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What You Serve Your Family Should Be Good Enough for Your Guests

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Bordo Mavi

Exclusive interview with Chef Xaris Xygkakis, Bordo Mavi

How did your grandmother’s kitchen influence your culinary passion?

My grandmother’s kitchen was a haven of quality, far from the city’s hustle. We enjoyed the freshest produce and boldest flavors, creating meals that were simple yet profound. Though she wasn’t a professional chef, she taught me the true essence of cooking from the heart and the importance of generosity. Her belief that what you serve your family should be good enough for your guests has stuck with me. These invaluable lessons, rooted in love and care, are something you can’t always learn from professional chefs.

How will you incorporate your diverse culinary experiences into Bordo Mavi’s seafood menu?

Every cuisine offers unique styles and techniques that hold valuable lessons. From the vibrant ceviche of Peru to the Nordics’ minimalist approach and their delicate use of herbs to enhance fish, I’ve come to deeply respect these diverse traditions. At Bordo Mavi, I aim to blend the best of many worlds, ensuring that each dish honors its ingredients and the techniques that bring them to life.

Your career has spanned various cuisines and techniques, from Nordic to South American so how do you integrate these diverse influences into your current role at Bordo Mavi?

At Bordo Mavi, I blend extraordinary techniques from diverse cultures into our dishes. Take our ceviche, for example—we use ingredients from the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, creating a fusion that is both unique and respectful of the original methods. This approach allows us to honor tradition while crafting something truly special.

Can you share a few of your signature dishes that you’re excited to introduce at Bordo Mavi, and what makes them special?

I’m particularly proud of our new baby squid chickpea casserole, inspired by the Aegean. The ingredients harmonize beautifully, creating a delightful culinary experience. Another standout is the Nemo, our unique take on seabream, which truly captures the essence of the ocean and brings it right to your table.

Bordo Mavi’s menu features 200-year-old recipes, so how do you balance preserving these traditional dishes while introducing innovative culinary techniques and flavors?

Our goal is to honor tradition while keeping it vibrant and alive. When traditional recipes are altered too much, they lose their integrity and beauty. Any changes we make are done thoughtfully, preserving the essence of each dish. We want our guests to taste, feel, and experience these cherished traditions. True evolution comes from respecting, not overshadowing, tradition.

As August is the month of happiness, how do you ensure that the dining experience at Bordo Mavi brings joy and happiness to your guests?

We’re dedicated to sourcing only the highest quality, in-season ingredients. If something isn’t at its best, we simply won’t serve it. My grandmother instilled in me the belief that what we serve our family should be good enough for our guests. This unwavering commitment to quality ensures that every dining experience brings joy and happiness to our guests.

Hospitality

CELEBRATE TOGETHERNESS THIS RAMADAN WITH AL HALLAB’S IFTAR OFFERINGS

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Overhead view of AL HALLAB Lebanese dishes including stuffed vine leaves, hummus with chickpeas, fried spring rolls, a pita sandwich with fries, dates with boiled egg, and mixed appetizers served on patterned table.

This Ramadan, Al Hallab invites families and loved ones to come together over a generous and comforting Iftar experience inspired by time-honoured Lebanese traditions. Available across all three Al Hallab outlets and for delivery, the Ramadan offering is thoughtfully designed to celebrate togetherness with the flavours that define the holy month.

Guests can enjoy a full dine-in experience at any of Al Hallab’s three outlets, where tables are set with warm hospitality and a feast of Lebanese favorites. From comforting soups like Lentil, Chicken, or Mushroom, to cold appetizers including Hummus, Moutabal, Labneh, Fattoush, and Vine Leaves, every dish is prepared with care to celebrate the flavors of Lebanon. Hot appetizers, grilled skewers, daily mains, and fresh bread complete the spread, followed by a selection of premium Arabic sweets like Kunafa, Shaibeat, Othamlieh, Kunafa rolls, and fruits for dessert. 

For those who prefer to break their fast at home, Al Hallab also offers Iftar meal boxes for delivery, making it easy to enjoy a complete Ramadan meal in the comfort of your own space. Available for one, two, or four people, each Iftar includes dates to break the fast, comforting soups, traditional juices like Kamaredine and Jallab, a selection of cold and hot appetizers, daily main dishes, and a taste of Ramadan’s sweetest delights, including Kataef Walnut and Shaibeyat Ashta.

Al Hallab’s Iftar is more than a meal; it is an invitation to gather, share, and celebrate the blessings of Ramadan with loved ones. Whether enjoying the cozy ambiance of the restaurant or the comfort of home, every Iftar is a moment of joy, flavor, and heritage.

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Hospitality

LA VILLE HOTEL & SUITES ANNOUNCES THE REOPENING OF LOOKUP ROOFTOP BAR WITH A REFINED MEDITERRANEAN IDENTITY

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Nighttime cityscape view from LA VILLE HOTEL & SUITES showing the illuminated Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai skyline.

La Ville Hotel & Suites CITY WALK Dubai, Autograph Collection announces the reopening of its rooftop destination, LookUp Rooftop Bar,on 22nd January 2026. Reintroduced with a refined Mediterranean identity and a fully refreshed look, LookUp now offers a complete day-to-night experience that feels genuinely new, even for long- standing guests of the hotel.

Overlooking City Walk with uninterrupted views of the Burj Khalifa and the downtown skyline, LookUp has been reshaped into a rooftop destination with greater depth and purpose. By day, the space centres around its infinity pool and open terraces, offering a relaxed setting for guests to unwind, swim and spend time outdoors. A strengthened food offering now plays a central role in the experience, with a full Mediterranean-inspired menu featuring wood fired pizzas and fresh sharable dishes, designed for casual dining and longer stays.

As the day moves into evening, LookUp naturally shifts in energy. Guests can enjoy crafted cocktails, a considered music programme and live DJs, alongside a calendar of curated experiences including fashion showcases, brand collaborations and pop ups. Morning wellness sessions such as yoga and pilates further extend the rooftop’s use beyond traditional bar hours, creating a space that works across different moments of the day.

The refreshed LookUp is designed as more than a rooftop bar. It is a lifestyle destination that brings together leisure, dining and social connection in one setting. With its updated design, stronger menu focus and varied programming, LookUp offers returning guests a new way to experience a familiar space, while welcoming new visitors into the heart of City Walk.

The reopening will welcome hotel owners, Marriott leaders, media, partners and influencers, marking the next chapter for one of City Walk’s most recognisable rooftops. With ongoing collaborations across wellness, fashion and lifestyle, LookUp Rooftop Bar is positioned as a key social destination within City Walk, offering experiences from sunrise through to late night.

Michel Nader, Regional Vice President, UAE & Levant – Premium & Select, Marriott International commented: “The return of LookUp is both timely and emblematic of Dubai’s ever-evolving social landscape. With its revitalised Mediterranean-inspired concept, the destination seamlessly combines refined charm with enhanced hospitality, embodying the city’s affinity for sophisticated and vibrant nightlife. We are confident the relaunch of this popular venue will be appreciated by local residents and international visitors.” 

Roudi Soubra, Vice President – Asset Management, Dubai Holding, added: “LookUp has always been more than just a rooftop, it’s part of La Ville’s story and spirit. This reimagining represents our commitment to continuous evolution and to creating spaces that inspire connection, creativity, and joy. With its Mediterranean charm and breathtaking views, LookUp once again reflects the essence of Dubai: dynamic, sophisticated, and full of life.”

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Hospitality

RAMADAN IFTAR AT OASIS TERRACE & GARDEN, MÖVENPICK DOWNTOWN

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Iftar dessert and fruit buffet display at MÖVENPICK DOWNTOWN featuring assorted cakes, mini pastries, fresh fruit platters, and traditional Ramadan desserts arranged on a serving counter.

This Ramadan, Oasis Terrace & Garden at Mövenpick Hotel Apartments, Downtown Dubai invites guests to break their fast in a relaxed outdoor setting with a garden-style Iftar buffet designed for families, friends, and group gatherings.

The experience features authentic Arabian and regional favourites, complemented by interactive live cooking stations. Guests are welcomed with dates and water on arrival, followed by unlimited access to mezze, salads, hot mains, and signature Oasis desserts. Live stations include Shawarma, slow-cooked Ouzi, and BBQ specialities, alongside a dedicated dessert counter and mocktails with laban.

Set across the venue’s open-air terrace and garden, the Iftar offers a laid-back yet festive atmosphere ideal for both casual and corporate celebrations throughout the holy month.

With its combination of open-air seating, warm hospitality and thoughtfully curated buffet, Oasis Terrace & Garden offers a welcoming space to slow down and reconnect after sunset. The experience reflects the spirit of Ramadan, bringing together comforting flavours, shared plates and a setting designed for togetherness. Available throughout Ramadan 2026 (subject to official moon sighting, expected from 19 February 2026).

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