Note from the Founder - How to End The Year Right

How are we entering the last quarter of 2024?! The last quarter of the year always feels like an amalgamation of run ups to holidays, celebrations and school non-uniform days. And of course, for those in the UAE, it is when every expat's craving for nature and greenery is restored. 

Today's newsletter is going to be a little different. I often get asked about recommendations - whether it's for new restaurants, or things to do with kids, I love sharing hidden spots, and things I've tried and tested with my family. And not just that. The books I've read that I adored, or the show I felt as a mother resonated so hard. So here you'll find just that - read on for some current favourites.

First up is restaurants - so this one has generated a ton of buzz for a few months now, but it is hands down my favourite new launch in the city. If you are into Japanese food, Kokoro handroll bar in Al Serkal, is a must. I'm not a handroll girl, I find them too ricey and a little difficult to eat - but this is a very fresh take and not what you expect. Plus their sashimi and nigiri is unparalleled in freshness, quality and taste. They also have non-raw items which my children have loved. Pro-tip, go early or be happy to wait for up to 30-40 minutes at peak times, there is no way to reserve, but your meal will be worth it!

What I also loved in the new restaurant / bakery space is Bkry in Al Serkal. If you're into croissants this place is a must. I don't think I've had a flakier or crispier croissant, they arrive hot and crunchy - pro-tip, try the smashed pecan caramel croissant for a taste explosion that will blow your mind. Speaking of bakeries, not a new one, but one that is a staple for us at home when it comes to ordering fresh croissants and grilled sandwiches, Birch Bakery - I recommend trying the zataar grilled kashkeval cheese sandwich!

Now on to sweet treats. I finally took a trip to Meydan to visit The Honestry, one of my go-to cafe's for refined sugar free treats for my kids (and myself). Having ordered from them for 5 plus years, it felt great to finally see them in person, it's a tiny little cafe with enough space to seat around 8-10 people outside only, but the Mango sticky rice and the hot fudge almond crunch ice-cream sundaes made the 40 minute car journey worth it. If you're looking for a good option for a refinded sugar free, paleo deserts, these are incredible, still rich in butter that gives you a decadent feeling and flavour, but a little less guilt with the cleaner ingredients. Pro-tip, the cinnamon animal digestives are great lunchbox add-ons and the n-oreo pudding cups are to die for. 

Speaking of healthy grocers, I was surprised when speaking to a friend that's also into health and wellness that she hadn't come across Aleafia, an online grocer based in Dubai specialising in clean-foods from all over the world, most of the brands are well renowned and big in their respective countries. I've discovered many "cleaner" treats on the site for my kids (disclaimer, "clean" does not in anyway mean sugar free or fat-free, as opposed to popular belief). It's a great online grocer to scour if you're not familair with it and love healthier alternatives. 

Let's move to books, TV and Podcasts. Did anybody else Binge watch Nobody Wants This? It's been such a long time since I've watched anything that gives me all the 90s rom-com feels (think the feels of She's All That, the Mandy Moore era, Sex and the City). If you haven't watched it, now is the time. It is the perfect blend of relatability, humour and vulnerability - perfectly packaged into something that makes you fall in love with Adam Brody and Kristen Bell even more than you ever thought possible. Another TV show I binge-watched (which is very rare for me) was Tiny Beautiful Things on Disney+, which is adaptation of my all-time favourite book with the same title by Cheryl Strayed. I adored this series - it is heavy, and will make you cry as much as it makes you laugh, but what I loved about it most was how it makes you confront so much of your human-ness. A must watch, for anyone. 

I'm always reading 3-4 books on the go. I don't think it's a good thing, but it's become the only way I know how to get through books. What I recently devoured was The Laws of The Spirit World by Khorshed Bhavnagri. I'd highly recommend it to anyone already on a spiritual path, who wants to further their knowledge. I've heard mixed reviews about this book, but I personally found it fascinating, and for me, it combined many schools of thought I'd come across from great spiritual masters like Brian Weiss and Debbie Ford, all into one. What I was also recommended and am currently reading is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt and Before The Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, the first fiction books I've picked up in years. Will keep you posted.

I'm having a tough time with some of the Podcasts I used to love. Mainly because all the guests nowadays seem to be "doing the rounds" and you end up hearing the same guest on 4 different podcasts saying the same thing. However, I recently listened to Dr. Kay on Steven Barlett's Diary of a CEO podcast, which I found had a lot of interesting and thought provoking view points. It covers a plethora of sensitive issues related to our generation's addiction to social media, and subsequently dopamine hits, which make socialising much harder offline. It's a long one, but had many good takeaways. 

Shows in the UAE to watch out for in the coming months: Disney on Ice at the Etihad Arena (I did go last year, and would recommend it for the 2-7 year age range primarily, and of course any Disney lover), there is also the Roxie Nafousi Manifestation show happening at the Zabeel Theatre next week, and as we head into the festive period, there are several Christmas productions coming to the UAE, primarily showing at the Zabeel Theatre and the Dubai Opera, including productions of Elf and The Nutcracker. 

And finally, as the weather cools, everyone's thinking about Staycations. The UAE has become a breeding ground for entrepreneurial ventures within the hotel / experiential space, with so many unique experiences opening up all around. The ones I would recommend that you may not have heard of, for families are: Sir Bani Yas Island (great for animal lovers) Casa Mikoko (rustic, secluded, and full of the most beautiful nature you'll find in the UAE - check a reel I did on this place), Nara Escapes (think extremely luxury glamping), the Anantara Ras Al Khaimah, Bab Al Nojoum (I haven't personally checked out this place, but will do this season), and Hatta Sedr Trailers (spectacular nature and overall a cool experience) and the recently renovated Bab Al Shams (great for families). 

October onwards is really the time to enjoy all the beauty that the UAE has to offer. Happy mid-term break to all those off next week!

Roshni x