The atmosphere at Alfie's is unmistakably grown-up. Heels can't help but sink into the thick carpet, squidgy leather banquettes line the walls, gleaming glass screens divide the room and the heavy tablecloths are a spotless white. Aside from the main restaurant area, there's an old-school bar and a lounge complete with armchairs and a book-lined wall. In fact, in terms of look, feel and menu – distinctly British, mostly classic, with a slight modern twist – Alfie's bears more than just a passing resemblance to The Ivy. The logic, then, of housing these two restaurants directly opposite each other in Jumeirah Emirates Towers, no more than 10 paces apart, is lost on me.
A word of warning: with only three suitable options on the entire à la carte menu, Alfie's is not the place for a vegetarian. However, if you like meaty, hearty dishes and gusty flavours, then items such as game terrine, pressed lamb belly, rabbit pie and haggis with clapshot mean that you will have plenty to choose from.
However, we didn't opt for any of the above, instead ordering the langoustine cocktail and the duck rillette to start. The latter was presented simply, in a small jar with two shards of wafer-thin toast, a little dish of faintly spiced, sweet apricot chutney and a line of paprika salt. Shreds of soft duck meat were bound together in a rich, moussey, properly seasoned mass, the relish was tangy, the toast was crisp and we were happy.
Although well executed - properly cooked langoustines, fresh, dressed salad leaves, muslin-wrapped lemon wedge - the seafood cocktail was just a bit too refined for its own good. The Marie Rose sauce could've done with a bit more punch and an extra langoustine wouldn't have gone amiss either.
For our main course, a fillet of crispy-skinned, moist sea bass came perched on a pile of lentils surrounded by a mussel and vegetable broth. The fish was nicely cooked, the lentils were buttery and pleasantly al dente and our only issue here was that the mussels tasted rather too fishy, suggesting they weren't completely fresh.
Calf's liver topped with rashers of crispy veal bacon, a drizzle of meat jus and a swirl of smooth mashed potato gathered a mixed response. When paired with a mouthful of sweet, fatty bacon and a slick of sauce, the liver tasted great, but eaten alone was extremely bitter. Closer inspection revealed that despite us asking for it to be served medium-rare, it had been cooked right through.
A shared dessert of burnt lemon cream was light and lovely, with the thinnest of crunchy, chewy caramelised sugar shells hiding a delicate citrus custard underneath.
The cooking at Alfie's is competent and the service is as slick as the interior. While I enjoyed the food and this review is certainly more positive than many before it, I'm not sure that there is enough going on here to inspire a second visit. The flavours and presentation of the dishes err on the side of tried and tested – rather than tweaked – and the restaurant's shopping mall location strikes a discordant note, both of which could prove to be an issue in the long run.
A lunch for two at Alfie's, lower level, The Boulevard, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai costs Dh586 including service. For reservations, call 04 319 8088. Reviewed meals are paid for by The National and all reviews are conducted incognito
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
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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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
Muguruza's singles career in stats
WTA titles 3
Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)
Wins / losses 293 / 149
MO
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) US$175,000 1,000m
7.05pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (Dirt) $100,000 1,900m
7.40pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,800m
8.15pm: Handicap (D) $135,000 2,000m
8.50pm: Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,400m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) $135,000 2,410m.
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Mountain%20Boy
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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
