The new Hard Rock Cafe is schedule to open in October 2010 at the Festival Centre, Dubai Festival City.

Dubai’s previous Hard Rock Cafe, situated on Sheikh Zayed Road near Dubai Media City, closed in March 2009.

The new 26,000 square foot restaurant will be the largest Hard Rock Cafe outside North America. It will feature seating for more than 300 diners, a large music stage and the world’s largest Rock Shop. A 35 metre ornamental guitar, the tallest in the world, will adorn the exterior of the restaurant.

That’s not all though, as the hotel is also offering 100 lucky children the chance to enter into a raffle draw to meet Barney in person! From now until the end of July, simply spend AED 100 or more at InterContinental Dubai Festival City to earn a ‘purple ticket’. 100 of these will be selected to meet Barney after his performances. Every child who comes to the ‘Purple Brunch’ will also enter into the draw, with extra tickets available for the best dressed Barney impersonators!

Tickets for the Purple Brunch are expected to sell faster than the shake of Barney’s tail, so book yours quickly to avoid disappointment. For more information or to book your place on the Purple Brunch, call 04 7011128 or email restaurant.reservation@ichdfc.ae. To learn more about the dining options at InterContinental Dubai Festival City where you can spend AED 100 or more to earn the chance to meet Barney, visit www.diningdfc.com.

To win the holiday at Atlantis, applicants have to make a video depicting why they should win a holiday with nine friends or family for five nights. The awe-inspiring prize includes return economy class flights for all 10 guests, five deluxe rooms at Atlantis on a bed and breakfast basis, return private transfers, ten Dolphin Encounters at Dolphin Bay and a complimentary dinner at Ronda Locatelli.

There are three ways to enter the Atlantis Big Break Competition:

1.) Download the Atlantis iPhone application and go to ‘Win Amazing Prizes’. Make a video explaining why you and nine friends should win a holiday to Atlantis. Upload the video entry and fill in the competition entry form.
2) Visit www.atlantisdubaibigbreak.com and read the instructions. Make a video explaining why you and nine friends should win a holiday to Atlantis. Upload the video entry and fill in the competition entry form. The video can also be uploaded to http://www.youtube.com/atlantisthepalmtv
3) Visit www.facebook.com Search for the fan page “Atlantis Resort.” Click on Atlantis, The Palm and The Atlantis Big Break Competition. Read the instructions, make and upload the video entry and finally, fill in the competition entry form.

In addition, Atlantis is offering the ‘Romantic Rendezvous’ Competition where entrants only need to answer a multiple-choice question correctly after watching a short video. The winner of the “Romantic Rendezvous” will win round-trip economy airfare for two guests, three nights in an Imperial Club room, daily breakfast, one complimentary dinner in Nobu and Seafire respectively, a spa treatment for two in the Atlantis Spa and two Dolphin Adventures.

As the competition is judged by the number of total of votes, applicants should encourage their friends and family to vote for their video to increase their chances of winning. The ten videos with the most votes will then be reviewed by a panel of judges and a winner selected.

“This competition really gives potential guests an opportunity to show us their creativity on why they should come and enjoy Atlantis,” commented Alan Leibman, President/Managing Director, Atlantis, The Palm. “I can’t wait to watch the videos from the Atlantis iPhone application, the Atlantis facebook page, as well as the Atlantis website.”

To enter the Atlantis Romantic Rendezvous competition, watch a video on the Atlantis iPhone application, the Atlantis website at www.atlantisdubaibigbreak.com or by visiting the Atlantis Resort fan page on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/atlantisthepalm

Both competitions are open until midnight (Dubai time) on 25 June 2010. Winners will be announced on 2 July 2010.

Four lucky Mirdif City Centre customers have the chance to win a holiday package to the modern metropolis of Hong Kong or to the ancient city of Rome, including two business class tickets and 5 nights accommodation in a luxury 5-star hotel for each winner, simply by dining at any of the mall’s mouth watering cafes and restaurants (excluding food courts).

The competition runs until 16th June and for every AED 50 spent at Mirdif City Centre restaurants or cafes, diners will receive a stamp. Customers simply have to collect six stamps and complete a Mirdif City Centre Dine & Fly card to enter the draw.

Yousif Al Ali, Vice President of Mirdif City Centre said: “Mirdif City Centre is home to over 79 restaurants and cafes, which serve up an international flavour with a range of cuisines from around the world. This amazing array of dining options is reflected in our latest F&B spend and win promotion where Mirdif City Centre diners have the chance to win the ultimate culinary experience in the unique destinations of Hong Kong or Rome.”

“This promotion is a great way to re-enforce and add value to what is on offer at our diverse F&B outlets that offer international cuisines from East to West. I am sure our customers will really embrace the opportunity to have a shot at winning one of these amazing prizes,” he added.

Participating outlets include foodie favourites such as Abou El Sid, California Pizza Kitchen, Caffe Nero, Carluccio’s, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Mango Tree Bistro, More Café, Pars Iranian Restaurant, PF Changs, Pinkberry, Tiffinbites, Tony Roma’s, Uno Chicago Grill, and Yo! Sushi, to name a few.

The Mirdif City Centre F&B Dine & Fly cards are available via direct mail, or from customer service desks at the mall from May 20 to June 16.

Many of the outlets will be making their debut in the region, including PF Chang’s – offering American Chinese cuisine, Tiffinbites – London-based Indian restaurant group, and Abu Sid – Egyptian.

Yousif Al Ali, Vice-President of Mirdif City Centre, said ‘When we planned the leasing for the food and beverage retail outlets, we wanted to put together something for everyone. Not just the variety of tastes, but the different types of visitors we would see. From those that would like to make the most of their time, to the more leisurely customers who want to savour their food and drink with friends. We look forward to welcoming our shoppers to enjoy the amazing F&B selection we have to offer.’

Mirdif City Centre is a development by Majid Al Futtaim Properties with a gross leasable area of 196,000 square metres. It will feature around 430 shops (including Carrefour and Debenhams), parking for 7,000 cars, and an entertainment centre with 10-screen cinema, bowling alley, and indoor ‘iFLY’ sky diving experience.

The move follows thousands of complaints that many restaurants in the city still add a service charge, despite the practice being outlawed in 2006. Some establishments have been adding as much as 20 percent to bills.

Al Mansouri said that the Ministry ‘will take serious measures against those who violate the law.’

Lick’s has been successful in establishing a famous reputation for great food, great service and Great Spirit. What differentiates this fast food chain from its competition is its excellence in food quality, service and atmosphere. It is the first to introduce the exclusive use of pasteurized beef, a leading-edge technology that virtually guarantees the safety and quality of its signature product, the Homeburger.

With its motto, “Great Food, Service Fast!” Lick’s Homeburgers creates a comfortable, inviting environment that incorporates a friendly family feeling with showbiz and panache.

Over the years, this privately-owned Canadian company has become a phenomenon, and symbolizes the beginning of a new wave in fast food dining.

Hailed as one of the most surprising events of the planet by Forbes magazine, Dinner in the Sky brings a whole new way of dining for anyone who wishes to transform an ordinary meal or meeting into a magical moment that will leave a lasting impression on their guests!

22 guests will be hosted at a table suspended up to 50 metres above the beach, allowing them to enjoy stunning aerial views along with great food.

‘We’re extremely happy to be able to announce Dinner in the Sky for our guests,’ said Thomas Kathmann, Director of Food & Beverage at the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa. ‘It really is a unique experience and something you’ll remember for many years to come.’
This new form of dining will be a regular feature at the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, Dubai, Jumeirah Beach. In fact, the Habtoor Grand prides itself on being the first 5-star Hotel in the World to have a ‘Dinner in the Sky’ as a regular fixture in its dining options.

‘You will need a bit of a head for heights, but almost all our guests end up really enjoying having their dinner floating high above the ground,’ said Sean Keith, Partner at Event Horizon. ‘You’re safely strapped into your seat, which allows everyone to enjoy the amazing views and unique atmosphere of dining in the sky.’

Starting from 1st October 2009 and running through to the 31st May 2010, regular diners can enjoy this amazing experience. The hotel also expects to attract corporate customers wishing to entertain their clients and hold unique business meetings.

Event Horizon LLC and Mindset Media selected the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa as the venue for the Dinner in the Sky Restaurant, as the hotel enjoys an excellent location, regularly organizes successful events and hosts reputable food & beverage outlets.

Daily during the fast breaking hour, the resort’s Al Dhiyafa gets lively to welcome guests with a lavish Iftar buffet starting from AED 175 per person inclusive of municipality fees and service charges. The Iftar starts from sunset and continues till 8:00 p.m. It features a fine array of delectable Arabic cuisines, traditional Ramadan juices and much more.

Yet another speciality of the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, during the month, is its Hush Lounge. Blooming with the magical spirit of the Ramadan season, the Hush Lounge presents a relaxing ambience where guests can spend quality time with their friends and family. The guests are offered a wide assortment of traditional Arabic delicacies, along with the finest selection of sweets, Arabic coffees and a host of shisha flavours, as they unwind till the early hours for Sohour.

Ding Xiu Xuan offers authentic Cantonese cuisine and features an open kitchen, private dining rooms and live music.