The Galleria

First look: Abu Dhabi to welcome Flamingo Room by tashas at Galleria Al Maryah Island

Natasha Sideris is a culinary whizz on the Dubai foodscape. The founder and chief executive of Tashas Group runs more than 20 restaurants and cafes — 15 in her native South Africa and eight in Dubai, including six tashas cafes, plus Avli by tashas, Flamingo Room by tashas and Galaxy Bar. Now, the restaurateur and cookbook author has her eye on Abu Dhabi. The capital’s first Flamingo Room, one of the group’s most popular restaurants, is set to open in Galleria Al Maryah Island in early 2023. Today, Sideris chats to The National about what diners can expect and provides a first look at the new space. You’ve been operating in the UAE for eight years. Why did you decide to open a restaurant in Abu Dhabi now? Abu Dhabi has grown exponentially in the past few years. It is an energetic city with a cosmopolitan culture. While it doesn’t currently have as many food and beverage options as Dubai, it has the potential to become a hub for diverse concepts. There is opportunity for so much more, so I felt it was a perfect fit for Flamingo Room by tashas. This, coupled with finding an extraordinary location within a buzzing and glamorous neighbourhood, makes it the perfect time to open in Abu Dhabi. What’s special about the location? The Galleria on Al Maryah Island has a beautiful setting on the water. Given the extraordinary shape of the space, we are able to do some unique things with it. For example, the outside terrace, will be used for art exhibitions. The outdoor dining area, called the Flamingo Room Terrace, will be coupled with a champagne bar. There is also a space tucked away in the back of the main dining area, which we’ll convert into a secret bar. Finally, the restaurant will incorporate our Collective Africa luxe retail concept, so guests have the opportunity to purchase beautiful objects sourced from all over the African continent. What’s on the menu at Flamingo Room in Abu Dhabi? The menu will be the same as the restaurant in Jumeirah Al Naseem, Dubai. I have spent a lot of time refining the menu, which features classic dishes with a contemporary twist, such as calamari Mozambique, beef carpaccio, lobster pasta, and corn and burrata ravioli. Any new items we create for variety will be added to both restaurants, yet without taking down the signature dishes. Food aside, Flamingo Room is acclaimed for its luxe interiors. What will the Abu Dhabi outpost look like? The interior will be similar to Dubai and, as always, I am working with incredible South African artisans to create bespoke elements for the space. One addition is Bar Afrouge. Following the success of Galaxy Bar in DIFC, I want to create an exclusive space in Abu Dhabi, which provides an amazing ambience and world-class cocktails. Do you have any other expansion plans? I am opening Flamingo Room by tashas in Riyadh at the end of this year. The restaurant is located in Bujairi Terrace, an upscale neighbourhood in Diriyah, a historic and cultural spot. The three-storey building has unbelievable views over the Wadi Hanifah. It’s inspired by indigenous Najd architecture, and will house four concepts: Flamingo Room by tashas, African Lounge, Stargaze Garden and Collective Africa. Each experience has been designed to recall the delicate beauty of the African continent, whilst referencing the culture and hospitality this location in Saudi Arabia is known for. The African Lounge will serve high tea during the day and small sharing plates in the evening, with a different menu from Flamingo Room. The Stargaze Garden will be available for events such as weddings and birthdays.

United Arab Emirates · 8 Jun 2022

The Galleria is Abu Dhabi’s most distinguished lifestyle destination, comprising of the world’s leading brands, from retail, dining and entertainment. Launched in 2013, The Luxury Collection has established itself as the premier shopping and fine dining destination in the capital, with many of the world’s most coveted brands, all under one roof. With The Galleria’s new expansion (opened September 2019), The Galleria offers an immersive destination of retail and entertainment, with over 400 mid- to high-end retail brands, 100 dining options, urban parks, world-class entertainment and a breathtaking waterfront promenade. “The Galleria Al Maryah Island is comprised of The Luxury Collection, The Dining Collection and The Galleria’s new expansion, which opened September 4th. The Luxury Collection includes 130 of the world’s most acclaimed luxury brands. The addition of more than 300 retail brands, with 250,000 square feet of entertainment and over 70 new dining options, includes flagship Zara and H&M stores; international brands Debenhams and Sephora; and first-to-Abu Dhabi brands, such as Missguided.”

20 Nov 2019

22nd store in UAE & 46th under AMG Group.

United Arab Emirates · 12 Oct 2019

New Store Opening

GANT is NOW OPEN at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, new extension! @thegalleriauae Visit us today and enjoy great opening offers*! Spread the word with Instagram stories and posts using #liwastores and @liwastores *Please ask store associate for special offer details. T&C apply.

United Arab Emirates · 3 Sep 2019

The Galleria Al Maryah Island welcomes AZADEA group to its expansion in September

Abu Dhabi: The Galleria Al Maryah Island will welcome 13 of AZADEA Group’s world-leading brands when its much-anticipated expansion opens on 4 September 2019. AZADEA Group is one of the region’s leading retail groups and its diversified portfolio of fashion, accessories, food & beverage and lifestyle brand concepts will anchor its presence in the mall, and add further value to its exciting retail offering. The mall will be the city’s first super-regional destination with a complete lifestyle offering for all ages. Incorporating luxury and high-street retailers, fine and casual dining, world-class entertainment, and indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, it will become the community’s downtime destination of choice. The first Decathlon in the capital will ensure residents and visitors have all their sporting needs catered for at The Galleria. Famous for its one-stop-shop approach for goods such as gymnastics, biking, climbing, athleisure and beachwear, the new 20,815 square foot store will house an extensive range of the world’s most innovative sporting brands. The mall will also welcome a 13,410 square-foot flagship Virgin Megastore, and the trendsetting fashion brand Missguided; all providing a shopping experience like no other to the city. AZADEA’s most influential brands are also coming to The Galleria, including Paul Café, Mango, Kiko Milano, Sunglass Hut, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear and Bershka guaranteeing there will be something to satisfy everyone. Daniel Parry, Managing Director of Gulf Related, comments, “The Galleria is thrilled to announce our extended partnership with AZADEA Group, one of the region’s leading lifestyle groups known for its exceptional diversity of brands and experiences. The introduction of Decathlon and Missguided to Abu Dhabi, along with a flagship Virgin Megastore amongst others, furthers our commitment to providing an unparalleled shopping experience for the community.” Walid Chahine, Chief Operating Officer of AZADEA Group, comments, “Our partnership with Gulf Related and The Galleria reinforces our mission of providing our customers and people with an entertaining and exciting way of life. We are confident that this landmark retail destination will create new horizons and opportunities in Abu Dhabi, a shared commitment that we have towards the community. AZADEA Group has been providing the region with new and exceptional concepts in the lifestyle industry for over 40 years, and we look forward to The Galleria’s opening on September 4th, 2019; a game-changer that we are proud to be a part of.” Full list of confirmed AZADEA Group brands coming to The Galleria Al Maryah Island: Bershka Boggi Decathlon Kiko Milano Mango Massimo Dutti Missguided Oysho Paul Cafe Pull & Bear Salsa Jeans Sunglass Hut Virgin Megastore The AZADEA Group has been operating across the MENA region for over 40 years, and currently represents over 50 reputable, contemporary lifestyle brands in 13 markets. The group is recognized for its deep understanding of the region’s retail landscape, and enjoys long-standing partnerships with both franchisor brands and its supplier as partners. For more information on AZADEA Group’s latest news, please visitwww.azadea.com. The Galleria Al Maryah Island will house more than 300 international retail brands, together with 100 dining options, a 21-screen VOX cinema with IMAX, three levels of world-class entertainment, two urban rooftop parks and the first-in-the-region culinary concept – Central Kitchens. ‘Our City, Your Mall’ lies at the heart of The Galleria’s ethos, creating the ultimate destination for everyone to Eat, Play, Shop and Indulge.

United Arab Emirates · 24 Jun 2019

Luxury plus-size label Marina Rinaldi opens Abu Dhabi boutique

Marina Rinaldi has opened its first Abu Dhabi boutique just in time for the upcoming Eid Al-Adha festivities. The label, which creates plus-sized ready-to-wear, is owned by the Max Mara Fashion Group, whose other brands include Max Mara, Sportmax, Weekend Max Mara and Max & Co. The new store is located in the Galleria Mall on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. The name of the label was taken from the great-grandmother of Achille Maramotti, who founded the Max Mara Fashion Group, and Marina Rinaldi is credited with being one of the first major fashion labels to cater to the needs of women with curves. Last month, the brand shot its Women are the Future campaign with well-known model, Ashley Graham, who actively promotes body-positivity. The black and white images show Graham robed in coats and blazers layered over sheer outfits and fishnet stockings.

United Arab Emirates · 27 Aug 2017

Luxury shopping mall The Galleria on Al Maryah Island to open this month

High-end stores including Alexander McQueen, Jimmy Choo, Bulgari and Emporio Armani will be launching on September 4 after Abu Dhabi's first exclusively luxury shopping mall on Al Maryah Island opens this month. Al Tayer Group, the company that owns the franchise to dozens of luxury brands in the UAE, said it would be launching 15 stores on that date at the 33,000 square metre The Galleria shopping centre linked to Mubadala Developments' Sowwah Square office complex. Mubadala is a strategic investment company owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. Stores operating under Al Tayer franchises at the centre also include Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Coach, Pucci, Moschino and the Emporio Armani Bakery. But the jewellery brand Boucheron, which is also franchised by Al Tayer, will open later in the year. The news comes as Mubadala and Gulf Related, the joint developers of the 121-store mall, prepare for a soft opening of the mall this month. The partners said more than 100 luxury stores would open their doors at the end of this month, a number of which are currently only found in Dubai. "Final preparations are under way for the opening of The Galleria," said Kenneth Himmel, the co-managing partner of Gulf Related, and the president and chief executive of the American-based retail property firm Related Urban, the developer behind the Time Warner Centre in New York. "With all units fully leased, we are working closely with retailers as a specific opening date is finalised for the coming weeks," he said. "We anticipate that over 100 of our retail and F&B outlets will be operational on opening day." Other stores set to open in The Galleria include Burberry, Cartier, Christian Dior, Christian Louboutin, Dolce & Gabbana, DKNY, Fendi, Gucci, Longchamp, Mulberry, Prada, Tom Ford and Yves Saint Laurent. Restaurants will include an offshoot of the London-based celebrity haunt Zuma. The Galleria is the first of three new malls set to open in Abu Dhabi over the second half of this year. It will be followed by the 60,000 square metre Mall at the World Trade Centre attached to Central Market, which will include the region's first House of Fraser store and the delayed Deerfields Townsquare community mall on the outskirts of the capital. And in March the long-awaited 235,000 square metre Yas Mall super regional shopping centre is set to bring even more retail to Abu Dhabi when it becomes the country's second-biggest shopping mall. At the same time construction work is set to start on the Tourism Development and Investment Company's 168,000 square metre luxury mall on Saadiyat Island, which is scheduled to complete in 2017. And a 200,000 square metre Reem Mall on Reem Island, which was scheduled to complete last year, could bring the number higher. Jones Lang LaSalle predicts the total retail space across Abu Dhabi will increase by 46 per cent from 1.78 million square metres at the start of this year to 2.6 million square metres by the end of 2015.

United Arab Emirates · 11 Aug 2013