Nespresso shop Centria Mall

Nespresso Shop Centria Mall.

I love the wall of color in the Nespresso shop in Centria Mall.

Our stocks at home had run a little short so after a breakfast with friends at Laduree, which is just down the walkway a little, I stopped in to pick up some coffee supplies.  

Sometimes I make my choice based on the color of the box, which is exactly what I did today.  The young bloke in the store offered to make me a cup so I could test it before purchasing, but we ladies had a salon appointment (as you do), so time was short.  Hubster will be happy though. He loves his Nespresso. 

#nespresso #coffee #CentriaMall #colorful #riyadh #saudiarabia #ksa #shopping #DiningInRiyadh

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Salad drowning in balsamic.

Salad drowning in balsamic. Saudi is not renowned as a salad eating nation, so ordering one can always be a bit hit and miss.
 #deathtosalad #mygreensarebuggered #salad #DiningInRiyadh #saudiarabia #ksa #riyadh #eatingout #dining #restaurant #expatlife #livinginSaudiArabia

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I received a comment on this Instagram entry that asked me not to generalize on the state of salads in Saudi and that I probably had my salad in the wrong place.  The commentor ended by saying he eats salad and so do the rest of his countrymen.  I will agree with him on one point - having my salad in the wrong place.

The thing is I like salad, and have made and eaten variations of salads for a lot of years.  Six years ago, when I first started dining out at restaurants, it was quite obvious that salads were a recent introduction to the Saudi dining out scene.  They were plain, unimaginative, afterthoughts.  A bit of lettuce (often wilted) stuck on the side of a plate sometimes with grated carrot or corn kernels tossed on.  

I can understand the salads in Saudi being this way.  Salads were not a traditional staple in this country.  The bedu diet of the past was mainly wheat, camel or date based.  Islamic pilgrimages eventually created trade routes into the country and it is along these that spices and other foods, such as hummus, tabouleh, shwarma, and kabsa were introduced to the country.  Coastal people, of course, had access to various varieties of seafood.

Although historical trade and occupancy ups and downs influenced changes in cuisine in accessible coastal areas, the more isolated parts of the country weren't so easily reached, or even impressed.  I think this is why Saudi traditional food is still very much a part of Saudi life today when I visit Saudi homes or in rural areas.

The largest and most rapid country wide dietary change happened after the discovery of oil in 1938.  Workers and expats from all over the world opened up Saudi gastronomic horizons, most from the Indian continent.  

With the western influx it was just a matter of time before fast food joints began popping up everywhere.  Historically, fast food joints never sold salad.  Salads at McDonalds is a relatively new phenomenon world wide.  Today restaurants selling food from almost every country in the world have popped up in the larger cities.

As I said in my Instagram post, Saudi isn't renowned for eating salad.  It is renowned for oil, Islam, women who aren't allowed to drive and modern day slavery with the sponsorship system.  It is this latter fact that adds to the woes of those who like a good salad when they eat out - most restaurant employees also don't hail from countries considered 'salad creative'.  In fact, I'd hazard a guess that most folks who work in Saudi kitchens aren't even trained chefs, much less salad chefs.  

It is hardly surprising then, that finding a good salad in a Saudi dining spot, or its accompaniment - a decent salad dressing,  is a bit of a mission.  And by a decent salad dressing, I don't mean something from out of a bottle that can be bought at the supermarket.  Few of those I would class as decent.  And they are downright terrible when they are poured all over my salad vegetables drowning out any possibility of me to taste any form of fresh vegetable flavor.   

Sure, in the last couple years salads have started to become a more accepted part of the Saudi dining out scene.  They still have a way to go before they reach the quality or variety or respect I'd like to see in a salad. 

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Sushi sashimi maki platter at Tokyo restaurant

Sushi sashimi maki platter at Tokyo restaurant on Aruba St for dinner last night. I hadn't been here for a while. Very nice. 

#sushi #sashimi #makiroll #DiningInRiyadh #japanese #riyadh #saudiarabia #ksa #expatlife #platter #latergram

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Yummy crepe for breakfast at Paul's on Tahalia.

Yummy crepe for breakfast at Paul's on Tahalia. 

#breakfast #crepe #Pauls #TahaliaStreet #DiningInRiyadh #tasty #riyadh #saudiarabia #ksa #expatlife

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Bagels in Riyadh

Out by Granada Mall, next door to Centerpoint is a small, clean, tidy eatery that you may not give a second glance as you drive by, nestled as it is amongst the older small business shops around it. But if you love dense, chewy, handmade bagels then stop here you should.

Circles & Circles sells bagels. And coffee. But mostly bagels.  Freshly baked, round and chewy - just how I like them. 

I fell in like with bagels over 20 years ago.  Chewy and dense they were a bread with substance.  I've come across a lot of poor imitations since then.  New Zealand and Australia are fabulous places to live, but they don't really do Bagels.  The mass produced product that big business bakeries churn out should not be allowed to  put the word 'Bagel' on the packet!  Thin, weak and lacking any oomph, they are a total disappointment. 

I actually got to the point where I began to doubt the clarity of my memory with that first bagel experience.  Did I dream that big thick doughy bread!.  Today, at last, I found a bagel that I could say, 'Yes, this is how I remember Bagels'.   

They bagels are baked fresh each day in a little oven out the back.  The young bloke serving assured me that if I turned up around 7a.m. I could take photo's of him mixing the dough.  Much as I like taking photo's of my food, I also like sleep so those pics may be a while in coming.

I ordered a bagel with Halloumi and lots of other goodies as well as a couple of plain circles to take home and munch on later in the day.  To top off my morning, I was allowed to sit and eat in the shop, at the tables.  What a bonus.  I felt like a real person!   And the coffee was pretty good too.  Head out to Circles & Circles and see what you think.

Ka Kite,
Kiwi

Kitchenation has got to be the funkiest looking cafe in Riyadh.  I can't  believe it has taken me so long to find the place given it is in Tahalia Street.  Granted it is tucked away in the new Mira Hotel, between the more outdoorsy eateries of Zaatar wa Zeit and Elevation Burger.  It has also only been open in the last five months and in the past month I have been back twice - once alone, once with a group.

Walking through the reception area to the cafe you almost think 'this is going to be a boring, same old hotel cofffee shop'.  But when you walk around the corner and the color jumps out at you almost making you to stop and go 'Whoa'.   When I stepped over the threshold into the cafe proper for the first time I couldn't help smiling at the eclectic collection of colored chairs and cushions around wooden tables.  On the walls are shelves with a seemingly random display of knick-knackery, some old and historical looking, some used and pre-loved looking.  In their midst is a scroll of brown paper onto which is written philosophical sayings.  It's all quite eye-catching and well, funky.  Funky is not usually a word used to describe anything in Saudi.

On one side of the cafe is a counter with an array of sweets that you have to look at twice, just to make sure you were seeing things properly as each one is displayed on a colorful set of mis-matched trays and bases, with the sweets only identifiable by their hand written names on chunks of wood.  The pavlova dreams are huge.  As are the macaroons sitting in their crafty container that I still can't decide is a snake or hollowed out turtle!

The menu is just as colorful and has an almost childlike quality with quite an extensive selection for a hotel cafe.  Once seated the place mats are an entertaining game that keeps you occupied and engaged in laughter and conversation until your meals arrive.

As hotel food goes, it's pretty good - tasty and  well presented.  The Crispy Shrimp and the Crispy Shrimp Salad were both quite satisfying as Appetizers and perfectly cooked.  The Chicken Strips are good to share with others.  The pizzas are huge and a Doggy bag was required by our group at the end of our meal.  Being on a bit of a diet the day I went with friends I opted for Chicken Caesar and liked having the breast of chicken at the side of my plate, juicily waiting for me to add it to the salad myself.

Not being on my diet the day I went alone, desert was an absolute eye-candy treat.  And wouldn't you know it, that is precisely when my phone ran out of battery, so I didn't get to take a photo of it.  I'd chosen the smaller pavlova dream served with fruit and it came presented on a platter artfully decorated into a chocolate and sauce flower.  I sat looking at it for a few minutes wondering if I should go and recharge the phone to take a photo - and decided perhaps I could come back another day for this desert and make sure I bring my camera!

I've enjoyed not only my meals at Kitchenation, but the environment.  It would be great if the funky surrounds also came with relaxed smiling service.  Not that the service didn't come with a smile.  It did.  But it's just that this is Saudi Arabia and the wait staff in most dining spots always look in fear of losing their jobs if they say something wrong or drop a fork.  A bit of jocularity along with the Kitchenation order taking wouldn't go amiss in one of the more distinctive cafe's I have come across in Riyadh.





Ka Kite,
Kiwi

Lunch at Ketchup

Have you been to Ketchup lately? I know it may have received less than rave reviews from me in the past, but they have done a bit if work on their menu, food quality and even their decor so the saucy red interior isn't quite so saucy. And they have a new set lunch menu that I've been back for more than once.

For a set menu there are three price levels,  from 39 - 59sar, and each level has three meal choices.  The lunch consists of a drink, (choosing from a number of fruit juices or sodas), breads, soup (with two types on offer), a small salad and the mains. 

The more you decide to pay, the more substantial the meal. Today I had the 39SAR with club sandwich and it was more than enough to satisfy my hunger. 

If you are looking for lunch in pleasant enough, often quiet surrounds (as not many people rock up here for lunch) give Ketchup a go.  Let me know what you think. 

Your's in Moblogging Joy

Kiwi 

11A

We went to 11A on the recommendation of a Saudi friend over two years ago.  As I haven't been for a while I can only presume it is still there.

 Eleven A is on the eleventh floor of Faisaliah Tower.  The veiw was lovely, decor not overstated and middle eastern buffet style food quite nice.  You could even sit outside on the balcony if you fancied,  though the day we went was a little windy for outdoor dining.  My shots of the place leave a lot to be desired but give you an idea what to expect.  Those of you with vertigo issues might not want to sit next to the windows.  You can feel as if you'll drop through.

My only shot of the food. Isn't it terrible!  I must have been wanting to get to it.  Note to self - do not take pictures of food when hungry.

Now that I've dredged these photo's out of the folder on my computer, I may have to make a return trip to 11A  to see if anything has changed.

Ka Kite,
Kiwi

Anatolia

Anatolia is a fabulous Turkish restaurant just off Tahalia St. If you did'n't know it was there you wouldn't know it was there.  We had the most delicious meal at Anatolia.  I would have loads of pictures, but I was far to interested in eating.

Cafe Lenotre

Looking for an outdoor venue for my coffee, I dropped into Lenotre, in Centria Mall.  Lenotre Family Section has a large outdoor balcony which, on a glorious winters day is a great place to sit beneath large shade umbrellas and enjoy a selection of breads before tucking in to whatever main course you may have ordered.

Ketchup

Ketchup is another eatery on the strip after turning right at Mussah ibn Nasser.  The first time I went, which was a while back, I thought it was a little on the pricey side, however they currently have a rather tasty looking menu,

Piatto

Piatto is another Italian Restaurant located along the Northern Ring Road.  It's huge sign is not easy to miss. We've been here a couple of times. It's quite roomy, set up like an Italian piazza, but indoors.

Little water fountains are spread throughout the open areas, upstairs and down.  The brickwork reminds me of a pizza oven

Tiramisu At Bateel

Being a bit of a Tiramisu freak, I tend to order it whenever it's on the dessert menu.  Yes, the Saudi version does lack a drop of liqueur, but I still have difficulty looking at other desserts when Tiramisu is around.

The other day, I enjoyed a deliciously creamy Tiramisu for breakfast

La Vela

I just finished a meal at La Vela that was a little disappointing. I ordered beef, medium rare, with pepper sauce and veges. The sauce was peppery. The veges crunchy - just how I like them. The baby carrots were lovely and sweet.  The beef - overdone!  I ate it, what good Kiwi wouldn't, but overdone meat just spoils a meal, don't you think?

Fortunately, they have yummy sweets, and I can be turned by yummy sweets and good coffee...

 ---this mousse made me almost forget all about my mains.


Ka Kite,
Kiwi

On The Verandah at Pauls

Enjoying a turkey and Brie sandwich at Pauls on the outdoor verandah.
Awaiting my coffee and planning to order sweets.

As per my first visit to Pauls on Tahalia soon after they opened, the only truly disappointing aspect of my meal this day was the salad. Old brown lettuce leaves make you frown and go 'mmnnnooooo' and the offending leaves are picked up gingerly and flicked aside while a careful search is undertaken of all food on the plate for any other faults. There weren't any. Sandwich was munched while Arabic was studied.

It was interesting to note that, come salah, we diners were not left to our own devices as all staff made a mass exit to sit around outside, a practice we have come to expect at dining places. Instead, a skeleton crew was left behind to clear dishes from our tables and cater to some of our whims.  Its little things like this that indicate the little ways that Saudi is changing.  Having wait staff on hand today made me realize how abandoned we had been in previous years.

Although I'd intended to order sweets the sandwich was filling enough so I decided to do my waistline a favor and go without.  The tasty treats lined up in the display case near the door would have to wait for some other day, and I made do with coffee while contemplating what a good job Pauls had done creating their outdoor area.

The  verandah at Pauls is quite pretty lined with various plants and, though the large white umbrellas hide diners of the tender gender from view, they are still rattled by an occasional breeze to remind us we are enjoying an outdoor experience.


Sent from my iPhone because my computer is refusing to compute today!



Ka Kite,
Kiwi

Pear 'n Date Temptation at Bateel

Last night I enjoyed a delicious main meal of lamb loin on fava beans and artichoke in jus followed by a sweet pear 'n date temptation dessert.  The lamb was so tender and cooked to perfect medium rare - exactly as I'd asked.

Hubster ordered a seafood risotto he described as lovely, and the small sampling I snuck from his plate did make me go mmmmmm (yes I'm one of those terrible people who likes to try what everyone else has ordered) and then he devoured his dessert without having a clue what it was called, but it looked big and creamy which explains why it was the dessert that caught his eye from all those in the sweets cabinet.  He has a weakness for creamy things.  And big things.

With meals like these, and scrumptious desserts to follow, Bateel continues to be our dining experience of choice in Riyadh.


Ka Kite,
Kiwi

Praline Pattiserie

Yummy delights at Praline Patisserie on Sulamaniyah-Talateen. French decor, funky muted trumpet music from the 50's currently playing in the background and delicious pastries and slices.

This is where I am enjoying my coffee this afternoon.

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Sent via Kiwi iPhone wishing you a fabulous day.

Vapiano

Vapiano is on Tahalia, right next to Localiser Mall, is an Italian Restaurant.

The wooden staircase curving its way to the Vapiano dining area is an indication of the setting you'll meet once at the top - casual, relaxed, open, stylish

The blackboard above the kitchen with its chalkboard art and food related sayings and proverbs provides a bit of a talking point.  "Never eat more than you can lift" or 'The belly rules the mind".  I especially liked 'Don't let love interfere with your appetite".  All very relevant to how we approach food and this night, with Mr Finland paying, we were hungry.

Being a person who loves wood, I quite liked the whole set up with the wooden floor and, around the corner from the open eating area, little wooden dining corners with various plant settings - from fresh flowers to young saplings - adorning the center of the tables.

Being Italian, Vapiano serves up, among other things, pizza and pasta.  On a shelf in the kitchen are a selection of pasta's available.  We decided to try a pizza and a few other delectable nibbles on bread.

It was all quite scrumptious and fresh and tasty and, as I said to Hubster, 'Why do we not come in here more often.

Mr Finland, after eating his fill, lay back on the roomy bench style seats and contemplated the bill.  He needn't have worried.  At Vaipano, along with quick and friendly service and fabulous food, came reasonable prices.

Directions to Vapiano

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Ka Kite,
Kiwi

Hediards

Hediard was plunged into darkness in Riyadh this evening.

Someone turned all the lights off. Sure it was salah but does that mean we need to be completely hidden while the Hai'a cruise the streets shooing everybody off to the mosque with their loud speakers.

It turns out, thankfully, that someone made a blue and much flicking of switches behind the cake display unit meant the mood lighting was soon taking the edge off the darkness, though a torch was still needed to read the menu.

This welcome, plus the smell of fried food assaulting the nostrils as soon as we entered what is supposedly a French restaurant, made us consider reconsidering our decision to come here.  We were, early on a Friday evening, the only two customers in the circular shaped family section with its large windows leaning out over Tahalia St.  The lack of other customers meant service was rapid.

Hediard must have been a beauty in its day with its French style chairs of dark wood and white upholstery against red decor and heavy timber dividers.  It has, of recent times, been going down the gurgler due, so we heard, to a falling out between Hediard HQ in France and the local Saudi partner.

The menu was more Middle Eastern than French.  We were after a light meal so decided to settle for starters only.  Hubster had Mushroom Soup that he described as 'nothing outstanding'.  I had Kibbeh - an Arab dish that is basically a minced meat croquette.  Having been raised on minced meat in all its many forms, Kibbeh is a food that reminds me of my childhood so I'm quite comfortable consuming it. The accompanying sauce was thick and fruity.

Our drinks, a lemon mint for myself and juice for the other half, were served in quirky glasses that Hubster took a fancy to because they were shaped so you could, literally, pour the liquid into your mouth.

The weather outside was cold, so we decided to stay for dessert and coffee.  The coffee, I have to say, was very nice and a decent sized serving in chic cups.  However, the Tiramisu was out of the frij and still damp in places.  Hubster's caramel slice was better quality - it must have been, he ate it all.

Hediard used to be a happening place on Tahalia.  We have passed it many times over the last three years, its cone shape towering over the single section patio has quite an imposing presence.  Perhaps the cold weather was keeping everyone away this night, though I tend to think people vote with their feet when food quality is not up to scratch.

There is an upstairs terrace at Hediard's which, for thermal reasons, we didn't go and investigate though, because I do like a good coffee out in the open air, I'm prepared to go back and suss it out when the current cold snap has settled down.