For those Americans who are missing their familiar comfort foods, the Sheraton’s new American Food Feast on Monday nights is just the remedy. The all you can eat night has everything from meatloaf, flavourful and moist, to the mac and cheese with its crunchy baked cheese top.
Upon entering you’re greeted by life size cardboard cutouts of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley where you can slide your head in and have your own Hollywood moment. The nearby jukebox plays continuous familiar favourite American songs.
A quick walk around the various stations shows there’s something for everyone from the salad bar to the fried chicken.
You can check off all the classics - hamburgers, hot dogs and four kinds of potatoes - curly fries, regular fries, baked and home made chips.
The highlight for me was the BBQ spare ribs. So tender you didn’t need a knife to cut through them.
The odd note in the dinner was the nacho station. It had all the right ingredients - corn chips, salsa, guacamole, jalapenos and sour cream but instead of hot gooey melted cheese there was only grated cheese.
For those who want a lighter meal there are baked fish dishes, sushi and fruit.
With so many choices it would be easy to fill up before dessert but that would be a mistake. There are two versions of the classic apple pie, though sorry to say there’s no option to upgrade to ala mode (with ice-cream). Other highlights include the chocolate pudding, cupcakes, donuts and macaroons.
* American Food Feast Night is every Monday from 7 to 10 pm at Flavours restaurant, first floor, Sheraton Corniche, Abu Dhabi. 99Dh with soft drinks.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
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If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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