Hospitality

INSIDE HAWKERBOI’S APPROACH TO MODERN MIXOLOGY

Published

2 months ago

June 24, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Exclusive interview with Maria Jose (MJ) Urmeneta, Bar Manager, Hawkerboi

You’ve done 15+ international takeovers across cities like Milan, Berlin, Singapore, and Marrakech, what’s one ingredient or technique that surprised you in a local bar culture?

One of the things I love the most about travelling is seeing how different cultures approach flavour in drinks. During a takeover in Marrakech, I was amazed by the way local ingredients, such as how preserved lemons and orange blossom were mixed with spices and used with incredible restraint. There was a real emphasis on balance and aromatics, allowing ingredients to express themselves naturally.

In Singapore, I was equally impressed by the level of precision and applied to fermentation and clarification techniques. Bartenders there are constantly pushing boundaries while remaining deeply respectful of local flavours and traditions. Those experiences reminded me that innovation doesn’t always mean adding more complexity. Sometimes it is about refining a process until every element serves a purpose. That’s something I’ve carried into my own work and continue to explore at Hawkerboi.

You’ve worked from Lima to Dubai to some of the world’s best bar scenes, what’s one “bar myth” about global mixology you now completely disagree with?

A common myth is that the most successful bars are always the most technically advanced. Early in my career, I thought that innovation was primarily about equipment, rare ingredients or complex preparations. After working across different countries and bar cultures, I’ve come to realise that is not true.
The best bars in the world succeed because they create genuine connections with people. Technical excellence is important, but guests don’t return because a drink was clarified six times or prepared using the latest piece of equipment. They return because they felt something. Whether it’s a memorable flavour, a conversation with the bartender, or a sense of belonging, hospitality is what transforms a good cocktail into a great experience.

You’re known for ingredient-led creativity, what’s a “weird but works” ingredient pairing you secretly love?
When creating the last hawkerboi menu I was researching about southeast asia ingredients and found Durian was something that people love. I wanted to create something inspired in the Indonesian street food market and found they have a mixed fruit juice called Jus Buah which is made with base of durian mixed with watermelon, pineapple and mango, so I tried to replicate it in a margarita style cocktail, mixed the fruits in between fresh fruits and flavored liqueurs, then milk-punched to soften the strong aroma and flavor of the durian but keep the essence on the taste.

If Hawkerboi’s bar had a personality, how would you describe it in three words, and why?

Bold, playful, and unexpected.

Bold because the flavours are magnetic. We aren’t afraid to use ingredients or take inspiration from different culinary traditions. Every drink is designed to make an impression while remaining balanced and enjoyable.

Playful because experimentation is a huge part of our culture. We take the craft seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. There’s always an element of fun in the way we approach menu development, presentations, and guest interactions.

Unexpected because we constantly look for ways to surprise people. Whether it’s through ingredients, flavour combinations, or storytelling, we want guests to discover something they didn’t anticipate when they sit down at the bar.

How closely do you collaborate with the kitchen team to ensure food and beverage feel like one unified story?

Collaboration with the kitchen is absolutely essential. Some of the most exciting ideas come from conversations that happen outside formal menu development sessions. We regularly exchange ingredients, discuss flavour profiles, and explore how a dish and a cocktail can complement one another rather than compete for attention.

At Hawkerboi, I see the bar and kitchen as part of the same creative department. If the Chefs are experimenting with a particular ingredient, spice blend, or preparation technique, I want to understand how that could inspire a drink. Likewise, ingredients we develop behind the bar can sometimes spark ideas for the kitchen.

The goal is to create a seamless guest experience where food and drinks feel connected by a common narrative. When that happens, guests may not consciously notice the details, but they feel us throughout their meal. Those are often the experiences that stay with people long after they leave, and that’s something we’re constantly striving to achieve.

Hospitality

NEW SIGNATURE BRUNCH EXPERIENCE LAUNCHES ACROSS DUBAI AND ABU DHABI

Published

16 hours ago

August 12, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Society UAE, the premier lifestyle dining destination, is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated new Brunch offer, going live across both its Dubai and Abu Dhabi locations on August 15th.

Society Unveils A Signature Brunch Across Dubai And Abu Dhabi

Served exclusively on Society’s signature wooden brunch board, the new offering is a meticulously curated feast crafted from the finest, freshest ingredients. Each board is designed to deliver a complete and balanced culinary experience, featuring one hearty main course, one freshly baked pastry, one savoury side dish, and one indulgent dessert. The selections of main dishes include a creamy roasted chicken and mushroom pie, truffle soft scramble on a warm croffle, and huevos rancheros. Desserts include a range of Society’s classic French Toast, Syrniki and creamy dessert cups by MAD Hospitality’s nostaligc dessert concept, HAZE. Fresh pastries include mini garlic bread, mini shio pan and almond croissant while guests can indulge in their favorite side dishes including french fries, chicken sausage or arugula salad. To complement the meal, guests can select one classic beverage of their choice, featuring premium coffee or fresh juice to savour throughout the brunch.

The wooden board concept is designed to be the ultimate centerpiece for social gatherings. Whether it is a relaxed weekend morning with the family or a long catch-up with friends, Society’ Brunch offers a communal, high-quality dining experience tailored for sharing and savoring.

Offer Details:

Launch Date: August 15, 2026
Locations: Society Dubai, Jumeirah 1 and Society Abu Dhabi, Al Mamsha, Al Saadiyat
The Menu: The signature wooden brunch board includes 1 Main, 1 Pastry, 1 Side Dish, 1 Dessert, plus 1 Classic Drink.
Pricing: AED 120 per board (including drink)
Availability: Saturday and Sunday from 8:00AM until 2:00PM
For reservations and more information, please call: +971 56 408 7099 for Society Abu Dhabi, and +97150 210 0096 for Society Dubai.

Hospitality

Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa Launches Seasonal “Taste of Summer Experience” in Abu Dhabi

Published

16 hours ago

August 12, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa has announced the launch of its Taste of Summer Experience, a new seasonal offering designed to combine exceptional dining with leisure, giving guests the perfect way to enjoy the summer months in Abu Dhabi.

The Season with the “Taste of Summer Experience” at Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa

Guests can choose from two distinct dining experiences at the resort’s signature restaurants, Azur and Wanasah, each offering its own unique summer experience.

Two Distinctive Culinary Experiences

The Azur experience is designed for guests looking to enjoy a leisurely afternoon at the resort before dinner. Guests can access the resort’s private beach and swimming pool from 3:00 PM, followed by a three-course dinner from 6:00 PM.

Azur Restaurant – AED 120 per person

Pool & Beach Access: From 3:00 PM

Dinner: From 6:00 PM

Enjoy a complete summer escape featuring:

Refreshing welcome drink
Complimentary access to the resort’s private beach and swimming pool
Three-course set menu

Appetizers

Burrata, Carpaccio Di Monza, Mushroom Soup

Main Courses

Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops, Ravioli Cream, Chicken Tarragon

Desserts

Tiramisu, Crème Brûlée, Apple Tart

Wanasah Restaurant – AED 120 per person

Dinner: From 5:00 PM

The Wanasah experience is a dining-only experience, offering guests an authentic Middle Eastern culinary journey from 5:00 PM onwards.

Appetizers

Hummus, Tabbouleh

Main Courses

Sayadieh Fish, Shish Kebab, Lamb Chop

Desserts

Halawat Al Jibn, Um Ali, Saffron Rice Pudding

A Summer Experience for Every Taste

With two different experiences and timings to choose from, guests can select the option that best matches how they want to spend their summer evening in Abu Dhabi.

For bookings, please direct them to F&B Reservations at +971 56 545 0274 or email fbsecretary.alraha@danathotels.com | Follow @alrahabeachresortandspa on Instagram to stay up to date with the latest offers and experiences.

Hospitality

Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf Rewards Long Summer Stays with 15,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points

Published

18 hours ago

August 12, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

This summer, Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf is rewarding its longest-staying guests with something worth settling in for. Guests who stay 30 nights or more will earn a bonus of 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

The offer lands as Dubai’s hospitality market leans further into longer-stay demand and within that expansion, hotel apartments have carved out a distinct niche: business travellers on extended assignments, relocating executives and families settling in for months at a time are increasingly choosing the flexibility of a private residence over a traditional hotel room, a shift that is prompting operators across the city to compete harder for the long-staying guest.

The timing is no accident as Al Jaddaf has recently completed a refurbishment across its residences, refreshing interiors while preserving the warm, residential character the property is known for. Every apartment now also features an in-unit water filtration system for premium drinking water, removing the need for single-use plastic bottles across the building, part of a broader push to make longer stays not just more rewarding, but more comfortable and more sustainable. Beyond the apartment door, residents find a fully equipped gym, two outdoor swimming pools, a Balinese spa, a beauty salon, an ATM and an on-site convenience store, along with five restaurants and lounges that carry them from a business dinner to a relaxed family meal to a quiet evening drink.

The bonus builds on rewards that already come with every stay. Across the Marriott Executive Apartments brand, guests now earn 5 Marriott Bonvoy points for every US dollar spent, while every night counts as one Elite Night Credit towards Marriott Bonvoy status. For those settling in for a month or a full season, a long stay in Dubai becomes a fast track to elite recognition across Marriott International’s portfolio of more than 10,000 hotels worldwide.

“Many of our guests choose to stay with us for months rather than nights, and this summer’s offer is a way of recognising that,” said Saad Al-Ghamdi, General Manager. “The longer a guest makes Al Jaddaf their home in Dubai, the more rewarding the stay becomes, both during their time here and across the wider Marriott Bonvoy programme.”

With monthly and yearly residency arrangements available, guests enjoy the flexibility of a private lease without the setup costs, the paperwork or the compromise on service that usually accompany it.

Set in the heart of Dubai with views over Dubai Creek and the city skyline, Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf sits less than 10 minutes from Downtown Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Airport. Its fully serviced one, two and three-bedroom apartments come with full kitchens, generous living and dining areas and dedicated workspaces, alongside twice-weekly housekeeping, 24-hour concierge and security, and in-room dining around the clock.