Restaurants – Saudi Arabia Tourism Guide

0 The Pancake House restaurant, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh (review)

When visiting the USA, it quickly becomes obvious that there is something of an obsession with pancakes for breakfast. Is it nostalgia for those rural days when people needed as many carbohydrates as possible to see them through a day’s farming or ranching? Pancakes, after all, are made of ingredients that are readily available on most farms, as are the extras that can be added to make them truly scrumptious.

The Pancake House, Diplomatic Quarter, is a recent addition to its ever-growing stable of American franchises. It seems to offer better food that many of them, and has a range and variety that appeals to young and old alike, at any time of day.

Despite American pancakes being closely linked to breakfast, they are available all day long. There are seven types available – all sweet – most of which are served with either fruit of chocolate toppings. But despite it’s name, The Pancake House in Riyadh is not limited to that fare.

Banana pancakes at the Pancake House, Diplomatic Quarter

Banana pancakes at the Pancake House (image by thefoodtechie.com)

More than pancakes at The Pancake House

Sizzlin' Skillet at The Pancake House, Diplomatic Quarter

For breakfast there are also omelettes (both meat and vegetarian), egg/bacon/sausage plates, and classic European inspired dishes of French toast and waffles. The Western Sizzlin’ Skillet (a mix of potatoes, peppers, bacon bits, cheese and eggs) combines many of the ingredients to make sure a person is well prepared for the day ahead.

Beef Stew Salad at The Pancake House, Diplomatic Quarter

For lunch the variety is impressive: The sandwiches, burgers, salads and soups on offer ensure that it is possible to have quickly prepared food that is not too bad for the waistline, and is tasty too.

Good option for lunch and dinner

Most of the appetizers available are fried, but there are some more health-conscious options too.

Spicy shrimp cocktail at The Pancake House, Diplomatic Quarter

Tenderloin Fillet at The Pancake House, Diplomatic Quarter

The dinner menu specializes in a range of pastas, along with meat entrées, and some offerings from the sea, although the freshness of fish in Riyadh is questionable.

There is also a range specially for children, incorporating favourites such as fish fingers and mac and cheese.

Chocolate lava cake photo

Chocolate lava cake at The Pancake House, Diplomatic Quarter

There are a couple of desserts that stand out (the Chocolate Lava Cake and the Apple Pie, when available) but apart from that the offerings are those ubiquitous in Riyadh restaurants (ice-cream and cheesecake).

Snickers Cheesecake at The Pancake House, Diplomatic Quarter

Despite the nominal boundaries of meals, pretty much everything is available all day long, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Seating available inside and outside

Outside seating at The Pancake House, Diplomatic Quarter

The Pancake House is not a large restaurant, and is often busy. It has a family section as well as a singles section, although being on the DQ, where attitudes to social interaction are not as strict as they are outside its perimeter, there are no screens for guaranteed privacy. There is also an outside section where diners can enjoy the temperatures that Riyadh has to offer.

It would be good to see a policy imposed whereby people who were just going for a coffee or a drink could not occupy the outside tables for hours on end. Despite the social nature of Saudi Arabia, The Pancake House in Riyadh is not a dedicated coffee shop; there are several other establishments within easy walking distance which are, but seeing as The Pancake House in Riyadh is a popular destination, it is inevitable that people want to hang out there.

Being a small venue it is easy for the staff to keep an eye on the tables inside, and a waiter is never far away, although once seated outside the staff seem to leave people to their own devices, which may necessitate a trip inside in order to ask for something.

A welcome addition to the dining options on the Diplomatic Quarter, The Pancake House is worth a visit any time of day. It is an informal, friendly venue with very cheerful staff, and tasty food that is prepared quickly and priced reasonably, and will also deliver to your home – as long as you live on the DQ.

How does our experience of The Pancake House compare to yours? Add your opinion to the comments below.

0 Bab Al Yemen restaurant, Riyadh (review)

Of the countries on the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen is the one that is most often overlooked, which is a sad state of affairs seeing as it is arguably the country with the most character and history. Bab Al Yemen, Riyadh, provides an insight into some of the finer points of Yemeni culture.

Regional Favourites

On studying the menu, there are several options that are available in other restaurants in KSA. This does not mean, however, that the Yemenis adopted Saudi dishes. Quite the reverse is true, in fact.

Hot and cold appetisers are available at Bab Al Yemen, Riyadh

There are certain dishes that are ubiquitous through the Arab countries, especially those that normally start off a meal. The cold salads and appetizers appear from the countries with Mediterranean coastlines all the way through the peninsula, with subtle variations of taste in each country. Add to these individual styles of bread, and it is quite easy to fill up on these bowls of deliciousness before embarking on the main courses.

Hot and cold appetisers are available at Bab Al Yemen, Riyadh

The Riyadh newspaper Arab News was impressed with Bab Al Yemen, Riyadh. Read their article here.

Local Specialities

Speciality stone pot dishes at Bab Al Yemen, Riyadh

It’s the meat dishes where these countries excel, as if more importance is given to meat than to any other ingredient available. The speciality of Bab Al Yemen is their ‘stone pot’ creations, with chicken, beef and lamb being available. Either served as whole pieces or shredded, then marinated and cooked in several different choices of sauce, with herbs, spices and chillis to differentiate them, these creations are not to be missed.

Speciality stone pot dishes at Bab Al Yemen, Riyadh

If in the mood for kabse, it is also available, but will excite taste buds much more than the bland offerings available in the majority of other restaurants and take-aways in Riyadh.

Yemeni Architecture and Design

Traditional Yemeni architecture at the entrance to Bab Al Yemen, Riyadh

The look of the restaurant is also worth paying attention to. From outside, guests see a stone tower, adorned with a symbol of Yemeni architecture, coloured glass, although in a more contemporary design than the usual panes of a single colour that alternates around the top of the older buildings.

This stone build theme is continued inside the restaurant too, with designs in the stonework that reflect patterns found throughout Yemen, and the tops of the walls adorned with white plaster work.

Traditional Yemeni design themes inside Bab Al Yemen, Riyadh

Our Opinion

In Riyadh, Arabic food seems to have become synonymous with Lebanese and Syrian cuisine. In modern times, Gulf countries have adopted a taste for international fare, especially Indian and American offerings. Given this environment, it is good to see that there are outlets for Yemeni specialities.

Our friends at Ya Salam Cooking also enjoyed their experience at Bab Al Yemen, Riyadh. Read their description here.

Perhaps their food is often overlooked due to the Yemenis being the poor cousins of the Gulf Arabs, but in it lies tastes and traditions which those Gulf Arabs either forgot or never had in the first place.

Feel free to tell us about your experience f Bab Al Yemen, Riyadh, in the Comments section, below

0 Appétit Kitchen, Riyadh (review)

Stylish surroundings at Appétit Kitchen, Riyadh

The first thing that hits you when you walk into Appétit Kitchen, Riyadh, is that it is designed in a very stylish manner. It displays a hint of opulence without being gaudy. It incorporates elements of Louis XIV and the Pompidou Centre in a way which manages to avoid falling into the trap of covering everything wooden with gold paint and thinking the height of luxury has been achieved.

As we know, however, restaurants aren’t (or shouldn’t be, anyway) a success because of looks alone, so how does Appétit Kitchen, Riyadh, fare on the food front?

Extensive Menu at Appétit Kitchen, Riyadh

The menu has two pages for lunch, and two pages for dinner; make sure you realise which you should be reading. The font size is not the most reader-friendly of any restaurant that have been reviewed here, although it does allow for an impressive number of dishes to be included on each page.

It is a nice touch that many of the fresh fruit and vegetables are on display, although it’s a shame the tomato and lemon that are used as decoration on each table aren’t more prime specimens.

Fresh fruit and vegetables on display at Appétit Kitchen, Riyadh

Bread basket at Appétit Kitchen, Riyadh

Once the order has been placed with the waiter, a basket of bread is brought to the table. This has the unusual distinction of being bread made well, something that is lacking in the vast majority of restaurants in Riyadh.

Foie Gras at Appétit Kitchen, Riyadh

Two of the most famous French starters are Foie Gras and French Onion Soup, and Appétit Kitchen, Riyadh, does both well.

French Onion Soup at Appétit Kitchen, Riyadh

Main Courses at Appétit Kitchen, Riyadh

As for the main courses, there is a wide choice of pasta, pizette, fish and meat.

Lasagne at Appétit Kitchen, Riyadh

Whilst the lasagne was possibly more of a local interpretation than a traditional recipe, the salmon comes highly recommended and is well prepared and very tasty.

Grilled salmon at Appétit Kitchen, Riyadh

This stylish restaurant also has a very cool website

0 Copper Chandni restaurant, Riyadh (review)

The Copper Chandni, Riyadh cannot be approached without a comment on its design. It is an impressive reproduction of a Mughal-style palace tastefully created so that it suggests an authentic experience once inside.

The Copper Chandni, Riyadh

Mughal Design Elements

Waiting area at The Copper Chandni, Riyadh

On entering, the theme is continued, with attractive wooden furniture, decorative arches, solid tables, stylish alcoves, and intimate dining booths, which ensure privacy for your party, although not sound-proofing.

Private dining booth at The Copper Chandni, Riyadh

The experience could be improved if there was a call button for the waiters, but as things are, diners either have to wait for them to come and check, or to take the initiative and venture outside the booth.

DIning booth at The Copper Chandni, Riyadh

Are Appearances Deceiving?

Zaffrani Sherbert at Copper Chandni, Riyadh

Starting with drinks, it is unusual that sparkling water is not available, and this may be an attempt to direct guests to the blended drinks on offer. The Zaffrani Sherbert is an excellent choice.

The best way to start an Indian feast is with papadums, and a feature of Copper Chandni, Riyadh, is that they come in snack sized pieces, removing the necessity to break whole papadums into smaller bites. The three sauces that accompany them are subtle in flavour, and won’t overpower your senses, although it is a shame there is no chutney on the premises.

Papadums, mixed starters and naan at the Copper Chandni, Riyadh

The mixed starters is a good way to experience several options (chicken, meat and cheese balls) although why they are accompanied by hummus is a mystery.

Naan, Chicken Tandoori and Dal Ma Chandni at the Copper Chandni, Riyadh

Also recommended, the chicken tandoori and tikka pieces are well cooked and succulent, as are the rawa prawns.

Chicken Tikka at the Copper Chandni, Riyadh

There are good bread options available, and both the naan and the paretha are well made and of good consistency – not too doughy.

The Curries

A wide selection of available curries and grills are available, and it is worthwhile asking the waiter for recommendations. The best way forward is to decide the main ingredient – chicken, mutton, prawn, fish or vegetables – and to decide on the curry accordingly.

Presented in individual bowls, the curries sit atop aflame that ensures they stay warm during the meal. The curry sauces are thick, tasty and well made, with no sign of excess oil floating on the surface.

As delicious as the prawn curries are, and as appealing as they look it is a shame that the prawns themselves seem to fall into the category of shrimps, a little too small to relish.

Prawns Masala at the Copper Chandni, Riyadh

Biriyanee rice at the Copper Chandni, Riyadh

For all the choices of rice dishes, it is surprising that there is no pulau rice available.

Our Opinion...

The Copper Chandni, Riyadh, overall, is a place that serves good food in very pleasant surroundings. Despite some staples which are missing from the menu, there is enough choice to make sure that guests have a very enjoyable experience. But be warned, it is by no means the best value Indian restaurant in Riyadh.

There are several Copper Chandni restaurants in Saudi Arabia. For further details, click here

Please share with us your experiences of the Copper Chandni, Riyadh, in the comments section below.

0 Yokari restaurant, Riyadh (review)

Centria Mall is one of Riyadh’s most stylish, with high-end stores selling exquisite goods. It is also home to some very upmarket and excellent restaurants.

Stylish Design at Yokari, Riyadh

Yokari is a prime example. A lot of thought (and money) has gone into the design of the interior, and there are some superb creations that are produced in the kitchen.

Place setting at Yokari, Riyadh

There is a departure from the norm of Japanese restaurants in that there is no sushi bar. Yokari is a place where you book your table and that is your base. There is no interaction encouraged with the kitchen. The fillets and cuts are on display, but you have to get up from your table to examine them.

The menu treats everyone like they are an expert in Japanese food. There are no photos or explanations, just the name of the dish and the price. The waiters are happy to explain, but that involves them standing in the gap between tables, which is not very large, so if someone at the next table needs to get up, the waiter has to move, disrupting whatever he is explaining to the table.

There are many options for drinks, but most of them seem not to be available, hence it is wise to follow the waiter’s lead and suggestions. That said, the mojitos, available in a variety of flavours, are excellent.

Mojitos and Karashi Ebi to start with at Yokari, Riyadh

There is the normal selection of fish available for sushi, and they also offer the elusive fatty tuna, which on a good day feels like there is a slice of butter between each section of flesh. Sadly, however, not every day is a good day. The salmon tends to be of excellent quality though.

Salmon and Fatty Tuna sashimi at Yokari, Riyadh

Wagyu Beef with Truffle sushi at Yokari, Riyadh

A unique addition to the sushi is the inclusion of meat. One of their specialities is Wagyu beef with truffle, although the wisdom of offering this with Japanese rice is questionable.

The kitchen has spent time creating a signature selection of maki rolls, and there are some interesting creations. Particularly recommended is the Unagi Saku Saku, which has a variety of seafood surrounded by rice, and is then deep fried so the outside is satisfyingly crispy. The presentation is also excellent, with sauces drizzled over the rolls.

Yakiniku and Unagi Saku Saku at Yokari, Riyadh

There is a good selection of main courses too, and it is recommended to order one or two as a pleasant meaty balance to the sushi that started the meal.

The Experience at Yokari, Riyadh

Yokari is by no means a restaurant of moderate prices. It is perhaps the most expensive Japanese restaurant in Riyadh. It is a place where people come for the food rather than the ambience.

Despite the stylish design, there is little atmosphere, and despite the tables being in close proximity to each other, and overall feeling of privacy is maintained. The chances are that the only interaction diners will have is with themselves and their waiter.

The food is brought to the table promptly, and thankfully not all at once, which creates a sense of build-up through the meal. This is a place where the kitchen is very proud of its creations, and wants guests to enjoy what has been produced.

Do not expect to be able to order platters of sushi, Yokari is a far more of a gourmet experience, somewhere which stands out as opposed to following the regular pattern. It is certainly a delight to the eyes.

The Pink Tarha ladies treated themselves to a birthday dinner at Yokari. Read about it here

How does our experience of Yokari, Riyadh compare to yours? Add your opinion to the comments below.

Windrose restaurant brunch, Riyadh (review)

Traditionally, a windrose is a meteorological tool that indicates compass orientations (North, South, East, West, and intermediate points) for use in navigation, which does make an enquiring mind wonder why a restaurant surrounded and sheltered by tall buildings has been named after such a device. That said, however, after successfully navigating the route to the Windrose brunch, Riyadh, on Fridays, few explorers are disappointed.

Different to Other Hotel Brunches

Most hotel brunches these days seem to be a showcase for the best offerings the kitchens can produce, and are possibly as much part of a wider marketing campaign as they are a dining experience. This is not the approach taken at the Windrose brunch, where diners can still enjoy a good graze that’s priced much more realistically than other venues where it is impossible to enjoy much of the food that is on offer due to the acres of different dishes available.

Windrose brunch (photo: MySaudiGuides.com)

Mocktails at Windrose brunch, Riyadh

The waiters insist on bringing water and mocktails (there’s a decent variety to choose from) to the table before guests make their way to the food counters, so sit back, relax, and take a few minutes to settle into the surroundings.

Check out What's on Offer

It’s always a good idea at hotel brunches to take a wander past all the offerings to see exactly what there is in order to plan the dining experience for the next few hours. At some brunches this can take longer than the consumption of one of those courses, although this is not the case at the Windrose brunch.

It has been observed that most diners choose to start with seafood. There is a selection of sushi dishes as well as other cold seafood specialities. Although the platters these items are presented on are small, don’t worry about them running out; they are refreshed regularly.

Cold seafood at Windrose brunch, Riyadh

The Middle Eastern inclination is next to go for a salad and mixture of warm and cold mezzas. Again, the choice is smaller than at other establishments, but this can be seen as beneficial to ensuring that guests get to sample a greater proportion of the dishes at the Windrose brunch.

Salads at Windrose brunch, Riyadh

Warm mezze at Windrose brunch, Riyadh

Cold mezze at Windrose brunch, Riyadh

Curries at Windrose brunch, Riyadh

Something unique to the Windrose brunch is the lack of roast meat on offer. Sometimes there is only chicken. What they concentrate on, however, is their curries. These are well made and very tasty.

There are alternatives for main courses for those who prefer their food with less spice, and a selection of meats, either grilled or prepared in flavoursome sauces, as well as vegetables, ensures that people coming for a Friday filling will not leave unsated.

Lamb skewers at Windrose brunch, Riyadh

Main courses at Windrose brunch, Riyadh

Green vegetables at Windrose brunch, Riyadh

Exquisite Puddings

Once the main course has been completed, it is a good idea to sit back, take a break and enjoy conversation with friends. In our review of the Garden Barbecue, special mention was made of the bakery & confectionary, which is shared by the Windrose.

Puddings at Windrose brunch, Riyadh

After dinner treats at Windrose brunch, Riyadh

About now, most people are waving the white flag, having had a multi course dining experience of enviable variety, but still the experience is not complete! Make sure to sample some of the after dinner treats whilst enjoying a fully deserved stomach settling coffee of tea.

Our Verdict of the Windrose Brunch, Riyadh

The Windrose brunch makes sense. It is reasonably priced; the variety of food on offer is sensible, not over-the-top; all dishes are made with care and attention, and as such are very tasty. It is even good for children, as there is an entertainer outside who will look after them whilst parents enjoy uninterrupted conversation with friends inside. The Windrose brunch shows that it is not necessary to go to extremes of excess, and that concentrating on quality is worthwhile, which is a fairly unique approach in this city of conspicuous consumption.

The quality of the Windrose brunch has remained constant over the years. Read flipboyfoodie's review from 2012 here

How does our experience of the Windrose brunch compare to yours? Add your opinion to the comments below.

0 Planet Hollywood restaurant, Riyadh (review)

London, New York, Las Vegas: What do they have in common? They are show towns. They do things on a large scale. At one stage there were Hundreds of Planet Hollywoods scattered all over the world. Now the operation has been severely reduced, but in the above-mentioned cities the restaurants are still going strong.

Planet Hollywood Riyadh

There is also one in Riyadh, although ‘going strong’ is perhaps not the most appropriate description.

On entry the movie memorabilia is rather dour and difficult to make out, and it is necessary to read the descriptions to discover who wore what in which movie. Once upstairs, the greeting by the manager and staff is very friendly and cheerful, and customers are given a choice of tables, and whether they would like to have a screen to enclose them or not.

American Favourites

There are a lot of dishes on the menu. Starters, salads, meat, fish and other popular dishes are in no short supply. As usual in so many restaurants in Riyadh, many of the starters are deep-fried. That being said, the ‘Chees Jalabenos’ and fried calamari were better than elsewhere, and not soaked in oil when served. There are also combo dishes that allow customers try a variety of some of the most popular starters.

'Chees Jalabenos'

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Chinese salad

Grilled shrimps

The waiters, who are all named after movie characters (James Bond, Spiderman, Batman etc, although it’s a shame they aren’t dressed as their characters) all seem to have different opinions about what the absolute best, can’t miss dish is, and recommendations range from New York strip steak to grilled salmon to chicken with peanut sauce (which is also the dressing to a pretty good salad). Make sure to specify exactly to what degree the food should be cooked. It is very easy to grill salmon for too long, to overdo a steak, and to render a shrimp inedible if the chefs are left to their own devices (not a problem confined to Planet Hollywood), but with a simple instruction the main dish that was expected can be produced. Also, it is a good idea to inform the waiter to leave a break in between courses, or a starter may well find itself sharing a table with an entrée.

Grilled salmon

Have a look at the Foodspotting website for more dishes available at Planet Hollywood Riyadh

Movie Memoribilia

After completing the main course, why not take a stroll around the restaurant and check out the outfits and props that adorn the walls. Several huge movies are represented: Bond, Die Hard, Star Trek, Lethal Weapon, but most of the memorabilia is fairly dubious: half a baseball from Fletch; a game controller from Pulp Fiction; the uniform worn by an extra in a Bond movie. The item with the most genuine claim to be in a Planet Hollywood is a pair of boxing gloves from Rocky 3, signed by Sylvester Stallone.

Mel Gibson's motorbike from Lethal Weapon, by The Pink Tarha

If something sweet is needed to finish off the dining experience, be prepared for a sugar overload. The amount of sickly sweet cream, ice-cream and chocolate on offer could potentially lead to diabetes.

Movie memorabilia and American favourites at Planet Hollywood Riyadh

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Enjoy Your Visit to Planet Hollywood Riyadh

Planet Hollywood is essentially a good idea, making people’s favourite movies come alive in a way that can’t be achieved just by watching them. However PH in Riyadh, a city in which there are no cinemas, has suffered from an attack of mediocrity. The food could be prepared with more care; the props could be more impressive; but the staff here are excellent, and will do what they can to make sure diners enjoy themselves.

Does our experience at Planet Hollywood Riyadh remind you of yours? Let us know below.

Tokyo Restaurant, Riyadh (review)

Entrance to Tokyo Restaurant

Fresh, raw fish, in the middle of one of the driest areas of the world. Does that seem like a good idea? Regardless of where in the world one finds oneself, sushi is an incredibly popular epicurian treat. The concept is fairly basic (slice some fish, place on rice) but it is amazing how some places manage to achieve the results much better than others.

Sushi

Tokyo rides high on the list of good sushi spots in Riyadh. Not from them will you find weedy, insubstantial slivers of mediocre fish and seafood. No, the slices are like large fingers of the finest fare the sea has to offer. Salmon, tuna, prawns, eel,mackerel, and the local ubiquity hamour are all to be found on the menu, along with scallops, octopus and various roe.

However much wasabi is added to the soy sauce, according to preference, the seafood will slip down the throat at a pace reserved for the finest.

Our friends over at Pink Tarha have an alternate view on the quality of the sushi however.

Where to find great sushi; Tokyo Restaurant in Riyadh

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Japanese Design at Tokyo Restaurant

The exterior of the restaurant cocks a nod to traditional Japanese design, making sure the customers know what is on offer inside. Stepping over the Zen gardens set underfoot and covered with glass, patrons are treated to a glimpse of the order and peacefulness that sushi instills. A walk along the corridor, off which are set the private booths for groups of three or more, the decoration comprises of more straight lines, wood and cloth, so essential to Japanese thinking.

Some of the booths are centered around tepanyaki tables. Sadly these are no longer in use, but make for a talking point. The booths ensure an intimacy uninterrupted by the other diners, of which there are many every evening; this place is popular. Despite being enclosed, the waiters can be alerted by pressing a button on a transmitter which lets them know they are needed.

Tokyo Restaurant Riyadh Underfoot Zen Garden by Desert Enlightenment

Ample Variety

The great thing about sushi is that there are several pieces of the same thing per plate. This makes a convenient way of ordering several different dishes to be shared between friends. A wide selection of ngiri, sashimi and maki allows a meal to be comprised of many different items, rather than having tastebuds subjected to the same experience throughout dinner.

However, Tokyo serves much more than sushi. Try the temaki, the tempura, the grilled fish and meats, the tepanyaki, the noodles, the bento; nothing at Tokyo disappoints. Until the desserts, that is. Why is it that the Japanese, who have mastered a way of not cooking a type of food that most of the world believes needs to be cooked so as to involve impending nausea, have failed to come up with a range of desserts that really satisfy? Green tea flavoured ice-cream is bland, however any inclusion of more sweet items that may be more locally popular just doesn’t go with the meal.The Chinese have fruit covered in crispy toffee to finish off a meal, but theJapanese prefer the clean palate cleansing offerings that make a person feel like they had eaten healthily and can quite happily go for a run afterwards.

Enjoy Your Meal at Tokyo Restaurant!

A group of eight people or more is suggested to enjoy an evening at Tokyo. Share your food, pass your plates round the table; if you really like it, order more. And don’t be worried about the price as the regular dishes are all very reasonable.

Does our experience at Tokyo Restaurant remind you of yours? Let us know below.

Tokyo Restaurant. The best sushi in Riyadh.
Posted by Saudi Arabia Tourism Guide on Sunday, 13 December 2015

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0 Garden Barbeque restaurant, Riyadh (review)

The modern city centre of Riyadh is not really very welcoming. The buildings are tall, and mostly covered in glass. So they reflect the environment around them.

Of those that aren’t, many are of an anonymous beige/brown colour much favoured in the city.

Every now and again, however, it is possible to stumble across a hidden treat.

Read below our Garden Barbeque Restaurant Review

Summary

First Impressions

Food Selection

Ambience

Service

Price

Overall Score

Table of Contents

First Impressions

Taken from Alkhozama Hotel Facebook Page

The Garden Barbecue at the Al Khozama Hotel is one such place.

Like it’s name suggests, it is actually situated in the hotel’s garden, and open to the the evening air.

Water mist sprays down from overhead to ensure that the guests don’t over heat in the summer.

That is not to say, however, that they won’t overeat.

Food Selection

There is a wide, comprehensive selection of foods on offer, and they are all included in the buffet price.

There is no restriction on how many courses you may assemble, so sit back, tuck in and go back as many times as you want.

The Appetizers

Personally, I think the appetizers are one of the best in Riyadh. The combination of selection & quality suits my palette and relieves my long felt craving for vegetables and salads.

Arabic Food

For the local touch, there are several Arabic salads – all cold – to begin with. These vary in quality according to the attention that is paid during preparation.

Usually though, the kitchen staff at the hotel do them well.

For a regular dinner it would be possible – advisable even – to call for the bill and leave at this point.

But if you do that at the Garden Barbecue you will be missing out much more to come. There are soups, there are pies, there are speciality dishes (stews, etc), and then there is the main attraction: the bundles of deliciousness that they throw on the charcoal grill.

The Grill

Beef (your favourite cuts)
Chicken (several different parts)
Sausages
Kebabs
Prawns (several varieties)
Fish (your choice of the best)
Seafood – it’s a gourmand’s delight!

Make sure you tell the chef’s directly how you want your choices grilled; things can easily get overdone,especially if let in the hands of the waiters.There’s not many vegetable dishes to accompany them, but the choice of salads is more than adequate to compensate for this.

Desert

The first thing to catch your eye as you walk in is the desserts. The Al Khozama has a renowned bakery & confectionary, so the chances are you will not be disappointed.

At Garden Barbeque, the deserts look like works of art. They also Taste exquisite

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Many of their cakes and pastries look like works of art. In a country that loves sweet things, the Al Khozama is right up there in terms of the delicacies it produces.

Mini portions are offered in the garden so you can take your pick of your favourites without having to feel too guilty, and there is a good selection of the ubiquitous Arabic sweets as well as others with more international inspiration.

Ambience

Wondeful View by Pink Tarha

Ambience to die for by Pink Tarha

Janelle over at The Pink Tarha has written her own review and the pictures above are hers.

The ambience is one of a kind in this establishment. The grass at your feet and the trees surrounding you brings about a feeling of outdoors that you expect from being in an outdoor garden. Combined with the high rise buildings and the spectacular view of Faisaliah Tower, it adds a layer of modernism to your outdoor feelings

Service

The service is one of the best aspects of this place. It is exactly the kind of service you would expect from a 5-star hotel in Riyadh

Tentative Waiters
Friendly and Pleasant Demenour
Above & beyond what is required
True show of Arab hospitality

Price

Alas our dream has to crumble

The price per person is 350 SAR.

At first glance, it does seem somewhat steep, but then you consider that almost everything about this place is superb.

The care and perfection taken in every aspect of this restaurant creates an overall experience that is unmatched.

As such I personally feel that it deserves such a price. However, I do not plan on going often.

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This stylish restaurant also has a very cool website