Global Village, the seasonal, multicultural, al fresco park in Dubai, is popular for many reasons. From endless shopping at various country pavilions to family-friendly activities and numerous concerts over its seven-month outing, there is plenty to see and do. And the experience would be incomplete without taking in the food.
A veritable hub for avid foodies who either return for their favourites or seek to try something new, Global Village has made dining an integral part of its offering. Eating here is no longer an afterthought.
With season 29 under way, more than 200 restaurants, cafes and kiosks are scattered across the site. It's a mixed bag of returning classics, such as the popular Bosnian House, and new concepts including Mr Chicago, all the way from the US.
Here, The National embarks on a Global Village food trail to sample some of the tastiest, most talked about dishes on offer.
Feast at Fiesta Street
The sheer volume of food choices at Global Village may feel overwhelming at first, but thankfully the park has created designated hubs for dining. Fiesta Street is among the prominent ones and it's relatively close to the entrance. It houses numerous street food kiosks serving different cuisines, from Middle Eastern to European bites.
Among the new ones is Mr Chicago, with its daily queues of customers thanks to its TikTok fame. The signature deep-dish pizza is on the menu and is indeed a must-try, especially for cheese lovers. Speaking of which, Greek-inspired spot Saganaki also makes its debut this year at Fiesta Street, mainly selling fried feta cheese. The glaze of honey and a squeeze of lemon helps balance the otherwise salty cheese.
Also on Fiesta Street is Platano, which serves plantains in two ways. One is in chips form that goes alongside dips, and the other is a baked dish where cuts of the fruit are mixed with potato mash, a sweet sauce and oodles of melted cheese. The potato-plantain combo is interesting at first bite, but the ratio seems off in the next few mouthfuls; the dish would have been better if there were more of the banana to hone in on the flavour.
Turkish street food is always well-represented at Global Village, with several vendors serving everything from sandwiches to ice creams. Tantuni, which now has a two-storey kiosk at Fiesta Street, returns with its glorious wraps. The beef wrap in yoghurt is a must-try, with the tender meat exploding in spice. It's a delight to watch its preparation, too, especially when the lavash bread is dunked into the gravy for a punch of richness. The yoghurt provides a one-two punch with its creaminess and acidity.
If you're in the mood for tacos, queue up at La Birria; and for a more filling sandwich (the toasted chicken is fab) or noodle bowl, check out the menu at Cola Ribs.
Clearly, one visit isn't enough if your main mission at Global Village is to try as many dishes as possible. It's a good thing, then, that the seasonal park is open until May 11. Closing dates have also changed over the years due to popular demand, with operators sometimes extending the season for a week or two.
Hitting the sweet spot
In terms of dessert, there are plenty of options with some of the best at the Asian-inspired Floating Market. The area has been redesigned this season, with standing tables replacing last year's cramped platforms. While this means fewer vendors are on site, the offerings are ultimately better.
After munching on Asian street food such as fried sushi and Thai shrimp, Cocomango delivers a generous serving of mango sticky rice. Its coconut water is a hit, as well as the eponymous Cocomango smoothie combo (with chunky bits of mangoes and coconut), which offers a tropical charge of freshness after walking around the park.
Just outside of the Floating Market, close to Dragon Lake, is Melty, which has taken advantage of Dubai's viral Fix Dessert Chocolatier's chocolate-pistachio bar.
In its version, the dessert shop incorporates ice cream into the mix, with a rather theatrical chef making the dessert live on the counter. Other viral desserts on this inspired menu include crackle coffee, croissant cone ice cream and plush pops. Melty's lemonades, meanwhile, are served in spout pouches that you can hang around your neck with a beaded strap.
If you're around the Thailand pavilion, head to Humm Crumbs, inspired by London's popular Humble Crumble dessert spot. The menu is quite straightforward – you choose a filling, strawberry, mango or vanilla cake, then crumbles are added before the cup is filled with your custard of choice and a brulee-style coating torched on. Surprisingly, the dessert is not too sweet, but some may prefer to share one cup as it can become too rich after a few bites.
Mainstream restaurants
Street food and kiosks aside, there are full-fledged restaurants, too, such as Chin Chin (Chinese), Al Farooj (Arabic), Grand Dhaba (Indian) and Yahya (Thai). Popular Pakistani restaurant Bundoo Khan makes a return, while Ali Bhai offers spiced karak with crispy samosas.
While the park at large has better seating options by way of green promenades this year, these restaurants offer traditional dining tables. Seating is also available at the various cafes studded across Global Village, from Coterra Roasters and Caffe Divino to the Vine and Turquoise cafes.
Taste aside, price is another appealing factor when it comes to dining at Global Village, with most dishes ranging from Dh15 to Dh60. And to finish, here are three tips: bring a buddy, pace yourself and save room for mouth-watering surprises.
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Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
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Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
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Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday
AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)
Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)
Benevento v Parma (5pm)
Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)
Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)
Lazio v Spezia (5pm)
Napoli v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)
Torino v Juventus (8pm)
Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)
Francesco Totti's bio
Born September 27, 1976
Position Attacking midifelder
Clubs played for (1) - Roma
Total seasons 24
First season 1992/93
Last season 2016/17
Appearances 786
Goals 307
Titles (5) - Serie A 1; Italian Cup 2; Italian Supercup 2
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Results
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,000m, Winner: Hazeem Al Raed, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,000m, Winner: Ghazwan Al Khalediah, Hugo Lebouc, Helal Al Alawi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Dinar Al Khalediah, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Faith And Fortune, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Only Smoke, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: AF Ramz, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m, Winner: AF Mass, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
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.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
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- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
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Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
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If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
