Summer in the UAE – it’s not all about DVD box-sets, board games and brunches. As the heat rises, so does the desire for a house party!
Dos and don’ts
Do go posh with invites – digital and foil printing techniques mean that you can get the look of embossed invitations at a fraction of the cost.
Do think outside the box with themes – Vicars and Tarts is tired.
Do hang ’em high – hang decorations from curtain rails and ceilings…anything below eye level is pointless at packed parties.
Don’t try too hard with the canapés: people will always prefer mini burgers and cupcakes to anything in Heston Blumenthal’s book.
Don’t get too ridiculous with ideas – knife-throwers, fire-eaters and other daredevil specialists are best left to the confines of a circus big top.
Don’t have ice sculptures made for your party – aside from the fact they would turn to mush in under a minute in the UAE heat, they’re just wrong.
Ask the experts
Abu Dhabi’s hotels, bars and restaurants aren’t just a great source of inspiration when it comes to planning the perfect party; most offer their services for outside catering and the creation of tailored menus, waitressing/bar tending, entertainment and equipment rental.
• Etoiles restaurant and club (02 690 9000) is an old pro when it comes to parties, having catered for the likes of George Michael, Alicia Keys, Shakira and Rihanna. They’ll put together fancy picnic hampers – great for a summer garden party (providing you have plenty of fans hidden between the foliage).
• With dishes created in the essence of their various restaurants, such as the American steakhouse Rodeo Grill, popular Indian restaurant Indigo and seafood specialist Finz, Beach Rotana (02 697 9000) offers a varied selection perfect for themed parties.
• From exclusive wine tastings with a sommelier to cocktail demonstrations; fancy theme nights, barbecues, and buffet dinners for up to 1,000 people, the Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 681 1900) has the full range of catering options covered. You can even hire one of the hotel’s chefs to cook for you and your guests in your own kitchen (whether you choose to reveal the secret to your expert culinary skills is up to you).
• A quick scan of the menu at Lavanda Bakery and Café (linked to Abela Supermarket in Al Khalidiyah; 02 667 4200), reveals plenty of party food inspiration. Traditional Arabic starters, chunky sandwiches, and signature muffins and cakes have garnered good word-of-mouth and restaurant manager Osama Kamel is happy to put together a selection of your favourites for your own soiree at home.
• If you’ve got the savoury sorted and are looking for the sweet, head to Lorenzo Chocolate & Patisserie (Al Nasr Street; 02 631 0303) for customised cakes, miniature biscuits and a kaleidoscopic array of chocolates from France, Switzerland and Belgium to rival anything Willy Wonka could produce. And not forgetting of course, Choco-La, the Shangri-La’s very own chocolatier (02 509 8527) and the Chocolate Gallery (02 654 3333) – the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr’s one-stop-shop for chocolatey decadence, from mouth-watering fondues to cakes, truffles and pralines.
Let them eat cake
Sex and the City fans believe the cupcake craze was kick-started by the show’s characters Carrie and Miranda in a scene in which they dissect their love lives outside New York’s now famous Magnolia Bakery, while stuffing their faces with its gooey wares. It may have been even more implausible than many other story lines (as if they would ever eat carbs), but suddenly cupcakes were cool. And thanks to the colourful icing combos now being offered by some of the region’s favourite cupcake makers, they stack up nice at a party too.
• Cupcakes Passion for Taste This Abu Dhabi-based cupcake creator is a favourite with the locals.
(050 997 8744; www.passionfortaste.com)
• Sugar Daddy’s Now a UAE institution, Sugar Daddy’s cupcakes are considered among the very best. Dhs5 each for mini cupcakes, Dhs12-15 for regular.
Corniche Road, Beach Area 1, Abu Dhabi (050 182 9075; www.sugardaddysbakery.com)
• Kitsch Cupcakes The Dubai-based Kitsch was the first speciality cupcake bar to open its doors in the UAE and offers over 16 flavours including the cult Red V, the peanut better-based Funky Monkey and the signature Nutella cupcake. Dhs154 for a box of 12 cupcakes (including one free).
Delivery to Dhabi for Dhs250; (04 395 6963; www.kitschconcept.com)
• Cupoof Cupcakes The creation of pastry chef Panda Al Iskandarani, Abu Dhabi-based Cupoof Cupcakes offer classics including vanilla, chocolate and strawberry with coloured or cream cheese frosting. From Dhs6-Dhs15 each; minimum order of 10/maximum 100. Order three days in advance, Dhs10 for delivery within the city and Dhs15 outside of Abu Dhabi (ie Khalifa City).
(050 660 6964 / 050 942 0922) or email cupoof.cupcakes@gmail.com
• Magnolia Bakery New York’s finest (and Carrie Bradshaw’s favourite) baker of high-fashion cupcakes. Speciality flavours include the Hummingbird (sweet cream cheese icing), Sno-cap (devil’s food cupcake with peaks of meringue icing) and Banana (caramel-filled cupcake with caramel meringue buttercream). Dhs12 for speciality cupcakes and Dhs10 for vanilla/chocolate classics.
Batch orders are available for collection. Inside Bloomingdales, The Dubai Mall (04 350 5333) www.magnoliabakery.com
Help is at hand
Event Organisers
Couture Events 04 364 2077; www.coutureevents.ae
Events R Us 02 645 6605; www.events-r-us.net
Harlequin Marquees 04 347 0110; www.harlequinmarquees.com
Embrace flower power
French President Nicolas Sarkozy was told to trim his flower bill down last year after it was revealed he spent over Dhs3,000 a day on bouquets. While you may not share Sarkozy’s passion (or expendable budget) for freshly cut flowers, most people agree that a few tasteful displays add a classy touch to a party. Denise Flowers (Airport Road, Abu Dhabi; 02 622 0902 www.deniseflowers.com) will be happy to kit your home out with your favourite flora. Or head to Piece of Art Flowers & Gifts (Al Nasr Street, Abu Dhabi; 02 632 2111), whose Alice in Wonderland-style shop is filled with hanging decorations, fancy pots, sculptures and artificial flowers, which they use to create bespoke centerpieces for parties and events around the city.
Snap happy
All good parties should end up on Facebook, so hire a photographer, or leave plenty of disposable cameras around. Lisa Lundqvist is a British freelance photographer with a studio in Khalifa City – her family portraiture and wedding photography is popular with both the local and expat community. (050 790 9774)
The music men
House DJ Cliff Townley is a regular on the Abu Dhabi party circuit, spinning tracks at venues across the city. To hire Cliff (or one of his DJ colleagues who can play anything from old classics to R’n’B and hip hop), contact him on 050 701 4162.
Online inspiration
www.quickabudhabi.com: flowers, gourmet gift hamper’s, chocolates and cupcakes, delivered to your door.
Countdown to kick-off
There’s no escaping the FIFA World Cup – and why would you want to?
…It only happens once every four years after all! If you don’t fancy joining the rest of the world’s supporters in bars and restaurants around the city, add a football theme to your own party. Turn your lounge into a supporter’s paradise with Lazy Boy chairs, temporary TV screens and take-out. Although burgers and fries from your favourite fast-food chain will suffice, why not theme your half-time snacks according to match fixtures? Nachos and fajitas for Mexico, pasta and pizza for Italy, bratwurst and pretzels for Germany…you get the gist. For flags and decorations, head to the Party Centre (Al Raha Mall; 02 556 5563), where you’ll also find those classic, Rudi Voller-style ‘mullet’ wigs.
Make your own mocktail
Gergely Peto, assistant restaurant manager of Cho Gao, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi serves up two classic mocktail recipes
Apple of My Eye
• 2 oz apple juice
• 1/3 oz blackcurrant syrup
• 1 oz whipping cream
• Blend briefly with a glassful of crushed ice, and serve in an old-fashioned glass. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Coconut Kiss
• 1 oz cream
• ¾ oz coconut cream
• 1 ½ oz cranberry juice
• 1 dash grenadine syrup
• 1 ½ oz pineapple juice
• Shake over ice cubes in a shaker. Strain into a large highball glass over crushed ice, garnish and serve
