Eddie Ghazal, left, and Hamdan Al Khafaji have brought the project to life at Yas Marina.
Eddie Ghazal, left, and Hamdan Al Khafaji have brought the project to life at Yas Marina.
Eddie Ghazal, left, and Hamdan Al Khafaji have brought the project to life at Yas Marina.
Eddie Ghazal, left, and Hamdan Al Khafaji have brought the project to life at Yas Marina.

New jazz bar aims to bring French Riviera glamour to Abu Dhabi


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The glamour of the Cote d’Azur will soon arrive in Abu Dhabi – through Penelope’s Brasserie and Jazz Bar Americain, which is scheduled to open on November 17.

The Art Deco-inspired venue promises to transport guests back to the Jazz Age of the French Riviera – think traditional brasserie dining, bespoke cocktails and, of course, live jazz music.

This is a huge pledge, because the French Riviera is synonymous with the genre. The world's first major jazz festival was in the south-eastern French city of Nice in 1948.

Penelope’s is located in Yas Marina, with the opening planned to coincide with the start of Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“Yas Marina seamlessly mirrors the yachts, sparkling waters and warm sunny weather of the French Riviera,” Penelope’s said.

A passion project of Hamdan Al Khafaji, the restaurateur behind the Mexican La Carnita, and Layla Kardan, the jazz artist behind the famed Papillon cabaret club in Dubai, Penelope’s has been brought to life by Eddie Ghazal, the creative mind behind Dubai’s Canary Club and Tikis rooftop and lounge.

Restaurateur Hamdan Al Khafaji and Dubai-based Iranian jazz artist Layla Kardan. Supplied
Restaurateur Hamdan Al Khafaji and Dubai-based Iranian jazz artist Layla Kardan. Supplied

Penelope's menu will feature sharing-style French Mediterranean cuisine. Guests will be treated to live jazz performances, and possibly an occasional show by Kardan herself, who popularised soulful songs such as Goddess, As One and Closer.

The venue adds to the ever-growing space of “eat-ertainment” destinations in the UAE — places that offer dinner with a show.

A host of such restaurants has opened in the past year, including Nova, Dream and The Theatre.

The concept, which has been popular in the West since the 1900s, was launched in the UAE in 2016, when Play Restaurant and Lounge brought live acts to Dubai.

Scroll through the gallery below to see other dinner-show destinations in Dubai

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

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2.

China

3.

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4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

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Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

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South Korea

While you're here
Credit Score explained

What is a credit score?

In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.

Why is it important?

Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.

How is it calculated?

The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.

How can I improve my score?

By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.

How do I know if my score is low or high?

By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.

How much does it cost?

A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

Sukuk

An Islamic bond structured in a way to generate returns without violating Sharia strictures on prohibition of interest.

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UAE%20SQUAD
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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

 

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

If you go

The flights

Fly direct to London from the UAE with Etihad, Emirates, British Airways or Virgin Atlantic from about Dh2,500 return including taxes. 

The hotel

Rooms at the convenient and art-conscious Andaz London Liverpool Street cost from £167 (Dh800) per night including taxes.

The tour

The Shoreditch Street Art Tour costs from £15 (Dh73) per person for approximately three hours. 

Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.

  • It’s So Easy
  • Mr Brownstone
  • Chinese Democracy
  • Welcome to the Jungle
  • Double Talkin’ Jive
  • Better
  • Estranged
  • Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
  • Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
  • Rocket Queen
  • You Could Be Mine
  • Shadow of Your Love
  • Attitude (Misfits cover)
  • Civil War
  • Coma
  • Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
  • Sweet Child O’ Mine
  • Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
  • Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
  • November Rain
  • Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
  • Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
  • Nightrain

Encore:

  • Patience
  • Don’t Cry
  • The Seeker (The Who cover)
  • Paradise City
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Motori Profile

Date started: March 2020

Co-founder/CEO: Ahmed Eissa

Based: UAE, Abu Dhabi

Sector: Insurance Sector

Size: 50 full-time employees (Inside and Outside UAE)

Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing 

Investors: Safe City Group

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: November 09, 2022, 6:24 AM`