Whether you’re planning a leisurely lunch date, an intimate party or a business meeting, having your own private dining area can make the experience all the more special, particularly if you are concerned about social distancing. Here are some premium UAE restaurants that offer exclusive dining experiences.
Dubai
Gaia
The lower level of this Greek-Mediterranean restaurant is home to a chef's table that can seat up to 12 people. Surrounded by white stone walls decorated with copper pans, the table was designed to create an intimate experience between the cooks and diners. Guests can share their favourite dishes and ingredients with the kitchen team, and then watch them create an exclusive meal. It's no wonder this table has, in the past, seated celebrities such as Rita Ora and Sean Paul.
Cost: no minimum spend, price on request
Podium Level, Gate Village 11, DIFC; 04 241 4242; www.gaia-restaurants.com
Indochine
This hot spot has a private dining room at the back of the restaurant that is slightly elevated and separated by red vintage Vietnamese shutters. Guests can opt to keep the shutters open if they're looking to feel more connected to the main dining area, or close them for a more private setting.
In terms of interiors, expect teak floors, high ceilings covered in dark bamboo wood and lush greenery in classic Indochine style. In the winter, guests can open the floor-to-ceiling windows, giving the room an outdoor terrace feel.
The area can seat up to 20 guests or can be booked for a private function that can fit 25 to 30.
Cost: Dh8,000, with Dh450 per person minimum spend
Gate Precinct Building 3, DIFC; 04 208 9333; www.indochinedxb.com
La Serre
The contemporary French restaurant has two private dining rooms. One also serves as a chef’s table, with bifold doors that open up so that guests can enjoy the theatre of the kitchen while they dine. This room seats up to 14 people, while the other seats up to 20.
The rooms are multifunctional and can host everything from private dinners to baby showers, proposals and business meetings. The ambiencee is sophisticated, with crisp white table linen, off-white chairs and wood furnishings, paired with delicate floral arrangements.
Cost: From Dh300 per person; prices vary depending on menu and drink selection
Vida Downtown, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai; 04 528 3779; www.laserre.com
Mami Umami
This new Japanese restaurant in Downtown Dubai has private dining options to meet a range of tastes.
The first can accommodate 10 guests and has access to the terrace, with Burj Khalifa views. Another, with seating for up to 20, features Japanese artwork, wooden walls, glass doors and, again, access to the terrace. Both rooms have speakers in case guests want to choose their own playlists, and upon request, can be combined to accommodate up to 30 guests.
A third dining room, which can also accommodate up to 10 guests, features Japanese artwork and dim lighting, making it a cosy option for more private meetings.
Cost: no minimum spend; packages and set menus are available on request
Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Marasi Drive, Business Bay; 04 512 5555.
Marina Social
Whether you’re looking for a celebratory dinner or a formal event, this British-Mediterranean restaurant has a private dining room with stunning views of Dubai Marina. The room has floor-to-ceiling views (which translates to plenty of natural lighting in the daytime) and keeps it simple and classic for groups of between 10 and 16.
Cost: no minimum spend
InterContinental Dubai Marina; 04 446 6664; www.marinasocialdubai.com
Miss Lily's
This popular Jamaican joint features a private dining room at the back of the restaurant that offers the same laid-back vibe the restaurant is so famous for.
The private dining area can seat 16 to 18 guests, or be broken down to cater to two separate groups of eight.
It has two separate entrances: one through the main dining room and another through the kitchen. It's been designed to look like a Jamaican storage room, complete with vintage wooden shelves and crates. It also has its own subwoofer in the ceiling to ensure guests can enjoy the same music as the rest of the venue. The room has hosted celebrities including Rihanna, Stormzy and Floyd Mayweather.
Cost: Dh300 per person minimum spend
Sheraton Grand Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road; 04 356 2900; www.misslilys.com
Nobu
For private celebrations or more intimate get-togethers, Nobu offers two private dining rooms, each able to accommodate a maximum of 12 people.
The rooms offer diners an authentic Japanese experience. The ambiance is an extension of the restaurant's famously sleek decor, with subtle lighting and curved wicker panels.
Cost: Dh12,000 per room minimum spend
Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah; 04 426 0760; www.noburestaurants.com/dubai
Shanghai Me
The Dubai International Financial Centre restaurant features a dining room that can seat up to 14. Shanghai Me is inspired by 1930s China, with plenty of Art Deco detailing. It has welcomed famous guests including Victoria's Secret model Shanina Shaik, Jason Derulo and Akon in the past, and Trey Songz and Tyga celebrated their birthdays in its private dining room last year.
Cost: no minimum spend, price on request
Podium Level, Gate Village 11, DIFC; 04 564 0505; www.shanghaime-restaurant.com
Abu Dhabi
Zuma
This perennial favourite is known for its sleek interiors, and guests can enjoy the same ambience in a more private setting. The Abu Dhabi branch has a room that is partially closed off for events and celebrations for up to 14 people. Its design is centred on “the beauty of natural imperfection”. Seating options may vary at the moment owing to social-distancing guidelines.
Cost: no minimum spend
Al Maryah Island; 02 401 5900; www.zumarestaurant.com
99 Sushi
Both the Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches of this popular Japanese restaurant have a dedicated space for guests hoping to have a more exclusive dining experience.
In both cases, the interiors reflect the venue's signature colours of black and gold, which are incorporated into the finishings, as well as the traditional Japanese serveware.
The Abu Dhabi branch can seat up to 10, while the Dubai branch seats up to 14.
Cost: no minimum spend
Four Seasons Hotel, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island; 02 672 3333; 99sushibar.com
Coya
For smaller groups looking for a seriously exclusive experience, it doesn't get better than Coya's private dining room. The space, adjacent to the main restaurant, comes with its own elevator access. This area can also be used as an unconventional meeting room, and features an interactive TV screen. With social distancing measures and limited capacity, it seats groups of up to four.
Cost: Lunch, Saturday to Thursday: Dh2,000; weekdays dinner: Dh3,000; weekend dinner (Thursday and Friday) Dh4,000
Four Seasons Hotel, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island; 02 306 7000; www.coyarestaurant.com
The St Regis Abu Dhabi
Those looking to convert one of the UAE’s best-loved meals into a private experience can head over to The St Regis Abu Dhabi, which offers a Brunch in the Clouds concept with a private dining twist.
The popular brunch normally presents buffet selections but, for now, has been transformed to a "served to table" experience where diners can enjoy their meal in one of the hotel's rooms, whether it's a standard room, the study or the library. Private dining rooms can seat up to six people and are also available on request. Brunch in the Clouds relaunched on July 3 and takes place every second Friday.
Cost: Dh345 per person with soft drinks
Al Bateen; 02 694 4553; restaurants.abudhabi@stregis.com
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
TEAMS
US Team
Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth
Justin Thomas, Daniel Berger
Brooks Koepka, Rickie Fowler
Kevin Kisner, Patrick Reed
Matt Kuchar, Kevin Chappell
Charley Hoffman*, Phil Mickelson*
International Team
Hideki Matsuyama, Jason Day
Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen
Marc Leishman, Charl Schwartzel
Branden Grace, Si Woo Kim
Jhonattan Vegas, Adam Hadwin
Emiliano Grillo*, Anirban Lahiri*
* denotes captain's picks
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
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Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 760Nm
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Rashid & Rajab
Director: Mohammed Saeed Harib
Stars: Shadi Alfons, Marwan Abdullah, Doaa Mostafa Ragab
Two stars out of five
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
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The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
