Thu 1
Feed a giraffe
If you’ve always fancied celebrating Eid by feeding a giraffe but thought this dream would never become a reality, you’re in luck. Al Ain Zoo has introduced a new giraffe-feeding station, opening on the first day of Eid. Not keen on tall yellow animals? There are also camel rides and a petting zoo to enjoy.
Eid openings 10am-10pm. After Eid, the zoo will be open daily from 9am-8pm. www.awpr.ae.
Have a Lebanese Eid
Barouk has recently proven to be a notch above the rest when it comes to Lebanese food in Abu Dhabi, so head to their Eid party and indulge in great food, with entertainment by a belly dancer and oud player. Dinner or lunch Dhs250 including selected house beverages.
Crowne Plaza Yas Island, (02 656 3053).
Enjoy outdoor music
Café 28 at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club is having live music on the terrace every Thursday in September, and aren’t we glad to finally be out of the air-conditioning again.
From 7pm. Café 28, Abu Dhabi Golf Club (02 558 8990).
Feast with the family
In the market for some quality time with your nearest and dearest? You could do a lot worse than checking out the Eid family brunch at Sevilo’s, where adults can chow down on a huge international buffet while kids are kept quiet with clowns and video games.
From Dhs145 per person. Millennium Hotel (02 614 6000).
Fri 2
Get fit
Grand Millennium Al Wahda has fitness classes on every day of the week, so book yourself in for an easy-going workout. Best of all, the class fee includes access to the sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, so why not make an afternoon of it?
Grand Millennium Al Wahda (02 495 3831).
Get your brunch on
An entire month without a heaving international buffet to gorge on is simply too long. We’d recommend kicking off your post-Ramadan overindulgence at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, where a pricey cross-restaurant brunch packs in some truly exquisite dishes.
From Dhs249 per person. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr (02 654 3333).
Buy mascara, win other stuff
If you purchase three Maybelline products from selected Lifestyle stores, this month, you’ll be given a scratch card and the chance to win anything from Maybelline products to an iPad2 or Lifestyle gift vouchers.
Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society (02 644 9932).
Nominate a do-gooder
Entries are now open for the 2011 Abu Dhabi Awards – your chance to give something back to the good souls who go out of their way to make our community what it is. Know someone who deserves a big pat on the back?
Head to the nomination booth in your local mall, or visit www.abudhabiawards.ae to chip in.
Sat 3
Be a budget beauty
Special occasion coming up? Visit Tips & Toes, which has a deal on this month offering you a 25 per cent discount on a package that includes false eyelashes, a mani-pedi, a relaxing massage and more. You’ll look polished head to toe by the time they’ve finished with you.
Tips & Toes, various locations, call 04 399 0550 to book an appointment.
Do some shopping
Mushrif Mall has recently opened its doors, which makes the perfect excuse for an impromptu shopping trip. New Look, Frederick’s of Hollywood and Aldo should be your first ports of call.
Mushrif Mall (02 6500 533).
Dance in the sunset
Saturday night is Cuban Sunset night at Relax@12, so bring your Havanas and Havaianas, bounce on the grooves of resident DJ Chad Phunk and enjoy buy one get one free offers on selected drinks all night. 8pm. Relax@12, Aloft Hotel (02 6545138).
Get stuffed with sushi
Everyone likes all-you-can-eat offers, and we like them even better if sushi is involved. If you’ve been dreaming of piles and piles of raw fish, head to Soba tonight where you can have as much sushi, rolls, sashimi, noodles and soup as you like.
Dhs150. Soba, Le Royal Méridien (02 674 2020).
Sun 4
Eat some Asian food
Love South East Asian food? Noodle Box at The Yas Hotel has spiced up its menu. New offerings include cha sui bao, a sweet Chinese dumpling, and goong yung, a Thai red curry prepared with succulent prawns. Noodle Box, The Yas Hotel (02 656 0600).
Party into shape
Treadmills, steppers and exercise bikes don’t do it for you anymore? We may have just the solution. Abu Dhabi Golf Club is now offering Zumba, a calorie-burning dance fitness party to help you shed those extra pounds.
Dhs30 for members, Dhs50 for non-members. 7pm. Abu Dhabi Golf Club (02 558 8990).
Perfume your home
A new range of floral and fruity home scents from Archipelago Botanicals’ signature diffuser collection has just been launched at Lifestyle stores. Fragrances include Black Orchid, Jasmine Hibiscus, Mango Tangerine and Papaya Vanilla.
Lifestyle, Marina Breakwater (02 681 2284).
Book a staycation
Many of Abu Dhabi’s hotels are offering great stay and spa packages at the moment, so take advantage and treat yourself and a friend. Most stays include breakfast and a relaxing massage – bliss! And keep an eye out for our round-up of the best deals in next week’s issue…
Mon 5
Help your hair beat the humidity
Lee Stafford hair care has just launched new product Dry Shampoo Dark. A quick spritz will leave your hair as fresh as a daisy. What’s more, it won’t leave any white residue, so it’s perfect for those with darker tresses.
Dhs45. Available at Spinney’s.
Treat yourself to a top quality lunch
Frankie’s at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city, and right now you can drop in for a three-course business lunch for just Dhs125. And if that doesn’t seal the deal, nothing will.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr (02 654 3333).
Tease your brain
It’s time for Heroes’ first post-Ramadan pub quiz, so round up your least thick friends, charge your glasses and get set to answer questions on everything from ’80s pop to ancient Rome.
8pm. Heroes, Crowne Plaza (02 621 0000).
Take care of your skin
The brand new Merle Norman store in Mushrif Mall has a new line of creams and cosmetics in, so stock up now.
Mushrif Mall (02 650 0660).
Tue 6
Eat a mooncake
For the uninitiated, a mooncake is a celebratory Chinese pastry stuffed with everything from egg to marzipan. As you might have guessed, then, they’re a bit of an acquired taste, but fans will be pleased to hear that these gluttinous little guys will be served up for dessert as part of Shang Palace’s festive eight-course menu.
Dhs328. Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri (02 509 8888).
Eat a boat-load of mussels
Got a thing for meaty molluscs simmered in creamy sauce? Get thee to Belgian Café, where you can scoff as many of the shell-clad blighters as you like for a suspiciously generous Dhs120.
InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 666 6888).
Check out a new collection
Want to stand out from the crowd? Head to Grafika where new collections include shoes by Stylish Soulier, bags by Mahin Hussain, kaftans by Aswad and dresses by Momisa.
Grafika, Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7111).
Eat a half-price pizza
Know what’s better than authentic, crisp, heavily topped pizza? Authentic, crisp, heavily topped pizza that’s dirt cheap, that’s what. Drop into Spaccanapoli this evening and you can enjoy precisely that, with a 50 per cent discount between 4pm-7pm.
Crowne Plaza (02 616 6261).
Wed 7
Treat yourself to a new handbag
Juicy Couture has just launched a new range of handbags, all of which are just as glitzy and glam as you’d expect from the brand. Pick one up to brighten up your autumn wardrobe.
Marina Mall (02 443 8762).
See some samba
Tonight and tomorrow, Chamas’ Carnival de Rio will see a troupe of feather-clad samba dancers doing their posterior-shaking thing at the popular Brazilian restaurant and lounge. Clapping and whooping is fine, but just remember that it’s rude to stare.
InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 666 6888).
Get cheesy
If you fancy yourself a bit of a foodie, tonight’s Grape & Cheese night at Hawksbill is not to be missed. Indulge in a grand selection of cheeses from all over the world, accompanied by free-flowing red & white. Dhs110, The Hawksbill, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, (02 557 8000).
Bag a bargain lunch
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi is offering lunch specials for just Dhs50. Choose to grab a bite at Cho Gao, Spaccanapoli, The Garden or Cappuccino’s every weekday from noon-4pm.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Street (02 616 6122).
