Walk through the ultra-hip Iconic boutique in Deira City Center to uncover a fun and stylish Pan-Asian restaurant offering a unique blend of oriental cuisine. A fun brightly lit interior full of oranges, browns, and mint greens transports the guest to a tropical setting. The enticing menu offers a range of delectable dishes from Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Japan. A trip to Wild Ginger allowed me to experience firsthand the delights of this cute and innovative Asian eatery.

Renowned world-wide as a leader in luxury hospitality, the Ritz Carlton has recently expanded into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with its first hotel in Riyadh due to open this summer. The new 493-room Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh is situated within the Diplomatic Quarter next to the King Abdul Aziz Conference Centre. Located within 213,500 square meters (52 acres) of beautifully landscaped gardens, it was designed by Oger International and was modeled after traditional palaces and elegant Arabian residences.

Artist, philanthropist and jewelry designer, Jessica Robinson creates unique jewelry pieces inspired by her many travels and cultural experiences. Particularly taken with Dubai, her design couples tradition with modernity to create elegant jewelry pieces infused with a sense of spirituality and historical purpose. The stunning traditional architecture and spirituality of the mosques are juxtaposed with the modernity of the Dubai marina and the Deira clock tower throughout her work.

Mamashisha, a popular free online guide about everything having to do with culture, lifestyle and entertainment in Dubai just held their first evening of Culture and Conversation at DIFC’s Empty Quarter Gallery for the gallery’s opening night of Euphoria and Beyond, a photographic exhibition by acclaimed Palestinian artist Steve Sabella.

Currently on view at Opera Gallery in DIFC is an exhibition of Chinese lithographs featuring the work of Yue Minjun, Wang Guangyi, Zhang Xiaogang, Wang Qingsong and Yang Shaobin. These pivotal Chinese contemporary artists depict social realist portrayals of the current cultural and societal change in China.

Illuminated shapes and bold lines come together in constructivist compositions whereby chaos is ordered through simple abstracted geometric colors and lines. “Through the Looking Glass” opening on Monday at Ayyam Gallery’s DIFC space is Syrian artist Mouteea Murad’s first solo show in Dubai.

Opening next Monday at Artspace is an exhibition featuring works by various artists from the Middle East including Kamel Yahiaoui, Hani Zurob, George Bahgory, Ayad Alkhadi, and photographer Harriet Logan. The exhibit takes place in conjunction with Art Night, the an evening of art-related events in DIFC’s Gate Village.

Opening tonight at the Third Line is “Cairo Dreams”, an exhibition revealing new sculptural work by Susan Hefuna. Dynamic and personal, Hefuna’s works capture present time and space through the mediums of aluminum and ink. Her sculptures are dream-like and mystical and connect the spectator with a various thoughts and emotions. A brief talk with the artist reveals the artistic and cultural influences which have impacted her work.

Currently on view at Meem Gallery in Dubai is Art in Iraq Today: Part V, the final part of five exhibitions displaying contemporary Iraqi art. Curated by Dia Al-Azzawi, the exhibit features recent work by Ali Jabbar, Halim Al-Karim, and Mahmoud Obaidi. The show reveals the varying artistic depths of Iraqi contemporary artists practicing throughout the world. It pays tribute to the memory of Jabra Ibrahim Jabra and his influential essays on modern Iraqi art entitled “Art in Iraq Today.”