Aiza: Dubai’s latest Greek venue

Aiza is one of Dubai’s newest Greek restaurants. (Supplied)
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Updated 12 February 2021
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Aiza: Dubai’s latest Greek venue

  • It’s not just the food that will draw you into this authentic Mediterranean experience

DUBAI: Perched on a terrace overlooking the world’s largest fountain on Palm Jumeirah is one of Dubai’s newest Greek restaurants, Aiza.

With all the recent launches at the Palm Jumeirah’s The Pointe, it seems like developers want to turn it into another fine-dining spot in Dubai. The atmosphere at Aiza is comparable to some places at Dubai International Financial Center, well known for its high-end restaurants. Unfortunately, so are it’s prices.

The enchanting design of the restaurant’s outdoor area is filled with flower arches, warm lights, and wooden furniture, giving it a pleasant romantic vibe. Indoors, it is much brighter but no less magical, with a ceiling adorned with decor that imitates waves.




The atmosphere at Aiza is comparable to some places at Dubai International Financial Center, well known for its high-end restaurants. (Supplied)

For added authenticity, Aiza hires Greek waiters to truly make you feel as if you are on one of Greece’s popular islands.

Right from the start of your visit, it’s clear Aiza is sparing no effort to set itself apart. While the complementary treats restaurants offer are not usually memorable, our Kalamata olives at Aiza were one of the most enjoyable dishes of the night, with a flavor midway between Spanish and Arab olives. Like their Iberian relatives, these olives from the southern Peloponnese had the sourness of pickled foods, but like their Arab cousins they boasted a real depth of flavor, with garlic-y and smokey notes.

Aiza’s menu is designed for sharing, replicating the Mediterranean experience of eating with loved ones and relatives and all partaking in each dish.




This is the restaurant’s cheese pie. (Supplied)

One of the standout starters was the Cretan-style salad with dakos barley rusks, marinated-tomato mix and xynomyzithra cheese. The rusks added a satisfying crunch — and surprisingly remained crisp despite being drenched in dressing. The sourness of the juicy tomatoes was balanced by the creaminess of the cheese — which has a texture midway between cottage and feta cheeses. The salad as a whole was delicious, with an herby aftertaste.

The moussaka — sometimes called Greek eggplant lasagna — was also excellent. It’s an ideal choice for those who enjoy Levantine cuisine, as there are, obviously, similarities to the Lebanese version (aka maghmour). The smoked-aubergine boats are filled with tender minced beef and potatoes, covered with rich graviera cheese. I usually hate aubergine, but I thoroughly enjoyed this decadent dish.

The restaurant offers a variety of seasonal dishes, including the grilled sea bass with skordalia —a garlic-based puree. The bass was perfectly cooked — not over-seasoned, which allowed the natural creaminess to shine through. The delicious garlic-and-potato skardalia was colored with cuttlefish ink, and was soft and juicy.




The restaurant also serves mezze platters. (Supplied)

The true highlight of the night, though, was the lamb shank Ladorigani, which was slow-cooked in a josper charcoal oven with a side of roasted potatoes. The waiter slides the meat of the bone in front of you at the table, and as soon as I saw how swiftly it slid off I knew it was going to be delicious. The tender lamb is juicy on the inside with a crispy crust, and the flavorful marinade was slightly sweet, but salty. A definite must-try for lamb lovers.

For a traditional Greek dessert, you should definitely try the mini galaktobureko — crispy rolls of filo dough stuffed with the semolina cream and mastic-pistachio ice-cream and sweetened with honey with a faint hint of lemon, creating a rich, balanced taste sensation.




This is the restaurant’s octopus carpacio. (Supplied)

But Aiza also makes delicious international classics, such as molten or lava cake, which comes with a side of creamy vanilla ice-cream and strawberries — the milkiness of the ice-cream and the strawberry tang providing a perfect contrast to the bitterness of the cake’s dark cocoa.

And, of course, as in any self-respecting Greek restaurant, visitors get the chance to smash up some crockery. Your waiters will perform a traditional Greek dance for which your table will be given special plates which you will be asked to break (in a reasonably orderly manner) under the feet of the dancers.

All in all, Aiza is a great venue for a date night or an intimate dinner with friends, offering delicious Greek food in a lovely setting.


‘Fever Dream’ starring Fatima Al-Banawi lands on Netflix

Updated 11 June 2025
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‘Fever Dream’ starring Fatima Al-Banawi lands on Netflix

DUBAI: Saudi filmmaker Faris Godus’ latest feature “Fever Dream” is now available to stream on Netflix, bringing together a star-studded local cast including Fatima Al-Banawi, Sohayb Godus, Najm, Hakeem Jomah and Nour Al-Khadra.

Supported by the Red Sea Fund, the film, which explores themes of media manipulation, digital identity, and the cost of fame in the age of online influence, had its world premiere at the 2023 Red Sea International Film Festival. 

It tells the story of Samado, a retired football star who, burdened by media scrutiny and public notoriety, finds a chance to reclaim control. Partnering with his daughter, he sets out to take revenge on a powerful social media portal. But as they plunge deeper into their pursuit of fame and digital redemption, the line between ambition and obsession begins to blur.

Najm plays Ahlam, the daughter of Samado, while Jomah appears as Hakeem, a PR agent hired to help restore Samado’s public image. Al-Banawi takes on the role of Alaa, another key PR agent working alongside Hakeem.

Godus is famous for his work “Shams Alma’arif” (The Book of Sun), which also streamed on Netflix, and “Predicament in Sight.” 

He previously said in an interview with Arab News: “(In Saudi Arabia), we have a rich soil to build content on and so many stories to tell. I do believe that nowadays the support coming from our country is just awesome. People have so many chances to create films now.”

Meanwhile, Al-Banawi is recognized for her roles in “Barakah Meets Barakah” and the Saudi thriller “Route 10.” 

She made her directorial debut with “Basma,” in which she also plays the title role — a young Saudi woman who returns to her hometown of Jeddah after studying in the US. Back home, she is confronted with her father’s mental illness, strained family ties, and the challenge of reconnecting with a past life that no longer feels familiar.

“I really went into cinema — in 2015 with my first feature as an actress — with one intention: to bridge the gap between the arts and social impact and psychology,” she previously told Arab News. “And I was able to come closer to this union when I positioned myself as a writer-director, more so than as an actor.” 


What to expect at the 10th edition of the UK’s SAFAR Film Festival 

Updated 11 June 2025
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What to expect at the 10th edition of the UK’s SAFAR Film Festival 

DUBAI: The 10th edition of the SAFAR Film Festival launches on Wednesday with a newly restored screening of the 1972 Egyptian classic “Watch Out for Zouzou” by Hassan Al-Imam at Ciné Lumière in London. 

The festival will run until June 28, concluding with the UK premiere of “Sudan, Remember Us” (2024) by Hind Meddeb. 

This edition of SAFAR will take place across cinemas in London and nine other UK cities, showcasing a broad range of feature films, documentaries and shorts from the South West Asia and North Africa region. 

A complementary online programme, curated by the Lebanese nonprofit cultural organization AFLAMUNA, will run throughout the month, exploring works that respond to the Lebanese civil war — 50 years after it began.

Audiences can expect films that explore themes of migration, political empowerment, conflict, creativity and joy. 

Among this year’s highlights is “A State of Passion,” documenting the work of British Palestinian reconstructive surgeon Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah in Gaza. Directed by Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi, the film delves into the emotional toll of his work. 

Veteran Palestinian actor, director and documentarian Mohammad Bakri will be a special guest, delivering a masterclass and appearing for screenings of “Upshot” (2024) by Maha Haj and his landmark 2002 documentary “Jenin, Jenin,” which was banned by the Israeli Film Board. The film features testimonies from survivors of the 2002 Israeli military assault on the Jenin refugee camp.

Among other notable titles is “Seeking Haven for Mr Rambo” (2024) by Khaled Mansour, an emotive thriller that follows Hassan on a mission to protect his best friend and dog. The film previously won the Grand Prize at the Red Sea International Film Festival. 

“Red Path” (2024) by Lotfi Achour, based on a true story, recounts the harrowing experience of 13-year-old Achraf, who is forced to carry the severed head of his cousin back to their village after a terrorist attack. 

In “Saify” (2024) by Wael Abu Mansour, a middle-aged trickster sells tapes of banned Islamic sermons in hopes of quick profit, offering a sharp social commentary on the pursuit of wealth. 

Directors of all three films will be present at SAFAR for post-screening discussions.

Also part of this year’s programme is Laila Abbas’s dark comedy “Thank You for Banking With Us!” (2024), where two estranged sisters reunite to claim their inheritance before the authorities discover their father’s death and transfer it to their brother.

SAFAR will also present “Palestine – A Revised Narrative,” a 30-minute silent film compiled from 35mm archival footage shot by British forces in Palestine between 1914 and 1918. Commissioned by ALFILM, this screening will feature a live score by composer Cynthia Zaven and sound design by Rana Eid, re-examining the British imperial narrative at a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern history.

The festival includes environmental programming through “Biodiversity and Cinema,” an initiative launched in 2023 that brings together Lebanese filmmakers and ecologists to create short documentaries on ecosystems and microorganisms. A selection of these films will screen under the title “Rooted Resistance,” with filmmakers in attendance.

“The Brink of Dreams” (2024) by Nada Riyadh and Ayman El-Amir also features in this year’s line-up. Shot over four years in southern Egypt, the film follows a group of girls who form a street theatre troupe to challenge the expectations of their conservative village.


Review: Aria Aber’s debut novel ‘Good Girl’ marks her as a writer to watch

Updated 11 June 2025
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Review: Aria Aber’s debut novel ‘Good Girl’ marks her as a writer to watch

JEDDAH: In her debut novel “Good Girl,” German-born poet Aria Aber writes a raw tableau of contemporary German society, plunging readers into post-9/11 psyche through the eyes of Nila, a 19-year-old Afghan German girl.

As Nila stumbles through Berlin’s underground techno scene, the city emerges as a character that, like her, is fractured and being forged anew. Berlin seems to be in the throes of struggling to reinvent itself amidst rising Islamophobia and neo-Nazi violence, while Nila’s quest for selfhood emerges in her rebellion against the suffocating expectations imposed on Afghan girls and the identity crisis born out of living in a society that seems suspicious of her presence.

It's a tale as old as the human desire for movement and refuge: Nila is too Afghan for German society, and too German for the Afghan community, with both watching her every move. Aber’s raw and fragmented narrative style mirrors her character’s splintered identity while capturing her “violent desire” to live and her aching need to belong and to be accepted as she is.

Though the novel occasionally stumbles with uneven pacing and moments that may seem repetitive or overwritten, what sets it apart is the author’s refusal to sanitize or sermonize. Nila’s messy, unconventional path to self-discovery remains unapologetically hers.

The emotional core of the novel lies in the tension between expectations placed on girls and the honor-based abuse that simmers beneath. Nila’s parents, progressive by diaspora standards, permit her artistic pursuits and eschew strict traditions. Yet their insistence on a “good girl” image still carries an undercurrent of control that constrains her freedom.

Ultimately, “Good Girl” is a young woman’s howl against a world that demands she shrink, marking Aber as a writer to watch.


Mya lights up BET red carpet in Alexis Bittar jewels

Updated 10 June 2025
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Mya lights up BET red carpet in Alexis Bittar jewels

DUBAI: US singer-songwriter Mya Marie Harrison, who goes by the stage name Mya, showed off accessories by a part-Syrian designer at the BET Awards in Los Angeles on Monday night.

Grammy Award–winning singer and entertainer Mya showed off a handbag and jewelry by accessories designer Alexis Bittar on the red carpet before she delivered a dynamic performance of her 2000 hit “Case of the Ex.”

On the carpet, she was fully accessorized in Bittar’s flashy, decadent pieces — from an extravagant pendant at her neck to an eclectic stack of bangles, all topped off with a sparkly silver clutch.

Known for his bold, organic designs and use of mixed materials, Bittar infuses distinct Middle Eastern flair into his work. The New York–based designer, who is half Syrian on his father’s side, has built a global reputation for his statement-making accessories.

Grammy Award–winning singer and entertainer Mya showed off a handbag and jewelry by accessories designer Alexis Bittar. (Getty Images)

Mya is far from his first celebrity client. His expansive portfolio includes the likes of Michelle Obama and Cameron Diaz, and he famously served as the costume jewelry designer for HBO series “Sex and the City,” helping define character Carrie Bradshaw’s now iconic looks.

On Monday night, Bittar’s creations were just one part of a star-studded evening that balanced fashion, purpose, and powerful performances.

The BET Awards delivered a night of major star power and poignant moments, marking the ceremony's 25th anniversary with a mix of comedy, emotion and calls for justice, the Associated Press reported. The festivities included a powerful speech by Doechii, Jamie Foxx’s emotional reflection and Kevin Hart’s sharp comedic opener.

Doechii, in particular, made her presence felt early during the five-hour ceremony, using her acceptance speech for best female hip-hop artist to draw attention to the immigration raids and protest crackdowns taking place just miles from the venue.

Foxx, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin received the Ultimate Icon Award. They were selected due to their impact on entertainment as well as their community impact and advocacy.

Carey said this was her first time collecting a trophy at the BET Awards.

“It took me a while, but I finally realized that life is far too short to live for anyone else's approval, which is something I always did,” said Carey, a five-time Grammy winner. “I decided to own who I am.”

 


Cynthia Erivo wears Ashi Studio at Tony Awards

Updated 09 June 2025
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Cynthia Erivo wears Ashi Studio at Tony Awards

  • Show’s major highlight sees cast of hit musical ‘Hamilton’ reunited

DUBAI: British singer-songwriter and actor Cynthia Erivo picked Saudi-helmed Parisian label Ashi Studio for two of her electrifying looks as she hosted the 2025 Tony Awards, the annual ceremony celebrating the best in Broadway theater, held at the Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Erivo’s first Ashi Studio look featured an oversized black coat dress dotted with bedazzled details, which she wore over black pants and a tube top.

Her second look was a black and gold snakeskin-print tailored trench coat with voluminous sleeves and an oversized collar, cinched by a fitted corset from the SS25 Ashi Studio collection. She wore the look to welcome Auli'i Cravalho to the stage.

“Maybe Happy Ending,” “Purpose,” “Sunset Blvd.” and “Eureka Day” took the top prizes at the awards, winning best musical, best play, best musical revival, and best play revival, respectively.

The ceremony also saw Sarah Snook (“The Picture of Dorian Gray”), Cole Escola (“Oh, Mary!”), Darren Criss (“Maybe Happy Ending”), and Nicole Scherzinger (“Sunset Blvd.”) win the lead acting awards for plays (Snook and Escola) and musicals (Criss and Scherzinger).

“Maybe Happy Ending” won a total of six awards after going into the night tied with “Buena Vista Social Club” and “Death Becomes Her” for the most nominations, with 10 apiece.

“Buena Vista Social Club” won four awards, while “Death Becomes Her” only took home one trophy, for Paul Tazewell’s costume design, which was presented in the “Tony Awards: Act One” pre-show.

Amal and George Clooney at the 2025 Tony Awards. (AFP)

Also in attendance at the event as British Lebanese human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, along with actor-husband George Clooney. The couple’s arrival at the Tonys came hours after George closed his record-breaking Broadway show, “Good Night, and Good Luck.” Amal wore an off-the-shoulder white gown with strands of pearls draped across the fabric, which she accessorized with a matching clutch.

A major highlight of the show saw the cast of the hit musical “Hamilton” reunited for a special performance in honor of its 10th anniversary.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of the Tony-winning show, was joined by more than two dozen members of the original cast, including Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, Daveed Diggs, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Anthony Ramos, Christopher Jackson, Jonathan Groff, and Ariana DeBose.

The performance began with Miranda and Odom Jr. performing a snippet from the song “Non-Stop.” The show continued with a medley of tracks from the “Hamilton” score, including “My Shot,” “The Schuyler Sisters,” “You’ll Be Back,” “The Room Where it Happens” and “History Has Its Eyes on You.”