The BBW Wonderland

And so the wait is over... the Bath and Body Works Store in Riyadh is open! 

My friends and I saw it this weekend. We giddily entered to see if our favorite scents are available and what other treats await us. (I was like this girl lost in a candy store.) We went from one shelf to another like giddy school girls spotting a crush. Lol. This time though, it's a different "candy" we're ogling at. Smelling too, instead of tasting. 

A wonder land!

We asked a salesman politely if we can take photos in the store. He said yes with much enthusiasm. We took photos as close to the products and shelves as possible to remain discreet and avoid taking photos of people inside the store. There were a lot of people that night but not enough to restrict movement. 

SWEET PEA!!!

Of course, I looked for my fave fragrance first. I didn't have to look hard because this is at the front. Sweet Pea has always been my favorite BBW scent. It's a soft, delicate fragrance of sweet pea petals and watery pear with freesia, raspberry, and musk. I can't get enough of this! I still have the body spray and lotion now so I didn't buy any thing from the line. Well, nothing yet! Humanda ka kapag ubos na. Hehe. Shoegarfreeruby likes the Warm Vanilla Sugar scent, which is currently on a Buy 1 Get 1 promo. This combination of vanilla, basmati ice water, and sandalwood is so sweet and comforting. 

Carried Away

A few of their newer scents are also available. Among them, I like Carried Away, a blend of jasmine, raspberries, and vanilla. And isn't the packaging adorable? Might get this next time so love might sweep me off my feet. ;) Other scents we saw are Country Chic, Island Colada, Japanese Cherry Blossom, and Midnight Pomegranate, which they seem to be highlighting to cater to the Arab market because of its dark, sensual scent (like oud maybe).

Gift sets

Your gift list solved.

You won't get stumped on what to give your family and friends now!

There are gift sets available for SR225 each, or maybe lower depends on what you want to include.

Water cans!

We were smitten with these water cans. Surely we don't have any need for it but it's just too cute and refreshing to see them here. And in green too!

Here's the price list for the fragrances. Some scent lines are more expensive than others so check the tags first. The salesmen are really helpful too so inquire! Hindi bawal magtanong, sabi nga ng friend ko when I became too shy to ask, lol. We'll put in the prices in USD from the BBW website so you can compare if they're worth buying here or you'll just have to order from online sites.

Body Lotion (237 ml) - 45 SAR | $10.50

Fragrance Mist (8 oz) - 25 SAR (small) | 55 SAR (large) | $12.00

Eau de Toilette (2.5 oz) - 100-120 SAR | $29.50

Shower Gel (8 oz) - 45 SAR | $10.50

Body Cream (8 oz) - 50 SAR | $12.00

Hand Cream (2.5 oz) - 40 SAR | $10.00

Bubble Bath (8 oz) - 50 SAR | $12.00

Smaller versions are 10-20SAR less than their big counterpart.

A combination of small bottles of lotion and shower gel are perfect for gifts.
30 SAR each set.

They don't only have the fragrances. They also have lip glosses and lip balms. They have the color lip gloss, sheer lip gloss, and mentha lip gloss. They also carry C.O. Bigelow's popular all-around rose salve used to soften the lips, face, cuticles, elbows, knees, etc.

Lip treats galore!

Lottsa choices and flavors! 

We didn't get any thing from their lip line though 'coz we found the 35 SAR (each) too expensive. These lip treats are only $7-8 a piece in the US. Hmn, maybe we'll get one or two if our curiosity gets the better of us tomorrow. :P

Cute hand sanitizers

The pocket-sized hand sanitizers are so tiny and cute! They go for 15 SAR each and comes in your favorite fragrance. They also have a line that signifies your horoscope sign and the traits that come with it. For example, I'm a Virgo and it says in the bottle that I'm witty, perfectionist, reliable, and helpful... oi, so me! LOL. They have the holder which you attach to your bag so it's easy to pump a little into your hands any time any where but they're pretty expensive at 20 SAR.

They also have a range of face care and aromatherapy products which I didn't get to know further because I became attached to their home fragrance line. I looove scented candles, tarts, and linen sprays... basically anything that gives my room the smell that coincides with my emotions (emotera kasi! haha!). 

Yummy scents!

Their Slatkin&Co. candles look so sleek in their glass holders and they also have very lively colors. I like the Sweet Pea variant of course... and the Frosted Cupcake (so sweet and ahhhhh nakakagutom!) I like their Strawberry Patch, Island Margarita, and Warm Vanilla Sugar. I hope they bring Salty Caramel, Homemade Cookies, and Mint Chocolate too (puro pagkain talaga?!).

Lovely candle holders!

Candles (4 oz) - 45 SAR | $9.50

Candles (14.5 oz) - 95 SAR | $19.50

Candle holders/sleeves - 65 SAR up

Their Wallflowers also piqued my curiosity. For those who don't want lighting candles in their houses , especially those with children who are malilikot (aren't all children?!)... then these are for you. They're pluggable home fragrance devices. Just put your favorite single bulb refills and plug! The salesman said a bulb can last up to 3 days. 

Can serve as decors too!

Look at that egg container for four bulbs! So kyot.

Wallflowers Starters - 35 SAR | $6.50

Wallflowers Single Bulb Refills - 25 SAR | $6.50

For those who are avoiding anything with flame, plugs, and batteries, then they also have these egg-shaped home fragrances but I wasn't able to check them out further. Oooh, also the nifty Scentportables.

Eggscents! Cool!

So there you are... I'm sure I haven't featured every thing but that's about most of the items you can expect to see in the newly-opened Bath and Body Works in Sahara Mall and Kingdom Center. For years, I've been buying Victoria's Secret body sprays as pasalubong for my sisters and friends. I think it's time for a change. ;)

§undrenched

A Hula Hooping Tarha

Hula Hooping. Yep. Remember grade school? No, I didn't hula hoop back then. I was very athletically-challenged when I was young and I could never keep a hula hoop revolving for more than one turn. So you can imagine my hesitation to try hula-hooping as an adult even though I've read a lot of good things about it.

Hula hooping is used for dance, play and self-expression. Some even say that it has meditative effects on them and can be a good outlet for stress relief. In the US, there are clubs formed just for Hula hoop enthusiasts. Heck, according to fitnotic.com, you can even hula hoop while you're pregnant! Even celebs are hooping!

Beyonce and Marisa Tomei hoop! Photo taken from Google.

It was my mom's idea to try hula-hooping for exercise. After a lot of research, my mom decided to buy an adult size weighted hula-hoop from Hoopnotica. These hoops are waaaay bigger and a bit heavier than the kiddie hoops. I'm not sure if these are available in the Riyadh yet, but you can purchase them online or make your own. Check this link for DIY instructions.

My mom would hoop everyday and my little sister would even join the fun with her kiddie hula-hoop. I was left out of loop because I was hesitant to try it --- up until I saw the results. Within a month, my mom lost enough weight that she started buying clothes one size smaller. Now that my mom has graduated into the heavier hula hoop, she lets me use her old weighted hoop. I figured, if they could do it, so can I! Na-challenge much...

I'm saving up for these. ^_^ Photo taken from Hoopnotica.com

Well, it took me a few tries before I got the hang of it. But I can now hula-hoop for 30 minutes straight without stopping! With hula-hooping you flex your core muscles, sway your legs and bend your knees to keep the hoop up. In a few minutes, I'm already sweating a bit and my hips are less stiff.

Hula hooping on my lunch break!

My mom said that it works better if you hula hoop for 1 hour but in 20 minutes intervals. I am slowly building a habit around it, waking up earlier in the morning and I've recently tried hooping during my lunch break. (I brought the detachable travel hoop). Hahaha... that was fun. For a more visual take on hula hooping, check this video.

To a slimmer waist! Ajah!

Sampaguita Pride

Topped with Sugar Sprinkles

If our array of cupcake reviews didn't satisfy your lust for the heavenly dessert, then perhaps another one will.

We present you one of the most popular cupcake havens in Riyadh... Sugar Sprinkles. 

It's another one of those location we found via the Internet because we don't know the street by heart. I told our driver to just go straight in Takhassusi Road and just go straight. I don't have an estimate on how far it is from the Aiziza Panda in the intersection of Takhassusi and Mecca Roads where we're coming from. Just go straight. What kind of a direction was that?! Well, a direction that can lead us to this sweet place apparently. It's rather easy to find if you're always looking at the right side of the road. It was almost near King Abdullah Road (or was it?); the pink signage completely drew us in. Oh, and the long lines. So really, what's with Sugar Sprinkles? 

It's a dainty place to be in. The pink and brown scheme is a winner already. It's a theme that's mostly chosen for weddings and interior design so it's related to cheery, sweet vibes. We love the hints of warm sugar&cinnamon and freshly baked bread in the air inside the small store. We love the various decors too.

A shelf of ceramics

Cute accents

The cupcake display case is a sight to behold. It's not a chore to know what flavor is the cupcake. Just look at them and ingredients will be naming the flavors: cookies and cream, kitkat, red velvet, blue velvet, carrot, strawberry... All yum!

Oh the choices!

Size CUTE!

Their big cupcakes are SR8 each while the smaller ones are SR3. Get the cute, small ones if you're dying to try everything... and because they're really cute. :D

Choc'lit toppings!

How do I say this? Some of the cupcakes hit the mark but others are just off our palate. The red and blue velvet are pure love. We like that they're simple but luscious; the cupcake breaking apart smoothly with a bite. 

The velvets

The others, especially the ones with chocolate as base, are quite predictable: sweet and decadent. 

That's looks like a Hershey's Kisses on top! :P

The carrot cupcake is tasty and nutty. I'm not a fan of too much texture (a grinding in my teeth) in my cupcake but that's just me. The fruit flavored ones are a miss though. I can taste an artificial flavor in there, with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Even the color red and yellow looks artificial. Others have a crumbly base. It's a hit or miss thing. Their frosting is good. It compliments the bread.

Aside from the cupcakes, try their English bread and muffins. They look and taste good! Their cakes are wonderfully decorated too. Might order one on the next Pink Tarha occasion. :)

You'll never regret eating them! :D

Sugar Sprinkles

Al Takhassusi Road, Riyadh, KSA

01-2290505

www.sugarsprinkles.com.sa

§undrenched

Red Hot Chili's

This entry has been sitting in our Drafts folder for a year now. Maybe more. It's one of the photos featured in our Tastebud Tease and has long been forgotten. But, we haven't forgotten the restaurant! This is one place we go to from time to time when all we want is the good 'ol food we know best.

Chili's in Tahlia St. is one prominent landmark. It's one of the first few restaurants that people usually go to when celebrating occasions or mark momentous events. As a matter of fact, this was where Shoegarfreeruby, Eyecandy, and Maryhadalittlehump first brought me to have a glimpse of the gustatory landscape of Riyadh when I was just a newbie here (which btw, feels like eons ago, haha). 

Is there any thing more obvious than that huge chili above the door?

I'm pretty sure I don't have to give Chili's an in-depth feature and review for you to go because chances are, you've already been here! So, here's just some of the photos we've taken from our numerous dinners in Chili's. We couldn't even count how many times we've dined in the place. :)

Chicken Enchilada soup + crackers

Eyecandy professes her love for this soup. It's cheesy and creamy and oh-so good!

Hot spinach and artichoke dip

This is one of the staple appetizers in our book. If we don't like a resto's spinach dip, you're a goner in our list. Haha. Needless to say, we enjoy Chili's dip and nachos. Though not the best in the city, it sure is a great way to start a heavy dinner. Munch on! We usually order their huge plate of appetizer sampler too because who doesn't do that?! Lol. To get to know the best there is, we have to sample everything first! Katakawan!

Southwestern Eggrolls

One of the few appetizers that made us come back for more. This is loaded with smoked chicken, black beans, corn, jalapeno, cheese, red peppers, and spinach wrapped in a crispy tortilla. Too much of this will hinder you from eating the main meal so hinay-hinay sa appetizer!

And here are the main entrees and the drinks that drowned everything into the abyss of indulgence. Please don't hate us for eating and drinking this much! Lol. 

Ribeye plus grilled shrimps

Grilled salmon

BBQ ribs + grilled shrimps

Is this one of their margaritas? I can't remember! LOL.

Strawberry Milkshake

Their steaks are juicy and huge! I remember when I first ate there with the ladies, I can't believe I had to eat the Cajun Ribeye they ordered for me alone! I had a hard time finishing it. Their shrimps are plump and had a nice bite to it. The salmon is a little bit dry, as well as the BBQ ribs, but they're satisfying too.

No doubt about it, we always enjoy the good food in Chili's. It's one our go-to restaurants when we're craving for delicious appetizers and hearty steaks. For a while, we ignored Chili's to try the new steak and burger joints in the city but we eventually find our way back. Chili's remains popular. We noticed a decline in the quality of service for the past months but maybe it's just us. Naninibago lang siguro because we haven't been there for a long time. 

What's your favorite in Chili's? :)

Chili's 
Tahliya St., Olaya, 
Riyadh, KSA
www.chilis.com


§undrenched

Riyadh Living

We've been your lifestyle guide for 3 years now and we love doing this for all of you. Hopefully you get a lot of tips from us and we've made your life in Riyadh a little bit easier. Of course, we don't magically let information appear in our fingertips and blog about it. We have resources too for events, sales, restaurants, and happenings in Riyadh and we're sharing them with you today. We're not paid in making this list (we just wish, lol... just kidding). Here are some guides which can help you in living here in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

CITY GUIDES

ArRiyadh 

Everything about Riyadh... and KSA in general

It's all about Riyadh! Obviously... Lol. This website by the High Commission for the Development of ArRiyadh is very helpful in all aspects but it's mainly focused on tourism. They have the links to events and government ministries, information on tourism and sports and directory in their sidebar. And thank goodness, the website is in English! They have a pretty informative sidebar on the attractions found on the various regions in KSA. We usually visit this site just to get a glimpse of the tourist spots in other provinces... places which we can't visit as of now... like the Al-Wahba Crater in Makkah  or the Asir National Park  or the Relica of the Nabataean Empire in Tabuk.

Riyadh Events 

What are you doing for the weekend?

With that site name, you don't have to wonder what's in it for you when you visit. Riyadh Events lists down festivals and conferences in the city complete with their date, time, venue, and contact details... in English! Sometimes, we just visit the site to find out what festivals are celebrated in other places (because we're curious like that). Filipinos are not the only ones who celebrate feasts and festivals according to the region's products! For example, they're having a Honey Festival in Al-Baha and Summer Festivals in Najran, Al-Jawf, and Qassim. Who would've thought, right? If only we can visit each festival, then we're on our way! Now na!

Riyadhciti.com 

RiyadhCiti, a lifestyle magazine

This website is a lifestyle regional guide that delivers business and local events, courses, and lifestyle tips. They mostly focus on new happenings, launches, and news. Launched in 2009, this site is clean, sleek, and simple. We think that their main target readers are Saudis because most events featured are for them but it doesn't mean that expats cannot glean any info focused on them. There are a lot of tidbits for us too. So if you're interested in no-fuss reports on exhibits, conferences, and launchings of new products and services in Saudi Arabia, RiyadhCiti will point you to the right direction. They just don't update often but it's still worth bookmarking.

Riyadh Today 2011

We've featured Riyadh Today in this blog already. This handy book has everything too. So if you're not online most of the time but still wants to know every thing about Riyadh from directions, store contact numbers and basic information on Riyadh living, then this is the guide for you. Sundrenched likes to peruse the book once in a while. The directory and the shopping guide map prove valuable to her. For SR20, this book is sulit!

FOOD GUIDES

My Saudi Guides 

Yummy, yummy!

Indecisive on where to dine to next? Click on this site and you'll be lead to where you have to go. Though the site looks jumbled from all those letters and words in both English and Arabic, it has a good list of restaurants in the city with complete details and photos. They also have reviews and comments from diners so you'll have a grasp of how good (or bad) the resto is. We usually consult MSG when we want to eat in a new restaurant. They give first dibs on the newly-opened resto or bakeshop in the city. And if they do, we're there pronto! LOL. The Pink Tarha also contributes photos here. My Saudi Guides has a beauty guide called Oh La La Beauty but it's not as stocked as the Yummy Yummy Guide just yet.

Riyadh Eats 

An online restaurant guide

Still at its beta stage, Riyadh Eats is proving to be just as informative as its sister site Jeddahfood.com. We've been wishing for a Jeddahfood-like website for Riyadh and we're glad that the creators of Jeddahfood made our wish come true. They don't have many resto reviews yet but at full throttle, Riyadh Eats might just be as popular as its sister site. We love its simple yet elegant look. We like the concise yet substantial reviews and the photos used are eye-catching too. The site is giving away an iPad 2 at the end of the month. Click here for more details. 

DISCOUNT GUIDES

Cobone Riyadh 

Seal the deal!

Groupons have landed in Riyadh and Cobone is at the helm of this new deals phenomenon. Cobone features a daily market-focused deal on the best things to do, see, eat and buy in cities across the Middle East. We love the overall look of the site and everything is easy to understand. They have unleashed some really worthy deals from restaurants in Riyadh. Their first one was a lunch deal in Ketchup, which we think is worth it! There are current deals on Pane Piatto and Pizza Company. And if you're planning on having a vacation in Dammam and Jeddah or any major city in the Middle East then look for deals in their connecting sites too. Their Destinations deals are awesome and very tempting.

Balaash 

Deals, discounts, and freebies!

Balaash means FREE in Arabia so who wouldn't be amazed? No, they don't actually offer every thing for free but they make sure we get the best value for our money... and discounted at that! More sale coupons, woooot! Balaash provides specific sale alerts for specific items and brands in specific stores. So specific, right? Lol. So you don't even have to scout every newspaper or catalog in the city. You get to see them in Balaash's sites. Their discount deals and coupons are currently in their Facebook page but they also provide a link for to download coupons easier. Just print and present! We like their recent Al-Manahil Spa promo.

Burnt Deals KSA 

A gathering of deals and discounts in the city

This is somewhat new so we don't know what they're focused on. If our assessment is right, this site will gather all the best deals in the city daily and present them in the site. Let's stay tuned for more!

Okay, so that's it for now. We'll be coming up for a part two with Insider Guides this time. Hope you don't forget The Pink Tarha once you explore these sites, orayt? Happy living in Riyadh! :D

The Kaya Experience

It was Sampaguita Pride who informed us about Kaya Skin Clinic. If you notice in some websites you visit in the Internet, even Facebook, Kaya Skin Cilinic has advertisements in their sidebars.  Kaya Clinic is the largest international skin care clinic chain in the Middle East with branches in UAE, Oman, and KSA. They have three here in Riyadh. Their website looks professional and photos of their clinics show clean and sophisticated receptions and rooms. I needed an appointment pronto!

The clinics are uniform in their interiors and design. (Photo from kayaskinclinic.me)

Now, I'm not vain or anything near that but I throw a fit (hindi raw vain) when I see pimples in my face. But please understand that when I was younger, I had acne of the rather worst kind, of the traumatic kind that trumped my confidence during my high school and college years (if I had confidence in the first place). Thankfully, I got over it when I graduated college through several visits to a dermatologist in Makati. The pimples rarely appear in my face now but there's nothing I can do about the scars. I still get mild breakouts from time to time and I panic because I get the huge, red, ugly (and papansin) kind of pimples. So yeah, my face is miles away from being perfect.

Last month, I decided to change my facial wash and toner... what a mistake! I had four huge pimples popping out in my cheeks and jaw overnight. (Wow, sensitive ang skin! Lol!) Since I haven't been to a derma in a long time, I clicked one of the Kaya advertisements when I encountered it in one website and signed up for a free consultation. After a few days, I received a call from one of their agents in Jeddah. I told her I'm in Riyadh. She told me to wait for a call from their Riyadh branch. I received a text message two days after. It says that I will only have to show the text message to their receptionist in their clinic in Oruba Road to get my free consultation. I didn't took a chance of showing up in their doorstep without an appointment so I called the branch in Oruba Road and booked.

It was a Thursday afternoon when I visited the Kaya clinic. Their reception is a little bit small but it's directly in front of the door. The two receptionists didn't seem to know what they'll do with me at first. Lol. One gave me an information sheet which I answered in their female waiting area. The interiors of the clinic is clean, bright, and sleek. After a while, I gave back the sheet and I waited in the lounge again. Someone offered me drinks but I declined. After a few minutes, they called me and I entered the office of their resident dermatologist, Dr. Wael Abou Diab. He's known as one of the best dermatologists in the Middle East.

The consultation lasted 10 minutes. He looked at me, asked what my skin problem was, and took out his prescription pad. He asked me to buy a new facial wash and toner. And I should come back after a month. He also told me that I can book for a facial if I wanted but that it wasn't that necessary. When I was out the door, I'm relieved that there's no major thing to be done but I kept on thinking "That was it?!" I didn't come to Oruba alone on a Thursday afternoon without some thing done to my face pronto! (I lack EQ!) I signed up for their Kaya Advance Facial just because. Ayun, dahil sa lack of EQ ko, I paid SR300 for it! Expensive! 

Mataray ang kagandahan n'ya! (One of the models in a Kaya ad.)

The Kaya Advanced Facial includes microdermabrasion to give your skin a radiant look that regular facials cannot achieve. Microdermabrasion exfoliates away the dead skin cells. Next, a Viennese facial massage is performed, to both relax and rejuvenate the skin. Blackheads and/or whiteheads are then removed with the aid of a comedone extractor. Finally, a lightening face mask is applied to brighten your skin.

I didn't wait long. A Filipino nurse ushered me in a well-lit room with a few machines around a medical bed. The process was straightforward, nothing too fancy. The Filipino (hello Louis if you're reading this!) told me that Kaya actually started in India. The biggest branch is in Mumbai. The services are rather expensive because they use the latest in skin technology and they use imported skin products (made in France and USA). They only get nurses as skin practitioners and they were trained for three months in Mumbai, India. O diba, bongga! (Hindi daw nila nakita ang Taj Mahal kasi malayo ang Agra sa Mumbai, hehe. Talagang tinanong ko daw!) The comedone extraction was a little bit painful but I already expected that. (Nateary-eyed ako habang inaalis ang mga blackheads and whiteheads! Ugh!) After the 1-hour procedure, I had a rosy glow (sabi ko nga baka dahil namamaga lang ang mukha ko, haha!). I didn't expect much from my first facial but my face feels cleaner and brighter. This is good if you want a radiant face for an event happening asap. 

To really see the long-term effect of a facial, it should be done on a monthly (or twice) basis. But with the price, hindi ko carry ang maging habit ang facial. Lol. But I might be back to try their painless hair removal laser. Kaya is known for that service and they have a lot of customers. They have a wide array of anti-aging, acne and hair loss treatments. The clinics are also open for men. Even princes and princesses visit Kaya for their result-oriented skincare. 

So, you don't have something better to do on a Thursday? Here's a suggestion:

If you've visited Kaya, share your experience in our comment box.

Strawberries + Chocolate Dip = LOVE

On one of our shopping/bonding trips, my sister and I decided to try Dippingo's choco dip plate... I personally preferred the strawberries over the marshmallow because it was not overwhelmingly sweet when dipped in chocolate.

We normally see these in fancy parties and weddings but it was nice to see that we could get them on a normal bonding day. One time, I waited out the magrib prayer just I could bring this treat on one of our game nights at Eyecandy's place. Yes, I like it that much! ^_^

You can go to Hyatt Mall, Panorama Mall and Khurais Mall and grab a plate of choco goodness. <3

Walang diet diet,

Sampaguita Pride

Dans Le Coin Français

There was once a time when a corner in Dabab Street, Sulaimania attracted the attention of diners. In there you'll find one of the best French bakeshop and restaurant in Riyadh. People flock to eat authentic French dishes and buy French pastries and bread too. Nowadays, it's mostly ignored because it's overtaken by the more known French restaurants in the city. But for me, I couldn't ignore this place because 1. it's near our flat and this is my landmark when I ride the taxi (Saddiq, malloum French Corner?), 2. I actually like the food, and 3. I get to enjoy the solitude of eating in a place na parang akin lang yung lugar.

French Corner is a French restaurant and bakeshop that sits in a busy but small intersection in Suleimania. At first, you wouldn't really notice it unless you're looking for the blue and red sign reminiscent of the flag of France. But of course! I usually go there for the bread and pastries. I like their cheesecake but its rather dry pero pwede na. I also like their muffins and marjolaine, a dessert cake. I've tried their chocolates too but they're too sweet for my taste. The handmade caramel ice cream is good and I was tempted to try the sorbets. I even tried their sandwich. Anyway, it's the restaurant that I visited recently so...

The dining place for families is located on the second floor. Once there, you'll feel that the place was somewhat abandoned. There are no regular patrons and the decorations are sparse. The tables were set-up though. During the time I went with friends, I felt like we own the place. 

All by ourselves... :)

Well, at least the tables are ready.

We were alone and we have a butler waiter waiting for our orders. Just ours. We took the table by the window and perused their menu with excitement. I mean, I don't know anything about French dishes aside from the fact that they're hard to read and pronounce. Lol.

Free bread and butter

The bread comes to the table warm but a little bit hard. When eaten with butter alone, it doesn't have any astounding difference to other bread we've had in steakhouses. It's a better pair to the soup.

Bisque de langouste a' notre facon (lobster bisque), SR16

Soupe a L'oignon Parisienne (french onion soup with cheese toast), SR16

Sige, kayo na ang mahirap i-pronounce! :P We enjoyed the bisque more because the onion soup was runny and bland.

Croustillant de saumon et crevettes beurre de vanille, SR42

We're not sure how the French eat but this is part of their appetizer menu. This is salmon and shrimps in crispy paste pan-fried vanilla butter sauce. Looks good enough for dinner to me, especially with that rice. This is good. It's creamy and the shrimps are nicely plump. However, I haven't tasted this hard to pronounce dish anywhere else so I have no comparison.

Ravioli Amandine, SR38

This is ravioli stuffed with salmon and shrimps served with lobster bisque gratined. It's delicious but order this keeping "sharing" in mind. Nakakasuya (cloying) s'ya when you finish this on your own. It has huge chunks of salmon, which is different from other restos scrimping on them.

French Corner Mixed Grilled, SR48

Consisting of chicken, steak, lamb chops, sausages, we enjoyed their huge plate of mixed grilled meats plus fries... even if we're not sure how French this is. Lol. The meats are juicy but a little bit torched much.

Overall, the dinner experience in French Corner is fine. Nothing elaborate or fancy. It's a good place if you value your privacy so much and you just want to talk with your friends. A good wine will be welcome, lol. Just kidding. While its true that you won't really go out your way to dine here, it might be worth it if you want to enjoy the French cuisine without the usual fanfare of restaurants with too many waiters and diners. This is one simple, private dinner you'll probably enjoy once in a while.

French Corner

Dabab St., Suleimania

Riyadh, KSA

T: 01-4645322