Where We Are Going Today: Oriya restaurant in Alkhobar
Updated 10 November 2023
Nada Hameed
Oriya is a true gem nestled in the heart of Alkhobar. The restaurant offers a dining experience like no other.
The interior features a glass wall hall that extends out into the waters of the Arabian Gulf. Here, diners are treated to a breathtaking seaview that takes the breath away.
Inside, you will enjoy bohemian and Hawaiian-inspired decor. Banana trees and an array of boho items adorn the interior, creating a harmonious blend of nature and art. The abundant sunlight filtering in adds a delightful touch to the ambiance.
But it’s not just the ambiance that sets Oriya apart; it’s also the menu. Oriya offers a fusion of Middle Eastern and international cuisine, creating a range of new tastes.
Visitors surely cannot resist trying some of the signature dishes. The boiled eggs with avocado and chickpeas are a delight. This dish featured a perfect blend of creamy avocado and eggs, elegantly served on a crispy slice of sourdough, accompanied by a beetroot hummus.
Another highlight is the croissant filled with salted, fried and crunchy halloumi cheese. It is paired with creamy labneh, fresh tomatoes and rocca, with a hint of thyme, adding a twist to this classic dish.
For those with a sweet tooth, Oriya’s French toast is a must-try. Served with maple syrup, raspberry and mandarin sauce, and a scoop of velvety vanilla ice cream, it’s a heavenly treat that will satisfy any dessert craving.
As Oriya offers an internationally infused menu, be sure to explore their Asian dishes served on a traditional banana leaf, providing an authentic experience.
To complement your meal, Oriya offers an array of tropical mojitos, with flavors ranging from pineapple to strawberry, passion fruit, watermelon, and rose.
Oriya has the potential to be an ideal spot to get some work done while relishing the tranquil blue waves. However, when visitors inquire about the availability of WiFi for guests, they are informed that it is exclusively for the employees.
Oriya opens from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, visit the Instagram page @oriya.sa.
From thin to thriving: Saudi content creator shares health tips to thousands
Ibrahim Al-Dosaimani’s health transformation has inspired 227,000 of his followers on Instagram
Updated 07 September 2024
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: Saudi nutrition and culinary content creator Ibrahim Al-Dosaimani’s health transformation has inspired 227,000 of his followers on Instagram who struggle with being underweight.
Known online as Heem Fit, Al-Dosaimani transformed his life through the power of weight training and healthy cooking.
“All of my recipes are healthy and without deprivation. The basic idea of all my recipes is to maintain the beautiful flavor and increase the nutritional value, and my followers love them,” he told Arab News.
“Learn the right way to gain weight and increase your knowledge about nutrition,” says Ibrahim Al-Dosaimani. (Supplied)
The 27-year-old computer engineer began with a struggle against extreme thinness, leading him to discover not only the importance of nutrition, but also his love for creating delicious meals.
“I never expected that one day I would practice weight training and be in the field of cooking,” he added.
His transformation started when he faced a significant challenge: Despite trying a range of methods, he struggled to gain weight. Growing up, Al-Dosaimani often cooked alongside his mother, who encouraged him to eat more. “I would tell her I wanted to gain weight, and she’d say I had to eat a lot, but I didn’t quite understand what that meant.”
HIGHLIGHTS
• In 2017, Al-Dosaimani took the plunge into weight training while gradually honing his culinary skills.
• The combination of exercise and cooking paid off; he began to gain weight, although it fluctuated over time.
In 2017, he took the plunge into weight training while gradually honing his culinary skills. “I found joy in cooking and could spend hours in the kitchen without noticing the time fly by.”
The combination of exercise and cooking paid off; he began to gain weight, although it fluctuated over time. Realizing that he was not eating as much as he thought, Al-Dosaimani delved into the world of nutrition.
“I started learning about calories, macronutrients and how to meet my dietary needs effectively,” he said.
Known online as Heem Fit, Ibrahim Al-Dosaimani transformed his life through the power of weight training and healthy cooking. (Supplied)
By early 2021, Al-Dosaimani decided to share his journey and knowledge with a broader audience. “I wanted to change people’s perceptions of healthy eating.”
He started creating content and, to date, has filmed more than 250 recipes across various social media platforms, reaching thousands of viewers. His primary goal is to raise awareness about healthy eating and reshape how people perceive it.
“At first, appearing in front of the camera was difficult for me, and I did not like to show my face. Of course, the editing and the way of filming were a challenge, but with time, I was able to develop myself and present the recipe better, and I showed my face,” Al-Dosaimani added.
Throughout his journey, he has faced several challenges, including a lack of nutritional knowledge that delayed his progress. “Not being fully versed in nutrition led to delayed results,” he said. He also encountered misconceptions about healthy eating resulting in bland food that lacks flavor, which he combats by creating delicious recipes that mirror fast food favorites. “I love making burger recipes because I’m a burger lover,” he added.
For those looking to gain weight and be healthy, Al-Dosaimani highlights the importance of a structured meal plan alongside a resistance training regimen to build muscle mass.
“It’s essential to eat high-calorie, low-volume foods that provide the necessary nutrients without overwhelming you,” he said.
Understanding calories and macronutrients has been crucial in Al-Dosaimani’s journey. “Once you grasp these concepts, you can enjoy your food without feeling deprived or restricted. That mindset shift is vital,” he said.
The most rewarding aspect of his work is the positive feedback he receives from those who have benefited from his recipes. “I love hearing from people who have changed their bodies because of my recipes,” he added.
Looking ahead, Al-Dosaimani is excited about an upcoming project: “I’m working on an e-book dedicated to healthy recipes, which will also have educational content to enhance nutrition awareness.”
Reflecting on his transformation, Al-Dosaimani said he would advise his younger self to seek out the right methods to gain weight and to deepen his understanding of nutrition. “Learn the right way to gain weight and increase your knowledge about nutrition,” he said.
His passion for cooking and helping others continues to drive him as he evolves in his fitness and culinary pursuits.
“Through my journey, I not only changed my life, but also hope to inspire countless others to embrace healthy eating and a balanced lifestyle.”
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Cookie Boo’ in Hayy Jameel, Jeddah
The crazy chocolate cookie is a chocolate lover’s dream, filled with cream cheese and dark and white chocolate
Updated 03 September 2024
Nada Hameed
If you’re in Jeddah and craving a sweet treat, head to the recently opened Cookie Boo in Hayy Jameel.
One of the highlights is how they serve their cookies: warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies with ice-cold milk. It’s the ideal pairing, especially when you dip the warm cookie into the chilly milk for the ultimate bite. And if you’re vegan, they’ve got you covered with coconut milk and almond milk options.
Aside from the classics, they also offer some unique stuffed cookies that are worth trying. Their matchy matcha cookies, stuffed with cream cheese and raspberries, are a delicious blend of sweet and tangy.
The crazy chocolate cookie is a chocolate lover’s dream, filled with cream cheese and dark and white chocolate. The caramel crunch cookie, filled with caramelized chocolate, will be satisfying especially if you’re a caramel lover.
If you enjoy baking at home, you can buy frozen cookie dough and bake fresh cookies for your loved ones. The dough, which costs SR55 ($14), is enough to make eight cookies.
I tried the stuffed cookie box, which allowed me to sample three flavors. Cookie Boo also offers a box of six classic chocolate chip cookies with two sauces.
To complement their cookies, Cookie Boo’s menu features regular and iced coffees, as well as matcha lattes. I opted for a matcha latte with coconut milk, although the additional SR5 charge was a bit of a downside.
Cookie Boo also sells matcha powder, tote bags and T-shirts featuring their funky cookie mascot and other fun designs.
For updates and more details check their Instagram @cookieboo_sa.
In Noug’s gelato recipe, camel milk, which helps produce a thick, creamy consistency, is the primary ingredient
Updated 02 September 2024
Jasmine Bager
With 2024 being the “Year of the Camel,” lovers of the indigenous “ships of the desert” can sink their spoons into creamy, lactose-free, premium gelato from Noug, a PIF-funded company from Sawani.
All seven distinct gelato flavors made from camel milk are now available at select local Saudi supermarkets across the Kingdom.
While camels have long been symbols of the country, few households in modern Saudi cities consume camel milk as part of their daily diet.
Noug, a relatively new brand on the market, has been expanding its business model rapidly in recent years. Launched this summer, the gelato offers customers a sweet way to rediscover the merits of camel milk.
In Noug’s gelato recipe, camel milk, which helps produce a thick, creamy consistency, is the primary ingredient. Since gelato is also churned at a much slower speed than ice cream, less air gets into the mix, making the cool dessert denser and richer.
We tried the coffee and cardamom flavor. As a lover of coffee, gelato and cardamom, I was a bit hesitant to try this camel milk version, but once I did, it truly hit the spot. It did not taste “weird” at all, but rather like gelato I might find somewhere in Europe, only with a distinctly Saudi flavoring and better packaging.
Each container includes a small spoon underneath the lid, which is convenient. The branding is on point too, with a camel-shaped barcode at the back. It was enjoyable and not foreign at all to my tongue.
Noug opened its first brick-and-mortar shop in the Saudi capital last year. Since then, it has established branches in AlUla, Jeddah, Makkah and a series of trucks in Alkhobar. It also offers delivery via various food apps.
Supermarkets now stock the cool stuff in the freezer aisle, so you can pick up a flavor — or all seven — to try on your next visit to the frozen dessert section. Each one goes for SR17 ($4).
Gail’s Bakery co-founder dismisses claims of Israeli ownership as ‘ridiculous’
Updated 31 August 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: The co-founder and chief executive of London’s Gail's Bakery, Tom Molnar, has addressed claims that the bakery is Israel-owned and opposed to the ceasefire, calling these allegations “ridiculous.”
In an interview with The Times, Molnar said: “Gail’s proudly has Jewish roots and there’s plenty of stuff out there celebrating our heritage and history, but it’s not true it’s Israel-owned.
“There’s some just crazy stuff on the web thinking we are funding Israel, which is just completely ridiculous. We’re a wholly UK-based business, paying UK taxes, it’s just ludicrous and I think it needs to be called out,” Molnar added.
The backlash against the bakery has been growing over the past month, fueled by posts like one from author Salma Ibrahim on X, who wrote: “Guys, Gail’s is an Israeli company. Another one to boycott along with Starbucks and Pret.” Her post garnered over 3,700 shares and likes, reaching nearly 300,000 people.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Blanca Pizzeria’ restaurant in Riyadh
Blanca Pizzeria, which won the 2024 Caterer Saudi award, also offers a full menu of non-pizza items
Updated 30 August 2024
Jasmine Bager
Blanca Pizzeria is an award-winning restaurant with outlets in Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar and Tabuk.
It offers about 20 varieties of pizzas, including garlic shrimp, pumpkin, meat, as well as regular options.
If you dine at the eatery, there is complimentary flatbread to start the meal.
Blanca Pizzeria, which won the 2024 Caterer Saudi award, also offers a full menu of non-pizza items.
Soups, several fresh salad options and other dishes are available. The pasta selection is extensive, and includes an oven pasta dish.
Arab News enjoyed the spaghetti eggplant for SR46 ($12).
For drinks, Blanca serves a classic mojito, a passion fruit version and a berry option, for SR35 each. We opted for the berry mojito, which was highly recommended by our waiter. Sparkling or still water bottles are also available, as well as sodas.
There are dishes designed for sharing, such as the bruschetta, truffle risotto and the popular “In Parmesan” option, or pasta alla ruota, which has chefs prepare a pasta or risotto dish in a hollowed-out cheese wheel.
Diners can also enjoy the popular creme brulee for SR33.
