Turkish Breakfast in Gunaydin Dubai

It's no secret that of all the places we have been to, Turkey is our favorite. Although we only spent 12 days in the country, we felt so at home that we suffered from severe sepanx when it was time to leave. We love the vibrant Turkish culture, the hospitality, and most especially the food! And until now, there always comes a day when we miss waking up to a classic Turkish Kahvalti.

It's nice to know that, here in Dubai, we have Turkish restaurants to run to when the craving strikes. Recently, we learned that a renowned Turkish restaurant - Gunaydin - in Souk Al Bahar has a weekend breakfast promotion. Ed and I were so excited to try it. So, we went there with high hopes that it would somehow relieve our longing for the traditional Turkish breakfast.

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Downtown Dubai Do-It-Yourself Tour

Downtown Dubai is the most vibrant district of the fast-growing megacity! Aptly called "The Centre of Now", it is a tourist and commercial hub dotted with marvelous attractions. If Old Dubai showcases the city's humble past, Downtown Dubai flaunts its awe-inspiring present and promising future!

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Jollibee: Langhap-Sarap Goodness in Dubai

"Jollibee is open!"  "Let's go to Jollibee!"  "I miss Jollibee."

My husband sounded like a broken record on the day Jollibee opened at The Dubai Mall. And there I was, pretending not to hear a thing or saying "Ok, I'll try to wake up early this weekend." when I sense that he is about to say something about Jollibee again.

Don't get me wrong. I was excited to go to Jollibee too, but I had no plans of getting my Chicken Joy on its opening day, not even on its first month of operations! Why? Well, you all know why! I hate queues, and queuing at the first and currently the only Jollibee in the UAE is no joke! A friend told me she waited for 4 hours. Another said she went home with nothing! So, my plan was to wait until the hype dies down. 

Jollibee at The Dubai Mall 

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Boulevard Kitchen: An Arabian Culinary Feast in Downtown Dubai

Finely detailed with an arabesque glow, the Boulevard Kitchen glistens at the most prestigious square kilometer on earth. It was a very welcoming sight for us who just came from a traffic chaos and a long stroll caused by our own mistake of taking a new route. The warm hospitality, despite us being an hour late, was a relief. Right then, I felt my weekend night turned from disastrous to almost perfect.

Just as the world outside was in a weekend rush, Ed and I were tucked in a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. Boulevard Kitchen, Manzil Downtown's all day dining restaurant, has a contemporary vibe, yet dons classic arabesque patterns; an exemplary combination of the old and new. The restaurant offers dishes from the Middle East region; dishes that my Filipino palate considered as exotic a few years back, but eventually went down on my staple food list as years go by.

Boulevard Kitchen in Manzil Downtown

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Burj Khalifa LED Show in Photos and Video

I could say that I got the most comfortable spot without spending a fortune during the New Year's Eve Gala at Downtown Dubai. I was in Burj Park having the utmost relaxation in a picnic blanket with my family. Our spot was a vantage point for the dazzling fireworks display. However, there was a downside. We could only see half of the fascinating LED show. :(

The LED-illumination on Burj Khalifa's facade is a Guinness World Record holder. Too bad, I wasn't able to get a full view of it when Dubai's iconic structure clinched the award. But then, the morning after, I learned that there's nothing to be sorry about as the record-breaking display will continue until January 9, 2015! 

I guess you know what I did next. :)      

the impressive LED show at Burj Khalifa's facade

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Fortnum and Mason Dubai: Afternoon Indulgence at The Parlour

What can make you happy on an excruciating summer day? If you ask me, I'd say ICE CREAM!!! :) So when an invitation that says "melt away your afternoon and create your own ice cream sundae" arrived in my mailbox, I immediately gave it my big fat YES! 

Honestly, my mind was all over the "create-your-own-sundae" thing and I didn't care about the rest! That's how crazy over ice cream I was. Blame it on the weather! Heheh! It was only a day before the event when I had the time to check the location map. It was then that I realized that the event I'm happily looking forward to will be at the glass-clad three-floor structure in the middle of The Dubai Mall and The Address Downtown. I have been eyeing on that pretty standalone structure ever since it was still under construction early this year! Little did I know that it is the home of Fortnum and Mason in the UAE! 

Fortnum and Mason is a luxurious shopping destination for the rich and the royals in the UK. It was established in Picadilly in 1707! That's more than 300 years ago! Today, Fortnum and Mason is a British Icon with branches all over Great Britain. The shop in Downtown Dubai is their first standalone store outside the UK.

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Wholesome Lunch at The Pavilion Downtown Dubai

Lush greens. Downtown Dubai. Sunny weekend. 

No, I was not in Burj Park, definitely not in this scorching summer weather. I was chillin' comfortably indoor while constantly staring at the vertical garden, detoxifying with a smoothie in hand, at The Pavilion. All the while I thought the low-rise gray building behind "The Gathering" sculpture at Downtown is an office space. It is The Pavilion, and it is not what it seems to be from the outside!

There's nothing like The Pavilion. Ed and I knew that we missed a lot when we saw what lies within the dull gray facade. It is a trendy restaurant and cafe with wooden tables, long benches and a wall of lush tapestry of plants. We felt so lucky to be introduced and be invited to dine at the restaurant.

    

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Dubai Festival of Lights at The Centre of Now

Dubai has always been shiny, shimmery and splendid! Just when I thought I'm used to its extravagant surprises, the city of glitz and glamour made my jaw drop once again! Ed and I just witnessed the much-talked about Dubai Festival of Lights at The Centre of Now, Downtown Dubai. 

Dubai Festival of Lights is the newest vibrant celebration in the city that never fails to amaze the world. The spectacular event is organized by Emaar Properties, in partnership with the City of Lyon where one of the world's biggest festivals 'Fete des Lumieres' is being held. They have created a 10-day celebration of light, art and culture which made the bustling modern part of Dubai beaming in a whole new light.

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Romano's Macaroni Grill: A Hidden Gem at The Dubai Mall

I love to discover hidden restaurants in a crowded shopping mall! It's always nice to have a quiet dining spot to run to whenever I don't feel like joining the clamor at popular food chains. You know, I get so impatient when I'm hungry. It's hard to wait for the reservation beeper to buzz when all I hear is the buzz in my stomach! 

Romano's Macaroni Grill at The Dubai Mall is one of my favorite hidden gems! It is an Italian restaurant located at the first floor behind Dubai Aquarium, holder of the the Guinness World Record's largest acrylic panel. I bet a lot of people never noticed Romano's because they have kept their eyes on the marine animals at the aquarium or probably at the famous southwestern restaurant with a catchy 'spicy' name beside it. 

photo source: Zomato

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Crazy over Cronuts

It is round and flaky, crispy on the outside, soft and creamy inside. It has taken the world by storm ever since it was launched by Chef Dominique Ansel in New York last May. It is a unique pastry, a cross between a doughnut and a croissant. For a foodie like me, the Cronut is definitely the creation of the year!  

The croissant-doughnut hybrid has been the talk of the town. Although Chef Dominique Ansel had it trademarked, bakeries across the globe couldn't resist to have their own versions. Probably because of the demand from pastry lovers who can't fly to NYC just for a cronut! 

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Weekend on Ice at Dubai Ice Rink

Every time I hear the word 'winter', I often think of snow! Since there is a zero chance of snowfall and it doesn't get as cold as the weather up North, I usually get my dose of "winter fun" at the indoor snow park and in the ice rink. Skating, skiing and making snow angels are actually available in Dubai all year round; even at the peak of summer! I just get to appreciate these activities even more during the cold season, when I'm finally on my knitwear and boots.

I went skating at the Dubai Ice Rink last weekend! It was my first time to be in an Olympic-size rink. I learned how to skate on my own at a smaller venue with lesser spectators at the now defunct Stargate. So being at the prime ice rink in the city, armed with only the basics of skating, was really nerve-wrecking. 

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Biking at Downtown Dubai with Nextbike's Byky

I have another confession to make. I can't ride a bike! Do I sound weird? My husband thinks that my childhood is abnormal. I grew up with dolls and plastic cooking sets... and it seemed normal for me. Actually, I tried to balance myself in the two-wheeled vehicle in one point of my life. Year 1995, I was quite inspired to learn after I watched the movie Now and Then, but it never worked for me. Playing in the streets was never my thing, so I am now 31 and still learning the basics of childhood life! Hashtag late bloomer here! Hehehe.

I have been eyeing the Nextbike's Byky at Downtown Dubai since summer. Whenever we passed by the rental stations, I'd always tell Ed that we should rent one, and he'd say "but you don't know how to bike!" Then last weekend night, due to the 'convincing prowess' of my husband's cousin (Thanks, Ciel), Ed finally agreed that we'd rent and share a byky for 30 minutes. 

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Fournil De Pierre: The Newest French Eatery in the City

I have been giving myself a priceless birthday gift for four consecutive years: REST! Just like last year, I am currently on a 10-day staycation, and so far, I've been having a blast. I've showered myself with a lot of me-time, learned to be a better homemaker and happily accepted event and restaurant invitations! 

Last Tuesday, Ed and I went to Fournil De Pierre's official opening celebration. Fournil De Pierre is a restaurant that has been around in France since 1980, and has recently opened its first branch in the UAE in Downtown Dubai. It offers freshly baked bread and pastries, healthy beverages and the finest French traditional dishes. I always love to discover new romantic dine-out spots, so I was excited to check out this newest French eatery.      

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Crackin' at Claw BBQ, Crabshack and Grill

I've been wanting to dine at Claw BBQ, Crabshack and Grill ever since I heard about it last month. The thoughts of crab-cracking and juicy crab meat made me drool. However, upon seeing the steep price tags on the online menu, I just hoped I could win the dinner for two contest at Claw's Facebook page or magically find a voucher somewhere. Then last week, I found a 2 for 1 voucher in a magazine! Yay! I frantically cut off the voucher and scheduled a weekend date night with my husband.

Claw BBQ, Crabshack and Grill is the newest, hottest and hippest bar/restaurant in Souk Al Bahar. It was jam-packed on weekend night. The staff at the entrance sadly told us that we need to sign up on the waiting list and probably wait an hour for a table for two. We were also given the option to dine at the bar in case we couldn't wait. Since it was past eight in the evening, I was already hungry, impatient and excited, we immediately took the latter option!

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Breakfast Date at Social House

Ed and I were at The Dubai Mall for breakfast and a little sale shopping two weekends ago. We normally spend lazy Friday mornings at home, but that weekend was an exception due to my craziness over Victoria's Secret Semi Annual Sale! Well, it was more of a need than a want as I only have few more sprays left on my VS Bombshell. I badly need to purchase a new scent before the mall gets crowded and while there's still enough stocks on sale. :) 

So, it went out as planned. I had my VS goodies before I had breakfast! Crazy eh! I know, I know! I'm just lucky to have a very supportive husband who endured the pangs of hunger while I was at Victoria's Secret for almost an hour, just for a perfume, a lotion, and a lippie! :)  Okay, enough of the girly stuff. Let's talk about breakfast! 

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Valentine's Night at Madeleine Cafe and Boulangerie

Ed and I had our so-called Valentine rule this year due to an upcoming holiday trip. We decided to have a frugal Valentine's Day celebration; no fancy gifts and no grand dinner in a hotel. Since it was a weekday and I wasn't sure if I could leave the workplace on time, we didn't had a definite dinner date plan. I was able to finish my work tasks, not really on schedule, but earlier than expected. So after a quick discussion, Ed and I agreed to have our Valentine dinner at Madeleine. 

Madeleine is a French Cafe and Boulangerie at The Dubai Mall. The restaurant has a romantic Parisian setting, a perfect place to be on the night of February 14. 

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The Dubai Fountain

There are a lot of musical fountains in the UAE, yet the Dubai Fountain at Burj Lake in Downtown Dubai remains to be the most astonishing of them all. California-based WET, the creators of the Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas, designed the Dubai Fountain. It is the world's largest dancing fountain with a length of 900 ft and has nozzles capable to shoot water sprays up to 500 ft high

When my husband and I were newbies in Dubai, we wanted to go to Dubai Mall every weekend just to watch the fountain show. It somehow eased the homesickness and helped us chase the blues away. Worries were forgotten as the water started to dance in graceful and whimsical ways. We have watched the show in every angle; from Dubai Mall, from Souk Al Bahar, from Burj Park, from Burj Khalifa and we even had an aerial view from a restaurant's terrace. 

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Vapiano: A Taste of Italia in Dubai

"Buonissimo!" I heard that word from my husband, as he munched a slice of pizza at Vapiano, while my full attention was still on taking food pictures for Instagram. Yes, I'm one of those IG addicts who snap first and eat later. :)  I grabbed a slice after I uploaded a photo online. My eyes widened the moment I had my first bite, I ecstatically said "Namit"! Though we said  two different languages, Ed in Italian and I in Ilonggo (a dialect of my province), we both had the same satisfied expressions. 

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Insta-Pic of the Week: Dream Angel

 One of the best sale items I got this Dubai Shopping Festival is from Victoria's Secret. This Dream Angel Heavenly gift set, in a glittery gold box, is at 50% off, only 45 AED for an angel mist and a lotion. I simply love Heavenly's mild floral scent; it smells fresh and warm. Heavenly scent at a heavenly price! ❤

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The Astounding Water, Fire and Light Show at Dubai Mall

I was torn between two spectacular events last weekend: the fireworks display at the Festival Promenade and the much talked about water, fire and light show at Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai. I'm a big fan of fireworks, but I was greatly interested about the show at Downtown. So, after weighing the pros (no cons in these amazing events), I went to see The Water, Fire and Light Show which was first shown during the New Year's Eve countdown. It has been a talk of the town since then. 

Ed and I went to the musical fountain area of Dubai Mall. The show starts at 8:00 PM, but it was already too crowded at 7:30 PM. We went to Souk Al Bahar and found a better spot; in fact, I consider it as the best spot as we were exactly in front of the water platform with a semi-transparent screen. The show uses water, fire and light very artistically. The mixture of elements along with the cultural theme and the theatrical performance create an astounding show. Watch the video at the end of this post.

WATER

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