Latest Posts

Birthday Lunch at Ariel’s Grotto

Published by

Lunch at Ariel's Cove

One of the highlight’s of our Disneyland trip was LittleMiss C’s birthday lunch at Ariel’s Cove. The trip’s main goal was to fulfill our birthday girl’s wish to meet all the Disney Princess and have them sign her book.

You enter the main door and then descend at a spiral staircase into the grotto restaurant. Before you get seated, your party will have a chance to meet Princess Ariel and have a photo taken with her.

Family photo with Princess Ariel

The restaurant is beautiful adorned with jellyfish like chandeliers and ocean mural walls. Windows face the water area of the park which provides a natural light that is great for taking photos.

Ariels Grotto

 

As soon as we got seated, bread and vegetable sticks with dips arrived shortly. LittleOnes got themselves busy with coloring books, paper crowns and spending quality time with their Ninang Athens who flew from NY to LA to spend time with us.

Ariel's Grotto Lunch Menu

Guest’s can choose from 6 mains from their lunch special, each dish is served with either a salad or soup and dessert. (L-R): Grilled Lobster Tail Salad, Red Oak-Smoked Honey-Whiskey Barbecue Tri-Tip, Whozits and Whatzits Fries & Nuggets, Fresh Catch of the Day. You can check restaurant’s menu here.

We have read mix reviews on the food with some even saying it’s utterly a waste of money and that dining their was a total rip-off. I totally DISAGREE, everything that we ordered from the lunch menu was delicious. Portions was just right and seasoned well. Michael our server that afternoon even went out of his way to give kids some more fries when he noticed that LittleMiss really liked them. He also asked us to stay a little longer after dessert for a surprise.

Shortly after our food was served, a royal trumpeter announced the arrival of some special guests. Each of the Princesses were announced separately and did their rounds visiting guests table. Royal guests change day to day, that afternoon we met…

Rapunzel: LittleMiss absolutely love her hair and pointed out that she has flowers on her crown as well.

Rapunzel

 

Mulan: Kuya V was delighted to meet Mulan, his class sang “Reflections” from her movie for school concert. Athens and I decided to have our photo taken with her as well.

Mulan

 

Tiana: She was so tall that I had to carry LittleMiss.

Tiana

 

Cinderella: The Princess that introduced her to the world of fairytales and have a special spot in our hearts.

Cinderella

 

LittleMiss was definitely over the moon with the experience, she kept looking at her autograph book with a big smile. “So many Princess came to my birthday!”

Just as she taught the surprise was over, a treat was delivered to our table.

LittleMissWish“I wish to see all the other Princesses and have my birthday in Disneyland again.”

If you have a little girl who has the same wish I recommend reserving a table at the restaurant, doing so gives you an assurance of meeting 5 Disney Princesses. Dining here would definitely be considered a splurge but if you are not a frequent visitor this is an experience that we recommend you do.

Our experience at Ariel’s Grotto is a special moment we will always treasure.

Chicken Popcorn Kebab Bento Lunch box

Published by

The last of the three products I presented for a bento workshop is the chicken popcorn, it’s odd shape and dull color made it challenging to turn into something fun and inviting to eat. Other products use for the workshop are chicken nuggets and sausage.

Kuya V was the one who suggested that I turn them to kebabs or barbecue with colorful vegetables in between.

Chicken Popcorn Bento Lunchbox

Chicken Popcorn Bento Lunchbox

Barbecue sticks are not allowed in school, instead we made use of drinking straws as skewers.  Now, your chicken popcorn looks more inviting to eat compared to just placing them flat inside your lunchbox.

Inside our lunchbox :

  • kebab of capsicum, olives, cherry tomatoes and chicken popcorn
  • strawberry, kiwi and blueberry
  • cheese cupcake (I will post recipe of this soon)
  • sweet corn adorned with cucumber carrot flower
  • baby carrots and broccoli

Bento tools: tiny fork food picks, silicone cupcake liners and drinking straw.

Check out how we made fun bento lunch box with sausage and chicken nuggets.

Tag us on any of your bento lunchbox creations and use #UAEMakesBento and #WhatToEatMom on instagram. We are @cuddlesncrumbs on all social media platform.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Bento Lunchbox

Published by

LittleMiss C’s class is currently learning about bugs in school. One of the books they are reading and also our favorite is “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.”

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Bento LunchboxI prepared a simple lunchbox as per LittleMiss’ request about the book.

We have ‘flower’ ham, caterpillar beans, and flower carrots over steamed jasmine rice.

Items used:

  • U-Konserve 32 oz stainless square box
  • Eco-Vessel Steel bottle

*Both items are from the online store My Baby Organic Shop.

Tag us on any of your bento lunchbox creations and use #UAEMakesBento and #WhatToEatMom on instagram. We are @cuddlesncrumbs on all social media platform.

How to make Under the Sea Bento Lunch box

Published by

We officially welcome summer in Dubai.

Mighty sun hiding behind the clouds this morning which makes it a perfect beach weather. Here’s a simple bento lunchbox to welcome summer.

Under The Sea Bento Lunchbox

This is the second bento lunch box I presented at a workshop for a company here in Dubai. The goal was to turn three boring grocery food –  nuggets, sausages & chicken popcorn to something that is more inviting and fun to look at.

Inside our lunchbox :

  • octopus and crab chicken sausage pasta on top of a bed of lettuce
  • olives
  • cheese & bread stars
  • baby carrots & broccoli
  • grapes

Bento tools: crystal food picks and cupcake liners

This is one of the lunchbox I made for a bento workshop I conducted here in Dubai that aims to make the chicken sausage the star of the bento box.

Follow the simple instructions below to create a sausage/hotdog Octopus and Crab.

HowToMakeCrabSausageHotdogHowToMakeOctopusSausageHotdog2

Next post will be how to make a fun bento lunch box with chicken popcorn. Check out how we created Minions out of chicken nuggets, here.

Tag us on any of your bento lunchbox creations and use #UAEMakesBento and #WhatToEatMom on instagram. We are @cuddlesncrumbs on all social media platform.

Happy 14th Adventureland, UAE

Published by

Mardi Gras at AdventurelandAdventureland located at Sahara Mall celebrated their 14th anniversary last February 20.

It was nice  of them to host the kids and young adults of SNF Development Centre. The next generation of Filipino Dubai Expat Bloggers easily spent the morning with games and rides.

Adventureland is open from 10 am to 11 pm, Sundays to Wednesdays (weekdays) and 10 am to 12 mn, Thursdays to Saturdays (weekends).  More info available on www.adventureland-sharjah.com.

Ronda Locatelli’s Family Brunch, All’Italiana

Published by

We were invited to the launch of Ronda Locatelli’s Family Brunch All’Italiana. The newest Saturday brunch offer at Atlantis The Palm Dubai was hosted by Chef Giorgio Locatelli himself.

The brunch gives homage to family mealtime which promises to bring the taste of Italy in a warm and inviting environment where kids under 11 yrs. eat for FREE.

Here’s a sneak peak of what we had that relaxing Saturday afternoon.

Shared starters includes Calamari, Pizzettes, Bresaola and Burrata.

Ronda Locatelli Shared Starters

Mains includes Italian staples of handmade ravioli and vegetable lasagna. It was delicious and makes you feel that you are having it at the comfort of your home.

Ronda Locatelli Brunch Pasta

 

We were all quickly drawn to the Sea Bream and Braised Beef while the kids enjoyed every bite of grilled chicken and lamb.

Filetto Di Orata Mediteranea Ronda Locatelli Brunch Atlantis The Palm
Filetto Di Orata Mediteranea
Agnelle E Pollo Alla Griglia Ronda Locatelli Atlantis The Palm
Agnelle E Pollo Alla Griglia
Brasato Di Manzo Ronda Locatelli Atlantis The Palm
Brasato Di Manzo

Parents can have a relaxing brunch because they prepared activities to keep the kids busy. The Jam Jar Dubai kept the kids busy with painting sessions and they get to bring home their own artwork afterwards.

The Jam Jar Painting Session Atlantis The Palm
Kid activities at Ronda Locatelli Brunch
The Jam Jar Painting Session

They also got to make their own wood fire pizza and got to enjoy it after.

Locatelli Brunch Pizza Making

Chef Giorgio Locatelli himself served the kids their own pizza. They may not realize it now but how lucky are these two to meet a Michelin star chef.

Vierte & Chloe meets Chef Giorgio Locatelli

 

Ronda Locatelli Saturday Brunch from 12:00pm to 3:30 pm priced at AED 195 (non-alcoholic) and AED 295 (including house beverages) per person, a minimum of two must be purchased and kids below 11 dine for free (kids must be accompanied with parents).

For more information or to make a reservation visit http://www.atlantisthepalm.com/restaurants or call restaurant reservations on +971 4 426 2626.

Minions Chicken Nuggets Bento Lunch Box

Published by

A few weeks back I worked on a bento lunchbox workshop, the goal was to turn three boring grocery food –  nuggets, sausages & chicken popcorn to something that is more inviting and fun to look at.

You first eat with your eyes.

I hate to admit it but when given a choice between my homemade chicken nuggets to store bought ones, my children almost always prefer the latter because of it’s crunchy outside texture. Yes, I give in and buy the frozen ones in the grocery for those days that I don’t have the energy.

Minions Chicken Nuggets BentoWe love Minions!

Looking at Bob, Kevin and Stuart’s funny faces automatically brightens up a tough day. Agree?

I made use of sliced cheese and nori sheets to make the minion face.

Hope you have a Baaa…baaa…baaanana…Nuggets day ahead!

Next post will be how to make a fun bento lunch box with sausages and chicken popcorn.

Tag us on any of your bento lunchbox creations and use #UAEMakesBento and #WhatToEatMom on instagram. We are @cuddlesncrumbs on all social media platform.

Linked to What Kids Eat Wednesday

Pit stop for a quick bite

Published by

We are planning for an upcoming road trip to Al Ain with friends this month. Since the Dad’s are taking over the task of driving, my fellow moms and I are working on a list on where we can stop to get food. Road trip makes children bored and very hungry.

It seems that stopping by a gasoline station is the best option for us – refill gas, have our car’s check, toilet visit and grab something to eat. We made a few stops at our neighborhood gasoline stations ENOC and EPPCO we discovered a bakery & coffee shop – Pronto. The kids remembered our long drive to Las Vegas last year and pointed out that it was similar to the stops we made.

Pronto Coffee Muffin

We prefer to pack food or stop by a restaurant on long road trips. Food I get to pack doesn’t stay warm plus eating inside the car gives me a bit of stress because the smell can cause nausea, the outcome I don’t want to encounter.

It definitely is good to know that some ZOOM stores and ENOC/EPPCO petrol stations offer a place for travelers to get fast service and fresh food. They do offer a variety of food and drinks. Hot and cold coffee were available, perfect to give our Daddy drivers a boost for the long drive and beverages for the kids with muffins to go along with it.

Food stop sorted for the long drive to Al Ain!