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

Terrazzo's

If you want an almost total meat experience you have go to Terrazzo Restaurant on the first floor of Faisaliah Hotel.

This restaurant, which some say is Brazilian though I've never asked to confirm such rumors, is located on an outdoor balcony with hedging verges and a view of the south tower of the hotel.  In the summer spraying mist helps to keep you cool.  The winter evenings can be very cold so the restaurant provides thick desert coats for the diners.  The coats are so warm you're tempted to go buy one before you leave the country.

Once shown to your seat the waiters explain the proceedings.  You can help yourself to the delicious salad bar available, though I've found filling up on salad severely uses up stomach space best left for the meat.

The waiters walk around with meat on a skewer and carve it onto your plate. Buffalo, lamb, shrimp, antelope, chicken, turkey, ostrich, gazelle – just to name a few.  Once you've had enough meat simply turn the little disk next to your plate to red, the waiters and the meat will then pass you by.

A little digestion time is usually required before heading up the steps to the desert trolley with a nice selection of ice creams to finish off your visit to Terrazzo's on a sweet note which melts nicely into the abdomen after the meat feast.

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Al Khozarma Hotel

There are a number of options for consuming food and beverage at Al Khozarma Hotel on Olaya St. To date I have tried three - The Lobby, The Caravan and The Garden Restaurant. All of them have excellent food and service.

Glenn’s favorite desert – Crème Brulee - comes from The Caravan. He likes the fact they use real vanilla beans and the serving size is huge.

I prefer the Garden Restaurant at Al Khozarma. It's a relaxing outdoor experience - something you don't often get in Riyadh. In summer there's a lovely mist that keeps the area cool and the green grass under your feet feels just right for those from greener countries.

The Al Khozarma Garden Restaurant often puts on different dining experiences - things like Aussie Food month, British and Irish food month (we had to go back twice that month because Glenn didn’t manage to try every dish the first time around).

Abaya wearing is not mandatory at the garden restaurant either. Definitely a plus in my book.

The current GM of the Al Khozarma Hotel is an Aussie and, in his early days in the hotel industry, was a chef.  He is very particular about the food that is served in his hotel.

You will not be disappointed dining at the Al Khozarma hotel.

Faisaliah Friday Brunch

Faisaliah Brunch - Tapa's Bar

Every one should go to the Faisaliah Hotel Friday Brunch.  It is O for Orsome!

Four of the best dining restaurants from this Rosewood Hotel come together each week from noon to four and present food that is just Deee-lish!

Here's a few photo's of our visit....

Yummmy...

The Tapa's Bar was my favourite...I went back a few times. 

The glass of red is GRAPE JUICE. Bottomless glass, quite tasty beverage.

Poured with a smile....

Sushi

There are not a lot of places that do sushi in Riyadh.  Hubby thinks the crew at Faisaliah are the best.

OK, so I admit I came back to this station a couple of time as well.

Peking Duck

 I tried to get this guy to smile...maybe next time.  He was busy and the result...very tasty.

Seafood Station

 Seafood is my kind of dish, so this station got repeat visits as well.

Asian Noodles

Glenn says the Asian Noodles were absolutely fantastic.  I'll have to believe him because by the time I rocked up to this station, I was chocker full...and wanted to squeeze in dessert.

A taste of India

On the way to dessert the range continues.

Dessert

Booking is not essential, but do not go to Faisaliah Friday Brunch if you are not hungry!