Al Ghurair Centre has been further gilding its reputation as a pioneering UAE mall by adding yet more diverse names to its dining and retail offerings.
The landmark Dubai shopping and foodie destination pride’s itself on delivering a rich medley of brands, restaurants, and entertainment.
And it continues to keep its offering fresh and relevant - four decades after first opening in Deira - with a steady stream of new openings to inspire regular visitors, and draw newcomers.
City food lovers will be delighted at the arrival of two new restaurant names, while the mall also welcomes a driving school, opticians, plus X-pressions, a retail brand for gifting and much more.
Romantic Baka is a vibrant new name in Korean cuisine that opened at Al Ghurair Centre in December and further expands an already extensive dining roster.
Al Ghurair has long been recognised for its eclectic dining offering and Romantic Baka feeds the current appetite for Korean culture and cuisine by adding a mouth-watering menu an experiential food option.
Occupying a prominent ground floor spot, this new to Dubai name brings a bright take on the Korean at-table grilling experience - a popular dining past-time in the Asian nation.
Korean food/dishes are garnering greater attention and love as well, and booming in popularity here in UAE
Angelo Reston,
Romantic Baka
Angelo Reston, Romantic Baka’s managing director, says it is not just K-Pop, dramas such as Squid Game, or its movies that are growing more popular around the world.
“Korean food/dishes are garnering greater attention and love as well, and booming in popularity here in UAE,” says Mr Reston.
“We wanted to bring Korean food with passion, differentiating our uniqueness in each and every aspect … Korean vibes with a relaxing experience, great ambiance, and delectable savoury food.”
Even the restaurant name reflects the universal love of food.
“It can symbolise our romantic feeling toward others or to our self,” Mr Reston says.
“Eating what we love somehow rewards us with a feeling of pleasure … our way of delivering food is somewhat connected in a romantic way and sense of well-being.”
Beef bulgogi - tender, mildly sweet, savoury, and embracing a smoky flavour as you grill the beef - is cited as a best-seller.
And Romantic Baka says it is not a typical grill restaurant as it adds another dimension to the 60-strong cafes, restaurants and diners that already serve visitors to Al Ghurair Centre.
The venue promises a sociable, experiential style of dining where customers can use the Korean grill set to cook their favourite meats and seafood choices with friends and family.
The kitchen backs up these flavours with a range of side dishes ranging from tofu and Korean veggie staple kimchi, as well as classics such as tteokbokki, japchae, kimbap and bibimbap.
“Korean people love to grill their meat, they are considering it a healthier way since it will lessen the fat,” Mr Reston says.
“They also love to gather and to eat together after a day of work…a hearty meal of grilled meat became the natural choice to replenish energy.
“Korean food has a special element that gives magic to anyone tasting it - that is why it is massively welcomed by UAE foodies.”
But if that menu is proving a little tougher to read these days, another incoming Al Ghurair Centre tenant could assist.
Anyone who has been in the UAE for a while will recognise the Aster Opticals name.
In 2019 Aster DM Healthcare marked a major milestone when it acquired Grand Optics at strategic locations - and now it adds another key branch inside this Deira mall.
The brand has become an optician of choice for many in the country by transforming its identity to a one-stop destination for complete eye care solutions.
On site, customers will find fully equipped eye test facilities, great customer experience, and “best in class value added services”, all backed up by a strong network of ophthalmologists.
Aster Opticals is now open. X-pressions Style is also likely to be a welcome addition to the mall.
The brand is another successful shopping formula from Al Safeer Group, the retail conglomerate behind a string of shopping and entertainment names across the Gulf.
The opening of X-pressions provides Al Ghurair Centre customers with a one-stop-shop for adorable gifting ideas through to branded cosmetics, perfumes, fashion accessories, watches and handbags.
An imaginative display of lamps, perfumed candles, photo frames and paintings is designed to give inspiration to homemakers, while also selling gifts for teenagers, eye wear and famous names such as Gucci, Channel, Christian Dior, MaxFactor, Elle, Levis, and Calvin Klein.
Also adding further diversity to the Dubai destination mall’s retail floors is Tommy Life, recently opened and bringing children’s activities into the centre’s mix.
It is described as the “perfect place for your kids to play”; young ones can get among their favourite toys under the supervision of caring nannies while parents are busy with shopping.
On offer is sculpting with Play Doh, a visit to the LOL Doll house and travel to the Frozen Kingdom.
“Boys can also ride Hot Wheels on tracks and trains on the railroad,” a Tommy Life spokesman adds.
“It is a place where childhood dreams come true.”
Guest feedback, meanwhile, means the Romantic Baka name is growing in the food scene, according to its managing director, who is looking forward to catering to more Dubai foodies from their Al Ghurair Centre launch pad.
“Choosing a location is as equally important as creating a menu, marketing our brand, as well as customer reviews,” Mr Reston adds.
“Good location can give any business a push towards success…Al Ghurair Centre is in the heart of Dubai, it’s very visible and accessible for all, and there is no other place better to launch our brand in the UAE.”
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.
Scores in brief:
- New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
- William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
- Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
- Multiplex 142-6 in 17 overs bt Xconcepts Automobili 140 all out in 20 overs
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
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The studios taking part (so far)
- Punch
- Vogue Fitness
- Sweat
- Bodytree Studio
- The Hot House
- The Room
- Inspire Sports (Ladies Only)
- Cryo
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more from Janine di Giovanni
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Skin'
Dir: Guy Nattiv
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
England squad
Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Dominic Bess, James Bracey, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Foakes, Lewis Gregory, Keaton Jennings, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Amar Virdi, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Naga
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Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
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Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Sunday's games
All times UAE:
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace, 4pm
Manchester City v Arsenal, 6.15pm
Everton v Watford, 8.30pm
Chelsea v Manchester United, 8.30pm
Biography
Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related
Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.
Family: Wife and three children.
Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Army of the Dead
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera
Three stars
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Sugary teas and iced coffees
The tax authority is yet to release a list of the taxed products, but it appears likely that sugary iced teas and cold coffees will be hit.
For instance, the non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Cold coffee brands are likely to be hit too. Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
F1 line ups in 2018
Mercedes-GP Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas; Ferrari Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen; Red Bull Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen; Force India Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez; Renault Nico Hülkenberg and Carlos Sainz Jr; Williams Lance Stroll and Felipe Massa / Robert Kubica / Paul di Resta; McLaren Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne; Toro Rosso TBA; Haas F1 Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen; Sauber TBA
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The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
On sale: now
