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This July, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi continues the evolving story of The Silk Fold by ETHR Café, the heritage driven installation inspired by the Mandarin Oriental Fan and Emirati craftsmanship, with the introduction of Rhutab Qahwa Cake, a seasonal creation by Executive Pastry Chef Alexandre Thabard, developed in collaboration with ETHR.

Created as an expression of both seasonality and place, the collaboration reflects Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental’s naturally better sustainability philosophy, celebrating responsible sourcing and ingredients that are deeply connected to the UAE’s landscape. From the Palace’s on-site beehives, which support local biodiversity and produce organic honey used across its culinary experiences, to the annual Rhutab harvest that marks one of the country’s most anticipated seasonal moments, the pastry draws on the natural rhythms and traditions that continue to shape Emirati hospitality.

Available for only a few weeks each year, Rhutab is enjoyed fresh from July until the end of August, when the first dates of the season are harvested. Softer and more delicate than fully ripened dates, they are traditionally shared alongside Arabic coffee and gifted among family, neighbours and friends, making the harvest a time synonymous with generosity, connection and hospitality.

Inspired by this ritual, Chef Alexandre has reimagined the classic Rhutab cake through a distinctly local lens. Delicately soaked in coffee and cardamom syrup, the pastry is layered with smooth Rhutab cream and generous pieces of fresh Rhutab before being finished with a light coffee-cardamom whipped cream and a rich coffee and date praline. The result is a dessert that captures the familiar flavours and aromas of qahwa and fresh dates while offering a refined interpretation of a cherished seasonal tradition.

Presented beneath the Palace’s iconic Grand Dome from 15 July to 4 September 2026 Rhutab Qahwa Cake becomes the latest chapter in The Silk Fold by ETHR Café – the immersive summer collaboration celebrating Emirati craftsmanship, culture and creativity through thoughtful design, curated experiences and culinary storytelling.

Rhutab Qahwa Cake by Episodes x ETHR

Available: Daily, 15 July to 4 September 2026

Location: The Silk Fold by ETHR Café, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi