Sunday, June 7, 2015

WAFI launches 39Studio & debuts new menu at Asha’s



WAFI Mall created a day of rich experiences and festivities on 30th May 2015, for Buzzingtales & a select coterie of guests who were invited to sample the new menu at Indian restaurant Asha’s before heading to the gala opening of Kaltham Alabbar’s fashion venture 39Studio.



The festivities kicked off with a relaxed afternoon lunch at Asha’s – the eponymous restaurant by legendary singer Asha Bhosle. The legendary voice was present in person socialising with the guests who tried the restaurant’s new coastal menu, and sampled some of Bhosle’s own favourite dishes.
The lunch was followed by the grand opening gala for 39Studio, WAFI’s newest abaya couture and fashion offering by Kaltham Alabbar, who has combined her passion for art and design with the entrepreneurial genes of the Alabbar family.
“WAFI isn’t just a place for retail but rather a destination for experiences. We were very pleased to have been able to create a full day of taste, sensations and fashion for our discerning guests, and show them the latest that WAFI has to offer. From new coastal dishes tantalising taste buds to 39Studio’s chique trends, we are constantly looking at ways of reinventing and enhancing the WAFI experience,” Layla Al Harmoudi, Head of WAFI Central Marketing Department, WAFI Mall.

39Studio caters to local and Arabic tastes, fusing traditional abaya and jalabiya designs with global influences to create signature capes and kaftans. Contemporary design meets age-old tradition in a synthesis of form and function. 39Studio will also offer Pret a Porter – or ready to wear – collections for travel and special occasions.


“I am very pleased to have opened the first 39Studio at WAFI Mall, which I feel is an excellent fit for the brand. We are working hard to create special collections and events for Ramadan and Eid, and unveiling exclusive lines that match the mood of the season. This is only the start of 39Studio’s journey, and we will soon have other exciting news to share,” said Alabbar.
Dubai’s newest fashion brand makes a mark in the market with technological innovation combined with quality and a meticulous attention to detail that is usually only the preserve of fashion’s biggest names. The semiotics behind the brand puts 9 as the absolute core of the brand, while the 30 left over represents the number of days in a month, paying homage to daily life and everyday items.




“WAFI will continue curating superb experiences for its clientele, and we are delighted that entrepreneurs continue choosing WAFI Mall as a destination of choice for their innovative offerings,” Layla Al Harmoudi concluded.  

The Matchless Asha Bhosle At Asha's Original Restaurant - Wafi Mall


It’s not every day that life brings you face to face with a celebrity of the caliber of the ionic Ashaji’s fame.  Hence Buzzingtales was transported to quiet another world at the prospect of meeting up with the living legend - Asha Bhosle. On 30th May 2015 bollywood’s all time singing sensation Asha Bhosle hosted a lunch and met with food bloggers and social media personnel’s at her celebrated  Indian restaurant ASHA’s Original at Wafi Mall, Dubai – to mark the launch of the new Coastal Menu.





Residents of Sheikhdom are unlikely to miss the architectural splendor of Wafi.  Housed in it, is the illustrious Indian singer Asha Bhosle Ji’s pioneer Indian Restaurant of Asha’s Original.  Asha’s Original’s inherent tradition of serving delicious authentic Indian cuisine stems from the owner’s love for cooking and serving good food. 


In Ashaji’s own words -  “Cooking is a lot like singing. It brings joy and pleasure to my audience.” “Good food transcends any language or culture it has universal appeal.”
Many of the signature dishes have been developed by Ashaji herself and from her culinary encounters gained through voracious travel across India.



Meeting such an illustrious yet grounded personality, exuding so much warmth just takes ones breath away. She was her charming self - Patiently chatting up & posing for pictures with the guests/fans. Dressed demurely in a light blue & white saree with a string of beads she belied her age. Her warmth and flamboyance was reflected in the restaurant’s décor, service as well as cuisine.


Asha’s Original offers scrumptious traditional Indian delicacies in a dynamic modern setting. During the winter Asha’s  gorgeous terrace setting is an ideal place to enjoy your food as well as the stunning views of the Wafi courtyard. During the summer you can relax in the idyllic ambience inside the restaurant and catch a glimpse of some memorable moments from Ashaji’s life though the pictures adored in the walls.



My mango based drink was absolutely gorgeous. Among the delectable range of snacks served, the char-grilled Kerala tiger prawns with garlic and chilli from the costal menu, struck a special chord with the guests.  I found the dahi bundi very refreshing- Just the right stuff to beat the sultry and harsh summer. The Kadhai Paneer and Dal Makhani(Lentil Butter) served with an assortment of Indian breads was just out of this world. We got to know that the Dal Makhani owes its wondrous taste to dollops of butter (makhan) and a lot of hard work and sweat. The Dal is cooked for an arduous 6 hours before it can be served- but the end result more than justified such enormous effort. Having a sweet tooth I have a special place for dessert. No matter how stuffed I am, dessert always finds its way to my tummy. The Soft Rasmalai (cheese dumplings) in sweetened saffron milk and the hot inviting Gulab Jamuns effortlessly found their way into my mouth and heart. So if you love delicious Indian food served in a soothing alluring ambience head off to Asha’s Original at Wafi Mall.