Can We Just Stop And (Bread)Talk Awhile?

So we posted this photo in our Facebook wall and everyone got crazy. 

Why is the guy in a "shhhh" mode when it's BreadTALK? Hehe.

Ergo, we needed to address the questions immediately because it seems like we'll be eaten alive if we didn't. Haha! Yes, BreadTalk is now in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and we have the first and only branch of this beloved bakeshop in the whole of Saudi Arabia. 

The almost empty display

Eyecandy and I went last night and we only relied on Google Maps and Foursquare to find it. Othman Bin Affan street isn't exactly a popular street and we didn't know if it has a more famous nickname. According to my father who knows North Ring Road better than I do, it's in Exit 7. Just after the Abu Bakr Assediq Road, which is of course Exit 6. Toinks. (A map is available below).

For those who are not familiar with BreadTalk, it's a famous bakeshop that originated in Singapore. They brought a renaissance in the bread business because they offered a lot of distinctive, unique, and delicious breads. They have branches in the Middle East (Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, etc.) and obviously, in the Philippines. That's why we know it and we long for it. 

BreadTalk in Riyadh bears the same urban, clear glass, clean cut look that the brand is known for. It has an open kitchen to see how they bake and work inside. It was past 9 o'clock when we reached the bakery and we found the trays mostly empty. Awwww, sad.

The Japanese 'cheese cake' in the middle; SR40

The familiar breads we know from BreadTalk Philippines were not around. And yes, we asked for the bestseller Floss bread but they're not available. We were wishing for the Hot Chick version since pork is not allowed here but even that is not available. Huhu. Anyway, we just had to choose from the meager selections:

Phoenix Bread = chicken mushroom with a layer of paprika 

Cheesy stuff

Breads with beef and mushroom

Soft and yummy bread

The rainbow bread

Most for their breads on one side are have Arabic spices and flavors.

Even their pizzas are have an Arabic twist into them.

Cheesy, veggie... healthy? :P

Looks yummy!

Apart from the breads, they also have cakes in full and slices and also some dessert cups.

Ooooh lala!

White black forest (around 200 riyals)

The white version of a black forest, hehe, in small slices.

All chocolate!

What a sweetheart!

Tiramisu

Muffins in chocolate chips, almonds, blueberry...

Colorful macarons (SR10 per pack)

Cheese crisps

We love BreadTalk because their breads are soft and sweet. Their products are considered as novelties. If you have the chance, go get their "bear bread". Not only is it delicious, it's also cute. The prices are a bit more expensive than your usual bread found in most bakeries but for something new and different, why not? If I were you, go there as early as possible so you get first dibs on every kind of bread they have. They open at 7 o'clock in the morning. So, go!!! ;) ~ Sundrenched


BreadTalk
Ta'awn Area
Othman Bin Affan Road
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Directions: 
The blue arrows signify the North Ring Road, it's the easier route to take. Just go straight and exit in Exit 7. Turn right and go straight. It will be on your right side.

Click to see a larger version.

The red arrows signify the route from Riyadh Gallery. Just go straight too and exit the Othman Bin Affan Road (there is a road sign for this street so be on the lookout). Turn left and go straight. BreadTalk will be on your left so you have to use the side road and make a U-turn to go back to the building where the bakeshop is.

Top Five Destinations in the Philippines

Other expats are curious about the Philippines and since we consider ourselves as the unofficial ambassadresses to the Philippines here in Riyadh, we always make it a point to drop in conversations places that others must visit in the homeland. Even fellow Filipinos are amazed that we can paint a picture of those popular places from our imagination and entice them in going. Well, personally, I've been trying to visit as many places in the Philippines as much as I can squeeze on my vacation. So here's my top five destinations in The Pink Tarha's home country that you must and should visit! 

1. PALAWAN 

I'm in LOVE with Palawan.

I've recently been to the Maldives and I find it breathtaking. But honestly, I've seen such beauty in our very own country... in Palawan, romantically known as the "land of promise." The only difference is, you can only visit a handful of islands in Maldives and you stay in one with an unobstructed view of the turquoise ocean. In Palawan, particularly El Nido and Coron which I had the opportunity to visit, there are a lot of islets reachable by boats and virgin forests with falls ending in natural pools and dazzling sugar-white sandy beaches. And the view is dotted with limestone cliffs. While the experience in Maldives feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the experience in Palawan is something that we can always go back to. Again and again if we wish. 

2. BOHOL 

Going for a joy ride in Bohol

Like Palawan, Bohol, an island with 75 minor surrounding islands in the Visayas, boasts of beaches and resorts. When I first went there in 2007, my friends and I finished touring the island and its top tourist spots in one day and we spent half day just lounging in Panglao beach. Looking back, I think we really crammed and made that trip in a rush. So if I'm going back, I'll make sure to spend more than a day and a half in the island especially now that luxurious resorts have been sprouting in its grounds. Whether you're in a budget or you want to splurge, Bohol is the perfect tropical destination for you. 

3. ALBAY 

The Mt. Mayon, the world's most perfect cone

It's tempting to say the whole of Bicol region in this list because there's still Caramoan, Sorsogon, etc. but for expats like us working abroad and have a limited time with our vacation, we need to focus on one place for a getaway and go from there. So in the Bicol region, Albay is a great place to start. With the mere mention of Mt. Mayon, the only volcano in the world with a perfect cone, you'll already be enticed to visit. I know I am! My family and I always make it a point to go to Albay on a road trip from my father's hometown in Camarines Sur. Apart from seeing the volcano from Cagsaoa Ruins, you can get closer by trekking and riding the ATV. SO if you're into mountains and forests, Albay is the way to go. And after that... the whole of Bicolandia! 

4. PAGUDPUD 

Fiestas in the Ilocos region are the most fun!

From my home province of La Union, Pagudpud is around 6-8 hours by bus. From Manila, it's easier to fly by airplane to Laoag and travel from there. This coastal resort town in Ilocos Norte is bound by the mountain and the sea. And I tell you, the white-sand beaches and crystal blue water of Pagudpud is worth the travel time. The kilometer-long Saud Beach is a popular tourist attraction. A secluded beach known as Blue Lagoon is also gaining fame among locals and tourists. So if you're getting ready for some wave action, Pagudpud is the way to go. Tour around Ilocos Norte and attend their colorful festivals while you're there. 

5. DAVAO 

Not just one waterfall, but 84!

I haven't been to Davao. Actually, I haven't been to any place in Mindanao. But it's already in my travel bucket list. Just look at this photo of Aliwagwag Falls in Davao Oriental. Aliwagwag is a series of 84 waterfalls that look like a stairway to heaven. Now that's something I want to see! So Davao, here I come! 

The Philippines has over 1,000 islands, each with its own charms and beauty. To learn more about these wonderful destinations, read Cebu Pacific's Smile Magazine. This vibrant, savvy and fun in-flight magazine showcases all things great about the Philippines (and other international destinations). The articles are great and the photos are stunning! Just by looking at the section My Snapshots littered with photos from travelers taken during their trips across Asia, I am inspired to travel. So the next time you're looking for the next great getaway, you know where to get tips and guides. Visit www.cebusmile.com for more details.

And of course, to reach these places in the Philippines, Cebu Pacific Air is at your service. Book their affordable rates via www.cebupacificair.com now! Let's travel far and wide shall we? :) ~ Sundrenched

*This entry is sponsored by Cebu Pacific. All opinions are the writer's own.

Luxury Food Finds in Le Gourmet

Happy Saudi National Day!

It's a holiday this Monday but we're not writing about Saudi Arabia today just because everyone else might be writing about it. Instead, we're writing about this gourmet store we chanced upon in Panorama Mall. Uhmn, there's no connection to Saudi Arabia at all apart from it's brought to us by Danube Hypermarket, a Saudi brand. 

Welcome to Le Gourmet!

Le Gourmet by Danube is located just beside - you guessed it - Danube Hypermarket in Panorama Mall. It's just near the entrance and you can even enter the hypermarket through Le Gourmet. This store is open for many months now (we're just unobservant when in Panorama because we rarely go to the hypermarket when we're there). Le Gourmet has many brands and products that we didn't know exist in Saudi Arabia. Like Himalayan salt, for example. 

A foodie's haven

Without further ado, here are some of the more interesting products you'll find in Le Gourmet by Danube...

Trying out a new cuisine in your kitchen? Go Italian with these various pastas and risotto. 

Risotto and legumes

Eyecandy loves to sprinkle chilis in her pasts so I'm sure she'll love this: 

And for other viands, maybe these sauces in different levels of hotness...

Jams from world-renowned brand Butler's Grove from Millets Farm. They're known for their savory and sweet preserves. Le Gourmet has sets of them and one of the eye-catching ones is this Taste of London box that features biscuits paired with chutneys. Interesting!

Try 'em all!

Perfect for an afternoon tea

If you're not into fruit jams for your bread, try these milk chocolate spreads. Mmmm! It even comes with chili! If not spreads then dips. There's toffee and dark chocolate for your fondue. 

We also saw chocolate brands that we haven't heard of (yes, we're not gourmands). Most of them are quite expensive but maybe worth a try.

Chocolates are not the only sweet things around. Sugar, of course, is the number one sweetener. And in Le Gourmet, they come in different colors and shapes.

They will dissolve but it would be fun to serve these to guests.

What about some licorice?

There are also some biscuits for snacks...

And the beverages that go with it...

Le Gourmet also brought the fine pastries of Loison Pasticerri Dal, manufacturer of fine Italian cakes. They have the muffins and breads. 

So I don't bake but Le Gourmet makes it easy for everyone to bake cakes, scones, cookies, tarts, and cupcakes by having these boxes with easy-to-follow instructions. They also have the filling and icings. 

If you're into savory mixes, try the cheese balls mixes and dips. 

Who knows there are so many varieties of salt? I mean, they're just supposed to be salty right? But then again, I've been hearing about the benefits of using the pink Himalayan salt in the food shows I've been watching so maybe they're really special. If you're into salts, then Le Gourmet has many kinds. They have the Himalayan salt and sea salt. They also have spices, herbs, and sauces from the M. de Turenne line which brings fine food from France.

How many kinds of extra virgin olive oil are there in the world? Apparently, countless.

More oils and condiments...

And what about cheeses?

In most restaurants in the city, there are a lot of mocktails in the menu. I find them kind of expensive for the taste they have. So it's probably a good idea to re-create them at home with SIROP, bottles and bottles of flavors that not only taste good but also look good in your pantries. 

I don't get caviar. I mean they're just fish eggs. I like my fish eggs in my maki rolls. That goes to show how unsophisticated my tastebuds must be, haha! But for people who gets and adores caviar, Le Gourmet carries a few brands. 

And some other stuff...

Wonder what those rice cakes are...

Apart from the authentic and exotic flavors of Le Gourmet's products, I love the packaging the products come in. Some are minimalist, some are sophisticated, and some are rustic, which remain true to where they were imported from. However, even if I love them all, I don't have that many fulos to do so. The prices are expensive. Well, that's gourmet for you.

If you want to see more products available in Le Gourmet, visit this page. The Le Gourmet stores in Jeddah and Al-Khobar have coffee shops too. They're opening one in Hiteen Plaza in Riyadh soon. So are you ready to tickle your taste buds with some luxury? :) ~ Sundrenched


Le Gourmet by Danube
Danube Hypermarket
Panorama Mall
Takhasussi Street,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
T: +966-55-397-1934
E: danubegourmetshop@hotmail.com
FB: www.facebook.com/pages/Gourmet-Shop/245719508876736

Also in:
Jummah Center, Al-Khobar
Al-Nahdah, Jeddah