Top 10 Things to do in the UAE This Week

NEW! Friday Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
FROM Fri 13 Sep
One of Abu Dhabi’s newest hotels has finally launched its Friday brunch. Held in the Venetian-themed Ritz-Carlton’s all-day dining restaurant Giornotte, it’s an international affair. From Wagyu beef and sushi to French seafood and Middle Eastern faves, almost every part of the globe is covered. Desserts are served in the hotel’s own gelato and coffee shop, Dolce.
INFO: Dhs490 (bubbly), Dhs340 (house drinks), Dhs240 (soft drinks), Dhs190 (children 13-16), Dhs45 (children 4-12), 12.30pm-4pm, Khor Al Maqta’a, Abu Dhabi, 02 818 8282, www.ritzcarlton.com

Get Happy with Deepak Chopra
Tue 17-Wed 18 Sep
‘The healthiest response to life is joy; you must find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible; and don’t hold onto negative feelings by justifying why you’re right and someone else is wrong’ – these are three of Deepak Chopra’s mantras. Want more? The guru to the stars (including Oprah!) will be in Dubai to impart his knowledge on happiness at a seminar called Future of Wellbeing, before heading to Abu Dhabi to help business leaders reach their potential during a full-day workshop titled The Soul of Leadership.
INFO: Dhs150, Dhs380, Dhs570, Dhs1,000 (VIP), 6pm, Tue 17 Sep, Madinat Arena, Dubai; Dhs3,000, St Regis Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 9am, Wed 18 Sep, 04 366 2288, www.ticketmaster.ae

NEW! Go on a Luxury Yoga and Wellbeing Retreat
Thu 19-Sat 21 Sep
Talise Spa at Madinat Jumeirah is holding its first luxury yoga and wellbeing retreat. Celebs such as Britney Spears love yoga (she says it helps her handle stress) and this weekend includes a two-night hotel stay at Madinat’s Dar Al Masyar, as well as the yoga classes, full-Moon beach yoga and cooking classes with wellness chef Gabi Kurz.
INFO: From Dhs2,080, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, 04 366 6818, www.jumeirah.com/mjyogaretreat

NEW! Sample Bapas
Daily
Bored with tapas? Why not try ‘bapas’? It’s a twist on Spanish tapas, hailing from Belgium. The new restaurant of the same name has just been unveiled at Dubai’s H Hotel. Based on the idea of sharing dishes with a drink and friends, it’s the brainchild of Belgian restaurateurs Lars and Ronny Haesen, whose dad Ivan owns a booming bar and restaurant business in Belgium. 
INFO: 12pm-1am Sun-Thu, 11.30am-3am, Fri-Sat, The H Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 04 385 8881, www.h-hotel.com

Try Ladies’ Night at Al Manzil Hotel
Tue 17 Sep
In a twist on the usual ladies’ night format, girls get a free meal to the value of Dhs120 when spending Dhs50 on drinks.
INFO: 6pm-11pm, Al Manzil Hotel, Downtown Dubai, 04 428 5927, www.almanzilhotel.com

Enjoy a Thursday Floating Film
Thu 19 Sep
Watch a movie while floating on a lilo in the pool! This week’s flick is The Croods.
INFO: Free, 7pm, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, 02 558 8990, www.adgolfclub.com

Don Your Heels for Healey’s Ladies’ Night
Wed 18 Sep
Gather the girls and head to Healey’s Bar and Terrace at Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers to enjoy three free Belvedere bevs. Bottoms up!
INFO: 8pm-11pm, Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, 04 356 0533, www.bonningtontower.com

Buy a Book, Help a Cat
Fri 13 Sep
UAE charity Feline Friends is holding a book sale at Times Square shopping centre. Donations of books are welcome in advance.
INFO: Free, 9am-7pm, SRTE Market, Ground Floor, Times Square, Dubai, ffbooksales@gmail.com, www.felinefriends.com

Eat Like an Italian
Mon 16 Sep
Head to Italian Pasta night every Monday at Dante restaurant in Grand Millennium Dubai and indulge in delish appetisers, mains and desserts. We love the spaghetti alle vongole.
INFO: Dhs295 (house drinks), Dhs175 (soft drinks), 7pm-11pm, Sheikh Zayed Road, 04 429 9999, www.grandmillenniumdubai.com