Fiesta de Tapas at: Vista Bar & Terrace, Intercontinental Dubai Festival City

What

The Intercon’s overlooked lounge bar Vista has launched a brand-new, lazy Saturday brunch package, Fiesta de Tapas, promising traditional Spanish snacks, drinks and live Latino rhythms.

The atmosphere

Part in and part outdoors, Vista lives up to the name with a pleasant terrace offering chill-axing creekside views of the Downtown skyline, some epic dhows under construction on the neighbouring bank, and the inevitable haze of cranes. Stick around until after sunset if you want to catch Festival City’s new Imagine sound and light show, which takes place in the waterside to the left.

Throughout the brunch a decent vocal and percussion duo livened things up with a setlist which veered from traditional salsa to inventible Enrique covers. Despite the volume, this never crept beyond a background hum – not once did did we spot a diner turn from their plate and take to the dancefloor.

The food

The small but pristinely presented food selection is evenly spread across five themed areas – and we’d suggest taking them one at a time, and in order. Start at the ceviche station for a quick seafood kick before moving onto the irresistible expanse of bread-based tapas (don’t miss the goat’s cheese) and anitpasti (check the tinned mussels). Linger here for a second round, then next hit the live station serving excellent, fresh shrimp and beef soft tacos to your table (we’d take one of each). Leave adequate space for the expansive, indulgent selection of cheeses, cold cuts and desserts.

Who is it for?

Anyone who likes to spend their Saturdays indulging in a leisurely, munching session with friends – and that’s us.

The verdict

After surviving dozens of buffets where size seems to be the only objective, it was refreshing to see such a clear-sighted concept executed so effectively executed. ¡Muy bien!

Bottom line

Saturdays 2pm-5pm, Dh150-250. Vista Bar & Terrace, Intercontinental Dubai Festival City (reservations 04 7011127/28 or restaurantreservation.dfc@ihg.com). www.diningdfc.com.‎

The National was a guest of the restaurant

rgarratt@thenational.ae

Kalra's feat

Becomes fifth batsman to score century in U19 final
Becomes second Indian to score century in U19 final after Unmukt Chand in 2012
Scored 122 in youth Test on tour of England
Bought by Delhi Daredevils for base price of two million Indian rupees (Dh115,000) in 2018 IPL auction

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch

Power: 710bhp

Torque: 770Nm

Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds

Top Speed: 340km/h

Price: Dh1,000,885

On sale: now

Anxiety and work stress major factors

Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.

A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.

Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.

One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.

It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."

Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.

“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.

“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."

Daniel Bardsley