Sequence, Risk and Catan are only a few of the popular titles that can be found lining the walls of DNA Board Game Cafe in Khalidiya.
Located in Abu Dhabi's Montazah Tower, the cafe's interiors offer a striking contrast of navy blue and red with big round windows that let natural light flood in. Elsewhere, there’s greenery on the walls as well as plants in the corner, adding an earthiness.
The cafe is the brainchild of Delilah Celik and Abdulaziz Alyassi, both of whom have a shared passion for playing board games. The decor is also a reflection of the couple, they tell The National.
Celik says she’s a big Lord of the Rings fan, which explains the window stylings, while red is her favourite colour and navy blue is Alyassi's. Celik also loves retro vintage, a theme that can be seen throughout.
“The reason we went with a board game cafe theme is because we just love board games. It’s so much fun. And we're both very competitive,” says Celik. “So, we were playing board games probably seven, eight years ago and then we just wanted to open our own cafe.”
“DNA” comes from their first names, as, when they would play games together, their friends would chant “D and A”.
It's just a beautiful place to come with family. There's just a cosiness
Delilah Celik,
co-founder
Currently, the outlet has more than 200 games that range from family-friendly to multiplayer. Some of them are strategic, while others offer more opportunity for social interaction.
There’s also a limited food menu on offer that features breakfast items such as French toast and pancakes, as well as sourdough toast options. Mains include a truffle burger on a black brioche bun and grilled tiger prawns or salad for those who want to eat lighter.
There are also cakes and desserts, as baking is another hobby that Celik enjoys. While there’s plenty of space dedicated to the games, there’s also a whole separate area for the baked goods. Partitioned from the rest of the cafe by a glass pane wall, the room is painted light pink with intricately decorated cakes on one side.
“I love baking. I used to bake but I just don't have time now. So other people bake [for us]. But we call the space the ‘cake basement’ and, originally, I did want it to be in a basement but I didn’t get approvals,” says Celik.
So far since opening in December, she says the cafe has had a warm reception. However, there has been some feedback on aspects such as parking, which can be limited in the busy area, as well as pricing.
Limited parking is available in the basement of the building, which people don’t always realise, and Celik explains the price point: “It’s Dh19 per person for one hour, then Dh29 the second hour and then Dh39 for all-day rates,” she says. “If you're having food and drinks, that's off the menu but we wouldn't charge you while you're eating and drinking. Board games would usually go after or before.
"We usually don't mix up the games with the food because of Covid and the games would get spoiled. You can eat before but there's no table fees and it's just what you're eating from the menu.”
Even though the space is new, there are already plans to expand to Ras Al Khaimah, where Alyassi is from. Celik also hopes to make more use of the "cake basement" by soon hosting cake decorating classes.
Overall, Celik says she really wants people to feel comfortable in the space, and is trying to build a sense of familiarity.
"It's just a beautiful place to come with family. There's just a cosiness," she says. "What I miss back home is there are little cafes that you'd find and everybody knows you by name. Like we're quite friendly out here."
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 850Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
Key features of new policy
Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6
Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge
A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools
Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability
MATCH INFO
Burnley 0
Man City 3
Raheem Sterling 35', 49'
Ferran Torres 65'
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