<span>In Abu Dhabi, head to 55&5th The Grill at The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, for a three-course meal, from 7pm to 11pm, on November 20, 21 and 22. Chef Olivier Belliard has put together a set menu of pumpkin veloute with wild mushrooms, roast turkey and caramelised pecan tart, for Dh275. Call 02 498 8888.</span> <span>In Dubai, </span><span>try Sean Connolly's Thanksgiving menu at his eponymous Dubai Opera restaurant, on November 22. Packages start from Dh390 (Dh100 for children), and include cornbread, devilled eggs, lamb belly fritters and shrimp cocktail for starters; a choice of one main from among roast turkey with apple and sage stuffing, rib of beef with peppercorn sauce, and mac and cheese with cranberry walnut relish; and one dessert: apple pie with almond cream, lemon cheesecake with raspberries or salted caramel pecan pie with buttermilk ice cream. Call 04 362 7312.</span> <span>Bluewaters, a 15-minute walk from The Beach at JBR in Dubai is now accessible to the public. Of the dozens of restaurants the island is gearing up to host, Moscow-born eatery Ketch-Up opens its doors today. The menu mainly comprises gourmet burgers in handmade buns, with interesting-sounding combinations (raspberries and beef, anyone?). The licensed </span><span>restaurant also has its own mixologist, and will regularly host music events and themed parties. Call 056 163 7463.</span> <span>Every Wednesday, Pappagallo will serve up its rich Italian fare sans the bill. Diners can pay the price they think each dish was worth. Typically, the restaurant charges about Dh75 for a margherita pizza, Dh90 for the risotto funghi, and Dh60 for its popular tiramisu. Known for its large portions and friendly service, the eatery is now aiming to be pocket-friendly, at least one day of the week, from 7pm to 11pm. Call 02 644 6666. </span> <span>The Italian chef, who oversees operations at Michelin-starred Sicilian restaurant I Pupi, will be in Dubai as a guest chef at the 10th annual Italian World Culinary Summit. On November 21 and 22, Lo Coco will create a four-course (Dh450) and seven-course (Dh650) tasting menu at Armani/Ristorante, featuring some of his signature recipes. Dishes include blue fin tuna strips with bottarga sauce and caramelised bread; Sicilian chickpea pancake, lobster and buckwheat spaghetti soup; beef tenderloin with smoked herring sauce and wild goosefoot herbs; and an assortment of lemon-textured desserts. Call 04 888 3666. </span> <span>The Dessert in the Desert promotion is a collaboration between Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri and jeweller Diamond Gallery. Guests who book the afternoon tea will be asked to choose from a bunch of jewellery boxes, three of which contain diamonds worth between Dh2,000 and Dh5,000, while the others contain zirconium. Gemstones aside, the meal (Dh266 for two) includes chocolate, raisin and plain scones, with clotted cream, strawberry jam and Medjool date butter; mains such as sumac-spiced chicken brochette, a turkey ham and Arabian cheese wrap, prawn cocktail and crispy pita croutons with hummus; plus a selection of pastries: saffron-raspberry bavouris, curry-orange cheesecake, zaatar-strawberry tart, cardamom-mascarpone mousse profiterole, rosewater-almond chocolate cake, pistachio-lemon dacquoise and baklava financier. The offer is valid until December 30, and runs daily from 2.30pm to 6pm. Call 02 509 8555.</span> <strong>_____________________</strong> <strong>Read more:</strong> <strong>_____________________</strong>
