My Abu Dhabi Life #3

It's been a while since I've done one of these posts, so I thought it was about time I got on with it. There's been quite a lot going on lately, so read on for some exciting news in My Abu Dhabi Life #3... 

If you follow my goings on through any of my social media pages, you'll know there's been quite a bit of talk about shopping in the last week or so, with a big trip to the Dubai Mall last weekend (roll on the opening of Yas Mall in November!)...

The eagle-eyed amongst you may notice that there's a number of shopping bags from very specific stores - baby stores to be precise! Yes, that's right folks, I'm very happy to say that we're expecting a new member of the family in February 2015!

I've been trying to remember to chronicle the bump diaries every week or so, and here are the ones I've done so far since the bump first appeared...!

The bump has also been affecting my eating habits lately, with me wanting the most unusual of foods! At the moment, I can't seem to get enough, oats, milk, chicken and hard cheese. Oats and milk are particularly random as I never eat these normally! Other odd things seem to strike from time to time to, and this week - it was cabbage. I know! Don't ask... I just somehow needed cabbage.

So along with a nice home cooked roast chicken, I cooked up some cabbage in what is possibly the best way ever. I discovered this method thanks to Jamie Oliver, and it really is the only way to eat cabbage - with bacon and Worcestershire sauce! No, honestly, bear with me here - it's not just some mad pregnancy craving - it really is amazing. It tastes absolutely delicious and since my discovery of it a few years ago, trust me - it's the best way to eat cabbage!

On Wednesday night this week I was invited along to a bloggers Cocktail and Mocktail masterclass at the Market Kitchen bar in the Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi Hotel. The bar and restaurant are completely new to the hotel and only opened earlier this year in May.

The bar is very modern and welcoming and instantly makes you feel as though you've been transported to New York. Inspired by Jean-Georges Vongerichten's (a super famous French chef who lives in New York) concept of a 'hotel feeling like home', the restaurant aims to provide the atmosphere and surroundings of a smart but welcoming, casual family kitchen.

An unnamed cocktail created especially for me

I left Mr. Arabian Notes to the cocktails, whilst I tried my hand at the mocktails. Under the supervision of the hotel's master mixologist Alex, Mr. Arabian Notes got stuck into learning the art of creating his favourite cocktail - the perfect vodka Martini.

And before long he was showing off his Tom Cruise in 'Cocktail' skills...!

And then of course it was my turn (strictly with the mocktails this time of course!)...

Here I am creating a 'cucumber mint swizzle' mocktail. After bashing pieces of cucumber and apple with a mallet and slapping mint leaves around to release the flavours and oils, I added mint tea, lemon syrup and gave it a good mix up with the swizzle stick before finishing it off with plenty of crushed ice. The result was a perfectly refreshing drink for a summer afternoon. Very tasty indeed.

If you like your cocktails and mocktails, then you should definitely check out the Market Kitchen bar. Alex, their master mixologist is a charming and talented man who is renowned for his skills and regularly takes part in mixology competitions so you know his skills are top-notch and always evolving with the times. I'm certainly looking forward to going back to trying out the actual restaurant next time. Stay tuned for the lowdown on that soon!

And that was the week that was...