Fine Italian Dining at Da Pino

I have truly changed the way I look at hotel restaurants. They have changed my perception because so far, most of the restaurants inside the hotels I've eaten in have provided good food and great ambiance. I've tried Hotel Al Khozama's Garden Barbecue, Al Faisaliah's The Globe buffet, and Radisson Blu's Shogun. Now I return to Al Khozama to try their Italian restaurant, Da Pino.

Charming is the first word that came into my mind when I stepped in Da Pino Restaurant located at the Al Khozama Center. If you've been in this centre, the first thing you'll notice is it's empty, especially the ground floor. The only activity you'll hear is the ding of the elevator that takes you to the restaurants. Anyway, Da Pino is one of the best Italian restaurants in Riyadh. A claim to enjoy authentic regional Italian cuisine is at hand. Who am I to refuse? (Even though I have no idea what authentic Italian cuisine tastes like... I haven't been to Italy!)

See how small? You're halfway to the kitchen!

Da Pino is a small restaurant. It encourages intimate gatherings of family and friends. This is where you'll be tucked in your own little space and enjoy conversations in between bites of good food. The colors of the place remind me of an outdoor rural setting near a vineyard. The dim, yellowish lighting however didn't give me enough light to take good photos.

Ahhh the Italian colors with a dash of sunshiny yellow

As per almost all our Italian meals in Riyadh, dinner started with bread and butter. I love one of their breads that resembled our very own pan de sal. It's a bit salty and sweet and with the butter melting into its fold. What a nice opener.

An assortment of yummy breads

We also ordered the Calamari Fritti (SR 75), again, another dish so familiar to me that no peculiar execution to this dish can surprise me anymore. While the pieces of squid rings were lightly-seasoned and perfectly-fried, this contained no surprise. It's just delightfully satisfying. However, I think I wished for more of these.

There's something ordinary on this calamares.

I ordered the Lasagne Fatto in Casa (SR 75), a classic dish with spinach pasta sheets sandwiching meat and cheese in its layers. This pasta is highly-recommended and for good reason! I love how saucy and meaty it is. There's little embellishment when it comes to this dish. It's perfectly rich and creamy with the bolognaise sauce rounding all ingredients up nicely. 

Uhmn no, that's not a pizza.

Underneath is the gooey pasta! It's almost a sin to destroy the top cheesy crust.

The star of the night belongs to my friend's Cotoletta Milanese (SR 135), a dish of veal escalope accompanied by baked potato. The meat is so tender; it almost has the consistency of chicken! Granted that the thinning of the veal made it more tender and cooked with less moisture loss, it's still an incredible feat to have this juicy, flavorful dish that is absolutely lip-smacking! The sauce, while liberally poured, has a sublime yet luxe taste. I've told my friend I wanted to steal her dish because it was so good! 

Can you be mine?

Seriously, you're veal?! So tender like chicken!

The dishes are good for sharing. Except the veal escalope... keep that to yourself! Haha! Check out Da Pino's menu here. Their lunch and dinner are ala carte but they have a live pasta station where you can choose your own kind of freshly-made pasta and sauces from Tuesday to Thursday. 

Now, I'm truly a believer that hotel restaurants can be true to their word of high-quality food and top-notch service. They're still expensive but for quite good reasons. That's why, I'm suggesting you dine in these places on special occasions unless you want to dine here every day then I'm not stopping you also. Buon appetito! ~ Sundrenched

Da Pino Italian Restaurant

Al Khozama Center

Olaya Street, 

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-11-273-2222

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

Twitter: @al_khozama

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

Hail To The Shogun

A year ago, I wasn't a fan of hotel restaurants. I would have snubbed the snobbish menu that contains what I believe are overpriced bland food. My mind had changed over the past few months because one of my friends was insisting we try hotel restaurants whenever we go out. We're not rich; we just meet each other once in a blue moon that we consider those rare times worth celebrating up a notch. Remember Garden Barbecue? Yup, she was with me during that enjoyable time. We tried avoiding steaks this time around so being Japanese food lovers that we are, we zeroed in on Shogun Restaurant in Radisson Blu.

The Sushi Bar

Radisson Blu's Shogun Restaurant has been receiving raves from upscale foodies. I mean if it were for me, I would have gone to my go-to, tried and tested Japanese restaurants that are nearer my place but the good reviews made this restaurant worth checking out. Hotels can intimidate people; it makes us think that they're so classy and elegant only those who can afford a three-day stay can set foot on it but it's not always the case. We're all allowed to go inside a hotel for the sole purpose of dining in their restaurants. That's perfectly okay.

The teppanyaki tables

Warm miso soup for the hungry soul

Radisson Blu is one the hotels lining up the King Abdulaziz Road. It has four dining places: Shogun, Olivio's (an Italian resto), Brasserie on Four (serves international cuisine that we featured here) and their coffee shop, Cafe Vienna. Shogun is the most popular of all, with its airy yet classic Japanese ambiance. It is known for its fresh sushi and sashimi. We had another popular dish in mind: shabu-shabu, which we saw on the menu for SR 250 a pop. It's good for sharing!

Ready for some action!

Now we're dipping!

Shabu-shabu is a well-known Japanese dish that involves dipping thinly-sliced beef and vegetables into boiling water. Yes, it involves cooking so for those who can't wait, settle for the sushis instead. A pot of dashi (broth) on top of a stove came to our table. The well-marbled meat, glass noodles, and vegetables came on separate platters. We put them into the broth and stirred a few times. The ingredients are very delicate so you should know when to get them based on how you preferred your veggies and meat cooked. I like my meat cooked through and through and the veggies still crisp. 

Yeah, take your time. We can wait! :P

At first, we found the broth really mild, almost with no taste. So we asked for a spicier version. Again, the flavour didn't pack a punch to us so we figured maybe our tastebuds weren't cut out for this thing but the chef came by to our table and explained that we need to dip the meat and veggies to the sesame seed sauce it came with. He also took the pot and did his magic and suddenly, the soup was packed with flavor when it came back from the kitchen! 

Our bubbling mini cauldron, haha!

Since we considered the shabu-shabu our soup, we still ordered main courses. Excuse our hunger. It's not every day we get to dine in a hotel restaurant. Haha! We had their chicken and seafood teppanyaki. These dishes can be cooked in their teppanyaki tables but since we were only two and we needed the space of an ordinary table for our shabu-shabu set, we had our hot viands cooked in their kitchen. They came out piping and full of bite. 

Seafood teppanyaki with vegetables

Savory viands perfect with rice

We also ordered rolls, of course. We chose the classic California maki. These are more expensive than the ones you'll have in stand-alone restos but for some reason, we can't get enough of these rolls! They caressed all the right aspects of a good sushi and we were left wondering what made them so different when they all look the same! Must be the quality of ingredients and preparation. 

What makes you so good?

Simple presentation, clean consistency

Now, that was a full table for two! No wonder the waiters offered us a whole pot of tea afterwards! Haha! Their tea went well with our dessert: ice cream with bits of melon. Sweet and tart at the same time! It created a wonderful sensation in our taste buds! Overall, it was a pleasant hotel restaurant experience. It actually sealed the deal for me to try other hotel restaurants in the city. 

Have you tried Shogun? What are your favourite dishes there? Domo arigato for reading! ~ Sundrenched

Shogun Restaurant

Radisson Blu Hotel

Al Mubarakiah Plaza,

King Abdulaziz Street

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: + 966-11-4791234 (call for reservation)

Opening hours:

Lunch: Noon-3:00PM

Dinner: 7:00PM-11:00PM

Dining With The Stars(' Paraphernalia) at Planet Hollywood

When we moved into our new neighborhood, one of the first things we did was scour for nearby establishments and restaurants. The North Ring Area (Exits 5-8) is slowly developing into a busy hub of restaurants similar to Thalia. We found a lot of familiar names like Johnny Rockets, Chuck E. Cheese’s, Piatto, Steak House, Forchetta, Bread Talk and even more are restaurants popping up. 

We decided to have dinner at Planet Hollywood – minus the casinos and live music. Hehehe. It has the same décor: glass-encased Hollywood movie costumes and “walk of fame”. It also boasts of a cozy terrace dining area for those who want to chill out. 

Terraced Restaurant

Movie souvenirs adorn the walls

Retrace the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Mel Gibson's Police Car in Lethal Weapon

They even have a souvenir shop!

We wanted to sit at the terrace area but it was already full, but that's okay since their indoor dining area was cozy enough. We ordered the PH Combo platter to tryout their appetizers. This platter is a combination of fried shrimp, calamari, chicken fingers and nachos. Personally, I loved their guacamole dip with their nacho chips.

Our appetizer, yum!

We didn't have to wait too long and we were served our main dish. Hubby ordered a New York Steak with Mushroom Sauce while I ordered the Fillet of Atlantic Salmon. At first I thought the Salmon felt a little bland but when I added a bit of lemon, it was transformed into a tangy dish! The mashed potatoes were also good. 

Fillet of Atlantic Salmon

New York Steak with Mushroom Sauce

Overall a good experience! The waiters were very attentive and responsive. We were too full to order desserts but we're definitely coming back to try their other menus. Plus they already have their Ramadan promotion up: 79 SAR for appetizers, pasta and dessert so we might try that for Iftar next month.

Cheers!
Sampaguita Pride

Planet Hollywood
Northern Ring Road Branch,
At Taawun, Riyadh 12477
Coordinates: 24.777903, 46.689062
Opens 12:30 pm to 2:00 am.

PS. Their seafood soup is also worth mentioning. It's all I ever eat as a starter in the place. ;) ~ EIC

I'm a Kitchenation Citizen

The Mira Hotel is a beautiful building in Tahlia Street. Its modern Andalusian architecture and design and warm, creamy yellow orange facade emit a welcoming vibe that speaks of comfort and luxury at the same time. You know when a hotel is a bit intimidating because of all the displays in there that you're afraid to touch? Well, we're not sure if Mira is the same because honestly, we only got to walk down their red carpet in front and enter their sliding doors and turn right to what is probably one of the best not-so-hidden gems in Riyadh... Kitchenation. 

Mira Hotel + Kitchenation

While the sign is right outside the wall of Mira Hotel, you wouldn't be able to see the interiors of the restaurant unless you enter. Kitchenation is unique in terms of its layout and design. For a hotel restaurant, it doesn't look obnoxious and snobbish. It looks inviting. It looks like a place where your creativity can flow all day long. I was tempted to bring out my Macbook, my notebooks, pencils, and Sharpies and invade one of the tables for the whole day, considering how I've been struggling with some sort of a writer's block over the past few months. 

I feel at home!

I like this set-up.

The restaurant is airy and the spaces are wisely-utilized. There's no uniformity but everything goes together so well; from the mix and matched chairs to the nooks filled with books, figurines, and trinkets to the juice bar filled with colorful fruits and beverages to my favorite dessert display where meringues and cheesecakes and candy apples and brownies are arranged in sweet abandon. I honestly felt like I already belonged in this place, even if it was just my first time to set foot on it. 

IKEA sofa and some trinkets

The tables have - get this - a canister of crayons and pens and also a placemat that has a game we used to play in the Philippines. I guess this game of listing famous personalities, countries, animals, plants, etc. that starts with the letter A, B, C, and so on... is a universal game after all. So while waiting for the food, we went back to our childhood and scribbled away. 

Child's play?

Basic colors and wood

Each table has its own knick-knacks which will help you tide the time away. I was also fascinated with this huge shelf filled with books, tin cans, photo frames, and clocks and the nearby roll of manila paper filled with scribbled quotes that stretches from the ceiling to the floor. Even the IKEA sofa sets and colorful chairs are interesting. They all held my attention because looking at the setup, I did not get what cuisine they were serving. If I had to take a guess, it would have taken me a few tries to get the answer (or maybe not at all) because... 

Kitchenation serves a fusion of Turkish and Italian cuisine. 

Weird huh? But I tell you, Kitchenation actually got their fusion right. I mean pizzas with yoghurt and kebabs? Pastas with seafood and Turkish flavors? Yum! There are some items in their menu that look American and Asian to me but oh well. Their slogan says "Turkish Kitchen and Italian Hospitality" and that's a legit thing as far as I'm concerned. 

Here are the food items we truly enjoyed: 

Fresh salad with a hint of sweetness and tartness

This salad is fresh and bountiful... what more can I say? Ask my friends who devoured this for further comments. Haha!

Starting the meal right.

You'll be surprised at how familiar this one tastes.

The Crispy Shrimps appetizer is so simple yet once you start eating one, you can't stop! The succulent shrimps are enveloped in a pillowy cover that is surprisingly crispy. One piece packs a lot of flavor. 

Uhmn, what is this? A solid presentation huh.

Unveiling the goodness beneath.

Tsaraaaaaaan! :)

And here I am again forgetting to take photos of the menu thus forgetting the names of the dishes (why do I do this to myself every.single.time?!?). Anyway, this seafood spaghetti is served in a clay pot and covered with khubz. There goes the fusion of Turkey and Italy. Our waiter took his time showing us how to release the steam of the pasta. He carefully cut the thin, flat bread on the sides and followed the circular pattern of the pot and voila! The wonderful seafood aroma seeped through and we finally saw the spaghetti doused in a pale orangey sauce that is savory and delicious. 

Grandmother's interesting Turk-Ital pizza!

Another successful creation that fuses both countries' bestselling dishes is this pizza that features a light tomato sauce, tender beef cuts, and creamy yoghurt sauce in the middle. I slathered my slice with the white sauce and ate with gusto. 

The famed mini burgers

The mini burgers garnered a lot of raves in Foursquare but I didn't find anything special to it apart from the kebab, almost sausage, they used as patty. And also the generous heaping of french fries on the side. 

There's always room for salmon.

We're ready for dinner!

The salmon didn't taste quite as fresh as we imagined it to be and the sweet chili sauce was a bit off-putting. We're not too sure they go well together. If you order this, have them put the chili sauce on the side instead of pouring it in the fish. 

Lemon + Melon = A bit too sour for my taste but that's what lemons do.

They also offer interesting beverage mixes. Try their mojitos. Or if you can't pick just one fruit, make your own kind of juice! We didn't have the chance to try their desserts but I'm leaving you with photos of some sweet treats that made my eyes full. Let me know if you tried any and I'll surely go back to try them out. 

Spell TEMPTATION.

Berry good!

Be still my heart. 

This looks yummerz!

Macarons with cute canisters

A tray of sweets

is there anything more chocolatey?! 

These are not your ordinary macarons. They're huge!

I really felt like Kitchenation is a home that just transformed into a bigger venue and welcomed more people in. I felt like I belong in one of their table sets because it's so whimsical and boho, almost like being outside Saudi Arabia for a moment. Their staff are friendly too. Kitchenation is open from 7:00AM to 11:00PM. Can I be a citizen on this nation? Haha. ~ Sundrenched

Kitchenation

Mira Hotel

Tahlia Street, 

Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Twitter: @kitchenationm

Instagram: @kitchenation

Directions: Mira Hotel is the same building where Elevation Burger and Zaatar Wa Zeit are located. If you're coming from Olaya, turn to Tahlia Street and make a U-turn when you reach the Chili's intersection. It will be on your right. If you're coming from Dabab Street, just go straight, pass the signal light and you'll see it in your right. (Map photo from Foursquare)