A Beautiful Date

IT'S THE ONLY "date" that we're legally allowed to have here in Riyadh and it is high-time that we finally dived into this delectable dessert with Bateel dates and Bateel Cafe. 

The date, which is known to be the Holy Fruit of Arabia is in fact, the national fruit of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Born out of  the date palm tree (iconic in most Saudi Arabian emblems), this fruit is a part of the Arabian tradition and was even frequently mentioned in the pages of the Qur'an. From dessert to snacks, it's also a famous fare during Ramadan where it is usually the first thing eaten during the Iftar dinner (you will notice that most of the food they serve during the breaking of fast starts with a plate of dates).

But we won't be talking about your average grocery/street dates here, we're going to be featuring the big name (if not the biggest) in the field of gourmet dates: Bateel who has been a plush merchant of these since the early 90s. 

It wasn't until late last year that I had a hefty serving of Bateel dates, although I have heard of them before. I visited their branch in Kingdom Mall while touring some visiting foreign colleagues and the salesman was more than happy to orient us about the different kinds of dates that they offer:

The most popular kind of gourmet dates: Khidri.

The Khidri dates are soft and chewy in texture and are considered to be the healthier choice when it comes to sugar content since it has less sucrose than the other dates. It is also their most popular item. 

Khidri dates also come in other variants, with different stuffings to choose from: Orange, Lemon Peel, Ginger, Caramelized Pecan and Almonds. I personally like the Khidri with Orange because of the balance of sweet and tangy in its flavors. The lemon proved a little too tangy for my liking. The caramelized pecan stuffing is also another favorite.

The Roti Family Feud

A few months ago, Pappa Roti opened in Riyadh. Followed by Rotiboy. And finally, MammaRoti. (Actually, I'm quite not sure which came first... Pappa Roti or Rotiboy?!) We'd like to think it's one big happy family because they offer just one thing: roti buns. But it turns out, they're of different companies. Is there a family feud brewing? Who has the best roti bun? What makes them unique from one another? Which brand is The Pink Tarha's favorite? Which one is yours?

Let the taste test begin!

Before I give the verdict, let's define what a roti bun first. A roti bun is simply a 'coffee bun,' a round bun with melted butter inside and a crunchy coat of coffee-flavored sugar on top. When you take a bite, a trio of tastes burst in your mouth. Sweet, salty, bitter in one go! The combination of the three creates a perfect harmony once it hits your taste buds and soon enough, you'll be craving for more. You're hooked! 

Which is which?!
(From left clockwise: Pappa Roti, Mammaroti, Rotiboy)

The inevitable addiction to roti bun is the reason why roti bun shops are confident of selling just this one product. Imagine going to the shop and ordering just the roti bun. You come for the buns and nothing else. No more perusing the menu for a long list of items. You get confused with the drinks more than the food. Oh well, that's the magic pull of a roti bun. Riyadh is now addicted.

Rotiboy ("The Breadboy") was founded by Hiro Tan in Penang, Malaysia in 1998. The Rotiboy in Malaysia is known for its freshly-made cakes and high quality bread. Their Signature Rotiboy Bun, described as crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, brought them the popularity they are enjoying now. Apart from the original roti bun, Rotiboy has introduced Buttermilkboy, a bun with vanilla topping with a special buttermilk filling which is an alternative to those who are not into anything caffeine.

The oldest with the youngest name.

Golden brown with extra crispy edges

Fluffy, fluffy!

Pappa Roti ("The Father of All Buns") was established in Malaysia in 2003 and has flourished all over the world with branches in Malaysia, United Kingdom, Australia, Indonesia... and now, in the Middle East. Their signature bun starts with the creamy bun with a topping of concentric circles which becomes a glazed caramel-coating  after a quick stay in the oven.

Here comes papa.

Dark brown with extra edges

Flaky inside

MammaRoti ("The Bun Emperor"), or MammaBunz in Malaysia, started in 2004. This casual franchise serves authentic coffee-coated buns with a sweet buttery-rich taste named "Mexican bun." They describe their bun as crispy, soft, rich, and fluffy. And this catapulted them to branches all over Malaysia and franchises all over the Middle East.

The mother which is titled the 'emperor'?! Haha.

Pale brown with a smooth top

Fluffy and flaky.

Now, there's no need to list down the qualities and taste of each roti bun from each brand. They do taste the almost exactly the same. With just a few, almost unnoticeable, difference.

My favorite!

MammaRoti takes my vote for the best roti bun in Riyadh. Its bun, while not far from PappaRoti’s and Rotiboy’s in taste, has a consistency that I like. Fresh from the oven, the top coating is a little bit crunchy and the butter melts all around the inside lending its slight saltiness to the bun. The coffee flavor is there; almost milky in taste and the sweetness is tempered by a tinge of bitterness. Harmonious delight! Wait for a while and the bun, when bitten, becomes a little bit chewy making it irresistible to take one bite after another until the last morsel drops into an empty paper bag. When left at room temperature (do not refrigerate), the bun retains its flavor and texture; still perfect for a cup of milk tea or simply brewed coffee. 

The first brand I've tried is Pappa Roti. And while it smells good from a few meters away (Eyecandy said it smelled like adobo. Haha!), the buns lack flavor. It's less pronounced and not as tasty. I do love how they set up their cafes though. The aroma from their ovens envelops a part of Panorama Mall that you can't help but wonder and stay. For Rotiboy, it's the same crisp coating but the better wasn't well-rounded. I even like the buttermilk bun better with its melted chocolate chip cookies and sweet vanilla filling. I also like their iced milk tea. It's sweet and refreshing.

Now tell me, what is your favorite roti bun?

Whatever your choice is among the roti buns in Riyadh, we cannot deny its allure and how in a matter of days, it got the whole city hooked. While the price of SR11 per bun is quite expensive, it’s an indulgence that should be taken lightly. You wouldn’t want to get suya after a while, yes? Sometimes, waiting for another week or so to taste the coffee bun makes the wait worthwhile. You’ll find yourself ordering a bunch of it the next time and you’ll take bite after bite after bite. Don’t forget to share. To me. Haha. ~ Sundrenched

Pappa Roti

Branches: Panorama Mall | Tahlia Street

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Papparoti-KSA/

W: www.papparoti.com.my

Rotiboy

Food Court, Sahara Mall

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

W: http://rotiboyarabia.com

MammaRoti

Branches: Food Court, Kingdom Mall | Tahlia Street

W: www.mammabunz.com

Sweet/Savory Delights

There are times that you feel a need to be alone. Especially us, ladies. Right? I have a lot of those moments. In Manila, it's easy to find a coffee shop or a bakeshop that I can go to and be alone. No one would wonder why I'm in this kind of solitary confinement moment and I can go on sipping my coffee, biting my pastry, and typing away in my laptop or reading a book. It's kind of hard to find such a nook here, unless you're a bachelor. Most coffee shops in Tahlia cater to them. The family section of a restaurant is most of the time crowded and filled with kids. I have nothing against kids, seriously, but it's hard to focus when there are a bunch of them running around and shrieking and playing, don't you think? 

I found a solution to that problem. The Crepe Cafe in Thalateen Street. 

I don't want to give away this secret because you might flock this place with your friends (and your kids) and I would be forced to look for another "me" nook but you know The Pink Tarha cannot resist sharing good finds! And I'd like to share this space because we, ladies, can use more lady-friendly establishments around here. Do you agree? :P

You might know of The Crepe Cafe in Riyadh Gallery. Their concept is so popular that they had to extend their dining area to the other side of the garden. And they still had a line waiting every time. The ladies and I liked Crepe Cafe there but I think we like the new branch better because it's tucked in a corner, it has wifi, and my friends and I can hear ourselves better. I bet I can even hear myself better when I'm alone and there are fewer people in this coffeeshop.

Bright interiors

French-lovin' cafe

The "me" booth I like, hehe

The bright interiors of the family area is an apt place to dine in. The food is good too. My favorite would have to be the banana caramel crepe just because it's no-fuss and simple. It's sweet, of course, but paired with bananas, this crepe is the right one for me. E tried the philly steak crepe and she liked it too. Their savory crepes are nice and fills the tummy just right. We also tried the salmon omelet and while a little bit bland, it's adequate. Our waffle-loving friend tried the ones with berries and ice cream. She was neutral on the buttery batter used. She likes her waffles fluffy and light but The Crepe Cafe's aren't. Still quite yummy though.

Picture time!

Comfort food

Yummy!

Savory love.

Lots of smoke salmon bits

All the good things in a plate

So here's why The Crepe Cafe is perfect for your "alone" time... it's quiet during non-rush hours. It has free wifi (just ask the waiter for the password). They have a nice selection of coffee. Their very affordable 'breakfast' food comforts. There are a few establishments around it that you can go to and browse products while waiting for your driver (ex. Golden Brown, Candy Bouquet, Chocolate Dream, etc.) So, you know where to go now when you're hit by a "me time" craving. Or if you and your girl friends just wanted to have a mini getaway (from the crazy urban landscape) to yourselves. ;) Of course the mall makes perfect sense too. ;)

The Crepe Cafe

a. Thalateen St., Suleimania, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

b. Riyadh Gallery, along King Fahd Road

www.thecrepecafe.com 

Sundrenched

A Filipina's Food Trip (2 of 2)

Who needs a drink? Or a sweet fix?

In Part 2 of my massive food trippin' in the Philippines, I'm ushering in the last installment of what caught my tastebud's hearts. Let's begin with what can mostly keep us warm in the recently occurring winter here in Riyadh...let's toast and cheers to that! 

Cappuccino from Figaro

I did my best to stay away from the glare of Starbucks as it's already everywhere, home and abroad. While I was in the North, I enjoyed this rich cup of capp over the view of SM Baguio from Figaro. I am loving the coffee art too as it's not something I see everyday in Riyadh. 

Milk Tea from Serenitea

Milk Tea was also a big deal in the metro, with people flocking to "chai-it-out" (such as myself). Serenitea is a popular name in the milk tea business at the moment, allowing customers to customize their own drinks by size, tea flavor, and add ons (think zagu balls and or red mongo beans). And indeed, it is not your ordinary cup of tea. :)

Salted Caramel Cappuccino from CBTL

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf at Greenbelt was a staple hang out for me during my last vacation since most of my friends work in Makati. One day, my aunt (who is a year younger than me) invited me to try out this drink, which I've only heard of the first time. I am not exactly a fan of salty food, but I am a fan of trying out something new - and lo and behold, I finished every drop of this salted+caramel fusion of a coffee. Think tequilla shots, but instead of Cuervo, you get a dose of caffeine - filling you as equally warm inside. :)

The Teen Craze

Speaking of alcoholic beverages, the Tanduay Ice Alcomix was all the rave when I was back on vacation. Tweeners were anxious to taste it and are excited to act like they can actually get drunk from it. But when I gave it a try, it almost tasted like a more sour version of a 7-Up and seriously, there ain't no buzz. To those who claim to get drunk by this drink, it's like saying even Cali Shandy can get you wasted. But then again, that's just me. Disclaimer: I am not promoting underage drinking.

Who would turn down a glass?

Now I'm not a big beer drinker, but the boys in Riyadh would often times torture themselves and imagine an ice cold beer, complete with the sisig to boot! This one is a classic folks, and should not be missed! Kampay!!!

Cosmopolitan from Friday's, MOA

And of course, to my ladies out there who just needs to loosen up a bit (but not get totally wasted), another classic cocktail drink is the Cosmopolitan (which happens to be my favorite). Mainly made up of vodka, cranberry juice and some triple sec and lime, this will still keep things classy and sassy. Plus it's pink! What's not to love? Cheers ladies! (And let's start talking about that new boyfriend! Tee hee!) 

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Moving on to desserts..

FroYos are still making a name for themselves with stores like the White Hat and the Red Mango. I stayed safe in trying out these babies coz I'm not a big fan of sour-tasting food. And if you noticed, I kind of buried the froyo in a sea of chocolate (takot sa maasim!). 

Plain FroYo with Choco Bits

Banana Waffle with Froyo from Red Mango

This was a deliciously made waffle topped off with the right amount of frozen yogurt on top. I actually had this dessert with P while we were catching up at SM Megamall. It was soft and fluffy and the sweetness was just right. This I highly recommend. :D 

Cupcakes from Sonja

What is already an established name in the cupcake biz is "Cupcakes by Sonja" located at Bonifacio Global City, The Fort. Must tries are their red velvet line and these choco crumbles which just begs you to lick it. Price ranges from 85Php to 150Php a piece. 

Coffee Bean Sansrival from Chateau 1771

This, hands down, had got to be the most unique Sansrival I have ever tasted in my life. You have to taste it for yourself to know what I mean. :)

Mango Jubillee Gelato from Amici

Amici is one of the longest running Italian restaurant chains in Manila, especially the one located near Don Bosco. One rainy night, my friend introduced me to this wondrous place of gelatos and gelato cakes (among others) and found myself in awe of their homemade food. The taste and quality is worth your money. 

Sweet Potato from Red Mango Bistro

Simple but with impact. It's your regular kamote (sweet potato) that's been steamed and tendered, smothered with coconut cream sauce that may have a magic potion in it. This plate was wiped clean! 

Chocolate Cake from Conti's

Conti's is a popular pastry label in the metro too with minions flocking in and out for their many favorites. It's fast becoming the next Goldilocks if I would be so daring to say so. I liked that this chocolate cake resembled my mom's own cooking of a beautiful chocolate cake. Moist, right icing and not too sweet. 

Cinnamon Bun from Cafe by the Ruins, Baguio

Just from the looks of that luscious piece of bread can already tell you everything you needed to know. Did it taste as good as it looks? Hell yes! Cafe by the Ruins in Baguio is a quaint place that's loved by the locals and remembered by the tourists. They have these items freshly baked daily, plus an undisputed menu of specials. They have great coffee to go with this too!

Halo Halo Special from Chowking

Last but definitely not the least, how can we go home to the Philippines without having halo-halo?! Umulan man o umaraw! Granted that this is the commercial kind, but hey, if you don't have the luxury of time to hunt down the best street halo-halo in your neighborhood, then Chowking's version of it isn't too bad already. So, scoop away kabayan! :) 

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And there you have it, what's been long overdue of my food trip part 2! 

I just got back from my trip to the Eastern Province, visiting Dammam, AlKhobar and Jubail all in one weekend. Perhaps I have that to talk about next! 

Til next time....

Eyecandy

The Airport Wait

Photo from desert69

Despite the wonderful structure and interior design of the King Khalid International Airport here in Riyadh, it is probably the most boring airport in the world to get stuck in. The worst thing about it is that this airport and its staff will make you fall in line... and wait. And oh boy, what a wait it'll be! (Waiting in a boring airport? Gee, what a fun way to spend your day!)

The arrival and departure lounges are the only crowded places in this airport. The KKIA is one fine but empty architectural wonder. (photo from archnet.org)

So while those arriving are stuck in line waiting for the airport officials to finish their chit-chats and coffee and on to their processing, those picking up those arriving are also waiting outside. Every time we go to the airport to wait for someone (i.e. my father arriving from his vacation in the Philippines), I find various ways to perk myself up. Sometimes I stroll in the vast airport lounge (sadly, there isn't much to see), count those who are waiting for other people (too many), watch the makukulit taxi drivers urge those newbies to come with them, direct those who are clueless (because I was once like them) or... EAT!

Croissant love!

I couldn't take my eyes off the croissant display in the waiting lounge's coffee shop (its name escapes me now). The marbling on each buttery, flaky pastry is so shiny it gleams under the soft glowing lights of the stand. The smell of cinnamon and chocolate fills the air and lulls you into a gentle tug of "buy me, eat me." It's utterly tempting! The freshly-baked goodies surely know how to entice! Darn!

With coffee, yum!

They're overpriced at SR9-12 each (3 regular ones for SR15) but I had to try them just to satisfy my curiosity (and grumbling stomach). Besides, I don't get to wait in the airport all the time (not that I would like to wait there more than twice a year!) so might as well experience the ridiculously-priced food there.

The filled croissants are not in the usual crescent shape. Each warm croissant is flaky on the outside and soft inside. It lacks filling though! Hmpft! For its price I was kindda hoping the apple croissant is filled with apple jam and bits or the chocolate one will be filled with the dark spread until it bursts. Anyway, having croissants and a cup of coffee is a good way to spend the idle, waiting hours in the airport. Trust me, there's nothing else better to do.

For future Riyadh-bound Filipinos, we'll probably publish a "How To Survive the KKIA" soon, hehe.