When the world's longest cantilever was announced in Dubai in 2019, it made waves not only for its record-breaking size but also because it was billed as a future food haven. International award-winning chefs were being lined up to open UAE outposts in The Link, the bridge that connects One Za'abeel's two towers, which includes One&Only One Za'abeel and Siro One Za'abeel.
Spanish chef Paco Morales launched Qabu in February. It was closely followed by the Thai restaurant DuangDy, from husband-wife duo Dylan Jones and Bo Songvisava. Six months later, however, both restaurants have closed, a representative for The Link's developer, Kerzner, said.
A statement from The Link seen by The National said: “The decision to close DuangDy and Qabu was made after careful consideration. This choice has not been made lightly, as we have deeply valued the shared experiences and successes achieved.”
However, no specific cause has been outlined, with one member of staff noting: “We were not told the reason behind it.” The successes achieved by the two restaurants, and referenced by the rather vague closing communications memo, are by no means negligible, either: both were lauded in this year's Michelin Guide, with Qabu getting an honourable mention, while DuangDy's Apichaya Khomson won the Guide's Service Award.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to chefs Bo Songvisava and Dylan Jones at DuangDy, and chef Paco Morales at Qabu,” the statement said. “Their extraordinary talents and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the unique dining experiences that our guests have come to appreciate. Their innovative approaches and exceptional culinary skills have left a lasting impact on Dubai’s culinary scene.”
The statement added: “It is the right moment to take this step and focus on new opportunities.” However, no plans have been announced for the spaces previously occupied by DuangDy and Qabu.
“The closures do not impact our commitment to future projects and plans in these spaces,” the statement added. “Any updates on new ventures will be shared as soon as we have more information.” Members of staff at the two restaurants, meanwhile, will “be supported during this transition”, it said. “We are working closely with them to explore new opportunities within Kerzner,” it added, although it's unclear if all staff members have been offered new roles.
Six restaurants remain at The Link, including Michelin-starred La Dame de Pic and Sagetsu by Tetsuya, plus Arrazuna, Tapasake, Sphere and Aelia. Meanwhile, Andaliman and SteetXO are housed within the main building of One&Only One Za'abeel.
The National has contacted Kerzner and the chefs for further comment.
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Managing the separation process
- Choose your nursery carefully in the first place
- Relax – and hopefully your child will follow suit
- Inform the staff in advance of your child’s likes and dislikes.
- If you need some extra time to talk to the teachers, make an appointment a few days in advance, rather than attempting to chat on your child’s first day
- The longer you stay, the more upset your child will become. As difficult as it is, walk away. Say a proper goodbye and reassure your child that you will be back
- Be patient. Your child might love it one day and hate it the next
- Stick at it. Don’t give up after the first day or week. It takes time for children to settle into a new routine.And, finally, don’t feel guilty.
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Your rights as an employee
The government has taken an increasingly tough line against companies that fail to pay employees on time. Three years ago, the Cabinet passed a decree allowing the government to halt the granting of work permits to companies with wage backlogs.
The new measures passed by the Cabinet in 2016 were an update to the Wage Protection System, which is in place to track whether a company pays its employees on time or not.
If wages are 10 days late, the new measures kick in and the company is alerted it is in breach of labour rules. If wages remain unpaid for a total of 16 days, the authorities can cancel work permits, effectively shutting off operations. Fines of up to Dh5,000 per unpaid employee follow after 60 days.
Despite those measures, late payments remain an issue, particularly in the construction sector. Smaller contractors, such as electrical, plumbing and fit-out businesses, often blame the bigger companies that hire them for wages being late.
The authorities have urged employees to report their companies at the labour ministry or Tawafuq service centres — there are 15 in Abu Dhabi.
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Sunday
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- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
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Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
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- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
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Education: UAE University, Al Ain
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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THE LOWDOWN
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- an average of 2.1 children per woman is required to sustain population growth
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