Latest news with #ANormalDay
What's On
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
Review: A Normal Day honours timeless classics and the charm of slow living
Perhaps one of Dar Wasl's finest offerings – A Normal Day surprises you with the softness of it all, claiming a quiet corner in Dubai's madness. It's not loud, not cluttered or confusing with too many fixtures, too many people, too many things on the menu. Time slows down here, enveloping you with a kind of homely ease. The Vibe Draped in shades of brown and rust, A Normal Day paints a cool, casual picture, the kind that's all the rage in Dubai right now. Part of an incoming renaissance of sorts of casual dining after the tidal wave that was the 'luxury' restaurant, it occupies a niche of it's own. The whole space is designed to feel like the living room of a lived-in home, full of character and personal detail. A wooden display with books, candelabras and records, collected art, corners of curated greenery, pools of gentle sunlight and quiet calm. The Food and Drinks Created by Chef Illia Andriushyn, the menu is all about taking the very best of the comfort classics we all know and love and simply, making them better. Timeless in nature, it'll take you through leisurely lunches to languid dinner, warming up your appetite with familiarity and flavour – fresh, quality, seasonal. Some of these include the avo and mango toast, perfect for breakfast, the AND shakshuka, hot and hearty, the layered lasagna, rich, creamy and will solve all your problems, the cacio e pepe, one of the best we've ever had, and the breakfast bun, a champions breakfast through and through. While staying true to the favourites, there are also some inventive bits. The date bonbons, Medjool date butter, brioche bread; cue-ki carpaccio, kiwi, cucumber, pistachio and burrata. The spot is unlicensed, but the beverages don't falter, with specialty cold brews, rose and raspberry lemonades, iced teas and more. The Service Bright smiles and keen, watchful hospitality – that is the service at A Normal Day. The staff makes you feel welcome, at home, floating around quietly in the background. You're fed quickly, no matter what you order, which is great for patrons who arrive hungry. What to Order Date bonbons Breakfast bun Eggplant beetroot dip Honey Cake What's On the Bill Expect to pay around Dhs300–400 for two, including drinks. The Final Say What's On Verdict: Come home to A Normal Day to discover new favourites and rediscover old ones. Location: A Normal Day, Dar Wasl Mall, Dubai Times: Daily, 9am to 10pm Contact: (0) 50 884 9254 | @ Reservations: Recommended for weeknights/weekends Images: Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
What's On
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
A complete dining guide to Dar Wasl Mall
Located in a vibrant part of Jumeirah, Dar Wasl Mall has fast become a hotspot for great food, great concepts and homegrown offerings. Championing the very best of local and some international favourites, this is one place to explore if you're a certified foodie. REIF Japanese Kushiyaki Founded by homegrown star Chef Reif Othman, Reif Kushiyaki is an unconventional Japanese restaurant, devoted to the many different parts of the chicken – neck to tail. An edgy and affordable alternative to kushiyaki experiences, the restaurant also has a special daily menu and an exclusive chef's table menu. Proudly local and rooted, the spot has several branches, located in Dar Wasl Mall and Dubai Hills. Times: Sunday to Thursday, 12pm to 11pm, Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 12am Contact: ( 0) 4 255 5142 @reifkushiyaki A Normal Day Unassuming at first glance, this spot serves no nonsense. Just plain good food. It's meant to feel cosy, peaceful, like a home, where you can savour daytime delights, sip a cup of freshly-brewed coffee, indulge in some thoughtful conversation. A lot of the food is good breakfast fare and comfort classics. A new brand of restaurants taking over in Dubai, straying away from the frilly grandeur of things and keeping it simple but meaningful. Times: Daily, 9am to 10pm Contact: (0) 4 886 8380 @ Kishmish Serving up soulful Afghan food, Chef Iman Nazemi tells the story of her childhood through every dish plated at Kishmish. The concept brings the very best of Afghani comfort classics and all-time favourites, and a space that feels like home, decked out with all that represents the land – pillars decked out in Afghan carpets, custom furniture in tribal patterns and traditional Afghan clothing framed on walls. Times: Sunday to Thursday, 12pm to 11pm, Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 12am Contact: (0) 4 349 6665 @kishmishdubai Berenjak Persian food, done right – that is Berenjak for you. A grand space that envelopes you with the warmth of a Persian home, here you'll find not just the classics, but also inventive takes on Persian cuisine, packed with flavour, feel and filling ingredients that offer a hearty dining experience. Persian carpets, crystal chandeliers, colourful portraits and grand drapes – you eat not just with your mouth, but with all your senses. Now open across Dubai and Sharjah. Times: Monday to Thursday, 12pm to 5pm, 6pm to 11.30pm, Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 12.30am, Sunday, 12pm to 11.30pm Contact: (0) 4 295 3644 @ Creme All the way from Soho, this famous bakery and dessert shop's Dubai outpost is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with the giant ooey gooey cookies, freshly churned soft-serve ice cream, and indulgent milkshakes. Crème puts a French twist on classic American sweet treats. In other words: all the butter. The bakery specialises in three things: cookies, soft-serve ice cream, and coffee. The best part? Everything is made fresh, daily. Times: Monday to Thursday, 9am to 11pm, Friday to Sunday, 9am to 12am Contact: (0) 4 352 9708 @cremelondonuae FLAVE by Chef Wali If you're looking for a solid burger, this is the place to go – FLAVE by Chef Wali is a contemporary burger bistro, serving delicious, indulgent handhelds and hand-crafted sides. A cosy, homely spot, here it's all about good food and good company, and there's a sandwich on the menu to tickle everyone's fancy. This is the epitome of comfort food, also serving a solid steak, wings and rich desserts. Times: Daily, 10am to 3am Contact: (0) 52 738 2486 @flavedxb Mamafri This South East Asian restaurant serves the whole spectrum, from noodles to fried rice and burgers to buns, Korean wings and sandos. The vibe is very much of quick, easy, delicious street food, and a wholesome homely flavour that is fuss free and won't break the bank. To make things even better, they even have a breakfast menu, with breakfast sandos, breakfast mains, breakfast buns and pancakes and desserts. Times: Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday, 10am to 12am Contact: (0) 4 262 7259 @lovemamafri She Burger Homegrown and proud – She Burger was founded by Shaikha Eissa At Lutfi, from a humble home kitchen to becoming an Instagram rage and now a full outlet in a prime location like Jumeirah. Now with branches all across the country, the joint serves up not just incredible burgers, but also sides, noodles, amazing drinks and even desserts. Plus, they do some of the coolest collaboration dishes in town. Times: Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 12am, Friday and Saturday, 11am to 1am Contact: (0) 4 333 3258 @she_burger Stay Bakery and Cafe For all your beautifully designed, Instagrammable cafe needs – Stay Bakery and Cafe offers beautiful, romantic interiors draped in shades of white and cream, and a menu featuring pastries to coffee to desserts and a full fledged, breakfast, lunch and appetizer menu. This is the kind of spot you bring your girlfriends to for girly cafe dates – a whole institution in itself. Kick back, relax and enjoy. Times: Sunday to Thursday, 8am to 12am, Friday and Saturday, 8am to 1am Contact: (0) 58 859 6395 @ Doughbai Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Doughbai are the sourdough experts on the strip. This Lebanese bakery and bistro is a family-run affair, and offers all measures of traditional Lebanese baked goods ranging from manoushe to tartines, cakes, cookies and a stellar drinks menu of iced teas, mojitos, coffees, matcha and more. Times: Daily, 8am to 11pm Contact: (0) 54 704 9902 @ Moon Slice Pizza The art of artisan pizza has been mastered by Emirati restauranteur Mahmood AlKamis and Chef Reif Othman. Moon Slice's menu will have all pizza lovers singing their praises. Moon Slice does things a little bit differently, but it's delicious nontheless. The truffle pizza, with pecorino truffle paste, truffle foam, mozzarella and freshly grated truffle is truly iconic. For those wanting something smaller, try their squid ink arancini. Times: Sunday to Thursday, 12pm to 12am, Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 1am Contact: (0) 4 344 4547 @mmonslicepizza Sarj Art Cafe Calling all horse lovers to this equestrian-themed cafe. This spot serves up authentic Italian flavours in an equestriam-themed setting. Enjoy their truffle mushroom manakish, or warm Medjool sticky pudding, with a piping hot coffee or refreshing drink. Expect delicious food and abstract art at this unique outlet. Times: Sunday to Thursday, 8am to 12am, Friday and Saturday, 8am to 1am Contact: (0) 4 333 3407 @sarjartcafe Images: Supplied/Socials
Khaleej Times
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Join this exclusive Ramadan supper club for a memorable iftar
Meeting new people has never been easier…or more difficult. We have channels of communication, sure – from online chatrooms to meet-up forums – but we are also often limited by our own expectations and fears. And when the what-ifs take up space in your head, there's little room for anything else. This Ramadan, there's a new opportunity for you to overcome the things that intimidate, to make new friends, to break bread with new people. In doing so, you may not only go home with new pals but also a newfound sense of self. What's this miraculous activity then? It's a supper club. The teams behind A Normal Day (AND) and Al Naqa have curated a dining experience that lets in only 37 guests and plies you with an innovative menu – alongside strangers – so you can make new friends and enjoy the warmth of an iftar together. After all, what's a better ice breaker that beautifully made food? 'This time of the year is very special to me because I've lived in the UAE for a long time. Celebrating Ramadan with my friends who observe this holy month has allowed me to enjoy the traditional foods that are unique and sentimental. With this in mind, I look at the favourites that one might expect and break them down to see how I can find links between ingredients, techniques, plating, and eating style, blending South East Asia and West Asia,' says Chef AJ, real name Aphisith Phongsavanh, of Al Naqa Lao Kebab House. The chef, who was raised in Canada and traces his roots back to Laos, is all about adapting dishes, not reinventing them. 'I'm just trying to think of what tradition would be like if it was married with South East Asia. Nostalgia would be using dishes that evoke the feeling of Ramadan, and the innovation comes in when I use techniques and flavours from Laos,' he explains. The menu remains hush hush, but guests may expect chilies, fish sauce, shrimp paste, galangal, lemongrass, ginger, and lots of herbs, says the chef. The supper club will feature around six courses, with one standout dish designed to be a family-style feast. He may be innovative on a plate but is careful to avoid the term 'creative'. 'People put too much emphasis on being creative. Most of the food we eat today was created out of diasporas around the world, migrating from home to home, necessity, or a lack of resources. Creativity is really put to the test when you have limitations. This is why when most chefs have limitless resources, they have a hard time being creative. When it comes to a traditional meal like iftar, you don't want to veer too far from what an iftar dinner would be like. Creativity with tradition is like taking an old painting and not trying to re-paint again on a new canvas, but highlighting the beautiful strokes, the rich colours, and emotion with other techniques, hues, and feelings,' he says. The meal aims to spark dialogue, to forge new friendships, and reinforce old bonds. 'I would love guests to leave our experience with a full heart and soul. To have dined amongst a room full of strangers that will have hopefully become friends, and to remember the importance of iftar and suhoor as not just a time to eat with family and friends, but a time to reflect and grow.' Chef Illia Andriushyn, of the recently opened A Normal Day, says he always tries to do something different, something like taking the fimiliar flavours of kiwi and cucumber and combining them for a fresh new taste. 'I haven't seen this because it's weird, but it's tasty. So this is the idea that want to bring into this supper club.' Here's to new pals. Dh350 (iftar). Mar 20-21. Dar Al Wasl reservations, call +971 50 884 9254.
FACT
19-02-2025
- Business
- FACT
A Normal Day and Al Naqa team up for a Ramadan supper club
A Normal Day and Al Naqa are teaming up for a meal to remember. The Ramadan supper club brings the two homegrown brands together to present a menu steeped in tradition and innovation. Running across weekends in March, guests will be able to enjoy an iftar with classic as well as creative twists. A Normal Day and Al Naqa's Ramadan supper club will be available on 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 March. This collaboration is the first of its kind for A Normal Day, with Chef Illia Andriushyn joining forces with Chef AJ of Al Naqa Lao Kebab House. Chef AJ explains: 'Our brands align naturally. We share the same creative ideals, and this felt like the perfect opportunity to bring something fresh to the table.' Chef Illia adds: 'AJ's food is some of the best I've had in Dubai. This is about two chefs doing what they love, pushing each other creatively, and making something special for Ramadan.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by A Normal Day (@ While the menu has not yet been unveiled, guests can expect a sharing-style feast, which echoes the spirit of Ramadan. The dishes will showcase bold flavours and a playful presentation. A Normal Day and Al Naqa's Ramadan Supper Club will be limited to 37 seats. The experience aims to be intimate and interactive and gives guests the chance to connect over food. A Normal Day is an elevated breakfast spot, redefining the morning dining experience with comfort and creativity in Dubai's Dar Al Wasl Mall. Beyond breakfast, the venue transforms into a creative hub at night, where its test kitchen hosts exclusive tasting events and chef collaborations. Al Naqa Lao Kebab House, located in Motor City's Neighbourhood Food Hall, brings the rich flavours of Lao cuisine to the Dubai dining scene. Founded by Chef Aphisith Phongsavanh, known as AJ, the restaurant pays homage to his Laotian heritage while introducing innovative twists to traditional dishes. Ramadan 2025 is expected to begin on 1 March, based on moon predictions. During this time, adjustments are made across the GCC, with both public and private sectors reducing working hours. Muslims fast from dawn till dusk for 29 days, following the lunar moon sighting. Check in with FACT for the best things to do in Dubai. GO: Call 050 884 9254 for reservations.
