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December in the UAE is not only festive season but also festival season. This weekend marks the start of the thrilling Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the vibrant Mother of the Nation festival.
These also bring with them food trucks and limited-time pop-ups from within the country and overseas. Here are some to sample before they’re gone.
Mom's Spaghetti
Mom's Spaghetti is backed by American rapper Eminem, who is performing in the Grand Prix's Yasalam After-Race Concert series on Saturday at Etihad Park.
The restaurant, named after a line in his song Lose Yourself, is an ode to his late mother.
On the menu is Road pasta, spaghetti with meatballs and a spaghetti sandwich, the latter served with four pieces of toast on a tray of bolognese. Diners can also check out custom-designed Eminem memorabilia at the pop-up.
Until December 8; Yas Marina Circuit; 800 927
Carna by Dario Cecchini’s
Florentine flavours are in the spotlight at Carna's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix pop-up. Located near gate 7 at the South Oasis, it offers racegoers dishes such as truffle croquettes, Dario's Wagyu cheese burger and Carna smash burger. Premium cuts of Wagyu rib eye or a 900g T-bone served with fries and chimichurri are also available to order – veering away from typical festival food fare. The dessert menu includes burnt cheesecake and pistachio cookie ice cream.
Until December 8; Yas Marina Circuit; 04 607 0737
Fi’lia
The Italian restaurant Fi'lia is also located near gate 7 at South Oasis. The pop-up serves Mediterranean delights, such as burrata, arancini, spaghetti al pomodoro. For desserts, racegoers can order a signature tiramisu or artisanal gelato.
Until December 8; Yas Marina Circuit; 04 607 0770
Brooki
Mother of the Nation (MOTN), which returns to the Abu Dhabi Corniche on Friday, brings international food brands to the capital every year. This year is no different, with seven imports ready to introduce themselves to the UAE palate. Brooki is an Australian bakehouse from Brisbane, known for its scrumptious cookies. Several flavours are on offer, including Nutella milk chocolate chip, red velvet, Biscoff, and birthday cake cookie.
Until December 31; Abu Dhabi Corniche; 02 444 0444
Peckish
All the way from London's bustling Camden Market, Peckish serves smashed burgers. At the MOTN pop-up, diners can order single, double or triple-smashed patty cheeseburgers or the brand's popular honey butter fried chicken burger.
Until December 31; Abu Dhabi Corniche; 02 444 0444
Voodoo Ray's
Pizza lovers can check out MOTN Voodoo Ray's pop-up, serving giant New York-style pizza. Originally from the UK, the restaurant is known for 22-inch pizza pies with crispy crust and a range of toppings.
Until December 31; Abu Dhabi Corniche; 02 444 0444
Soft Serve Society
Also from London, Soft Serve Society provides a dessert fix when at MOTN. Soft-serve ice cream is the speciality, with diners also able to customise toppings. Also on the menu are elaborate sundaes, bubble teas, brownies, waffles and “freakshakes”.
Until December 31; Abu Dhabi Corniche; 02 444 0444
The specs: Volvo XC40
Price: base / as tested: Dh185,000
Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 250hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.4L / 100km
Overview
What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.
When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.
Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.
Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.
Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Profile
Name: Carzaty
Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
Employees: 22
Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
Funding to date: $5.5 million
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Power: 272hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 331Nm from 5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km
On sale: now
Price: Dh149,000
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
SRI LANKA SQUAD
Upul Tharanga (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella
Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana
Chamara Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna
Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera
Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
List of UAE medal winners
Gold
Faisal Al Ketbi (Open weight and 94kg)
Talib Al Kirbi (69kg)
Omar Al Fadhli (56kg)
Silver
Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Khalfan Belhol (85kg)
Zayed Al Mansoori (62kg)
Mouza Al Shamsi (49kg women)
Bronze
Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi (Open and 94kg)
Saood Al Hammadi (77kg)
Said Al Mazroui (62kg)
Obaid Al Nuaimi (56kg)
Bashayer Al Matrooshi (62kg women)
Reem Abdulkareem (45kg women)
Brief scoreline:
Wales 1
James 5'
Slovakia 0
Man of the Match: Dan James (Wales)
