Da Pino's

Da Pino's is a very nice Italian in the Al Khozarma Center.

The center piece of the Singles section, through which you must pass to access the Family Section if you're of the fairer gender, is an excellent salad and antipasto bar.   We always take nibbles from here because there's usually a reasonable selection and everything is quite tasty.

The decor at Da Pino's gives the impression of an Italian patio overlooking a piazza with brightly colored patio tables and chairs adorned with bunches of flowers in small white vases.  The family section walls are adorned with murals reflecting Italian life and love of food.  The large mirrors on the wall enhance the brightness and add a feeling of spaciousness.  

You can choose to be seated in an alcove for an intimate dinner - very cosy - or take a smaller table with a view of the cooks as they prepare your meal in the open kitchen.

I loved the steak with mushroom sauce.
Hubster thought the risotto was the best he has had here in Riyadh.

For dessert, take another trek out to the Single Section to view the sweets on offer.  I have difficulty going past the Tiramisu because it's my favorite dessert (apart from my mother's home baked apple pie, of course).  The coffee served to end our meal was perfect.

We enjoy Da Pino's when we go.  It's a nice, quiet, get away from it all kind of place.
The service is attentive.
The ambience is relaxed.
The food is delicious.

Steaky's

Steaky's

I've decided to take back any negative indication I may have given about Steaky's.  The place is ok for steak.   The last couple of times we went the steak was beautifully cooked, though not huge - but size isn't everything, right? 

Hubby has tried the ribs twice - beef of course.  Once with the bone, once without.  It's taken him two attempts to decided that ribs that don't originally go 'oink' just do not make the grade.  This has more to do with his palate than with how the Steaky's crew cooks ribs which he admits are nice, they just aren't pork.

The branch of Steaky's we go to is just across the road from Jazeera Market, on Mussah ibn Nasser.  The family section is small and on they way you can look over to the chefs in the kitchen.

You also pass a board with information on how to cook steak which is an eye opening read if comments on your own steak cooking attempts have been less than complementary.  

All seating for families in our branch of Steaky's is booth - no open area.  There has, at times, also been background music playing.  Country and Western, Kenny Rogers. 

The meal has an option for a salad bar to select your own vegetables or the meals have vege's on the side.  We usually do both. 

Although there is dessert, we've never had it.  No particular reason why not other than the fact we've over-eaten our soup, salad and mains. 

If you're after a nice steak meal in a smaller more intimate setting, then yes, come to Steaky's.

Pardon Cafe

Pardon Café is our favourite lunch place, largely because of its proximity to Hubsters work.

To find it head down Ulaya from Uruba Street. Turn left at Hollandi bank ladies branch. It's just along the street a little.   You can't miss the pretty garden with sculptured vessel and bowl just outside.

Pardon Cafe has asian influenced cuisine though it is possible to buy a nice breakfast omlette as well.  Our favourite is the spicy chicken.  They also do a nice range of drink cocktails that are quite refreshing.

The table spaces downstairs are very spacious with large lounge like seats - perfect for small groups out for a bite.  Upstairs the foyer space gives the place a feeling of openness, that's until you sit down and they put up the cane screens to hide you from view.