Why Abu Dhabi’s Magnolia outdoes Dubai’s
The capital’s getting its own outlet of the trendsetting cupcake bakery in August, when Magnolia opens at The Galleria Al Maryah Island. And they’ll have one up on the existing outlet at Bloomingdale’s Home in Dubai Mall: In addition to the cupcakes, cakes, cookies and banana cream pie (try it — it’s amazing) Magnolia Bakery Abu Dhabi will have a savoury menu. “Magnolia Bakery is a luxury brand that has been embraced by the Middle East as evidenced by our success in Dubai,” said Steve Abrams, Magnolia’s CEO and owner, in a statement. “Because of this and the region’s enthusiastic interest in Magnolia Bakery, we have chosen the Middle East as our first area of international expansion. We are excited to bring Magnolia Bakery to the UAE capital and look forward to opening many stores throughout the country.”Seeing as even the New York City outlet doesn’t even have that, we are intrigued to say the least. We’ll update you as soon as we know more.
GQ Bar to open at JW Marriott Marquis
Conde Nast: Now in your drink. The magazine publisher is making its second foray into F&B in the UAE (following the recent opening of Vogue Cafe at The Dubai Mall) with a bar inspired by the chic men’s mag due to open at the world’s tallest hotel in October this year. The two-storey outlet will be bar and restaurant serving lunch and dinner, with a menu created by Gary Robinson — the chef behind Vogue Cafe’s dishes. It’s the third GQ Bar globally, after Moscow and Istanbul.
Kids: a cheap date
Dining out with kids can be a costly affair or involve clowns and plastic figurines. This week Rivington Grill hopes to change that, by offering its children’s menu free to under 12s eating with an adult paying full price from noon-7pm. They’ve got two outlets: Madinat Jumeirah (04-3666464) and Souk Al Bahar (04-4230903).
