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.

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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

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

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

Spicy shrimp cocktail at The Pancake House, Diplomatic Quarter

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Tenderloin Fillet 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.

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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

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).

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Snickers Cheesecake at The Pancake House, Diplomatic Quarter

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

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.

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

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

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

Speciality stone pot dishes at Bab Al Yemen, Riyadh

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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

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

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

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

Dirab Golf Club

Dirab Golf Club

Dirab Golf Club

Dirab Golf Club

Golf courses in environments which are mostly sand are not impossible to create, and so it is with great relief that golfers who come to Saudi Arabia find that they have access to some pretty good courses. Dirab Golf  Club is home to the first course that was established around Riyadh, and for a variety of reasons it is many people’s favourite.

A short drive from Riyadh

From the Diplomatic Quarter, it takes about 30 minutes to reach the club, driving on Mecca Road and heading south after passing over the escarpment of the plateau on which Riyadh lies. After this escarpment, the environment changes dramatically. It is here that marks the beginning of the large agricultural and animal farms, and the end of the urban spread. 

On the way to Dirab Golf and Country Club

On the way to Dirab Golf and Country Club

Once at the club, visitors quickly realize that it took a lot of work to create a golf course here. On the drive out there is very little vegetation, save for some scrub and bushes fit for camels to feed on.

However, on entry through the gates, a lush green oasis awaits, and the temperature drops.

The fairway of the 1st hole at Dirab Golf Club

The fairway of the 1st hole at Dirab Golf Club

The pro shop stocks a variety of equipment and clothing for purchase and hire, so golfers don’t need to worry if they have left their clubs back at home.

Good quality golf course

A mixture of sand and grass for one of the par 3s at Dirab Golf Club

A mixture of sand and grass for one of the par 3s at Dirab Golf Club

The course is an 18 hole, 72 par combination of grass and, with an impressive amount of trees flanking most fairways. Lying beyond these trees, the no man’s land between the holes is often sandy flats (although not impossible to play out of!).

Trees on each side of the fairway at Dirab Golf Club

Trees on each side of the fairway at Dirab Golf Club

A lot of work goes into maintaining the course, although in summer, when the temperature in the area soars to mid 40 degrees Celsius, it is difficult to maintain the quality and evenness of the grass, hence the greens may be slower than expected due to the grass being kept longer than normal.

The 10th (in front) and 12th (left) holes at Dirab Golf Club

The 10th (in front) and 12th (left) holes at Dirab Golf Club

The club does not encourage golfers to walk the course, and every group must take a buggy. The exception to this is early mornings and late afternoons, if the course is quiet, during the cooler months.

Whilst the golf course itself is of pretty good quality, it is a pity that the clubhouse does not offer more in the way of encouragement to make people stay and enjoy the surroundings a bit more. The food and drinks on offer are fairly basic, and the environment quite stark and functional.

More than just golf

Dirab Golf and Country Club also has horse riding facilities, where people can go riding for an hour at a time. There are also chalets that can be booked for overnight and weekend stays.

A visit to Dirab Golf and Country Club is a pleasant trip out of Riyadh. The environment makes sure the pressures of the city are left far behind, and the greenery ensures the air quality is fresh and fragrant.

Booking tee times in advance is necessary at weekends.

Let us know what you think about Dirab Golf Club in the comments section below

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