Post Category - What's OnWhat's On - Post Category - Neighbourhood GuidesNeighbourhood GuidesMall of the Emirates has opened a brand new wing mamas so we hot-footed it over there for a little shopping, eating and playing (all in the name of research of course) – to bring you a little mini guide to the latest in food, fashion and fun at one of Dubai’s most iconic malls. Happy Mall Trawling!
Shop
Adidas
Recently opened by uber Sassy dad David Beckham (swoon), the new adidas store features everything from the brand’s signature athletic footwear to clothes and sports accessories.
All Saints
All Saints has gone marching into MOE and we’re delighted mamas! If you don’t know this big name in British fashion then here’s the deal. Originally from East London, the clothes are a little bit gothic (but not in a scary way) – think edgy designs in black, beige and grey plus occasional skulls and that distressed look of well-loved vintage pieces. We love their dresses, denim and tees – oh and their leather jackets are amazing and we want one.
Borders
Bookworms, this one’s for you. Bring the kiddos, get cosy over a book or two and prepare to expand your in-home library. They also have stationery (if you’re looking for a Moleskin diary then this is the place), toys and games plus a Starbucks for that much needed caffeine hit.
Burberry Children
Known for their classic British heritage style – and their famous Nova check print – the Burberry Children’s store is jam-packed with the cutest little versions of coats, simple easy-to-wear dresses and lots of beautiful accessories and baby clothes. Perfect for special occasions or very special gifts.
Cath Kidston
Our Editor Kaya has long been a fan of British designer Cath Kidston’s vintage floral and retro prints. Give your home the Cath touch (tea-towels, melamine breakfast bowls and wash bags among other cute accessories) in gorgeous patterns. The clothes are super sweet too – onesies for the babies and old-fashioned knits for the kids. And we have our eye on a quirky ‘London’ themed skirt too! PJs covered in farm animals, pretty dresses to knitted tank tops – it’s all too cute to resist
Jacadi
Seriously scrumptious Parisian inspired clothing for babies and children, Jacadi reinterprets French trends to make adorable outfits for fashion-conscious kiddos aged from zero to 12 years and is a big hit with little celebs across the globe. The mix and match separates are divine, we just wish it all came in our size!
Juicy Couture
Want to add a hint of LA razzle dazzle to your wardrobes, mamas? Juicy Couture’s velour tracksuits (made famous by Madonna, Britney Spears, J-Lo and Paris Hilton) and toweling beach wear are fun, cute and colourful (but not cheap!).
Katakeet Boutique
Paul Smith, Dior, Fendi Kids, Little Marc Jacobs – this store is a mini fashionista’s paradise if you’re into spending a hefty sum on your little ones togs! If designer gear is what you’re after, you’ll find all of the world’s finest luxury brands and kiddie trends here.
Lululemon Athletica
We have waited… and waited… and waited – and FINALLY the sportswear gods have answered our prayers and brought Lululemon from Canada to our desert city. If you wanna work out in style, then head here for everything from yoga clothes to running gear plus all the accessories you could need.
AND… every Saturday, there’s a complimentary in-store yoga class at 8.30am – all you have to do is get there with plenty of time to spare and bring a mat.
Mothercare
For all your maternity and baby essentials – from clothing to feeding, transport to bathing – we love Mothercare’s bigger, better location.
Petit Bateau
Petit Bateau has been kitting out kids and their parents in chic classic French style for almost 100 years. If you love the idea of you and your littles live in Paris for half of the year (yes, please) then head here for beautiful Breton stripes, soft cotton and dreamy prints. These clothes are heavenly and made to last too.
SeaFolly
What the Aussies don’t know about beachwear isn’t worth knowing mamas – and the Seafolly range of swimsuits, bikinis and accessories is no exception! We’re coveting it all (especially the Riviera striped one piece).
Tanagra
A little store of luxuries – don’t be put off by the slightly random window display, mamas, as there are some beautiful home accessories and a whole lot of fashion accessories – oh and one of our very favourite scents by Acqua Di Parma inside.
Paperchase
This store is lethal if you’re a stationery fiend. Jam packed with the cutest cards, wrapping paper and ribbon plus all sorts of desk accessories from photo frames to binders and a huge range of sassy school essentials for kids – this is also a fab place to find some awesome stocking fillers mamas!
Coming soon…
Abercrombie Kids
Perfectly preppy threads for toddlers to teens – we can’t wait for this store to open!
Abercrombie & Fitch
The swimwear is to-die-for as are the teeny tees and tanks and their huge range of denim. Oh and the dresses? We love.
Dolce & Gabbana
This Italian fashion house needs no introduction – okay, so it’s expensive – but a little window shopping (or a new pair of sunnies) never hurt anyone, right?
Ralph Lauren
Classic and traditional – if you want your little chaps to look dapper and your girls super polished then this is the place to go. Just be prepared to splash some cash.
Eat
800 Degrees Pizza
Pizza as it should be – thin, crispy and with no unnecessary frills, the Italians would most definitely approve. Choose your toppings and wait only 90 seconds (yup, the pizza is cooked at 800 degrees) before enjoying. Bellissimo!
azkadenya
Fab modern/retro Arabic resto that serves traditional dishes with a modern twist. Brown dough Maneesh with Halloumi cheese or some pink hummous, anyone?
Common Grounds
After Tom & Serg and The Sum of Us comes Common Grounds, an industrial cool café with the signature style of its older siblings. The prawn tacos were delicious, the carrot cake scrummy and the flat white perfect. The ideal place to bring the whole fam or fuel up on caffeine and brekkie before Carrefour opens downstairs.
mOre Café
We were devastated when this mama-fave closed it’s doors – but turns out that they were just preparing to reopen on the floor above and are looking bigger and better than before. Open at 8am (early morning, mama?), the restaurant has a fab breakfast menu with lots of yummy choices, including healthy Fresh Fruit Salad and Yoghurt, and more filling options such as a good old English Breakfast and Eggs Benedict. And don’t even get us started on the lunch and dinner options or their awesome cakes…
Texas de Brazil
Sometimes you need a little (or a lot) of meat – especially if you need to bribe the hubby to trawl the mall. The USA’s biggest steakhouse is just the ticket for a big meaty meal before, or after, hours of spending.
Chocolate Bar NYC
Um… a place dedicated to chocolate… need we say more?! Head here for a sugary treat and a kickin’ espresso!
Yo! Sushi
Japanese food delivered directly to you via a conveyer belt – this is a huge fave with the kiddos (although we think they prefer the conveyor to the sushi – but that’s okay as we get to sit and eat for a few minutes) and an ideal pit-stop for a healthy refuel at the mall.
Omnia Baharat
Sassy mama Silvena Rowe has done it again with the opening of Omnia Baharat – little sibling to Omnia Gourmet, Omnia Blue, Omnia by Silvena and Omnia Glow! This impressive family is all about real food free of nasties and full of taste. The smoothies are yummy and the lobster mac ‘n cheese a must. If you haven’t been then make sure it’s on your list mamas.
Din Tai Fung
This place is regularly totally full to the rafters with Asian mamas and expats with a need for traditional Taiwanese dumplings (sans pork, sadly). The kids loved watching the chefs creating their magical little parcels in the kitchen and slurping up dan dan noodles.
Little Sassy Mama tip… the dumplings are super hot so poke a hole in them with your chopstick, wait a minute, then dip in the vinegar/soy sauce mix and pop in your mouth. Mmmmm.
Coming soon:
Dean & DeLuca
This infamous New York deli is heading our way and promises to be the perfect place to pick up some amazing produce, stop for really good coffee or have a spot of yummy lunch. Yippeee! (hurry up Dean & Deluca!).
Eat Greek
Big Fat Greek Breakfast anyone?
Grom
Authentic Italian Gelato made with ingredients from an organic farm in Piedmont. YUM!
Play
VOX Cinema
Now mamas this ain’t no ordinary cinema. There are 24 new screens including a 4DX theatre that knocks 3D out of the water (think moving seats and environmental effects plus scent-sprayers and much more) – if it’s raining on screen it’ll be raining on you, too! There’s also the first laser IMAX in the region complete with ginormous screen and super bright imagery, a special ‘VOX kids’ theatre complete with colourful chairs, appearances from movie characters and birthday party packages (private movie screening for your little prince or princess? This is Dubai after all). And then our absolute fave…thEATre where food is courtesy of Gary Rhodes and menus are specially designed to match film releases. Definitely date night material.
