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FOODICS LAUNCHES TABLE TALKS, A NEW HOSPITALITY FORUM SPOTLIGHTING THE REAL DATA BEHIND RESTAURANT GROWTH IN THE REGION

Published

4 months ago

June 19, 2026

Foodics, the leading restaurant management and payments technology platform in MENA, has announced the launch of Table Talks by Foodics, a new community-led initiative designed to bring together restaurant founders, operators, creators, and hospitality professionals for candid, insight-driven conversations about building and scaling successful restaurant businesses.

Built as an intimate, invite-only dinner series, Table Talks moves beyond traditional panel formats to create space for honest dialogue inside the environments where hospitality brands are actively being built. Each edition will spotlight a founder’s journey alongside real operational insights, bridging storytelling with data-backed business reality.

The inaugural edition took place at Lila Molino in Alserkal Avenue on Thursday 18th June and featured chef and entrepreneur Shaw Lash, founder of Lila Taqueria and Lila Molino. Guests gathered inside the concept’s working production kitchen for an evening focused on entrepreneurship, craft, and the realities of scaling independent hospitality brands.

Shaw Lash’s journey has become one of Dubai’s most compelling modern hospitality stories. After leaving a corporate career, she launched Lila Taqueria in 2023, a wood-fired taqueria built around heirloom Mexican corn and traditional techniques. She went on to expand the concept with Lila Molino in 2024, an all-day dining space, coffee roastery, concept store, and in-house masa production unit, followed by Tacos Caminos in 2025. With Foodics supporting operations across every stage of growth, the brands have evolved into a thriving independent restaurant group built on consistency, craft, and operational discipline.

As part of the inaugural Table Talks session, Foodics shared exclusive insights into Shaw Lash’s growth journey, showcasing how technology has supported the evolution of the business from a single restaurant into a three-brand, five-location group in just three years. Since launching Lila Taqueria in 2023, followed by Lila Molino in 2024 and Tacos Caminos in 2025, the group has processed more than 85,000 orders through the Foodics platform.

During the event it was highlighted how access to real-time operational and customer data has enabled smarter decision-making and sustainable growth, with Lila Molino recording a 98% year-on-year increase in orders between 2024 and 2025 from a single location alone. This growth has been supported by Foodics’ integrated platform, which connects POS, sub-cashier stations and delivery app orders into a single system, providing a complete view of business performance.

Attendees also gained insight into customer purchasing behaviour through the brand’s top-performing menu items, with Chips, Salsas & Guacamole serving as a key entry-point dish, while signature favourites continue to drive repeat visits. Some menu items saw demand increase by more than 400% in a single month, highlighting the value of data-led menu optimisation. Today, Lila Molino accounts for over 54% of the group’s lifetime orders, demonstrating how operational discipline and technology can drive growth beyond physical expansion.

“Table Talks was created to bring our community together and uncover the stories behind successful hospitality brands and the decisions that drive their growth. Shaw’s journey highlights that scaling a restaurant business, while it all starts with a great concept, requires operational discipline, consistency, and the ability to make informed decisions at every stage. By sharing these experiences openly, we hope to create meaningful conversations and practical learning opportunities for the wider industry,” says Belal Zahran, Chief Revenue Officer of Foodics.

“Through this initiative, we want to highlight the real mechanics of growth in hospitality, the decisions, the systems, and the numbers that sit behind the guest experience.” He adds.

The launch of Table Talks reflects Foodics’ broader commitment to supporting the hospitality ecosystem beyond technology, by fostering knowledge-sharing and bringing together the people shaping the future of dining in the region.

Table Talks by Foodics will continue as a recurring series, convening hospitality founders and operators every few months for open, honest industry conversations.

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MOON BAR UNVEILS ECLIPSE AT MOON: A HALLOWEEN KARAOKE & AFTERPARTY IN DUBAI

Published

2 days ago

October 19, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

This Halloween, MOON Bar at SANA Restaurant invites Dubai’s night owls to step into the shadows for ECLIPSE AT MOON, an immersive evening of karaoke, themed cocktails, dance entertainment and a DJ afterparty on Saturday, 31 October.

Set within the intimate speakeasy at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, Madinat Jumeirah, the event promises a playful take on Halloween nightlife, bringing together music, friendly competition and a dramatic eclipse-inspired setting.

The evening begins at 9:00 PM with open karaoke, inviting guests to take the microphone and perform their favourite tracks, from Halloween classics such as Michael Jackson’s Thriller to crowd-pleasers including Disturbia and Toxic. Those who prefer to share the spotlight can join the Scary Duet round, while competitions for Best Costume, Best Karaoke Performance and Best Duet add a competitive edge to the night. A secret guest appearance during karaoke will offer an additional surprise.

Special dance performances will build the energy throughout the evening before the focus shifts to the dance floor at 11:00 PM, when the DJ afterparty begins. The celebration continues until 2:00 AM, accompanied by atmospheric lighting and eclipse-inspired visuals.

The venue will be transformed with silver eclipse details, dark florals and moody lighting, creating a sophisticated Halloween setting. Costumes are encouraged but not compulsory. Guests looking for a subtler approach to the theme can opt for black, silver, charcoal grey, midnight blue or deep burgundy.

Food and drinks remain part of the experience, with SANA’s à la carte menu available at MOON throughout the evening, alongside specially created Halloween cocktails.

Whether guests are ready to take the stage, compete for the best costume or simply settle in for dinner, cocktails and late-night music, ECLIPSE AT MOON offers a Halloween night out with a distinctive speakeasy atmosphere.

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A Coffee and Macaroon Affair Acacia Lounge

Published

5 days ago

October 16, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

This October, Acacia Lounge at Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection invites guests to enjoy a simple yet indulgent pairing of expertly brewed coffee and a delicate pink macaron.

Bathed in natural light and offering a relaxed setting, Acacia Lounge provides the perfect spot to pause and unwind over a freshly prepared coffee, accompanied by a petite pink macaron.

Available daily throughout October, the experience is priced at AED 38 per person. Date & time: Daily – throughout the month of October | 7:30am – 10:30pm | Price: AED 38 per person | Place: Acacia Lounge, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection

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Sunsets to Spooky Season: The October Line-Up at The WB™ Abu Dhabi

Published

5 days ago

October 16, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Sunset cocktails on the rooftop, steakhouse nights, Saturday brunches that carry on into DJ sets, and a one-night-only Halloween edition of Vista Latina on 30 October: October at The WB™ Abu Dhabi is filling up the week. Teachers can also unwind with 50% off spa treatments every Sunday.

Friday, 30 October: Vista Latina: Halloween Edition at The Overlook

The Ibero-Latin menu moves from ceviche, empanadas and arepas to chicken tamal, Caribbean seafood soup and birria tacos, finishing with a selection of Latin-inspired desserts. A live singer and pianist duo, joined by a percussionist, will play throughout the evening.

Date: Friday, 30 October 2026
Time: From 7:00 PM
Price: AED 199 per person with soft beverages; AED 299 per person with house beverages and cocktails for three hours
Venue: The Overlook

Every week at The WB™ Abu Dhabi

Tuesdays: Ladies’ Night at The Overlook

The Overlook celebrates its Leading Ladies every Tuesday from sunset, with expertly crafted cocktails. AED 50 for three drinks and 25% off the à la carte menu. 6:00 PM–9:00 PM.

Thursdays: Gents Club at The Director’s Club

Premium steaks, cold draughts and easy conversation in the restaurant’s relaxed cinematic steakhouse setting. Created primarily for gents, the evening includes one signature main, two portions of seasoned fries, a condiment trolley and three draught beers for AED 199 per person. 5:30 PM–11:00 PM.

Thursdays: Wine & Charcuterie Soirée at The Overlook

Free-flow charcuterie and wine with rooftop views for AED 169 per person. 7:00 PM–9:00 PM.

Saturdays: Brunch at The Director’s Club and After Brunch at The Overlook

Saturday Brunch at The Director’s Club brings live entertainment, premium cuts, desserts and a selection of beverages from 1:00 PM–4:00 PM. Packages are AED 320 per person with soft beverages, AED 399 with house beverages, AED 460 with premium beverages and AED 599 with bubbly. From 4:00 PM–6:00 PM, starting 3 October, After Brunch at The Overlook continues the day with rooftop views, live DJ beats and two hours of free-flow house beverages including beer, wine, bubbles, spirits and cocktails. After Brunch is AED 119 per person for Director’s Club brunch guests and AED 169 for walk-in guests.

Sundays: Sunday Roast at The Director’s Club

Roast meat, golden vegetables and gravy from 1:00 PM–4:00 PM. AED 225 per person with soft beverages, AED 340 with premium beverages and AED 440 with bubbles.

Sundays: Relaxation Is the New Curriculum at The A-List Spa & Health Club

Teachers receive 50% off 60- or 90-minute spa treatments every Sunday from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, from 27 September to 27 December 2026. A valid teacher ID is required and advance booking is recommended. Terms and conditions apply.

For reservations or enquiries:
For dining reservations, please email dine.thewbabudhabi@hilton.com or call 02 815 0000 . For spa reservations, please call 02 815 0000 or email spa.thewbabudhabi@hilton.com.