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The National
30-03-2025
- The National
Strawfire review: Fireballs meet fine dining at Abu Dhabi restaurant
Refined dishes created with delicacy, elegance and an eyebrow-searing fireball in the kitchen – it's just another evening service at Strawfire by Ross Shonhan. In the few months it has been open, the high-end Japanese restaurant at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental has built a scorching-hot reputation. And within minutes of my arrival during a packed Sunday service, it's easy to see why. We take the seats closest to the glass-encased kitchen. The glass isn't there to stop guests from overhearing any exotic language that may arise in high-pressure kitchens – à la The Bear – it's there to stop our table from going up in flames. The restaurant embraces the traditional Japanese cooking technique of warayaki, which translates to 'straw fire', hence its name. Before our welcome drinks arrive, a chef is bundling bales of hay into a deep oven and igniting them. The dry straw takes about a nano-second to erupt into metre-high flames before dying down just as quickly. Shonhan and the team prepare dishes over the rice straw-fired flames, promising the method infuses each bite with deep flavour and smokiness. This isn't the only tradition that inspires the restaurant. The whole venue showcases Japanese craftsmanship, including a 7.3-metre shimenawa rope that hangs from the ceiling of the private dining room – and weighs nearly one tonne. It symbolises sanctity and protection, and is the largest ever produced, I'm told. There are hand-painted silks on the walls, pampas grass dotted throughout and vast rose gold cloths draped across the ceilings of the main room. It's dark, sophisticated and grown-up – and a bit paradoxical with the commotion going on with the kitchen firestarters. But I love it. There is something for everyone here. There's à la carte, a tasting menu (Dh450 each) and an omakase menu (Dh550 each). While it isn't cheap-bite-on-the-way-home dining, it certainly isn't overpriced for a restaurant that I suspect will end up with a star at the next Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi awards. Take the edamame, for example. It costs Dh30, while it's Dh35 at Wagamama. That's not sneering, I love an easy 'Wagaz' on a Friday. But it's not the sort of price I expect to see at a classy venue dripping in gold. On the waiter's recommendation, I opt for the tasting menu titled First Taste of Strawfire. It rattles through 10 of the restaurant's best dishes and covers seafood, sushi, raw, hot, meat, veggie and dessert courses. As another fireball roars over my shoulder, the first courses arrive. The Wagyu sashimi is sliced so thinly it's almost translucent. But there's boldness with a sprinkle of bonito powder and sticky gyu tare sauce. It's followed by an outstanding tuna tartare. The fish is marinated in the Goldilocks of wasabi mayonnaise – not too hot, not too mayo-y – and it's all sandwiched together in the style of a monaka, which is a traditional sweet snack of bean paste between two wafers. Strawfire's wafers have been shaped into a flower and hats off to the chef tasked with making batches of these fragile morsels each morning, especially when the kitchen resembles Dante's Inferno every now and then. But unlike Dante, this is a journey through heaven, though admittedly with more fire. Dishes such as sushi and sashimi; a particularly excellent avocado salad (who knew avo' seared by flames was a thing); salmon toro with plenty of crispy skin; and takoyaki flow out all with theatrical flames in between. The latter is the Japanese version of cheesy dough balls, with plenty of pizzazz and octopus stuffed inside, and is a strong challenger for dish of the day. Mains of Wagyu strip loin, served above a glowing piece of coal, and crab don (essentially a rice clay pot, though not served in the dish it was cooked in, rather sadly) plus a side of green beans round off the savoury courses. Although I've lost track. I've also lost count of the fireballs threatening to melt the chef's face – they never do, he never even flinches. Not even the dessert platter – ice cream, sorbet, fruit and burnt cheesecake, of course – served on a bed of smoking dry ice can temper the burning desire building inside me to come back the day after, and the day after that. It's the best new Abu Dhabi venue I've been to since Mika in Yas Bay. The tuna tartare (Dh45) is reminiscent of the corn bombs at Orfali Bros, in that they go down in two bites, are utterly moreish and something I'd cross mountains for – barefooted. While we're unlikely to hear a cacophony of spoons scraping against the bottom of clay pots at a high-end restaurant anytime soon, it is still a shame the crab don (Dh140) isn't served in the vessel it's cooked in so I can prise off pieces of burnt rice. But that's probably more of an indication of my Neanderthal dining practices than a mark against this Michelin contender's star power. While the menu doesn't fit into traditional three-course formatting, those looking for a cheaper or lighter meal can tuck into the edamame for Dh30 to start, spaghetti mentaiko (Dh75) for main, and finish with a scoop of ice cream or sorbet (Dh25). Dh130 for a three-course meal here screams value. For splurgers, there is sea urchin sashimi (Dh300), Wagyu strip loin priced at a how-deep-are-your-pockets Dh380 per 100g and a large dessert platter for Dh450. Aussie-born Shonhan arrived in Abu Dhabi with an outstanding kitchen pedigree, having worked at London's Dorchester Hotel, Nobu and Zuma. His approach to cooking is storytelling. 'Almost all these dishes are a collection of things I have experienced on my travels,' he tells me. He's been working on Strawfire since 2021 ('I'm involved in every element, from design, branding, menu planning and so on'). Of his dishes, he chooses the avocado salad as his favourite for vegetarians; the short rib is a 'definite' for carnivores; the warayaki tuna is for seafood lovers; and to round things off, he says the popcorn cooked over coals tableside is the perfect evening's end. Strawfire is open daily from 6pm to midnight. Reservations can be made by calling 02 690 7999. This review was conducted at the invitation of the restaurant
Al Etihad
17-03-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
RTA completes 40% of nol digital payment system upgrade
16 Mar 2025 13:01 DUBAI (ALETIHAD/WAM)The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has completed 40 per cent of the nol system upgrade, transitioning from the existing card-based ticketing system to the more advanced account-based ticketing (ABT) project is set for completion by the end of Q3 Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, stated, 'Given the scale of the project, which has a total cost of Dh550 million, it has been divided into three key the first phase, the central system will be upgraded to create digital accounts for users, linking them to their existing nol cards. The second phase will introduce a new generation of nol cards, incorporating advanced technologies aligned with international standards to ensure compatibility with banking card the third and final phase, the system upgrade will be completed, enabling the acceptance of alternative payment methods, including bank cards and digital wallets, for public transport fare payments across Dubai.'Al Tayer stated, 'Upgrading the nol system will introduce several advanced features and benefits for users. The new system will enable account creation, allowing users to link their nol cards to digital accounts, add nol cards to smartphone wallets, and purchase tickets using QR code technology via digital channels. It will also implement the flexible fare concept across public transport.'He added, 'With the upgraded system, users can create and manage their accounts, link their own and family members' nol cards, and control account settings, including allocating top-up amounts for each card. They will also have the option to activate automatic balance top-ups by linking their accounts to banking services, view daily transaction statements, and seamlessly suspend cards and retrieve systems, devices, and smart kiosks at public transport stations will enhance new payment technologies, enabling users to pay fares using a variety of methods, including QR code ticketing, the next generation of nol cards, facial recognition, fingerprint authentication, bank cards, and digital wallets. The upgraded system will also extend nol card usage beyond public transport, allowing users to make purchases across digital platforms and retail outlets in the UAE, similar to bank cards.'
Khaleej Times
16-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai commuters to get smarter Nol system with digital wallets, bank card payments
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed 40 per cent of the Nol system upgrade. This revamp will transition from the existing card-based ticketing system to the more advanced account-based ticketing (ABT) technology. The project is set for completion by the end of Q3 2026. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, stated, 'Given the scale of the project, which has a total cost of Dh550 million, it has been divided into three key phases. In the first phase, the central system will be upgraded to create digital accounts for users, linking them to their existing Nol cards. The second phase will introduce a new generation of Nol cards, incorporating advanced technologies aligned with international standards to ensure compatibility with banking card technologies. In the third and final phase, the system upgrade will be completed, enabling the acceptance of alternative payment methods, including bank cards and digital wallets, for public transport fare payments across Dubai.' Al Tayer stated, 'Upgrading the Nol system will introduce several advanced features and benefits for users. The new system will enable account creation, allowing users to link their Nol cards to digital accounts, add Nol cards to smartphone wallets, and purchase tickets using QR code technology via digital channels. It will also implement the flexible fare concept across public transport.' He added, 'With the upgraded system, users can create and manage their accounts, link their own and family members' Nol cards, and control account settings, including allocating top-up amounts for each card. They will also have the option to activate automatic balance top-ups by linking their accounts to banking services, view daily transaction statements, and seamlessly suspend cards and retrieve balances. Upgrading systems, devices, and smart kiosks at public transport stations will enhance new payment technologies, enabling users to pay fares using a variety of methods, including QR code ticketing, the next generation of Nol cards, facial recognition, fingerprint authentication, bank cards, and digital wallets. The upgraded system will also extend Nol card usage beyond public transport, allowing users to make purchases across digital platforms and retail outlets in the UAE, similar to bank cards.'
Khaleej Times
10-03-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
UAE: 60-year-old citizen owns over 200 classic cars, teaches youngsters art of restoring
A 60-year-old UAE citizen is preserving his legacy while also inspiring the next generation of auto lovers to engage in the art of restoration, ensuring that this passion continues in the Emirates. Head of the Falaj Al-Mualla Classic Cars Centre, Khalifa Obaid Al Ghufli has amassed a collection of over 200 classic cars from various countries, including the US and Japan. His journey into the realm of classic cars began from a young age, fuelled by his love for travel and exploration. 'I used to love travelling and seeing the world, which led me to become interested in classic cars,' he shared. Since 2011, Al Ghufli has taken on the role of an educator, teaching young people from the local community during the summer holidays. He has worked with around 40 to 50 kids, aged 12 and above, instilling in them a passion for vintage cars. This year, he has partnered with the Ministry of Community Development, to work with high school students, securing a designated space at the youth centre in Falaj Al Mualla. 'They have managed to collect two cars in less than a month,' he revealed, highlighting the rapid progress made by the students. Al Ghufli has observed a distinct eagerness among the youth to learn through hands-on experience, feeling that they have grown weary of traditional oral education. 'They come to me and don't want to return back to school,' he noted. He believes that the kinetic sciences are particularly appealing to this generation, as they are integral to engineering, which must be taught in a practical manner. 'I see their joy in this work, and their passion for learning is immense,' he added. With over 15 years of experience in collecting and restoring these vehicles, he has become a renowned expert, particularly in spare parts for Land Rovers manufactured from 1949 to 1980. 'Foreigners consider me the number one in the world for spare parts of Land Rover,' he stated. One of Al Ghufli's most valuable possessions is a car that belonged to an English commander during the Suez Crisis in Egypt. He received an offer of Dh550,000 for the vehicle but chose to keep it, underscoring its significance to him. His influence extends beyond local borders, with universities across the UAE reaching out to collaborate on educating students. Additionally, he has garnered interest from families in other Gulf countries who wish to teach their children this valuable skill. One of the young Emiratis who is also passionate about classic cars is Ahmed Al-Tamimi, a 25-year-old from Al Ain who is in love with Caprice 1986, and has been working on such cars with his father since he was nine. 'The hardest part was finding spare parts. I would search for months to get pieces,' he said. He works on one car for around six to one year to get it done. Ahmed's story is emblematic of a growing enthusiasm among young people for classic cars, with gatherings becoming increasingly popular. 'I see the numbers growing'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ahmed AL Tamimi (@atu5_) Ahmed advises aspiring car enthusiasts to start working at home to develop their skills and build a connection with automobiles. 'The best feeling is when you work on an engine from scratch and then hear its sound when it first starts,' he said, highlighting the satisfaction of restoration. Collecting spare parts, while challenging, has become more manageable for Ahmed thanks to his network of acquaintances and fellow enthusiasts. He actively participates in various events, including the annual Diriyah event in Saudi Arabia and gatherings organised by the Sharjah Classic Cars Club. Looking ahead, he dreams of restoring even more rare vehicles and cherishes the memories of his journey. 'The most memorable moment for me is the first time I started the Plymouth car with my father. The sound and feeling were beautiful,' he recalled.
