Latest news with #Sagrada
Geek Girl Authority
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
Mobile Game Monday: SAGRADA
Greetings, friends, and welcome to Mobile Game Monday, where we chat about games you can play on the go. If you like gaming on a phone or tablet , this is the place for you. Join us every week as we go on all sorts of adventures. Sagrada Sagrada (2020) is Dire Wolf Digital's mobile adaptation of the 2017 dice-drafting board game from Floodgate Games. In Sagrada, players place dice to create a stained glass window for the famous Sagrada Familia Basilica. The artisan who creates the most stunning window wins. RELATED: May's Most Anticipated Video Games Gameplay At the start of each round, a pool of random dice is rolled. These multicolored D6s represent the panes of glass needed to complete your beautiful window. Players then take turns selecting up to two dice per round from the shared pool. The first dice must be placed on the edge of your window and every die after that must be placed adjacent to an already placed die. Screenshots courtesy of Cassie Holguin. Each player is given a unique window pattern to complete with some spaces that require a die of a certain color or value. For example, a purple square requires a purple die of any value. Whereas if a value is shown, you must play a die of any color with the required number. Additionally, dice of the same color or value cannot be placed next to each other. RELATED: Mobile Game Monday Celebrates Devsisters Sagrada is a game best learned by example. The basic rules are simple enough to pick up, especially after you play a game or two. In other words, it is easy enough to learn but difficult to master. Objectives To make things a little more interesting and challenging, players must fulfill the requests of patrons. These are specific objectives players should meet to score the most points. These are shared objectives and give points for things like no repeated colors in a column or no repeated values in a row. Additionally, each player also has a private objective to help them score even more points. Completing these objectives is how you earn points and ultimately–win the game. RELATED: F2P Friday: Finding Father Tools of the Trade Every artist has tools at their disposal to make their job easier and this is no exception. Each game has tools available (for a price) that can turn the tide of a game. Use tools of the trade like the Lathekin which allows you to move two dice or the Flux Remover, which lets you get a completely new die. Set in Glass–Not Stone Thankfully, there is an undo button that allows you to take back your last action (in most cases). I wish more games had this simple but much-appreciated feature. As you play, the game will even give you little tips, like asking if you want to end your turn without playing a dice. RELATED: Cozy Game Alert: Witchbrook When you select a die from the pool, valid spaces are highlighted to help you make the best move. There are so many mechanics to make the learning process painless. I was playing the game confidently in no time. Game Modes Galore In Sagrada , there is a game mode to suit any play style. Play through a campaign where you complete increasingly difficult windows. Take on AI or play the solo mode that features several difficulty levels. If you prefer to play with friends there is a pass and play mode or invite your friends for online matches. Finally, challenge online players in a game or try to get the highest score in the daily challenge. RELATED: Cozy Game Alert: Little Friends: Puppy Island Our Adventure Ends Here Sagrada features a beautiful game design that mirrors the spirit of the original. The saturated colors and ethereal music create a surprisingly immersive experience. Sagrada is everything you could ask for in a mobile adaptation of a board game. Beautiful graphics, atmospheric music, clearly explained rules, decent AI, and smooth gameplay — this one checks all the boxes. And for the dice goblins like me, there are even satisfying dice sound effects. Gotta love those clicks and clacks. Screenshots courtesy of Cassie Holguin. I love the board game version of Sagrada and while nothing beats the gorgeous physical components, this is a satisfying alternative. Not to mention, much more accessible and convenient. RELATED: Read all of the Mobile Game Monday adventures here! Well-done digital adaptations of board games are a great way to learn the game. There have been a few times that I played through digital versions of board games to clarify rules or gameplay. This is especially helpful if you are like me and learn best by demonstration. Most of these games, like Sagrada , have a step-by-step tutorial that teaches the game. Or maybe you don't have the time or space to set up a board game. Well, you can grab a friend and pull up Pass and Play Mode on your phone–easy peasy. Take it easy, and play it safe, gamers! Sagrada is $6.99 in the Play Store (free with a Play Pass subscription) and $4.99 in the App Store. F2P Friday: Midnight Snack
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
The Elixir Evolution At Upscale Restaurants And Bars
Non-alcoholic elixirs featuring functional ingredients are becoming staples on high-end bar and restaurant menus worldwide. getty At some of the country's most experimental restaurants and hotels, the cocktail menu is losing its monopoly. In its place, a new category is rising. Call it the elixir era. The term 'elixir' now appears on non-alcoholic drinks lists from the East Coast to the West Coast. These drinks promise more than flavor. They offer energy, relaxation or cognitive focus. Generally, an elixir refers to a non-alcoholic beverage made with functional ingredients—such as herbs, mushrooms or botanicals—intended to deliver specific physical or emotional effects beyond simple refreshment. The growth comes as traditional alcohol sales continue to slip. Diageo, one of the world's largest beverage companies, reported its first decline in sales since the pandemic. Restaurants across the U.S. are also seeing a dip in alcohol purchases. The shift toward functional, non-alcoholic beverages is also reflected in broader market performance. The global non-alcoholic beverage market was valued at $1.8 trillion in 2024 and is projected to more than double, reaching $3.8 trillion by 2034. In the United States, exports of non-alcoholic drinks rose to $2.9 billion in 2024, a 2% increase from the previous year, indicating not only growing domestic interest but also rising international demand. For beverage directors like Darlin Kulla, who oversees the bar program at KNEAD Hospitality + Design in Washington, D.C., the shift is a logical progression. 'I see it as the natural progression of the craft cocktail era,' she says, via email. 'A lot of research, care and time goes into selecting every ingredient behind the bar to put in front of guests the most beautiful cocktails so that naturally we also had to explore and put the same care into the non-alcoholic selection.' At KNEAD's psychedelic-inspired concept, Sagrada, the bar features non-spirited pours enhanced with ingredients sourced from NOHM Collective elixirs. Some examples include the 'MerJito,' which draws from the structure of a mojito, and 'MerKola,' a botanical cola alternative. In one drink, the 'Jack Frost Non-Spirited Pour,' NOHM's MerJito is combined with St. Ember Little Saints, a lion's mane mushroom-based spirit. 'Overall, elixirs will provide a much more intense depth of flavor with more complex aromas and shifting taste profiles that will evolve with each sip,' says Kulla. 'Ingredients such as ginger, turmeric, lion's mane, probiotics or even a bit of caffeine in ceremonial cacao, offer an immediate feel-good boost.' This complexity also allows beverage teams to use elixirs in new ways, such as a varied approach to food and wine pairings. 'The earthy components and flavor profiles from kombucha or ginger for example are very interesting to pair with meaty, fatty dishes,' Kulla says. In Todos Santos, Mexico, the boutique wellness hotel Desierto Azul features a full elixir program built into the bar menu. Owner Fabrizio Cavallo spent much of his career marketing spirits for large global companies. But he sees this new category as more than a passing interest. 'They are not non-alcoholic drinks. They are functional and emotional drinks,' he says. 'And more than anything, they do have a story to tell. A story of ancient and exotic ingredients, of tradition and rituals, of body and mind nourishment.' Cavallo says he defines elixirs as 'a beverage with functional and emotional features, where the selection of ingredients is critical to deliver a specific benefit.' 'It finds its roots in alternative medicine or ancient tradition,' he continues. 'That being a remedy like anti-flu, anti-inflammatory, a functional stimulation, like energy-boosting, or an emotional benefit like relaxing or aphrodisiac, to just share a few.' Elixirs now appear in beverages across several categories, including hot or iced drinks offered in place of lattes, shaken beverages served at bars and restaurants and juices blended with added compounds for functional support. 'Today's consumers are redefining the rules of entertainment,' he says. 'There is no doubt the last decade was defined by a growing interest for a healthy and holistic lifestyle. The pandemic accelerated that as more people look for alternative ways to keep healthy.' He also notes that elixirs are beginning to replace the usual go-to drinks at his properties. 'Our Whole Bakery & Elixirs, launched a year ago, has a full elixir menu, hot or iced,' he says. 'While we don't do pairings, our elixirs are thought to be offered as an alternative to a coffee or latte for those who want a delicious drink with health benefits to go with our sweet baked goods, like muffins and cookies.' Cavallo is now expanding the program, and the option to have alcohol is just an add-on. 'That totally shifts the paradigm to focus on the benefit of the beverage first, and the alcohol is only for those who want the booze,' he explains. That balance—between effectiveness and pleasure—is central to both Cavallo's and Kulla's approach. 'If the elixir effectively delivers the benefit but does not taste great, it will never make it to our menu,' says Cavallo. 'A not-so-good tasting elixir is the mistake some beginners may do, which can have a negative impact on the whole category.' Kulla agrees, noting her team investigates how ingredients are sourced. 'Taste is very important; it must be delicious at the end of the day,' she says. 'Though currently there is a boom of interest, and it seems more trend-like, I believe the best of these elixirs will stay with us and become a part of our general beverage culture well into the future.
Syyaha
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Syyaha
La Petite Maison Riyadh Reopens with a Fresh New Look and Exquisite New Dishes
April 2025, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – La Petite Maison Riyadh, the beloved French Mediterranean restaurant, is reopening this April with a refreshed look and an even more inviting atmosphere — all designed with the guest experience at the forefront. Every detail has been thoughtfully reimagined to enhance the warmth, elegance, and charm that define the LPM experience, with a special focus on surprising and delighting the restaurant's cherished guests. A New Look and a Fresh Atmosphere With interiors reimagined from Sagrada, LPM's refreshed space is a true celebration of artistry, incorporating a blend of bold hues, textured finishes, and artistic elements that evoke the effortless charm of the French Mediterranean. At the heart of the transformation is a stunning mural by internationally acclaimed artist Sanja Kovačević, which infuses the space with the vibrant spirit of the Côte d'Azur. The bar counter now features a striking new burgundy tone, creating a warm, refined ambiance for an evening à la française. Meanwhile, the lounge area has been completely reimagined, with new banquettes that reshape the dynamic of the space, offering guests a cozier, more intimate experience, perfect for relaxation or meaningful conversations. New Dishes to Savor In addition to its refreshed interiors, La Petite Maison Riyadh is introducing an exquisite selection of new dishes, crafted to highlight the seasonal ingredients and Mediterranean flavors. To start, the Asperges Blanches au Parmesan features tender white asparagus paired with aged parmesan, delivering a rich and balanced taste. Seafood lovers can enjoy the Salade de Poulpe , featuring octopus, crisp green beans, artichokes, and a bright citrus dressing. For mains, the Homard Grillé et Rouille presents grilled Maine lobster accompanied by a velvety, subtly spiced rouille sauce, while the Cocotte de Loup de Mer offers the comforting flavors of slow-cooked seabass in a rich tomato and pepper sauce, evoking the essence of Mediterranean coastal cuisine. Those seeking a hearty and comforting dish will love the Risotto aux Morilles et Asperges , where earthy morel mushrooms and fresh asparagus create a deeply satisfying flavor combination. For a sweet finale, guests can indulge in the Omelette Norvégienne Exotique , a striking baked Alaska with mango sorbet, or the Saint Honoré , a classic French pastry featuring crisp choux, silky chocolate, and luscious hazelnut cream. An Inviting Experience La Petite Maison Riyadh continues to embody understated luxury, offering a dining experience that transports guests to the sun-drenched elegance of the Côte d'Azur. The refreshed interiors blend timeless charm with contemporary sophistication, making every visit feel special—whether it's a leisurely lunch, an intimate dinner, or a lively gathering with friends. Alexandra Audon Filali Director of Operations, Middle East and Asia of LPM, shares: ' As we reopen La Petite Maison Riyadh, our goal was to create a renewed sense of vibrancy, a space that captures the energy and elegance of the French Riviera, while enhancing the experience for our guests. Every detail — from the new signature dishes to the stunning artwork and redesigned spaces — has been thoughtfully curated to elevate the dining experience'. 'This refresh is our way of saying thank you to our loyal guests, who have supported us throughout the years. We hope that this new chapter brings a little novelty to their dining experience and reinforces the special bond we have built over time. We are truly excited to welcome them back to rediscover the essence of LPM with a fresh perspective and new memories to be made ', added Alexandra Audon Fiali. 'Riyadh holds a very special place for La Petite Maison for many reasons, and we are committed to keeping it at the forefront of hospitality in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East,' said Nicolas Budzynski, Chief Executive Officer of La Petite Maison. 'Since its opening in 2021, the restaurant has delivered outstanding performance, becoming our second-best performing location in terms of sales and profit—surpassing London, Miami, Hong Kong, and Abu Dhabi, and following closely behind Dubai. Our focus remains on continuously enhancing the guest experience, nurturing employee happiness, and delivering strong returns for our shareholders. We are dedicated to reinvesting in the concept to ensure it remains both timeless and ever-evolving.' To celebrate its reopening, La Petite Maison Riyadh welcomed guests to rediscover its magic, with an atmosphere enriched by live Troubadour music and a dynamic DJ, adding a vibrant rhythm to an already unforgettable experience. For reservations or more information, please call +966 920 011 794.
