Tag Archives: mummy bloggers

Restaurant Week at The Armani Hotel Dubai | The Gourmet 10/10 week ending 10th October

If you have a moment for a spontaneous for a date night this week, it is worth checking out any of the restaurant outlets at the Armani Hotel in Dubai this week.

The hotel has launched this amazing concept ‘Gourmet 10/10‘ which will feature signature dishes at Armani Ristorante, Amal, Hashi and Deli.

My husband and I took the opportunity for a date night in the stylish, discreet and tranquil Armani Ristorante, the award winning fine dining Italian restaurant, under the supervision of Head Chef, Alessandro Salvatico.  Salvatico is one of Dubai’s most creative chefs and this was evidently cemented when he won the Best Hotel Chef award at the 2015 Caterer Middle East Awards.

Alessandro is definitely one of my favourite chefs in Dubai who is extremely talented and so passionate about his craft, and never seems to run out of innovative dishes in his kitchen.  His restaurant is regularly patronised by international celebrities who are seeking discretion and privacy but who are definitely seeking quality too, and it was evident by the high-profiled celebrities spotted at his restaurant last night.

I was very honoured to be invited into his kitchen to watch him and his team at work preparing some incredible dishes.  He is not afraid to experiment with interesting flavours including a risotto using the zest of a kaffir lime normally found in Thai dishes.  The plate was mouth-watering with an explosion of flavours.

If you are a foodie this is the perfect opportunity to try all the restaurants serving their best food at an incredibly competitive price of AED390 including soft beverages.  Alessandro served us a light dish of Calamaretti which is baby squid filled with king crab, tomato compote and lemon confit, followed by a unique tasting risotto capes ante with kaffir lime, and a main course of vitello, smoked veal, that was cooked to perfection – tender and full of taste.  The food taste as good as it looks, every morsel.

The food is exquisitely prepared and it has been worth going to bed past my normal bedtime.   Book now as the Armani Hotel restaurant week is one of Dubai’s best kept secret.

For restaurant reservations and enquiries:
Please call +971 4 888 3444 or email restaurant.reservations@armanihotels.com

www.armanihotels.com

How much is too much? | Do we go crazy with after-school activities in Dubai?

I am not judging anyone here as I don’t think I have found the right answer to my own question.  I think after-school activities are great, and in Dubai there has been a boom over the last 2 years of acting classes, children’s gyms, dancing classes, and other sports activities and the quality can compete with some of the offerings available in London and other major cities, but often with choice can come confusion too and it can be overwhelming at times for parents. A typical 4 year-old kid in Dubai can have swimming lessons, gymnastics, ballet, Maths lessons, violin lessons, in a week.  Is that right or wrong?  Everyone will tell you a very different opinion.

Perhaps when Dubai was lacking I felt better not having to make that choice all the time.  Then again, the problem that I face here in Dubai would be no different to any other parent in other major cities. There are moments when I think my children are over-pressured, and there are other moments when I think they should be striving for more.  Or is it my personal FOMO – Fear of Missing Out?

David Beckham, The Williams Tennis Sisters, and Tiger Woods are products of their parents support – kudos to their devotion.  But I know that’s not what I want for my children either.

Most mums feels panicky after a coffee morning with other parents at their respective schools – yes, there is always that ‘mum’ who brings out your mummy insecurities who relishes in in telling you how much she is doing for her child.  I am always cautious about keeping a strong lid on the natural tiger mum in me when I get the ‘fear’ that my children are not doing enough.  (I am from Singapore after all and raised by my tiger mum to whom I am grateful for the values she instilled in me).

The question is do I just let my children chill out at home after-school or discipline them, mould them and stimulate them with tutors and after school clubs?

I often ask mums with older or adult children especially those in Far East Asia about finding that balance.  For them, they don’t see the harm in keeping the children busy with activities, sports and homework – I agree, it keeps my children away from iPads and iPhones.  The children from Singapore and Hong Kong have been doing this hardcore system for years – it has always been the Chinese way.  I know, because I was one of them till I was 10 years old – I was part of a newer generation of kids who were worked from morning until night to achieve – tutors were common back in the 1980s in the Far East.  There are pluses and minuses as an adult of that system, one of my major downsides is that I don’t know how to relax or I feel guilty so I relish in work.  However, it has instilled in me a good work ethic which I believe is crucial as an adult.

There are mums from the Eastern Europe who fight hard to ensure their children attend a wide variety of classes because their children have opportunities that they didn’t have – I can definitely understand their point.  They had tough upbringings and they want to ensure their children have the best education money can buy.

If you speak to mums from Europe, they are much more laid back, and may enrol their child in one or two activities in the week.  Their kids are equally bright and may be more balanced later in life whilst the Asian children grow up as workaholics.  Some mums from the UK tend to sway towards Tiger Mum status these days  also wanting the best for their children as competition for the top schools in the UK is now at an all time high.

I grew up in the fast academic lane in the UK, and noticed years later that although most of my Far Eastern peers had became extremely successful lawyers, doctors and accountants, one thing lacking was my generation’s creativity and initiative – if it wasn’t in a timetable or in a box, per se, there was panic amongst them and they struggled to think out of the box.  The arts were lost and it took the next generation to bring it back as the system learned to strike a better balance between the arts and sciences.

Boarding school saved me from a robotic and over pressurised  childhood in the Far East – I picked up a lot of interests and activities when I was 10 years old like the flute and piano, started drama at 13 years old and was on every sports team from the age of 10 years old but at my own pace.  I was probably more ready than to take on more being slightly older.  Free time was also locked in to allow us time to roam, muck around and think for ourselves which my Far Eastern peers may not have had.  They allowed us to debate, to think, and to give our opinion respectfully.  They listened and showed us that we could make a difference.  After 100 years of looking after students at my old school, they found a balance between free time, academics and activities.

I think as parents we should discipline ourselves to give our children some free time.  That is an underestimated activity in itself.  I need to remind myself of that – to block that time, to protect it like I do the other paid activities, to let my children discover, explore and create or just be a kid.  My eldest is only 6 years old – there is still time, and it is more important for them to be home with us as a family, and to interact together as a unit.  Do I really care if my son isn’t the next Mozart?  No, not really.  So what is important to you when your child is an adult and aged 30? Do I care if my children as adults respect and love time together as a family? Yes, more than anything.

Travel | Extra ideas to pack away to entertain the children for those rainy afternoons abroad

We are heading East this summer (we are saving our location as a surprise), and there are high chances of monsoon so what to do with the children when it rains?  Whether you are heading East or facing rainy days in the UK, you will probably find it worth packing a few extra activities in your suitcase.  Also, for those travelling back to Europe or the US to catch up with friends, it will keep the kids entertained whilst you are catching up with old friends and family.

#Caterpillar Colour palettes

The compact art set has 87 pieces including colouring pencils, paint set with brush and much more and it only retails at AED70 for the set.  With the 4 children I can only imagine that we will be using this everyday of the holiday.

#A juggling set

I am trying to teach my 6 year old son how to juggle.  It is small, light and compact – for child size hands.  It will help with motor skills and can replace the need for kicking a ball indoors.  Also, my 4-year girl is learning to catch, and my 2-year old is very enthusiastically trying to copy his older sibling.  This little juggling set can really target those motor skills, and a great item for dad to show off his ‘amazing’ juggling skills.

#Travel Games

It’s a great way to have a laugh with the family, to chit chat, argue, fight, and to expand your children’s vocabulary to play traditional travel games.   We love our little playing card games sets that comes with dice.  It really helps the children visualise numbers, with their counting and co-ordination.  We have also included family favourites like snap, snakes and ladders and connect 4.

#Colouring placemats

I have found I can distract hungry children for 15 minutes with these colour placemats – they are great to bring to restaurants whilst waiting for your meals.  They are our alternative to IPADs.  There is a time and place for IPAD technology but we don’t ever believe in using them at the dining table – it’s important to teach your children ‘the art of conversation’.  Even if you have playdates with friends coming round it is really fantastic to keep them amused whilst dinner is still in the oven.

#Weekly Calendars

They are great for the holidays if you are not travelling.  You can plan out one or two activities chosen by the children, and some summer camps.  The Weekly Calendars come in an array of designs and perfect for super organised mums.

All these products are available at the following retailers.  Or please follow @pinakgeneraltradingdubai on Instagram.

Kinokuniya at Dubai Mall

Jashanmal at Mall of Emirates,

Favourite Things at Marina Mall,

Kids HQ at Barsha,

Caboodle at City Walk & Dubai Mall and Galleria Mall Abu Dhabi,

Choithrams (Umm Suqeim branch, Al Wasl branch, Marina branch, Green Community branch and DIFC)

Zoom (Hessa Street branch, South Barsha branch, Umm Ramool branch, Sheikh Zayed Road behind Rotana hotel, Tecom branch, Al Khail road towards Abu Dhbai, Nad Al Hammar, Mizhar branch, DAFZA, Burjuman metro station and the branch across the Latifa Hospital and both the branches at New bypass road (or the new Emirates road)).

Sharjah Ladies Club at The Collage Centre