17 amazing things to do this long weekend

TAKE PART IN DSS RESTAURANT WEEK: Until August, 21, the DSS Summer Restaurant Week will tempt hungry families and friends with great deals on tasty meals. Dozens of the city’s best-loved eateries are serving special menus including breakfast, two-course lunches and three-course dinners along with children’s menus. Food lovers can take their pick from 30 restaurants, with a total of 50 meal choices available across 20 delicious cuisines served at 24 locations around the city.

CATCH ARUN SINGH LIVE AT DIALOGUE: Soulful music and delicious food, probably the best combination to end your Wednesday and walk into the last working day of the week. Catch the Arun Singh perform live at Dialogue every Wednesday, with resident DJ Pierre starting the evening with commercial mixes from 6pm onwards, till the band takes over at 9pm.

CATCH AND ART SHOW AT JAMEEL ARTS CENTER: ‘Echo Holdings x Machine Vision’ will respond to ‘Age of You‘ through a corrupted lecture performance that incorporates video projections, text-to-speech software, and the sonic elements of a hybrid live set. As a prism for thinking-feeling, and feeling-thought, the activation will foreground mise en abyme as a technique of the “extreme self” while sampling lyrically compressed excerpts from the films Blade Runner, Robocop, Alphaville and 2001: A Space Odyssey. It takes place at Jameel Arts Center On August 13 from 5pm to 6pm.

ENJOY A FLOATING BREAKFAST AT THE WORLDS TALLEST INFINITY POOL: If you’re staying at the Address Beach Resort, then take advantage of a special deal where in-house guests can experience the floating breakfast in Address Beach Resort’s record-breaking Infinity Pool. Served on a beautiful wicker tray, the curated menu offers different dining options including a vegan menu. Located at Level 77, it is priced at Dh498 for two.

LIVE SHOWS THIS LONG WEEKEND: Coca-Cola Arena will host The Music of ABBA, West End Extravaganza and Disco Symphonic shows this weekend. Three great feel-good evenings of live entertainment will kick off with The Music of ABBA performed on August 12, followed by the West End Extravaganza show on August 13 and Disco Symphonic on August 14. Featuring talented singers from London’s West End and musicians from the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, each performance will be spectacular and lots of fun.

PUNJAB GRILL, ABU DHABI: Celebrate the 75th Indian Independence Day at Abu Dhabi’s favourite Indian fine-dining destination, Punjab Grill, where a four-course celebratory menu will be available for all to enjoy. The elaborate menu is inspired by the Punjab Grill team’s favourite dishes from across India. The four-course celebratory menu is priced at Dh200 per person and will be available for lunch and dinner from Friday, August 13 to Sunday, August 15.

THE MAMI UMAMI MAMICITA LADIES’ NIGHT: If you’re looking for a fusion of Japanese flair and Latin-American colour, check out Mami Umami’s Mamicita Ladies’ Night. Sip on three beverages whipped up by expert mixologists, tuck into rich, soulful, Latin-American recipes at discounted prices, and immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere for Dh150. Don’t forget to rock your Wednesday best for the chance to win a complimentary bottle of bubbles for the best-dressed lady.

SOHO GARDEN’S NIGHT BRUNCH: Enjoy a unique, three-course, gastronomic experience on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 8pm to 11pm at Foxglove and Soho Beer Garden with the all-new night brunch. This evening feast starts off with an array of sharing appetisers, followed by an irresistible sharing selection of main courses, before a chef’s selection of special desserts provides the perfect finishing touch – all for Dh225 per person.

FEAST ON A BOODLE FIGHT: Drop by Rove Trade Centre on Thursday to enjoy an authentic Pinoy meal selection curated for you by our Filipino Chef and Restaurant Manager this summer. That’s not all, enjoy the live entertainment while you tuck into succulent seafood, including shrimp, crab, mussels, squids and more, as well as fried tilapia, crispy chicken skin and heaping servings of rice with a choice of Cajun or Asian flavoured sauces, at The Daily. Additionally, choose between two special Filipino mocktail concoctions stirred up only for the Boodle Fight.

BREAKFAST AT ASMA - Kick-start your weekend with a traditional breakfast at Asma, a contemporary Middle Eastern fusion restaurant located in The Dubai Mall. Served from 10am to 12.30pm the breakfast at Asma offers guests homely meals specially curated with the finest and freshest ingredients. Guests are able to choose between hearty options like their Al Quds Breakfast which features three tiers of classic goodness, fresh bread, falafels, pickles and more bread, a range of cheesy dishes that include the tasty assortment on the cheese board or the baked feta. The breakfast is not complete without the breakfast staple, eggs. Asma showcases a variety that includes a creamy Soft Scramble, Eggs & Tomatoes, Mushroom Scramble in a Roll and Turkish Eggs.

ALL YOU CAN EAT AND DRINK AT O’PAO: A hidden gem in Karama known for serving gourmet Indian Sliders, O’Pao has launched a pocket-friendly offer of All You Can Eat and Drink for Dh49. Feast on unlimited Indian sliders, fries, and wash the flavours down with Desi Cold Coffee, Fresh Watermelon Juice and Masala Chai. The homegrown eatery inspired by Mumbai street food redefines the Pao concept in the region serving Indian sliders with a gourmet twist. Vegetarian fans can savour the O’Vada Pao, O’Paneer Bhurjee Pao, O’ Manchurian Pao or O’Maggi Pao alongside the appetizing side of Sweet Potato Fries. From the O’Butter Chicken Pao to the O’Pulled Mutton Pao, O’Seekh Kebab Pao; every dish is freshly prepared offering home-cooked love in every bite.

BIRYANI KHAAS FESTIVAL AT INDIA PALACE: This long weekend, take the family to enjoy a special limited period Biryani Khass festival at all 12 outlets of India Palace to get transported back to the home country with delish varieties of Biryanis inspired by varied Indian cultures. Enjoy specially-crafted Biryani dishes including Noor Mahal, Raan, Shahi Jheenja, Lucknow Murg, Subzi Qabuli and Coorg Murgh at the award-winning authentic Indian restaurant.

OUTRAGEOUS FRIDAY BRUNCH AT WILD WEST-THEMED BAR: If you’re planning ahead for the weekend and want to try something new, Long running Abu Dhabi steakhouse and Club, 49er’s’ Friday special Outrageous Brunch can be an excellent option. It offers an all-American fun dining experience. That means Southern-fried wings, Bruschetta, Crispy Nachos, Chili Cheese Fries, Fried Chicken, Spring rolls, Carolina chicken salad, and a wide range of mouth-watering desserts. Plus, there are unlimited house beverages to help wash down all the food. Priced at Dh149 with soft drinks, Dh199 with house beverages and takes place on Friday from 1pm to 4pm.

WEEKEND SPECIAL VEGAN BRUNCH AT JUST VEGAN JUMEIRAH: Visit Dubai’s first private vegan restaurant to enjoy a special weekend brunch with unlimited vegan food and drinks for Dh49. Start the ultimate vegan experience with unlimited summer shooters; move to the second round to unlimited assorted starters and mezze platters. Enjoy the soup of the day followed by a main course and a selection of vegan desserts. Some of the tempting vegan dishes on the menu include; vegan chicken popcorn, soft shell tacos, madras curry pizza, shawarma plate, BBQ curry with chicken sauce, korma with vegan meat sauce, mini sweet tarts, icecreams and bite cakes.

TRY A NEW JEWELLERY THEMED HIGH TEA AT SOFITEL THE OBELISK: Sofitel the Obelisk have collaborated with the celebrated jeweller and designer Robert Wan for a special afternoon tea, Bijou de Perles, where fashion meets food. Presented in a sophisticated jewellery box, Bijou de Perles with Robert Wan offers a French twist on afternoon tea. The savouries combine local flavours with classic French heritage and sweet temptations with Tahitian vanilla, mango passion and saffron cream, raspberry with yuzy and chocolate Macao with hazelnut. Complementing this experience is an extraordinary display of edible chocolate pearls on a bust. It is priced at Dh145 per person including tea and coffee.

START THE WEEKEND EARLY AT RUMBA: Kicking off today, August 11, the hot spot is launching Calle 8 Night. Prepare to be transported to Little Havana and experience an authentic Hispanic street festival with Calle 8 Wednesdays. With live entertainment from Rumba’s resident DJ Mauro, guests can dance to the beat of night-style Miami with reggaeton and Latin Hip-Hop. Guests can avail one jug of LAtin beverage for Dh150, and enjoy an additional Picada Cubana Platter that includes tostones, fried yuca, potato croquettes, black bean empanada, and sweet potato flautas for Dh195.

BRUNCH AT MISS LILY’S: Miss Lily’s Blazin’ Brunch brings all the Jamaican flavours, upbeat tunes, and island vibes to a weekend afternoon. Held every Friday from 12pm to 5pm, Miss Lily’s Blazin’ Brunch features breakfast staples and all-star dishes including the likes of beef, chicken and callaloo patties, sweetcorn fritters with sweet chilli sauce, and coconut fried shrimp with jerk yuzu sauce. Taste the best of the Caribbean with jerk-inspired chicken and waffles – best for you to drizzle all that jerk maple syrup. A Jamaican rum shack with stellar, vibrant food along with interiors of sun-kissed colours and easy-going vibes, all seemingly imported straight from the Caribbean, makes Miss Lily’s Friday Blazin’ Brunch one for the books. Prices start from Dh230 for soft beverages and Dh350 for house beverages.