Latest news with #Rayah
National Post
25-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
From Café-Croissant to Couscous Royal, Rayah Brings French-Moroccan Flavours to Cabbagetown
Article content A new café-pâtisserie and restaurant in Toronto blends Maghrebi roots, Parisian charm, and halal comfort food in one joyful all-day spot. Article content TORONTO — Rayah has officially opened its doors at 507 Parliament Street, and it's not quite like anything else in Toronto. Bringing a soulful French-Moroccan dining experience to Cabbagetown, Rayah is a café, a pâtisserie, a restaurant, but above all, a place to gather. Article content From buttery croissants and bold espresso in the morning to couscous, tagines, and mocktails in the evening, Rayah flows seamlessly from day to night. It's the kind of spot where you can ease into the day with a café-croissant, catch up with friends over shakshuka and mint tea, grab pastries with the kids after school, or settle in for a warm, comforting dinner, all in a space that's design-forward but delightfully unfussy. Everything is 100% halal, rooted in heritage, and served with one promise: good food, fair prices, and chill vibes. Article content Rayah is the first concept from Wafa El Rhazi, born in France and of North-African descent, the kind of childhood where Fridays meant family couscous and after-school flan from the corner bakery. After a tech career, Wafa moved to Toronto in 2021 with her husband and child and decided to follow a long-held dream: creating a vibrant spot that reflects her story, somewhere between her Moroccan roots, French upbringing, and Parisian life. Article content 'Rayah has always been about bringing both sides of me together,' said Wafa El Rhazi, owner of Rayah. 'I'm French and Moroccan, and I wanted to create a place that feels like both, where you can order a croissant or a lamb tagine, and halal food is simply part of the experience. I don't drink, and I used to envy the fun of cocktails, the shaker, the garnish, the glass, so I wanted our mocktails to feel just as thoughtful. For me, Rayah is about making everyone feel at home, wherever they are from.' Article content On the menu: Article content Couscous Royal – The most Parisian of couscous dishes: slow-cooked, layered with vegetables and tender halal meats. Lamb & Prune Tagine – A sweet-savoury dish reserved for special occasions in Moroccan households. Cordon Bleu – Breaded chicken filled with melty cheese and pastrami, pure nostalgic comfort. Merguez-Purée – A North African twist on the classic French 'Saucisse-Purée,' featuring homemade merguez. Refreshing Mocktails – Non-alcoholic drinks like hibiscus & rose, orange blossom & almond, and pear & violet. Article content Rayah's interiors reflect Wafa's diasporic journey, featuring zellige tiles, vintage French posters, and thrifted tableware. A 1983 Moroccan Grand Taxi stands at the entrance, the iconic beige Mercedes known as Taxi Biad, used for long trips across Morocco. Every summer, Wafa's family would hop in one to visit relatives or head to the beach, a ritual that holds a special place in the memory of the Moroccan diaspora. Inside, a Peugeot 103 is on display, and the women's washroom nods to her childhood, styled after the dressing rooms at TATI, a beloved French department store. Article content The name Rayah is inspired by Ya Rayah, an Algerian song about exile, nostalgia, and one-way departures, originally written by Dahmane El Harrachi and later made famous worldwide by Rachid Taha. Meaning 'the one who left,' the name reflects the immigrant experience and a longing to pause, connect, and feel a sense of belonging. Rayah is a response to that feeling, a place to feel at home, no matter where you're from. Article content Whether you're stopping in for coffee and a croissant, enjoying brunch with friends and family, or ending the day with couscous and mocktails, Rayah welcomes everyone to the table. The restaurant is currently open Wednesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with the café open all day, brunch served from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner beginning at 6 p.m. To celebrate the opening, Rayah is launching a special Instagram contest where two lucky winners will enjoy a dining experience, complete with private transportation in the restaurant's classic Moroccan Grand Taxi. For more details and to enter, follow @rayahcafe on Instagram. Article content About Rayah: Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Inquiries: Article content Article content Article content Article content
Time Out Abu Dhabi
17-06-2025
- General
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
There's a new school rating system in Abu Dhabi and it will be publicly displayed
Choosing the right school in Abu Dhabi just got a whole lot easier. In a move that's all about transparency and empowering families, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has rolled out a brand-new School Performance Plaque system. From now on, every private school in the capital will display its performance rating right at the entrance – no digging through websites required. So, what exactly are these plaques showing off? Each one features two major indicators of school quality: the Irtiqa'a rating, which is based on ADEK's in-depth inspection framework and the National Identity Mark, a score that reflects how well the school promotes UAE culture, values and citizenship. The Irtiqa'a inspection covers everything from student achievement and wellbeing to teaching quality and leadership. The National Identity Mark, on the other hand, gives insight into how deeply a school integrates Emirati heritage and values into everyday learning. And that's not all – a third rating, the Wellbeing Mark, is on the way. This future addition will highlight schools' efforts in supporting the emotional, social and physical wellbeing of both students and teachers. Whether you're touring potential schools or simply curious about how your child's current school stacks up, these plaques are designed to offer an instant snapshot of school quality at a glance. Want to dive deeper? ADEK's Rayah app and website offer full access to inspection frameworks and guides to help you understand exactly what each score means. So next time you're visiting a school in Abu Dhabi, look out for the plaque by the door – it could tell you more than any brochure ever could. Sulaiman Al Ameri, Acting Private Education and Charter Schools Sector Executive Director at ADEK said: 'These plaques represent more than just a rating — they reflect a school's commitment to academic excellence and to nurturing a strong sense of national identity in our students. 'By making performance outcomes visible, we're encouraging continuous improvement and giving parents a transparent, at-a-glance understanding of school quality.' More going on in Abu Dhabi The 27 best things to do indoors this summer in Abu Dhabi It's time for some air-conditioned bliss Psst: This is when summer officially starts in Abu Dhabi No complaints here Yas Waterworld's epic new expansion is opening this summer – including 12 new slides Weeeeee! 25 brilliant beach and pool day passes in Abu Dhabi Grab your SPF – a lush day by the water awaits
Al Etihad
16-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi private schools to display performance plaques at entrances
16 June 2025 21:22 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)In a major move to boost transparency and community engagement, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has mandated all private schools in the emirate to install performance plaques at their entrances. The plaques will clearly display each school's most recent Irtiqā'a inspection rating and National Identity Mark, making key quality indicators instantly visible to parents and visitors, a statement from ADEK said on Monday. According to ADEK, the plaques are not just a reporting tool, but a reflection of each school's commitment to both academic excellence and national values.'These plaques represent more than just a rating — they reflect a school's commitment to academic excellence and to nurturing a strong sense of national identity in our students,' said Sulaiman Al Ameri, Acting Executive Director of the Private Education and Charter Schools Sector at ADEK.'By making performance outcomes visible, we're encouraging continuous improvement and giving parents a transparent, at-a-glance understanding of school quality.'The Irtiqā'a rating system is an established inspection framework that assesses private school performance across six areas, including student achievement, personal and social development, teaching and assessment, curriculum quality, student care and wellbeing, and leadership National Identity Mark, on the other hand, is an annual rating that evaluates how well schools embed Emirati culture, values, and citizenship within their educational said the initiative aligns with its broader goal of building a world-class education ecosystem where families are empowered to make informed choices. In time, the plaques will also include the Wellbeing Mark, which will reflect schools' efforts in supporting the emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of both students and staff. Parents are encouraged to look for the plaques during school visits and can explore more about both frameworks through the ADEK website or its Rayah parent app, the statement said. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
