Riyadh Food Culture Festival showcases world’s best street foods, culinary arts

Riyadh Food Culture Festival showcases world’s best street foods, culinary arts
The Food Culture Festival aims to celebrate local and international cuisines. (Culinary Arts Commission)
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Updated 01 November 2023
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Riyadh Food Culture Festival showcases world’s best street foods, culinary arts

Riyadh Food Culture Festival showcases world’s best street foods, culinary arts
  • Event organized in collaboration with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and is supported by the Quality of Life Program
  • Festival showcases the world’s best street foods and culinary arts through four main areas

JEDDAH: The Culinary Arts Commission is organizing a Food Culture Festival in Riyadh from Nov. 8 to Nov 12. The festival aims to celebrate local and international cuisines while offering educational and cultural experiences for all sectors of society.

The event is organized in collaboration with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and is supported by the Quality of Life Program, part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative.

The festival showcases the world’s best street foods and culinary arts through four main areas. It includes an exhibitors’ section with 30 booths featuring restaurants from various countries, and 10 stores selling international food products, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Additionally, there will be workshop areas dedicated to baking, live cooking, handicrafts and the arts. These workshops will host 25 diverse sessions over five consecutive days, covering a range of topics including global dishes, beverages, cake decoration and meal presentation.

The festival features a dedicated children’s area with competitions and workshops in coloring and cake decoration. Throughout the event, there will be live artistic performances showcasing historical arts, local costumes, as well as songs from different cultures.

The Culinary Arts Commission and the Food Culture Festival aim to promote cultural exchange, celebrate local and international cuisine, and raise awareness about culinary cultures from different countries.

The festival aims to offer family-friendly experiences and opportunities to learn culinary techniques from local and international chefs. It also connects chefs and industry figures to explore investment opportunities for the growth of the culinary sector in the Kingdom.


Where We Are Going Today: Lof Bakery in Alkhobar

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Updated 01 December 2023
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Where We Are Going Today: Lof Bakery in Alkhobar

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  • The bakery offers low-carb options and sandwiches, including a halloumi pesto and a mushroom melt

If you are looking to buy a loaf of freshly-baked, good quality sourdough bread in Alkhobar, head on over to Lof, a brunch spot situated in the middle of the City Walk.

It is believed that the ancient Egyptians were the first to create sourdough bread and in recent years it has become a staple in many households across the Kingdom for its health benefits. The sourdough loaf at Lof is made in-house by a master baker and perfectly sliced so it is ready to eat. While the SR35 ($9) price tag is a bit steep in comparison to loafs of bread at the local supermarket, it is certainly worth the dough.

It is ideal to use as a base for mashed avocados, to spread cheese on or any other topping of choice.

Lof also has an extensive menu that consists of a variety of quiches which go for SR25 each, and egg-lovers will be delighted to know that they will expertly prepare your eggs whichever way you prefer for around SR50. Add-ons are available and the staff are knowledgeable and helpful.

They also have decent coffees and pastries in the display case so you could either indulge at the cafe or take some goodies home to snack on later.

The bakery offers low-carb options and sandwiches, including a halloumi pesto and a mushroom melt.

Lof opens daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Sunday to Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to midnight from Thursday to Saturday, and from noon until midnight on Fridays.

They also deliver via Jahez or The Chefz apps.

To check out their latest offering, visit them on instagram @Lof.ksa.

 


Where We Are Going Today: Vapiano Italian restaurant in Jeddah

Where We Are Going Today: Vapiano Italian restaurant in Jeddah
Updated 30 November 2023
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Where We Are Going Today: Vapiano Italian restaurant in Jeddah

Where We Are Going Today: Vapiano Italian restaurant in Jeddah

Chefs at the Vapiano Italian restaurant in Jeddah want their culinary creations to be a feast for customers’ eyes.

So much so, that the eatery’s open kitchen concept allows diners to watch them prepare meals.

And as part of the service, restaurant chefs will customize dishes to suit clients’ food preferences.

Located in the city’s Red Sea Mall, guests are given a chip card on arrival that enables them to place orders directly with the chefs.

A choice of salads includes the ceci e melograno featuring roasted sweet potato, roasted cauliflower, chickpeas, kale, baby spinach, pomegranate seeds, and pumpkin. Another option is pumpkin or tomato soup.

Starters include grilled lemon chicken skewers served with rocket and a garlic and herb dip, and creamy burrata cheese accompanied by artichoke pesto, marinated tomatoes, and basil pesto.

For pasta lovers the menu offers classic dishes such as pomodoro — spaghetti coated in a homemade tomato sauce of sun-ripened tomatoes and aromatic basil. The ratatouille combines penne pasta and fresh Mediterranean vegetables tossed in tomato sauce, and pizzas range from BBQ chicken to pepperoni.

Tiramisu, or mascarpone cream and strawberries, make up some of the desserts.

Go on Instagram at @vapianoksa for more details.


Where We Are Going Today: ‘MiSora’ - Japanese fusion food in Jeddah

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Updated 29 November 2023
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Where We Are Going Today: ‘MiSora’ - Japanese fusion food in Jeddah

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  • Abrahams told Arab News: “From the kitchen to the table, from the preparation to the presentation, our dishes will exude the traditions of Japan and I am confident that the locals will notice”

Following its recent grand opening, MiSora has become the latest addition to a growing list of restaurants in Jeddah offering Japanese fusion food.

Located on Prince Sultan Road in the city’s Al-Rawdah district, the fine-dining eatery has placed its focus on serving authentic Japanese cuisine.

Dishes include traditional sashimi and specialty rolls prepared with a regional approach, fresh ingredients, and eye-catching presentations.

Head chef Rafiq Abrahams has worked under the wings of top Middle East chefs such as Shane Macneill and Colin Clague.

Abrahams told Arab News: “From the kitchen to the table, from the preparation to the presentation, our dishes will exude the traditions of Japan and I am confident that the locals will notice.”

The restaurant’s interior creates a relaxing ambiance enhanced by attentive staff, while its menu contains seafood options including prawn tempura, duck and king crab salads, and sashimi salmon.

As well as lamb cuttles, there is a range of desserts such as banoffee, and five types of petit fours, and diners can sample drinks such as a Pink Lady and You’re So Beautiful, or speciality coffees.

For updates and more information, go to Instagram at @misora_sa.

 

 


Where We Are Going Today: Raoul’s Restaurant at VIA Riyadh

The Steak au Poivre is one of their top dishes and a staple in French cuisine, served with pommes frites. (Raoul's Instagram)
The Steak au Poivre is one of their top dishes and a staple in French cuisine, served with pommes frites. (Raoul's Instagram)
Updated 24 November 2023
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Where We Are Going Today: Raoul’s Restaurant at VIA Riyadh

The Steak au Poivre is one of their top dishes and a staple in French cuisine, served with pommes frites. (Raoul's Instagram)
  • The artichoke vinaigrette with Raoul’s dressing is a classic, and the decadent seared foie gras is also worth trying

Raoul’s is an internationally-acclaimed restaurant that serves quintessentially French food. It is perhaps most famous for its New York outlet’s limited-edition burger au poivre, which the late, well-respected food writer Josh Ozersky once proclaimed “the best burger in America.” Raoul’s timeless bistro menu has now made it one of VIA Riyadh’s gems.

The restaurant is the perfect spot for special occasions with its lovely outdoor dining area, sophisticated ambience and VIA Riyadh’s colorful floral projections. Indoors, the décor is classic French-style bistro (although the prices are significantly higher than that image implies).

To kick off the meal, the ruby beetroot salad with sheep-milk feta, cucumber, and vinaigrette is a lovely way to tempt your taste buds, incorporating both sweet and savory flavors.

The artichoke vinaigrette with Raoul’s dressing is a classic, and the decadent seared foie gras is also worth trying. The latter is paired with a surette à la pomme that offsets its inherent slightly bitter edge and topped with pickled red onions that add a layer of complexity.

For seafood lovers, the shrimp remoulade with wild arugula and horseradish is filled with tangy flavor, and — for mains — we would recommend the roasted sea bass, served with artichoke confit and saffron beurre blanc sauce, adding new flavors to the delicious fresh bass, which is seared to give it a crisp exterior.

Of course, if you are visiting Raoul’s, then it’s worth sampling that famous burger au poivre. It’s perfectly juicy, well-seasoned, topped with Saint-André cheese, and lives up to its unofficial title, elevating a fast-food classic.

Another of the restaurant’s top dishes is the steak au poivre — a staple of French cuisine. The steak is marinated and cooked to perfection, justifying its high price. It pairs surprisingly well with the tang of Kir Raoul’s — a sparkling non-alcoholic wine with homemade cherry essence.

When it comes to beverages, the Pink Promise is a great choice for a unique flavorful drink. It is made with hibiscus brewed tea, soursop juice, rose, cardamom, and fresh lime.

The staff are extremely hospitable, welcoming, and happy to discuss menu items or substitutions. Raoul’s is open daily from 1pm to 12:30 p.m. and from 2pm to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays, serving luxurious brunches — including French- and Arabic-inspired dishes such as shakshouka, lamb merguez socca crepes, and souffle pancakes — as well as lunches.

Raoul’s is yet another of VIA Riyadh’s new luxury dining experiences that is absolutely worth trying.

 

 


Where We Are Going Today: Orbe doughnut shop in Jeddah

Where We Are Going Today: Orbe doughnut shop in Jeddah
Updated 23 November 2023
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Where We Are Going Today: Orbe doughnut shop in Jeddah

Where We Are Going Today: Orbe doughnut shop in Jeddah
  • Doughnut lovers can order from six to 48 pieces from a menu that ranges from classics to adventurous options

JEDDAH: If you have a soft spot for doughnuts, look no further than Orbe. 

This outlet in the heart of Jeddah offers light, fresh, and delectable mini-doughnuts. Simply order and then savor the moment, with each item made on the spot and served piping hot.

Doughnut lovers can order from six to 48 pieces from a menu that ranges from classics such as Nutella and lotus to adventurous pistachio and fruity options.

We opted for the 12-piece box featuring three flavors — confectioners’ sugar, cinnamon sugar, and crunchy choco. The tiny bites took me back to my childhood, a reminder of the homemade doughnuts my mother would lovingly prepare.

Orbe’s doughnuts have a delightful fried flavor, a refreshing departure from the “cakey” offerings found in commercial establishments.

To complement the sweetness, I paired my doughnut feast with a hot chocolate.

Orbe’s customers can also watch their doughnuts being prepared through a glass window — a welcome touch that engages them in the cooking process.

The outlet’s boxes are visually appealing, with vibrant colors and featuring Orbe, the cartoon astronaut.

As well as mini-doughnuts, Orbe offers a choice of ice cream flavors, mojitos, milkshakes, and hot and iced coffee. For more information visit Orbe’s Instagram account @orbe_sa