Bid adieu to the summer heat of August and welcome the subtle cooler climes of the autumn months.

While the weather gradually falls to ‘almost bearable’, the UAE again opens its arms to many must-dos and happenings for September as the humid climate dissipates.

From luxury escapades to the Arabian desert to the latest fashion drops, September promises a whirlwind of glamour and indulgence.

As always, GRAZIA brings you the must-knows to stay ahead.

INDULGE IN A SUITE SLEEP

If event season has got you feeling worse for wear and you’re surviving on espressos and eye patches (we feel you), The Rosewood Abu Dhabi has the perfect antidote: the Revive in Retreat package. Until September 30th, indulge in a 3-day escape of pure relaxation. Enjoy luxurious accommodation, soothing spa treatments and rejuvenating IV therapy. Enhance your sleep with the Dream Catcher Massage and sound healing session, then balance it with personal training, yoga and access to Saadiyat Beach Club. You’ll leave feeling like a new person. Promise. For reservations: www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/abu-dhabi

The Wine Paring Series at Avli by tashas

Set to immerse your senses on September 12 with the launch of the Tashas Group x MMI Wine Pairing Series. Marking the grand beginning of a quarterly collaboration, the Wine Pairing Series at Avli will offer you exquisitely curated wine selections by top sommeliers paired with Tashas’ elevated dining experiences priced at Dhs595. As they extend beyond the traditional, attendees will be entered into a draw for an opportunity to win an all-expenses paid trip to exclusive wine estates across Greece, Italy or South Africa. For reservations www.avlibytashas.com

A Midday Affair

Wallow in Downtown Dubai’s newest Italian bistro, TOTÓ Vini e Cucina, for a midday meal that pledges to keep your afternoon flavourful with its La Tavolata Business Lunch. Offering a mouth-watering menu that’s been curated from page to page, TOTÓ offers your noontime indulgence from Monday to Friday 12pm-4pm for Dhs130. From delectable starters to main course meals like the Fettuccine alla Vaccinara that oozes in your mouth, to an array of sommelier selections of fine grapes. For reservations https://www.sevenrooms.com

Arabian Nights at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

While daytime escapes are the usual practice, Qasr Al Sarab offers a different take to appreciate the dunes of Abu Dhabi. As hot days are past us, cooler nights are our friendly reminder to experience the true Arabian life, and none does that better than Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara which offers a luxurious spin. From mystical late-night walks, stargazing and a foot in your own pool villa for the ultimate rejuvenation. For reservations: www.qasralsarab.anantara.com

The New It-Girl Bag: Versace Kleio

Transitioning from summer accessories to autumn, Versace adds the Kleio to its iconic line of Medusa ’95s to its roster of warm leather and pillowy silhouette bags. A statement of versatility for your autumn wardrobe, the Kleio bag’s signature edge and butter-soft nappa plongé leather will bring your outfit endeavours of the demure fall to its full potential.

Break A Sweat

Celebrating its 4th anniversary on September 7th, Boxica, located in Studio City, is making its step into a new look. With the relaunch of the boxing studio, Boxica enters the scene again with innovative routines and new advanced features to elevate your workout session. Packed in with a Guest DJ, the white-only attire day ensures you celebrate with a kick of energy.

French indulgence at La Petite Maison

Starting the season unveiling new additions to their menu, La Petite Maison (LPM) invites you for an indulging afternoon with their Business Lunch menu that offers an enthralling set of fresh flavours. Available on weekdays from 12pm to 3:30pm, LPM extends their menu into two categories. Le Petite Menu for Dhs135, which offers a selection of two-course meals, and La Grand Menu for Dhs180, which provides a more immersive assortment of delicacies. Savour the new seasonal starters such as the refreshing Cured Salmon Carpaccio with Grapefruit Jelly and accordingly delight yourself in the flavorful Baked Seabream with Confit Potato main course meal.

Beach Club Season

While the sweltering heat made Dubai’s beach club scene to temporarily close down, September revives the season with Verde Beach opening its doors on the 16th. Bringing St. Tropez to Dubai once again, Verde Beach, located in Jumeirah Beach Hotel, is set to bring its dreamy sandy ambience, elegant à la carte and beachside dining experience back to the hub as the climate cools down.

Meet The Rimowa ‘Orignial’ Bag

Blending functionality with timeless elegance, RIMOWA unveils the Original Bag, a standout addition to its iconic Original Collection. Marrying the brand’s signature aluminium design with reimagined versatility, this bag transitions effortlessly between a handbag and cross-body. Its masterfully crafted frame, adorned with sleek, rounded edges, exemplifies RIMOWA’s unmistakable aesthetic. Elevating innovation further, the bag is equipped with a RIMOWA-pioneered button mechanism, showcasing the brand’s commitment to cutting-edge design without compromising its heritage. Shop it now in The Dubai Mall or at rimowa.com/ae/. 

COUCHER DE SOLEIL experienCe

Stirring excitement back, Twiggy, the timeless Mediterranean restaurant and lifestyle beach club, invites you to experience the glimmering sunset with a touch of luxury as we bid farewell to summer. Every day from 5pm, bask yourselves in the golden glow of the sun with the Riveria-inspired beach club and indulge in the well-thought-out menu that graces classic Mediterranean dishes to exquisite Japanese sushi platters.

A Taste of France Coming To Dubai

Dubai is never short on French cuisine, but Frou Frou is set to elevate the experience at The Lana Promenade. Opening this September, Frou Frou promises to bring the joie de vivre of Paris to the heart of Dubai. Imagine classic French dishes served in a lush and contemporary bistro that romantically reminisces Paris—exactly what chef Leonid Ivanov will deliver as he leads the team. It’s a taste of France, refined for the local palate.

Celebrate Negroni Week

XU Dubai

With an innovative twist for Negroni Week, XU Dubai located in Kempinski Hotel, is merging the classic cocktail with Japanese and Cantonese influences. Highlighting four exclusive Negroni creations, guests will sublime to the thorough flavours of lemongrass, jasmine and oolong tea. Saving the date, September 19, the one-night event will showcase two talented mixologists, Manja Stankovic and XU’s very own Cosimo Bucci for a collaborated shift for exclusive cocktails while immersing in the refined Cantonese cuisine.

SUSHISAMBA

Atop the St. Regis Palm Jumeirah, SUSHISAMBA sits on the 51st floor with a breathtaking panoramic view of Dubai. Here, you can indulge in their original concoction, the Kizuna Shabgliato inspired by the Japanese word Kizuna meaning connection. The drink infuses a myriad of traditions from Japan, Brazil and Peru, seamlessly blending into a singular creation that promises a tantalising taste.

Signor Sassi

Leading the Italian wine culture to Dubai is Signor Sassi, embodying the spirit of the culture and the timelessness to your table. For Negroni Week, expect to be transported to the streets of Italy and be reminded of the grand Lake Como’s palatial villas as you luxuriate in the mixologists latest addition, the Passione Negroni. It pays homage to the classic drink, but with a modern twist to invoke the spirit of Ferrari.

Attiko

Located on W Mina Seyahi’s rooftop, the pan-Asian bistro invites you to a week of relaxation and indulgence as they introduce the Kitsungi Negroni. A drink inspired by the ancient Japanese art of repairing ceramics with gold. The Kitsungi Negroni will exemplify the art movement’s beautiful symbolism to the imperfect-but-perfect whisk.

L’Amo Bistro Del Mare

Combining Southern Italy and France, L’Amo brings you the Florence Negroni, a tribute to the origins of the classic cocktail with an irresistible touch of both worlds. Never leaving a detail behind, guests will enjoy the crème de la crème of coastal Italian cuisine, all the while relishing with their curated spirits.

Mott 32

Presenting the Yin Negroni, Mott 32, known for infamously paying homage to the 32 Mott Street in New York, invites you to revel in the unique elements and flavours that take inspiration of the yin-yang philosophy. The award-wining restaurant located on the 73rd floor of the Address Beach Resort presents a week of astonishing Asian cuisine while savouring the newest addition to their curated wine list.

Orange Hospitality x The Botanist Gin

Orange Hospitality collaborates with The Botanist Gin for a week of unique twists of the cocktail across Dubai’s top bustling restaurants, the Il Borro, Acili, MayaBay and Josette. Each restaurant will infuse special flavours that invoke the essence of the classic Negroni to your table.

A Culinary Innovator Showcase

Ahead of the curb, tickets for Gault&Millau’s inaugural Culinary Innovators are officially on sale. With renowned forces in the culinary scene such as Grégoire Berge (Ossiano), Himanshu Saini (Trèsind Studio), Mohamad, Omar & Wassim Orfali, (Orfali Bros. Bistro), and others, the powerhouses are coming together for a three-night pop-up filled with challenging new dishes and innovative spins of their classic tastes. Taking place at ICD Brookfield Place’s The Space, it will commence from October 24 to 25, 2024 with ticket prices set at Dhs680 per day. Buy tickets here www.dubai.platinumlist.net

Celebrate English Winery And Cuisine

One Michelin-starred restaurant, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal invites you to experience a special collaboration with Britain’s world-class wine house, Nyetimber. Setting the table and scene at the Atlantis the Royal, the collaboration offers two dining divinities that properly exude British culinary arts. From September 10 to 22, 2024, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Nyetimber presents a savoury five-course menu priced at Dhs1,200 per person and a private dining experience with an exclusive wine pairing menu on September 19, 2024 at Dhs1,500. For reservations www.dinnerbyhbdubai.com