Ramadan Promos and Offerings 2014 (Restaurants)

So, we've done the hotels, now it's time to bring you the list of restaurants and their Iftar offerings. I thought we've done this last year and I've been looking for it in our archive. Turns out we only shared them in our Facebook page and didn't make this kind of list in our blog. So this is the first time. And you know how many restaurants are in Riyadh? A LOT. Gathering them up will take me the entire Ramadan. So here's an initial list of the restaurants that made a good effort in making their Ramadan menu known through their social media. 

Indeed a tender way to break fast.

Piatto Italian Restaurant offers a menu of delicious pastas, pizza, and meat dishes at a reduced price specially for Ramadan. You can start off with their creamy Warm Artichoke Spinach Dip and dig in their free fresh garden salad, soup of the day and rosemary garlic bread. Check out their Ramadan menu HERE. Piatto has branches in Exit 5 and in Panorama Mall.

W: www.piatto.com.sa

FB: https://www.facebook.com/PiattoKSA

T: +966-11-211-4678

TSC Signature's good food (photo from their FB page)

One of our faves, TSC Signature, has a set menu for their Ramadan Iftar. If you order any of their main dishes ranging from SR 65 (sandwich/burger), SR 75 (pizza/pasta) to SR 95 (for their yummy steak), you get a free soup, appetizers (includes sambusa and Italian and Arabic salads), homemade desserts, and a choice of beverage. Visit their menu HERE. TSC Signature is located just off Tahlia Street.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/TSC-Signature/418601704939784?fref=nf 

T: +966-11-293-9693 

An array of starters from Trader Vic's buffet

Trader Vic’s in Panorama Mall is one of the restaurants that offering a buffet during Ramadan. Last year, we enjoyed their appetizers and main courses. This year, we haven’t tried it but you can beat us to it. SR 109 per person.

FB: www.facebook.com/tradervics.sa 

T: +966-11-281-4782 

Lusin, the first and only restaurant that serves Armenia cuisine in Riyadh is having a buffet for Ramadan. So if you’re trying to find something new to your palate, then get ready to fork over SR 225 per person in Centria Mall. 

W: www.lusinrestaurant.com 

T: 9200 02690 

BBQ Chicken delivers!

BBQ Chicken ushers out their cold buffet, soups and desserts at SR 55 per person and free for kids under the age of 6. Then you can choose your main meal from their a la carte menu. From SR 39 chicken dishes to SR 39 pastas, no item in their Ramadan menu is over SR 50! You can check out their menu HERE. BBQ is in Thalateen Street.

W: www.bbqchickenksa.com

T: +966-11-462-3343 

Best Ramadan deal ever! :P

You know where you’ll get the best Ramadan deal ever? At a furniture shop! Yes, IKEA is offering a Ramadan combo priced at SR 19. You read that right: SR 19! For that price, you’ll get a main meal, desert, salad, and soup! Your kids get an even sweeter deal because it’s only SR 9 for them. 

W: www.ikea.com.sa 

The steakhouses in the city are all ready for Iftar! Check out the following offerings from the authorities of grilled meats: 

What are you having?

Steak House will welcome you with an Iftar menu that’s almost fit for 2 people because just a trip to their soup and salad bar is enough to fill your hungry tummies! You get those for free if you order any of their special meals included in their Ramadan menu which you can check out HERE. Reserve as early as possible because branches to tend to get packed. Steak House is located in Exit 5 and in Thalateen Street.

FB: www.facebook.com/SteakHouseSA 

T: 800-249-2222 

Outback Steakhouse in Localizer Mall has an SR 67 Ramadan menu. Choose from their Alice Springs Chicken, Mahi Hearts of Gold, Grilled Chicken on the Barbie, and Prime Rib Pasta and you’ll get to enjoy their free selection of dates, Arabic coffee, sambousa, soup, and salad. With a dessert of vanilla ice cream to boot! 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/outbacksteakhouseksa 

T: +966-11-217-4633 

You'll already be full with Applebee's appetizers!

Applebee’s is offering two choices for your Iftar meal. A Set Menu where you can order one of their selected dishes and you’ll get a free drink, salad, soup, and dates. The other is their Unlimited Menu where you’ll get unlimited soups, salads, and appetizers when you order one of their pre-determined entrees. Unfortunately their menu is not available online so you have to visit to see it. Applebee's is in Tahlia Street

W: www.applebeesme.com

Try checking out food delivery sites hellofood.com, foodonclick.com and otlob.com too. Restaurants in their list are also offering Ramadan specials. Just make sure to chat with their representative online to make sure that your resto of choice is already open for delivery. Ramadan timings vary.

There are more iftar offers for sure but I can't research them all in one day, especially when some of them encourages you to go to their restos instead to find out what they're offering. I'll be updating this list as we encounter more offers and try some of them as the holy month of Ramadan unfolds in Riyadh. Check back this entry from time to time. Or follow us in our Facebook page. :) 

Ramadan Kareem! ~ Sundrenched

Lusin: An Armenian Deluxe

IMAGINE ARABIAN SUNSETS meeting the European flair. Think of the aroma of a bustling grill amidst a palatial rendezvous. Discover and have a taste of a culture that has long been subdued. That is how I experienced the newly opened restaurant in town called, Lusin.

The Opening Soon sign beside The Noodle House was up for quite some time and it was to my delight to find that it was finally open for business! Lucky for me I had the chance to peek in before the actual opening which I featured previously here. This time around, I was able to check out more of the fantastic view that this restaurant had to offer:

The maroon-like colors showered by the bright yellow lighting reminds me of an Arabian sunset and yet the sparkle of gold accents and brass interiors brings about a certain "bling" of the 21st century.

The veranda is still hoping for some touch-ups during the time I visited, but at this point, I could honestly say that standing from this view, it looked simply marvelous.

Sitting in the restaurant during the soft opening, I was not sure what to expect. Outside, the sign read, "Lusin: Armenian Cuisine" - but I wasn't anywhere near familiar to what Armenian food really is. The good thing is that the manager and crew were hospitable and kind enough to introduce us to what Armenian food is all about. Starting off with our drinks, we were offered the Pomegranate juice - which we were told, was the national fruit of Armenia. It's color is also

the binding theme of the restaurant, and you will notice that the crew's uniform is also adorned with this symbol. Too bad I wasn't able to take a photo of both the juice and the men in uniform but I can assure you that both were delicious and a delight to look at.

:)

Let's move on to the starters shall we?

We were paraded with an exquisite line-up of all the kinds of dips one could imagine. Now, I am a Filipina and I naturally did not grow up to homegrown Middle-Eastern cooking despite growing up in Riyadh, therefore from here on end, do take into consideration that I have more of an Asian-tempered palette. Nevertheless, I am a hummus lover and being exposed to at least four different kinds of hummus (or at least I thought they were hummus) was indeed, beyond my imagination (and consumption):

Some Khubz bread to wipe off the hummus with. Note: Bread is "refillable."

A parade of starters. From Top to Bottom: Itch - Traditional Armenian burgul red salad with parsley. Yalanji Grape Leaves - Stuffed grape leaves served with Armenian matzone yogurt. (Four sets of dips to be identified in next photo) Mohammarah (The red one) - Traditional Armenian red pepper paste with grated walnuts. Taboulah - Traditional Lebanese Taboulah from parsley, burgul and tomato and lastly, Beetroot Salad with sesame cream.

Clockwise from Top: Mutabal - Traditional Lebanese grilled eggplant mashed with sesame paste, (Forgot the name) but it's practically hummus but with bits of meat in them; Hummus - Traditional Lebanese style; and Tajin Samak - Cold slices of fish fillet with sesame paste and onions.

Now from this set of cold starters, I must say that in general, they all tasted delicious. But what stood out for me was the Mohammarah and the Tajin Samak. The texture of the pepper paste coupled with the right amount of sour and a kick of the spice worked wonders with the Khubz bread. Also, it was my first time to try the Tajin Samak and it tasted like an Armenian counterpart to our version of a tuna salad, if I may say so.

As for the rest, the Taboulah was freshly made and the Mutabal and Hummus were richer than the usual ones I'd have on a regular basis (i.e. a weekend snack from our local diner). Like all fine restaurants such as these, it was obvious that the choice and quality of ingredients does make the difference.

Although, I wish I could say the same for the hot starters (featured below), for me, they were okay. But it isn't something to rave about. I would rather order another round of Mohammarah and Tajin Samak.

Cheese Bourak - Fried pastries stuffed with cheese.

Beef Bourak - Fried pastries stuffed with minced beef.

As we were enjoying the starters, I could already catch a faint smell of the grill coming from the kitchen as the crew were preparing to serve the main dishes. It's a good thing that I was preoccupied with the good conversation I was having with my family that it was just a matter of time that another parade of plates invaded our table.

The main course:

Mixed Platter of Shish Taouk and Meat Kebab garnished with grilled pepper and tomato.

Grilled Lamb Chops

Kebab in Cherry Sauce

If I am not mistaken, I believe this dish is called "Manti".

It has meat-stuffed pillows of ravioli, blanketed by rich yogurt cream.

I don't know how I was still able to down any of the main courses seeing that I was already stuffed with all the appetizers we had. Nevertheless, the scenery of grilled meat was too enticing to ignore. Out of all the main courses we had, I just have to give a standing ovation to the Grilled Lamb Chops. (clap, clap, clap) It was tasty, soft and such a simple dish that was made elegant in my mouth. Second place would have to go to the Kebab in cherry sauce as I have never tasted such fine pureed cherry so far in my life. The fine-ness of the sauce meshed well with the coarse, ground meat. I can't say that there was anything special with the mixed platter of shish taouk and kebabs, although it would be a safe choice for those with a less adventurous inclination when it comes to food. The Manti, for me, was a bit on the sour side - as it should be. However, sour taste is not particularly my soft side.

I didn't think we had enough space for a desert round, so my family and I settled for a shot of what they call "White Coffee."

It is actually a herbal tea made from orange blossom water. We were told by our waiter that it aims to help one's digestion, particularly after a heavy meal. It may look like a shot of vodka to you, but it's not. :P The scent is calming and holding the warm glass with your fingertips is actually relaxing.

As we were getting ready to leave, the restaurant was already packed and most of the guests were Saudis and/or Middle-Eastern. I can tell that the restaurant was off to a promising start. In general, the ambiance of Lusin is nothing short of luxurious and I believe that it is best to put in your reservation before heading there. It may be easy for most people to assume that the food they offer is similar to other Turkish or Lebanese restaurants, but as the name suggests, they have dubbed it as "Armenian Cuisine" and thus it is the Armenian experience that awaits you at Lusin -- a culture that is as ancient as Rome and Arabia and yet, not as known to the world.

No Lusin, Thank You!

For reservations and inquiries:

LUSIN

2nd Floor, Centria Mall,

Olaya St., Riyadh

T: 01-293-9800

E: info@lusinrestaurant.com

Their website is currently under construction but can be primarily viewed at: http://www.lusinrestaurant.com

Sneak Peek at "Lusin"

Tonight, I had the special treat of peeking in a budding new restaurant in town due to open on February 14 (soft opening) called "Lusin".

Most of our readers already know my affection with the Noodle House in Centria Mall...it just so happens that this new restaurant is a brainchild of the same company but this will cater to a more Middle Eastern/European flair serving Armenian food. Now, I am not sure what Armenian food is, but I've been informed that it is similar to Arabic food in a way. I guess I have to wait until the opening to find out and tell you all about it. Otherwise, this is what Wikipedia said about Armenian cuisine.

Meanwhile, here are some photos I was able to take as the crew was kind enough to show me the inside of the restaurant:

The sign on the door reads "Lusin" brightly, and the rest of the exterior of the entrance shows two gate-like doors on both sides and in the middle is a glass wall which allows passers-by to view the big, clay oven situated inside as the cooks go about their business. You'd have to imagine it for now as it escaped my mind to photograph the whole entrance.

The inside: The interior palette is made up of rich browns, beige, dark purple (it may be maroon, but the lighting must have me confused) and dim-lit lamps, almost looking like an arabian sunset. Further on the back is an outdoor section, overlooking the Olaya area. It's still in need of finishing touches.

The table setting. The brass lamps may very well allow diners to have a good look of their food before enjoying it. I hope to have a seat in one of these tables very soon!

So there you have it, in case you want to try out something new come February 14th, Lusin will surely welcome you.

Cheers!

-ec-