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

Backyard Grill's Steak and Sides

Steaks and burgers… it seems like they’re all we have in Riyadh. I mean, who comes up with decisions on what kind of restaurants sprout in here? Don’t you know that more and more Riyadhizens are getting health-conscious? Or our palates are looking for something new, something more diverse, something different! So, can we request for more ramen and Greek food please? Haha! 

Because we’re still patiently waiting for ramen and moussaka, we ended up at another steak place in the city. Backyard Grill is known as an affordable place to get steak. It’s not as big as the steakhouses in Tahlia Street but they dish out tasty appetizers and juicy steaks too. Also, Backyard Grill Steak Diner got caught up in the “cowboy” attire that most steak restos wear. C’mon… the whole wild, wild West setup is getting lame and old. Considering that BG underwent renovation recently, they should have overhauled their interior decoration. 

The items in the menu are not surprising. They’re pretty straightforward and we couldn’t find anything new. Except maybe for the Steak Churrasco… which was not available. What are the odds! 

Healthy? Doubt it with that dose of dressing.

The Spinach Artichoke Dip was a bit runny and bland. The chips are better off with the cheese dip that the waiter gave us. He told us to try it and wham! Yummy, cheesy goodness that caresses the palate gently, until hit with the sudden crunch of the nacho chips… love it. 

Greens that I love!

Alas, no photo of the cheese dip!

The Wings in Barbecue Sauce is also good; tangy and saucy. Licking off the sauce from my fingers was an enticing option. 

Juicy and saucy, enticing!

And for the steak… we’re the meat with a bit of fat trimmings kind of steak lovers so we went for the rib eye, medium well. (It is a sin to order your steak well done, did you know? Because surely you cannot taste the beefy goodness in something as dry and cooked as a well done steak. Hehe, kidding. To each his/her own preference. But I always order medium well.) 

The meat came at our table glistening and prettified with the embellishments of sides: rice, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. My mother would be happy seeing those oranges and greens in my plate. I will not tell her they pretty much stayed in the plate for a long time. :P

Carbs and protein overload!

The steak has the perfect grilled black marks but it looked overdone when served. I was surprised to find out that it was cooked right. It was not a bore to eat. The size and thickness were just right and it was seasoned well. The sides complimented the steak but when eating steak, I usually turn into a hardcore carnivore so I ignored them. The gravy in the mashed potato is notable though.

Look at those grill marks!

Everything must be washed down by their signature red drink (was it called Shirley Temple?). It’s sweet and refreshing and not at all cloying. 

Here, get me my Shirley Temple

The good, affordable food is complemented by their attentive staff (well, if the resto is not too busy). They also have some worthy lunch deals that you might want to check out. You can find Backyard Grill near the Al Jazeera Supermarket in Sulaymaniyah, just beside Herfy. Now, for the ramen and moussaka… still waiting, people! ;) ~ Sundrenched

Backyard Grill Steak Diner

Moussa Bin Nusair Street

(beside the Al Jazeera Supermarket)

*They need to beef up their social media sites if they want to be known. Or just have a landline for heaven's sake!*

Applebee's is Sooo Back!

BACK WITH A BANG! I'd say.

Newly renovated Applebee's in Tahlia looks bigger, brighter and definitely better from their previous look. Since re-opening four months ago, their restaurant is exuding high spirits and fun times with a wider, open-dining area that's reminiscent of your neighborhood pub (with large screen TVs behind the "bar" and all). 

The ladies and I (with a couple of our foodie friends) went to their Tahlia branch to give the new ambience a try and we were glad we did. The family section is cozy (not too dim, not too bright) and we opted to sit in the open area to get a better feel of our surroundings. I'm actually glad that they de-cluttered most of the memorabilia that used to overwhelm the walls. They still have a few around, just enough to still have that Applebee's vibe we all used to know. 

We ordered our drinks first and naturally, the girls go after their signature Sangrias (minus the wine in it, of course). What's fun about the open area is that you have a pretty good view of the bar where you can see the bartenders prepare your drinks. 

Here's our drinks for the night:

Peach Sangria for Shoegarfreeruby - perfect for the girly-girl, according to our waiter.

Red Apple Sangria for Sundrenched, her favorite. Fresh!

Strawberry Mojito for our fellow foodie friend #1. Minty and sweet. :)

Cherry Lime for our fellow foodie friend #2. It packs a sour, tangy punch. 

Now, considering we came in from a long work day, we were hungry for some appetizers! And I think we overdid it. Hahaha! There were plenty to choose from and we helped ourselves to the max. Proof is shown below: 

Applebee's Pretzels! 

The girls went gaga over these deep fried pretzels. The crispy outer layer hugs the soft bread inside so perfectly and if you dunk it in one of the cheese sauces there, you will be in pretzel heaven. This is a must try and THE bestselling appetizer of Applebee's to date!

Sampler of Chicken Wanton Taco and Buffalo Wings in BBQ Sauce.

This is a customized sampler to our liking. We wanted to try the Chicken Wanton Tacos and found them to be of the Asian flair. The wanton wraps are deep fried in a shape of a taco shell, with a garden slaw and chicken bits mixed with sweet sauce spooned inside. The chopped coriander on top accented the overall taste really well. My only comment on it would be that the wanton wraps were a bit too oily for my preference. Otherwise, I ate everything inside the taco. 

The Buffalo Wings were tender and the sauce was just right. I could not have just one piece of it, I had to take two. :) By the way, don't forget to eat those celery sticks! Did you know that celeries have negative calories? Meaning if you eat them, it minuses calories from what you just ate? I kid, I KID! Haha. It was a running joke on our table. But seriously though, celeries are a healthy snack at only 10 calories per stalk. It helps lower your blood pressure and is rich in Vitamin A. So crunch away on those celeries! 

Chicken Quesadillas

Now this is one heavy starter. I'd say one order of it is good enough for three people. What I liked most about these quesadillas was the tidbits of bacon strips scattered inside the edges of the tortillas -- why? Because usually when you get to the crust-end of the slice, you feel like there's no more filling there right? But with the bacon tidbits there, it gives you that kick of flavor you need to not leave your last bite of the quesadilla left hanging. 

Mozzarella Sticks

Mozzarella sticks are pretty standard: it's a finger-sized lump of mozzarella cheese, rolled, crusted and deep fried. But, what makes Applebee's Mozzarella Sticks stand out is its marinara sauce. I would seriously order this just for that sauce alone. Or course, it's basically a deconstructed pizza, but that sauce, I repeat, is simply delicious. 

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

We liked the nachos, we liked the salsa. But for me, the spinach and artichoke were a bit too pronounced in that little bowl and I was looking for it to have more creaminess for some balance. Nevertheless, it's one healthy-tasting appetizer. 

Chilli Fries

Another heavy starter and great for sharing. You'll have the gooey cheese and messy chilli on top of every french fry. If you are carbo-loading, this is a must-have. :) 

At this point, we wondered if we still had any space left for the main course! We indulged in a little chit-chat first before letting the waiter bring in the next wave. Here goes:

T-Bone Steak, Medium Well for both S and R

According to Sundrenched, even though it looks dry on the photo, it's actually tender and juicy. Shoegarfreeruby ordered the same and said it's one of the few steaks that she likes over all the steaks she's tried in Riyadh. That's four thumbs up! 

Seared Rib-Eye with Garlic and Shrimp

This was one of our friend's order and I was able to taste some of it. I love herbs on steak, really, because I think it gives them a different dimension when you bite into them together -- so you can tell by now that I liked this dish. It was also covered in some kind of light soy sauce and sesame seeds - quite Asian in flavors if you ask me. :)

Rib-Eye, Medium Rare

Another friend of ours ordered a different version of the rib-eye steak, this time done medium rare. She's actually a meat aficionado and according to her, they actually got medium rare right - which is a rarity in most steak houses in Riyadh. 

Chilli and Lime Rubbed Salmon

This one is my order - I'm a salmon fan. I'd eat salmon all day for the rest of my life if I could. The mushroom sauce is usually poured on top of it but I asked for it to be on the side so I can still get a taste of the grilled salmon alone. It's very tasty with a little kick of the ground chilli here and there. The fish was cooked great - not dry at all!

Applebee's has fares for those who are health-conscious too! How can a steak and shrimp combo be just 55o calories?! Wow! Applebee's Under 550 Calories menu consists of delicious sirloin steak with garlic herb shrimp and zesty chicken dishes. Try it for a tasty lunch or dinner without feeling guilty of ruining your diet. Applebee's has also amped up their sizzling entrees. We should try those sizzling skillet dishes next time. Oh, and also, if you're opting for some steaks, they slashed off a good discount on them. Try their T-Bone for SR 79 only (from SR 99) while they're in their Steak and Ribs Celebration!

As much as we were full to the brim by the end of the main course, the staff would not let us go without having at least one (or two) desserts. We were hesitant, but might as well cap off our tastebuds with something sweet before we go. 

Final Round...FIGHT!

Chocolate Lava Cake

Choco Brownie with Ice Cream

Truth be told, these desserts were waaaay too sweet. I think you can already get an idea of that with the pictures of the cake and brownie drowning in chocolate sauce, which I think didn't have to be too generous. To offset the sugar attack I was having, I ordered a cup of tea to accompany every bite instead. 

This is the gang at Applebee's! :) 

Having said all that, the night was young and hearty and the company of good friends always make a night out of dining complete. I think us Riyadhizens are always looking for a relaxed and comfortable place with great food and ambiance (plus a decent service) and Applebee's is one of those places you should definitely consider. The food is great, the service is attentive and the place is just right for you to unwind and take a break from your usual routine. 

The weekend is coming, why don't you go and try out their newly renovated branch for yourself? :) Bring your friends and family. 

Happy eating! 

xoxo,

Eyecandy

Applebee's
Visit their branches at:
Tahlia Street
Rimal Center
King Abdullah Road 
Hayat Mall

T: 011-219-0305
FB: www.facebook.com/ApplebeesMiddleEast

Sticking to Steaky

It's time for another food post! So be prepared to be hungry after this post.

For the uninitiated, Riyadh experienced a massive boom in the "steak restaurant" business in the past five years or so. All of a sudden, a string of franchise brands like Applebees, Chilis, TGIF, Tony Roma's and Steak House sprouted all over the city center - all of them brought and highlighted the taste of their steaks. When I was growing up, the competing brands at the time were just Herfy, KFC and McDonald's. Nowadays, a casual (sometimes almost bordering on fine) dining experience has been the trend and a young and budding restaurant has been creating a stir for some time now: Meet STEAKY.

The name is quite tricky for Filipinos with a "hard" English. Take one particular evening for example as one of our fathers (aka drivers) called us prior to picking us up.

Dad/Driver: Saan ko kayo susunduin? (Where will I pick you up?)
Daughter: Sa Steaky po. (At Steaky)
Dad/Driver: Saan? Sticky? (Where? Sticky?)
Daughter (and the rest of us girls LOL-ing): S-T-E-A-K-Y po! Anong "Sticky"?! (Steaky! What STICKY?)

It was a definite laugh trip! Hahaha. But hey, "sticky" jokes aside...Steaky has definitely stuck in our list of favorites. I think I have been there more than ten times before I finally had the time to write this entry. So without further a due, let me tell you why I keep coming back to Steaky.

The PERKS (for me) are three-fold:

---> Cool space. Interiors are welcoming, with high ceilings and interesting decorations. Surroundings are spic and span plus a very fragrant bathroom if I may add (not pictured below though). Also, one MAJOR perk of this place is that they play house music! Probably the first and only dining place I've been to in Riyadh that plays tunes over the entire restaurant (well, the family section at least--the single section has a TV). From the numerous times that I've been here, soundtracks have ranged from new wave to R&B selections. And I noticed that the Saudis/Middle-Eastern people dining in didn't seem to mind. In fact, from time to time, we'd see them bobbing their heads to the music. Now that is COOL. Having the music really makes a difference in terms of ambiance.

This is the single's section. I was able to take photos that time since the place just opened and there wasn't anyone there yet.

Single's dining area.

This mural of a cow's anatomy is entertaining and educational. It's found on the rather narrow entry way going into the family section and before eating, you can contemplate what part of the cow you'd feel like biting out from by looking at this informative artwork.

---> Accommodating without being overbearing. Staff are incredibly nice and approachable without being too over-friendly (if you know what I mean). Mostly kabayans.

Pictured here is one of the chefs, who personally delivered our orders himself. Talk about special.

--> The SALAD BAR is the win-win for me! For the Filipino palate, I think their macaroni salads and tuna salad viands are a sure win. For an additional charge on your choice of main course, you can have unlimited salad and soup for as much as you like. I particularly go for the jalapaneos and rocket leaves (also known as "gir-gir" in arabic) as my personal favorite.

Fresh greens and other salad items. Refilled by the clock.

A plate of salad picks. A bed of macaroni salad, tuna salad, dried raisins, almonds and pineapples. The jalapeneos must be hiding there somewhere.

Well, those are my top reasons. Here are some of the dishes we've tried so far.

Steaky Combo Platter 39SR

I find this unique in the sense that they included fish fingers in it, which I rarely find in other starters.

BBQ Ribs 69SR

This has got to be their bestseller (the restaurant is called "Steaky" after all). No complaints for me in terms of tenderness and portions. I could crave for this on any given day. However, they seem to have a scarce supply of this particular dish. In the numerous times that I've been there, I've encountered three or four nights that BBQ Ribs wasn't available. And given that this dish is one of the most ordered (coz it's less expensive than the other steaks but just as fulfilling) the restaurant should consider getting more in stock. At the rate that these babies are flying off the grill, in the long run, they'd be doing themselves a favor by increasing supply.

They have other steak dishes as well, like: Tenderloin Steak (85SR), Rib Eye Steak (75SR) and one called the "Wagyu Steak" priced at 285SR! Apparently, it's one of the best steak in the world and exclusive only to Steaky. Intriguing and expensive.

Fried Shrimp Butterfly 22SR

A delicious starter. Light and crisp. We've also tried other of their seafood dishes like the Jumbo Grilled Shrimp (60SR) and the Grilled Fish Hamour (45SR). For the Jumbo Grilled Shrimps, be prepared to use your hands. I don't know about you, but for me food becomes more delicious when you eat it with your hands. The shrimp got me licking my fingers at the end. I found the Grilled Fish Hamour to be somewhat bland and blah. I thought it needed more seasoning and flavor. If you don't want to eat with your hands but still want seafood, get the fish. Otherwise, choose the succulent shrimps! :)

Other grilled dishes:

Steaky Chicken Tawouk 39SR

Marinated boneless chicken breast, skewered and grilled. My take is that it's a great deal for 39SR. I could not even finish it off by myself. The meat is juicy and I like the fact that I can ask them to make it spicy for me (upon request).

Lamb Chops 60 SR

These are well-done and nothing special in particular if it weren't for the tasty gravy that goes with it.

And one starter na humabol...

Chili Cheese Fries 25SR

I tried this out from my last visit to Steaky (which was two nights ago) and I sort of regretted it. Why? Well, I'm a fan of Nacho King in the Philippines and my idea of a good-tasting chili is that of Nacho King (or the one served in Chilis). For this particular starter, I found the seasoning of the chili to be too "lasang arabo" or"of Arabic taste", if I may say so. Too bad, but hey, if you like that kind of taste, go ahead and order it. We are after all, in Saudi Arabia right?

To wash all those meat and fries down, they have Iced Tea for 6SR. According to Shoegarfreeruby's assessment, the taste of the fruit flavor in the tea is a bit overpowering. But we'll drink it anyway. We've also already tried their Vanilla and Chocolate Shakes at 16SR each. If you're not watching your weight, go on ahead and down one.


And to top off your meals, here are some of their desserts:

Choco Brownie 22SR

Berry Cheesecake 22SR

The Choco brownie was served freshly-baked and is your usual yummy chocolate desert. So far, no one has topped my chocolate fondant experience so let's just say that the brownie is just plain okay. The cheesecake is apparently imported and comes from the US (if I am not mistaken) and it will not fail strawberry-flavor afficionados. We've also tried their Banana Split (22SR) and you can choose from three flavors of ice cream: chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.

Pardon the inconsistency of the photos. I wasn't with my fancy camera at all times, so some of them were taken using a 3.2 MP camera phone. But having said that I've been to Steaky more than ten times is already evident that I love the place. Oh, but one more thing though, if you have your own ride going there, parking can sometimes be a problem because it's right in front of the main road and beside a left curve, so cars can get congested from time to time. Visiting during off-peak hours like before the last salah would help, since there aren't that much people at that time. They are also open for lunch if that's more suitable for you. I almost forgot to mention that they have a children's playroom as well where kids can sit, play and watch TV so parents can enjoy dinner while the children can go wild in the playroom.

Overall, Steaky caters not only to us twenty-somethings, but it's also a place for the family and even for the single men who can enjoy an LCD TV in the single's section. I'm sure that's a hit during a big football game. Give it a try one of these days why don't you?


Oh and it's STEAKY...not STICKY...ok? :P

Cheers!
-ec-