets super busy, almost exclusively to locals, so it is not uncommon if you are seated next to other customers. It so happened I was seated next to the couple whose website had recommended me the restaurante in the first place! It was amazing talking to such an inspiring couple, and it is one of those meetings that I feel truly blessed that happened. If you are visiting Lagos, this site will become your best friend, visit www.simplylagos.com for absolutely everything you need!

 Back to the food. Onde Norte is a local jaunt that creates truly amazing Portugese food. Their specialty is obviously meat dishes as they specialise in northern Portugese cuisine. On recommendation from my new friends, I chose the black pork skewers, which isn’t on the menu, but I am sure you can request. The portion size was huge, and while I finished the pork, I hardly even touched the sides of black beans and rice. The pork was cooked to absolute perfection and it was matched perfectly with chorizo. This was my favourite meal in Portugal and would highly recommend a visit to Onde Norte. They also have fish dishes if you are not a big meat eater. It is located just two streets away from Praia Dona Ana and is quite easy to find.

 Next door to Onde Norte is a new cafe called Twisted Twirly. I went here on my last night in Lagos as I just wanted somewhere relaxed to eat and have one last drink before I began my journey home. It was a largely British clientele, and it had a very English feel. The chef was Portugese so you are really given the best of both worlds. They have a huge tapas menu which looked really tasty when I saw other peoples meals come out. I decided on the Portugese staple meal, Chicken Piri Piri, the Piri Piri sauce they make fresh for each meal. For a dish so simple – it is essentially chicken, chips and salad – it was absolutely delicious. The flavour was perfect, and the chef even came out to check that I was enjoying my meal and that the sauce wasn’t too hot for me. For me this was the perfect place to go to relax. I love Portugal and especially the hustle and bustle of Portugese restaurantes but sometimes it can be a little too much. Twisted Twirly was somewhere I could relax with my pint of Sagre, check in with my friends and family on the free wifi and enjoy some beautiful Portugese food. Amazing.

 Of course when you visit Lagos you must do a tour of the grottoes. I chose a simple 10 euro tour for one hour and it was honestly all I needed. I was very conscious of the environmental impact that the boat was having on these natural beauties, so if you are environmentally conscious there are also kayak tours of the grottoes which looked like a lot of fun.

 There are also dolphin watching tours available, but if you do really want to see dolphins, my suggestion is to wake up early and visit one of the beaches and you are almost guaranteed to see a pod or two. I was lucky enough to see dolphins on one of my morning beach relaxation sessions and it was so beautiful, and a lot less intrusive on their natural environment.

 Now on my bus journey back to Lisbon to catch my flight back to Dubai, I am feeling so blessed to have visited such an amazing little town. Lagos has definitely made its way to one of my favourite destinations, and I can guarantee I will be back again one day.

Meydan Beach Club

If you’re wondering where the beautiful people of Dubai go to manage the outrageous mercury levels, look no further than the absolutely stunning Meydan Beach Club in JBR.

Stepping into Meydan Beach Club is somewhat reminiscent of holidaying along the Côte D’Azur – white linen pants in abundance, barely there bikinis and wait staff at your beck and call to ensure you’re kept well hydrated in the balmy forty degree heat.

The décor is stunning and the multiple pools mean that you can have some privacy away from the scene that are really there just to be seen. I love the beach access at Meydan and also the proximity to the shops in JBR.

The menu is super fresh and with the team making sure you are kept well hydrated with freshly squeezed juices, it is easy to spend a whole day here.

 

Ramadan Kareem

Yesterday marked the start of the blessed month of Ramadan and living in the UAE with so many friends and colleagues taking part in the traditions of Ramadan, despite myself not being religious, it is a special time to reflect on the values that the month centres around and take the time to detoxify my life a little bit, after all, Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection and self improvement.

One of the five pillars of Islam is Zakar which represents charity and during Ramadan volunteer work and giving to charitable causes is heightened. In Dubai there are so many opportunities to donate your time or money to a worthy cause – this month I will be reaching out to a charity to not only donate some money but also my time (as working hours are reduced to 10am – 4pm I really don’t have any excuse not to!) so will definitely keep you all updated on that!

In addition to charity, Ramadan requires Muslim’s to fast between sunrise and sunset – these are referred to as Suhoor (pre-fast) and Iftar (breaking the fast). Iftar can be quite a social gathering as families gather to break fast together – if you are living in Dubai you must experience at least one Iftar as they are really special – Iftar at Jumeirah Beach Hotel is always amazing. It is really lovely as friends and family will go to each others houses to usually break the fast first, followed by prayer and then a main meal.

For myself, as an Australian living in Dubai, Ramadan will be a month of self reflection and improvement. For the whole month of July I am refraining from drinking alcohol (it will be 40 days altogether) and I am concentrating on improving my diet as well as increasing my physical exercise – I have a goal weight of 6 kilograms to lose! I have also signed up to an online university course so will be expanding my professional knowledge. While I love our religious traditions in Australia like Easter and Christmas, it is really special to have an entire month dedicated to your spirituality and living in Dubai alongside so many different cultures with such acceptance of each other’s cultures and beliefs is really special.

Ramadan Kareem! 

 

 

Pantry Café

I had been dying to try the Pantry Café so when I finally got to try it out my expectations were high to say the least– and while the experience was altogether pleasant, I am not too sure that I will be rushing back there any time soon.

With the emergence of high quality café’s in Dubai, everybody really needs to start amping their game and while the whole experience was fine it wasn’t at the level it should be.

The menu is definitely its strong point – it has something to offer everybody – I opted for the Arabic style breakfast Shakshuka which was definitely the crowd favourite. The baked eggs were cooked perfectly and spiced just right with crumbled feta on top. My fellow diners breakfasts were where the Pantry started lacking – one meal came out completely cold and the general caliber just wasn’t as strong as I was expecting.

The coffee is great at the Pantry and it is the perfect café for families as there is a lot of space outside for kids to run around and play, however, for the young crowd wanting that breakfast reminiscent of a Saturday morning in Brunswick, this isn’t the place for you.

The interior is super cute and the staff are super friendly – the Pantry just didn’t have the same magic or atmosphere as my fav breakfast places like Tom & Serg, Jones and The Cycle Bistro.

Out of ten? I would probably rate it a six and I won’t be racing back there anytime soon.