Owner of Special Ostadi Restaurant Mohd Ali Ansari (middle) with his partners Taleb Ali Ansari and Majeed Ali Ansari at their restaurant in Bur Dubai. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
Owner of Special Ostadi Restaurant Mohd Ali Ansari (middle) with his partners Taleb Ali Ansari and Majeed Ali Ansari at their restaurant in Bur Dubai. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
Owner of Special Ostadi Restaurant Mohd Ali Ansari (middle) with his partners Taleb Ali Ansari and Majeed Ali Ansari at their restaurant in Bur Dubai. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
Owner of Special Ostadi Restaurant Mohd Ali Ansari (middle) with his partners Taleb Ali Ansari and Majeed Ali Ansari at their restaurant in Bur Dubai. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

A taste of the past


  • English
  • Arabic

When it comes to quality dining, there’s no shortage of venues in our cities. But it’s getting harder to find one where every guest is made to feel like a dear friend. Such was the case at Special Ostadi in Bur Dubai under the ownership of Mohammed Ansari, who died last week at the age of 83.

Special Ostadi was – and is – one of a kind, yet representative of the many establishments that one can still find offering a warm welcome from a genial owner. They feature menus with home-made specialities, and a unique decor that tells a story rather than a sterile look that could place you anywhere in the world.

It is becoming harder for such places to survive in an age of boilerplate fast-food joints and efficient yet impersonal service. It is easier now to take up a franchise than to create something distinctive that adds colour and texture to a community. We should embrace those that remain before they become a relic of history.

Profile

Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari

Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.

Number of employees: Over 50

Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised

Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital 

Sector of operation: Transport

THE BIO

Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain

Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude

Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE

Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally

Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science

Reputation

Taylor Swift

(Big Machine Records)

The biog

Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer

Marital status: Single

Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran

Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food

Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish

Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com

FIXTURES

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Friday
Saint-Etienne v Montpellier (10.45pm)

Saturday
Monaco v Caen (7pm)
Amiens v Bordeaux (10pm)
Angers v Toulouse (10pm)
Metz v Dijon (10pm)
Nantes v Guingamp (10pm)
Rennes v Lille (10pm)

Sunday
Nice v Strasbourg (5pm)
Troyes v Lyon (7pm)
Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain (11pm)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
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Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

UNSC Elections 2022-23

Seats open:

  • Two for Africa Group
  • One for Asia-Pacific Group (traditionally Arab state or Tunisia)
  • One for Latin America and Caribbean Group
  • One for Eastern Europe Group

Countries so far running: 

  • UAE
  • Albania 
  • Brazil 
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