Casper and Gambini’s is an all-day restaurant and café that specializes in serving casual gourmet meals and an award-winning signature coffee with an emphasis on health and freshness. The restaurant was founded in 1996 and has successfully franchised in Lebanon, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kurdistan, Palestine, Oman and of course, Saudi Arabia.
Three months ago, the restaurant reopened its door with a whole new look in a premium location in the heart of Jeddah’s Tahlia Street. The new look attracted a huge number of regulars who you would always see around. I noticed that almost all diners knew George, the helpful restaurant manager. He helped me in choosing the dishes and was always seen interacting with diners, a quality that makes a great leader or a manger.
It is an upscale casual dining restaurant with modern interiors, comprising square wooden tables, silver chairs and metallic sofas that seat around 290 diners at once. There is a wooden partition that separates the male and family sections. The music is very chilled and jazzy. What I loved most are the ceiling high windows overlooking the famous Tahila Street. There is also a private dining room, perfect for special gatherings with special people. Casper and Gambini’s also does outside catering, including finger-food and other items on the menu.
Most diners know well the manager and the staff, which was surprising to me. I learned later that once you try the food and experience the service there, you become a regular anyway.
The menu offers dishes from around the world; you can have an international feast in one sitting. For appetizers, I ordered the Tuna tartar, edmame and calamari Alla Griglia. I totally enjoyed the Tuna tartar until the last bite. It is made with fresh raw diced tuna, diced avocado and Japanese ginger with sesame sauce. The calamari was an interesting dish made with grilled baby squid and sun-dried tomato dressing on a bed of fresh arugula.
I heard so much about their pizza so I had to order a half peperoni and half margarita and I must say, it was amazing. The dough was perfect and tasted fresh, thanks to their in-house bakery. The toppings were a delicious combination. It’s a must try.
I also had the Asian Salmon Salad, made with soft grilled salmon on a bed of shredded cucumber, lettuce, carrots, Japanese ginger, Fenugreek sprouts sprinkled with black and white sesame and soy sauce. I highly recommend the Japanese Shrimp Salad made with boiled shrimps on a bed of shredded carrots, Japanese ginger and green leaves with a special sauce. This salad is fresh and delicious, try it and you will not regret it.
For the main dish, we ordered the Najel C&G special; you have to try this colorful dish made with oven-baked Najel fish, spinach braised, beautifully cooked yellow saffron basmati rice, drizzled with blushed red pomegranate pieces with lemon butter sauce. This whole combination was a delicious experience. The colors of the dish were attractive and tempting and the Najel was as soft as butter. Make sure to include the pomegranate in every bite; you wont regret it.
The best part of the meal comes in the end. Even though I was full I couldn’t say no to dessert. I have tried their signature Cronuts, which is my guilty pleasure. It is a fusion of croissants and doughnuts. Need I say more?
Another great dessert that kept me coming back for more is the Pain Perdu also known as French toast. I sometimes schedule all my meetings at Casper and Gambini’s as an excuse to experience their artistic coffee skills and this dessert. It comes with homemade caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Try it and thank me later.
For chocoholics, try the warm chocolate molten tart made especially for nutella lovers. It’s a fresh baked crust topped with soft and gooey chocolate and a side of chocolate ice cream.
For drinks, always ask your waiter to recommend a mocktail or a fresh juice that goes with your dish. I love ice-tea and they have a different kind with an Indian twist. It’s really refreshing and perfect to beat the summer heat. I also tried the pomegranate cooler, which is also very refreshing and tasty. Both recommended.
Expect to pay: SR80 to SR100 per person
Opening hours: From 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. everyday
