A Spanish Feast in Seville's at WAFI Pyramids

Christmas Eve 2010, Ed and I came across Seville's; a Spanish restaurant in Wafi. That night, we found Seville's as an ideal dine-out spot for special occasions. It is a restaurant worth coming back to, so we said we'd go back soon. But the thing is, with so many options and so many new places to try in Dubai, "soon" turned out to be "after three years and couple of months!" It was only early this month, for Ed's 30th Birthday, that we finally had a chance to return.     

Tucked in Wafi Pyramids' rooftop, Seville's looks more like a homey Spanish villa than a restaurant. With its stucco walls and red bricks, rustic arched windows and vines clinging across its facade, Seville's is a secret hideaway in a shopping center! 

     

Seville's: A Spanish restaurant and bar in Wafi

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Serafina Italian Restaurant: A Piece of Northern Italy in Souk Al Bahar

Two hours. Three-course Italian meal. Four musical fountain shows. 

That's how our Satur-date went. It may sound like our normal date night in Downtown Dubai, but behind those words is an extraordinary dining experience. Ed and I were given the wonderful opportunity to have a taste of the authentic Northern Italian cuisine at Serafina Italian Restaurant in Souk Al Bahar. 

Serafina is a popular celebrity dine-out spot in New York. It is an intimate yet trendy Italian restaurant that has been welcoming famous stars like The Kardashians, Lady Gaga and Tom Cruise. It is well-loved by celebrities and non-celebrities, hence apart from its 10 locations in New York, Serafina also conquered the International scene. Today, it has branches in Moscow, Brazil, Tokyo, Mumbai and Dubai!  

Serafina Italian Restaurant in Souk Al Bahar

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Fortnum and Mason Dubai: Afternoon Indulgence at The Parlour

What can make you happy on an excruciating summer day? If you ask me, I'd say ICE CREAM!!! :) So when an invitation that says "melt away your afternoon and create your own ice cream sundae" arrived in my mailbox, I immediately gave it my big fat YES! 

Honestly, my mind was all over the "create-your-own-sundae" thing and I didn't care about the rest! That's how crazy over ice cream I was. Blame it on the weather! Heheh! It was only a day before the event when I had the time to check the location map. It was then that I realized that the event I'm happily looking forward to will be at the glass-clad three-floor structure in the middle of The Dubai Mall and The Address Downtown. I have been eyeing on that pretty standalone structure ever since it was still under construction early this year! Little did I know that it is the home of Fortnum and Mason in the UAE! 

Fortnum and Mason is a luxurious shopping destination for the rich and the royals in the UK. It was established in Picadilly in 1707! That's more than 300 years ago! Today, Fortnum and Mason is a British Icon with branches all over Great Britain. The shop in Downtown Dubai is their first standalone store outside the UK.

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Parasailing in Khorfakkan Corniche: The Great Adventure in the Sky

Ed's birthday celebration has always been an adventure of a lifetime. I am not as fearless as my husband, hence it's not just him that I surprise with a ticket to adventure, but pretty much myself as well. 

We initially planned to go snorkeling as Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort and Spa's diving center offers boat trips to Shark Island. However, when we were informed that the morning trip departs at around 9am and returns to the hotel at 2pm, we changed our minds. We wanted to go on an escapade and still have hours to relax before check out time. 

I somehow dreaded the moment when I mentioned "water sports activities". Those three words created a melody to my husband's ears. That moment, I knew that I had to prepare my physically and emotionally frail body for an adrenaline rush.

Parasailing in Khorfakkan 

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A Sensory Spa Experience at 360 Health Club and Spa in Oceanic Hotel

I received a spa treatment as a surprise during our stay at Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort and Spa. Upon knowing that I'll be having an hour of pampering, I immediately booked a treatment for my husband as well. Leaving him in our hotel room while we are on a sweet escape is the least I could do, plus the fact that it was his birthday weekend. Although he said he don't need to be pampered at all, I felt he actually deserved it more than I do! 

So, at four in the afternoon, on our first day in Oceanic Hotel, we went to 360 Health Club and Spa hand in hand. 

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Al Murjan in Oceanic Hotel: Buffet Dining with a View

While on a sweet escape in Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort and Spa, Ed and I were treated to a fabulous buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner at Al Murjan. The restaurant's name sounds Arabic, but it's actually a trendy International buffet restaurant located at the hotel's ground floor. 

As Oceanic Hotel is situated in a magnificent spot in Khorfakkan, I had a strong feeling that Al Murjan is a perfect place to dine with a view. Perhaps, a restaurant where I can sit back, relax and satiate my senses. 

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Travel Video: Sweet Escape in Khorfakkan

Sometimes, words are never enough. 

So, as a part of the blog makeover, Ed and I decided to share what it's really like when we are on a sweet escape. We will be sharing our travel videos every now and then! We wouldn't call it vlogging as we find speaking behind the camera really awkward. We just want to document our journey while still enjoying every minute of it. 

Recently, Ed got a GoPro as a Birthday gift and we overused used it during our trip to Khorfakkan! Heheh! As first time users, the shots weren't perfect; most turned out to be shaky, only a few are quite acceptable. My husband, armed with a basic video making skill, mounted our non-professional clips and created our first ever travel video! :)

keeping memories alive with a GoPro

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Goodbye Pink Polka Blog!

Today marks an important milestone in my blog life! 

I no longer have a pink polka blog! Say a big HELLO to a newly-polished Lady and her Sweet Escapes! 

This major revamp is the most drastic change I've taken in the blog world so far. The thought of having a new look made me giddy, but scared... really scared. I desperately wanted a website suited for everyone; gents included, but I'm afraid that the blog might lose its identity. 

Goodbye Pink and Polka!

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A True Escape in Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort and Spa

The weekend alarm sounded a bit early. Half awake, I tried not to hit the snooze button for an extra five minutes in bed. The Husband immediately offered me a piping hot coffee. Perhaps, he was as excited as I am. That day, we were scheduled to stay in Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort and Spa!

At 11 in the morning, we left the bustling city of Dubai on board an intercity bus bound to Fujairah. Khorfakkan is a part of Sharjah, but tucked between downtown Fujairah and Al Aqah. We traversed the concrete road built in the midst of a dramatic desert landscape and the rugged beauty of Hajar mountains. 

After a scenic 2-hour bus ride from Dubai to Fujairah, plus the 30-minute taxi ride from Fujairah to Khorfakkan, we finally arrived at Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort and Spa. We were both a little groggy from the long road trip, hence we jumped off the cab and readily succumbed to the weekend indulgence         

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The New Seafood in a Bucket in Ansar Gallery

Seafood in a Bucket, the seafood restaurant that has taken Dubai by storm early last year, has finally opened a new branch! Finally! I hope this would be the answer to the longest restaurant queue I've ever seen in my entire life. 

It's no surprise why Seafood in a Bucket gained immediate popularity. During my first visit in their first branch in Karama, I had a strong feeling that people will love the restaurant as much as I do. Dining is fun and fancy, and the prices are fair enough for budget-conscious expats! 

I was excited to check out their new branch in Ansar Gallery. I know I'm not the only one!  :)     

the new Seafood in a Bucket in Ansar Gallery (photo taken minutes before closing time)

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Sumo Sushi and Bento: Date Night in Al Qasba

I have been a maki monster lately. I've had California Maki almost every weekend, to the point that Ed already thinks my appetite is extremely weird. No, it's not what you think! Even during our recent date night in Al Qasba in Sharjah, I still bugged him for Japanese rolls although his palate was screaming for change. 

Ed wanted some peri-peri roast chicken. I, being submissive (sometimes), had our Entertainer voucher for the Portuguese restaurant ready. But, it turned out that the restaurant is under renovation! Hah! Good news for me in this case! Don't get me wrong, I love that peri-peri restaurant too. It's just that I desperately needed to go to Sumo Sushi and Bento to give in to my cravings! :)   

And so, it was Japanese night once again!

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A Night in Al Qasba

One Saturday morning, Ed went to Sharjah for some tasks while I chose to be domesticated. I am not a home buddy, but that moment I felt it would be a burden for him if I tag along. So, I just watched him leave. 

And then, the itchy feet syndrome attacked!

It happened as soon as I learned that the Blogversary Giveaway winner lives in Sharjah. As I wanted to meet her and hand over the prize personally, impromptu plans started to roll. I took the intercity Dubai-Sharjah bus alone for the first time. I met Ed as soon as he fulfilled his tasks. Then, we met the Grace, the Instax winner, and her husband. 

And at the end of the day, we went to grab some quality time in Al Qasba.    

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