Even without a ticket in hand, you can soak up the atmosphere of all the F1 action – and in some cases see the race – by scoring a seat in one of these restaurants. But don’t wait – they’ll surely sell out by the time the races start.
• The Grand Prix Brunch Feast on an all-inclusive gourmet brunch in the Marina Suites at Yas Marina Circuit on Friday from 11am to 4pm. But the bonuses start a day earlier. In addition to a Friday-brunch ticket, which includes unlimited food and beverage, a seat for F1 practice sessions 1 and 2 and admission to the Friday after-race concert with the Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren, you'll also get two tickets to the Thursday post-race concert, featuring performances by the Emirati singer Fayez Al Saeed and last year's Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf. Plus you get free parking and access to all entertainment areas and the F1 village. Brunch tickets are Dh1,495 per person. Limited availability. For reservations, call 02 659 9800.
• ROKU The Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi and The Podium Lounge have teamed up to bring ROKU, a Japanese pop-up restaurant. ROKU will feature a three-course post-race dinner from Thursday to Sunday. Dinner runs from 7pm to 10pm and includes admission to The Podium Lounge from 10pm onward. Thursday, Dh1,000; Friday and Saturday, Dh1,200; and Sunday, Dh1,400. For reservations, call Yas Viceroy reservations 02 656 0600.
• Cipriani Yas Island Take in a view of the racetrack while enjoying a meal at the famed Italian restaurant Cipriani. The restaurant boasts large windows and wrap-around terraces, allowing diners a clear view of the cars. Extended hours this weekend means food service begins at noon and the kitchen will take orders until 2am. Bookings are recommended. The restaurant will also feature hand-rolled cigars by Virginia Viga, a famous cigar roller. For reservations, call 02 657 5400.
• The Rich List Abu Dhabi at Rush, Yas Viceroy If you've got money to burn, this one's for you. Rush is the only nightclub in the world built over an F1 racetrack. You'll get table service in a restaurant setting and a private viewing area above the track. The day experience runs from 12.30pm to 8pm, while the evening experience runs from 10.30pm to 4am. The minimum spend per table starts at Dh5,000. But it increases (depending on view and table location) up to Dh25,000 for the super VIP tables. Available Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Expect DJs, headline acts and appearances from A-list celebrities as part of the package. For reservations, call 052 942 8161.
Trackside spots
Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi is the only hotel in the world that’s on a Formula One racetrack. And there are plenty of places to eat inside. Here are our three top picks:
• Origins This international restaurant is just steps inside the hotel's front doors and offers trackside views. Origins will offer a lunch and dinner buffet with indoor or terrace seating. On Thursday, it's Dh550 no matter where you sit. On Friday and Saturday, indoor seating is Dh550 and terrace seating is Dh750. On Sunday, the indoor lunch is Dh750 and terrace seating is Dh950. For dinner, indoor seating is Dh950 and terrace seating is Dh1,950. Lunch is from noon to 3pm. Dinner is from 4pm to 8pm. For reservations, call 02 656 0600.
• Kazu This robatayaki grill will serve up all things Japanese on Thursday and Friday. Lunch and dinner will be served on both days with an à la carte option on Thursday and a set menu for Dh480 on Friday. Kazu is closed Saturday and Sunday. Lunch from noon to 3pm; dinner from 4pm to 8pm. For reservations, call 02 656 0600.
• Latitude Latitude normally offers simple snacks but this weekend, the rooftop pool lounge will offer guests an all-inclusive Tex-Mex buffet with live cooking stations. Lunch from noon to 3.30; dinner from 4pm to 8pm, Dh350. For reservations, call 02 656 0600.
sjohnson@thenational.ae
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
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UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
