Sheraton Dammam Hotel & Towers opened Asahi, a pan-Asian restaurant, which offers Japanese and Chinese cuisine in the presence of diplomats and businessmen over the weekend. Japanese Ambassador Shigeru Nakamura, Indian Ambassador M.O.H. Farook, US Consul General John Kaincannon, Chinese Economic and Commercial Counselor Li Yan Li were among the guests present. “Asahi is a contemporary concept of dining,” Abdullah Melhem, general manager of the Sheraton Dammam Hotel & Towers, said. “We have drawn the best of the Oriental cuisine and blended in our restaurant. From the decor to the cuisine, it is aesthetics with quality and variety,” Melhem added. After the renovation and opening of Da Vinci Italian Restaurant last June,” we are moving forward,” Melhem said, adding that a unique spa and wellness club, “the largest in the Kingdom” is expected to open toward the end of the year.

Ermenegildo Zegna

Ermenegildo Zegna, a world leader in fine men’s clothing, on Wednesday announced completion of the renovation of the first landmark boutique in Jeddah with an exclusive in-store reception for customers, VIPs and the elite citizens. The renovated store, which originally opened in 1998, is the first and only Ermenegildo Zegna boutique in Saudi Arabia. However, Zegna has been in the Saudi market since the early 1990’s with dedicated areas, corners and multibrand shops. This Zegna boutique is one of the first luxury boutiques opened in Saudi Arabia. It reopened with renewed, enlarged areas and new spaces completely dedicated to accessories. The boutique offers important and luxury products from Zegna and meets the consumers’ strong and growing demand for luxury and exclusive menswear. Located on Tahliah Street, the selling area of the restyled store covers 120 square meters. Designed by Gianmaria and Roberto Beretta of Studio Beretta in Milan, the boutique utilizes a variety of colors, natural textures and furnishing details to distinguish between the different collections inside the store, while keeping the Zegna heritage of timeless style and sophisticated elegance. Three brands will be housed in the boutique: Ermenegildo Zegna, Zegna Sport and Z Zegna.

Vertu

Vertu, claimed to be the world’s first luxury communications company, has opened two boutiques in Jeddah and Alkhobar through its authorized dealer Arabian Luxury gifts company, as part of its ongoing expansion plan for the region. The two new boutiques were opened following the success of the brand in Saudi Arabia since its launch in 2006. “The two new store openings come as a result of the outstanding success and growth of Vertu in the Kingdom,” Vertu’s regional manager for MEA region, Wajdi Abdul Hadi, said. “Our clients in the Kingdom expect handsets of exceptional design and individuality and with these two new store openings, we aim to continue offering to our clients.”

Superyacht

Following the successful Gulf launch of the signed “Pele” limited edition ‘big-book’ in 2006, perhaps the most luxurious luxury big-book ever has been created as a follow-up. “Superyacht” has been described as “this year’s hottest must-have luxury item” by the International Herald Tribune. It has also been reviewed in Lloyd’s List, the shipping newspaper. Tatler, the UK’s oldest magazine, described it as “the ultimate coffee-table book, if you have the ultimate coffee-table.” There is a wealth of Gulf-related content in the book. A copy is being auctioned in Dubai during November (a special polo event planned) and a number of VIPs and ruling family members in Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain are among the customers.

MMG

Mohammad Al-Mojil Group (MMG), a long established leader in Saudi Arabia’s industrial construction sector, has been awarded “Construction partner of the year 2007” by Samsung Engineering. The award, which is given to one of Samsung’s construction and engineering partners from around the world each year, has been presented to MMG in recognition of being “the best quality and performance partner” for 2007. “We are proud to have been selected by Samsung Engineering for this very prestigious international award for our work at the third Sharq expansion project in Jubail. Our commitment to safe, reliable and timely delivery of construction projects to our clients has been recognized by one of the world’s biggest and most successful engineering procurement and construction contractors,” said Fahad Al-Raqtan, MD, MMG. “We are highly satisfied with the performance and trustful partnership of MMG shown to us for this demanding project, Sharq third expansion project, EG plant,” S. Kang, VP and resident director of Samsung Engineering Saudi Arabia, said.

DAMAC

DAMAC Properties has won two prestigious awards at the CNBC Arabian Property Awards 2007. The Dubai-based property developer received the “Best High Rise Development” award for “La Residence at the Lotus” and the “Best Website” award for the company’s revamped website. DAMAC’s La Residence at the Lotus is also nominated for the International Property Awards that will be taking place in Las Vegas at the Bellagio Hotel on Nov. 16.