Where We Are Going Today: ‘Memos’ Italian-inspired dining in Riyadh

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A comforting bowl of Pappardelle with Chicken, featuring handmade pasta in a rich tomato-cream sauce, garnished with fresh parsley and microgreens. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)

Where We Are Going Today: ‘Memos’ Italian-inspired dining in Riyadh

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A freshly assembled Crunchy Chicken Caesar salad, with crispy chicken, crisp lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of special Caesar dressing, topped generously with parmesan. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)

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A delectable Burrata Al Forno served fresh out of the oven, oozing creamy burrata cheese wrapped in pizza dough and topped with vibrant pesto sauce. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)

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A luxurious Truffle Pizza, topped with fresh black truffles, truffle paste, mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of parmesan for an indulgent experience. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)

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Updated 02 December 2024

Waad Hussain

December 02, 2024 22:15

Where We Are Going Today: ‘Memos’ Italian-inspired dining in Riyadh

The pappardelle with chicken rounded out the meal, with handmade pasta and balanced mix of tomato sauce, fresh cream, and zesty ginger notes

Updated 02 December 2024

Waad Hussain

December 02, 2024 22:15

Memos in Riyadh is a great spot for Italian-inspired dining with a touch of elegance. From its vibrant ambiance to its meticulous dish presentation, the restaurant provides an experience that is both indulgent and memorable.

The Scottish garden for SR49 ($13) is a standout drink with its balanced mix of berries and hint of cinnamon, while the fresh orange juice was a refreshing and simple classic.

Among the appetizers, the burrata al forno for SR76 stole the show. This oven-baked burrata, wrapped in pizza dough and topped with pesto, offered creamy richness paired with a crispy crust.

For salads, the crunchy chicken Caesar added a fresh twist to the classic, with crispy chicken atop crisp lettuce and a tangy dressing.

Moving to mains, the truffle pizza for SR97 impressed. The rich blend of truffle paste, fresh black truffles, and mozzarella make it an ideal choice for truffle lovers.

The pappardelle with chicken rounded out the meal, with handmade pasta and balanced mix of tomato sauce, fresh cream, and zesty ginger notes.

Service was exceptional, with staff going above and beyond to ensure a seamless dining experience, while the superb views and welcoming atmosphere further elevated the visit.

Memo’s popularity means the space can feel busy, and reservations are recommended.

For more information, check their Instagram @memos.ksa.

Topics: Memos

Where We Are Going Today: Slice of Bread bakery in Qatif

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Updated 18 January 2025

Sulafa Alkhunaizi

January 18, 2025 21:17

Where We Are Going Today: Slice of Bread bakery in Qatif

Slice of Bread is known locally for their freshly baked speciality breads such as brioche, ciabbata and keto bread

Updated 18 January 2025

Sulafa Alkhunaizi

January 18, 2025 21:17

On entering Slice of Bread bakery, located in Qatif municipality in the Eastern Province, you will be greeted with the sweet and comforting aroma of freshly baked goods.

This local business offers an international selection of in-house-made savory and sweet baked treats made from high-quality ingredients, created with love.

Enjoy baked treats, from date-filled maamoul cookies and breadsticks to buttery French croissants with a variety of fillings and creamy Japanese cheesecakes.

Slice of Bread is known locally for their freshly baked speciality breads such as brioche, ciabbata and keto bread. My favorite is their sourdough bread, a gut-healthy alternative to white bread, providing nutrients such as protein, fiber and folic acid.

Sourdough is baked differently from traditional bread, with a more intricate preparation required to level the bread and ferment it. Slice of Bread has nailed their own recipe, with a consistent result every time. The sourdough is offered in different flavors; plain, olive herb, and grain.

To satisfy a sweet tooth, try the “gers ogaily” bites, fluffy saffron and cardamom cakes from Kuwait, or their tiramisu, a rich and hearty Italian desert made of coffee-infused ladyfinger pastries layered in a mixture of mascarpone cream cheese.

Slice of Bread is considered to be more on the expensive side, with a loaf of sourdough starting at SR34 ($9), with varying prices depending on the flavor.

Slice of Bread has two locations in Qatif, in Al-Jazirah and Az-Zahra.

Topics: Slice of Bread bakery

Where We Are Going Today: Spontini pizza in Riyadh

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Updated 14 January 2025

Rahaf Jambi

January 14, 2025 21:41

Where We Are Going Today: Spontini pizza in Riyadh

Spontini currently operates over 20 stores across Italy and Japan, serving signature thick, fluffy pizzas and delicious slices worldwide

Updated 14 January 2025

Rahaf Jambi

January 14, 2025 21:41

Spontini pizza at Roshn Front in Riyadh has made its much-anticipated Saudi debut. Hailing from Milan, this casual restaurant chain, renowned for its pizza by the slice, was established in 1953.

The first location, off Corso Buenos Aires, quickly gained fame for its unique offerings. The recipes have apparently remained unchanged over the decades, ensuring that the beloved pizza al taglio retains its original taste.

During my visit, I tried the margherita pizza, and one slice was more than enough—thick, fluffy, and bursting with flavor, reminiscent of the branch in Italy. We also sampled the lasagna, which, while full of flavor, did not quite align with my personal tastes.

To round off the meal, we indulged in a refreshing tiramisu dessert that was perfectly chilled.

Spontini currently operates over 20 stores across Italy and Japan, serving signature thick, fluffy pizzas and delicious slices worldwide.

Customers can expect all the Italian classics, including lasagna, various pizzas, and delightful desserts like creme brulee and profiteroles.

The venue prides itself on using fresh, fully Italian ingredients. Each pizza is crafted artisanally, with dough carefully kneaded and leavened daily. Picture a thick slice with a crispy base, soft dough, an ample helping of signature sauce, and a generous layer of cheese — it is a pizza lover’s dream.

Expanding into the Middle East in collaboration with Al-Shaya Group in 2018, Spontini opened in Kuwait and Qatar before arriving in Riyadh.

Topics: Spontini pizza in Riyadh

Up to 4 in 10 people could develop dementia after 55. What you can do to lower your risk

A doctor looks at PET brain scans at Banner Alzheimers Institute in Phoenix on Aug. 14, 2018. (AP)

Updated 14 January 2025

January 14, 2025 02:19

Up to 4 in 10 people could develop dementia after 55. What you can do to lower your risk

Taking longer to recall a name or where you put your keys is typical with older age
Prior studies estimated about 14 percent of men and 23 percent of women would develop some form of dementia during their lifetime

Updated 14 January 2025

January 14, 2025 02:19

WASHINGTON: About a million Americans a year are expected to develop dementia by 2060, roughly double today’s toll, researchers reported Monday.
That estimate is based on a new study that found a higher lifetime risk than previously thought: After age 55, people have up to a 4 in 10 chance of eventually developing dementia — if they live long enough.
It’s a sobering number but there are steps people can take to reduce that risk, such as controlling high blood pressure and other bad-for-the-brain health problems. And it’s not too late to try even in middle age.
“All of our research suggests what you do in midlife really matters,” said Dr. Josef Coresh of NYU Langone Health, who coauthored the study in the journal Nature Medicine.
Dementia isn’t only Alzheimer’s
Taking longer to recall a name or where you put your keys is typical with older age. But dementia isn’t a normal part of aging — it’s a progressive loss of memory, language and other cognitive functions. Simply getting older is the biggest risk and the population is rapidly aging.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form, and silent brain changes that eventually lead to it can begin two decades before symptoms appear. Other types include vascular dementia, when heart disease or small strokes impair blood flow to the brain. Many people have mixed causes, meaning vascular problems could exacerbate brewing Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Measuring the risk from a certain age over the potential remaining life span can guide public health recommendations and medical research.
“It’s not a guarantee that someone will develop dementia,” cautioned Dr. James Galvin, a University of Miami Alzheimer’s specialist. He wasn’t involved with the new study but said the findings fit with other research.
Dementia risk is different by age
Prior studies estimated about 14 percent of men and 23 percent of women would develop some form of dementia during their lifetime. Coresh’s team analyzed more recent data from a US study that has tracked the heart health and cognitive function of about 15,000 older adults for several decades.
Importantly, they found the risk changes with the decades.
Only 4 percent of people developed dementia between the ages of 55 and 75, what Coresh calls a key 20-year window for protecting brain health.
For people who survive common health threats until 75, the dementia risk then jumped — to 20 percent by age 85 and 42 percent between ages 85 and 95.
Overall, the lifetime dementia risk after age 55 was 35 percent for men and 48 percent for women, the researchers concluded. Women generally live longer than men, a main reason for that difference, Coresh noted. Black Americans had a slightly higher risk, 44 percent, than white people at 41 percent.
Yes, there are ways to help lower dementia risk

There are some risk factors people can’t control, including age and whether you inherited a gene variant called APOE4 that raises the chances of late-in-life Alzheimer’s.
But people can try to avert or at least delay health problems that contribute to later dementia. Coresh, for example, wears a helmet when biking because repeated or severe brain injuries from crashes or falls increase the risk of later-in-life dementia.
Especially important: “What’s good for your heart is good for your brain,” added Miami’s Galvin. He urges people to exercise, avoid obesity, and control blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol.
For example, high blood pressure can impair blood flow to the brain, a risk not just for vascular dementia but also linked to some hallmarks of Alzheimer’s. Similarly, the high blood sugar of poorly controlled diabetes is linked to cognitive decline and damaging inflammation in the brain.
Stay socially and cognitively active, too, Galvin said. He urges people to try hearing aids if age brings hearing loss, which can spur social isolation.
“There are things that we have control over, and those things I think would be really, really important to build a better brain as we age,” he said.

Topics: dementia

Where We Are Going Today: ‘Kintan’ Japanese BBQ restaurant

Kintan Yakiniku Japanese BBQ restaurant in Riyadh. (@kintanksa on Instagram)

Updated 12 January 2025

Tamara Aboalsaud

January 12, 2025 22:07

Where We Are Going Today: ‘Kintan’ Japanese BBQ restaurant

The vegetables are the perfect light pairing to an otherwise meat-heavy meal, and they are grilled and dipped in sauce or butter as well

Updated 12 January 2025

Tamara Aboalsaud

January 12, 2025 22:07

Kintan is a lively Japanese BBQ restaurant perfect for families and friends alike situated in the Al-Wadi neighborhood of Riyadh.

A grill-it-yourself-style restaurant, Kintan brings out the meats for you to sear to your desired degree.

The restaurant is dressed in ambient warm lighting that creates a relaxing atmosphere without being too dark to detract from the fun or the visibility.

Kintan’s menu offers a selection of a la carte meats topped with your choice of sauce — miso, sweet soya, spicy garlic, and others — as well as a selection of chicken, lamb, and seafood for those less beef-inclined.

The vegetables are the perfect light pairing to an otherwise meat-heavy meal, and they are grilled and dipped in sauce or butter as well.

The meat is fresh and tender, with a variety of cuts tailored to those who like thick, thin, or fatty strips. It is also highly recommended that you give your strips an additional dip into the provided sauces before or after grilling for extra flavor.

They additionally offer six types of sushi rolls including a California roll, crunchy spicy tempura, ebi roll, and more, as well as some rice and noodle dishes such as beef or vegetable bibimbap and chicken or vegetable garlic noodles. The garlic fried rice is a must-have.

To accompany your meal are “agenomo,” or deep-fried dishes, and a variety of appetizers, including soups, gyoza, kimchi, chicken karaage, and spring rolls.

The appetizers felt a bit weak-flavored and lackluster. The “spicy addicting cucumber” and the “spicy addicting cabbage” were topped with a spicy sauce rather than marinated, lacking effort. The chicken gyoza and kimchi were also less than impressive and easily skipped.

Overall, if you are looking for a fun night out or hoping to indulge in conversation with your friends while you wait for your meat to cook, Kintan is a great place to be.

Topics: ‘Kintan’ Japanese BBQ restaurant

Where We Are Going Today: ‘Sushisamba’ in Riyadh

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Updated 11 January 2025

Rahaf Jambi

January 11, 2025 21:16

Where We Are Going Today: ‘Sushisamba’ in Riyadh

The Vida Brunch is offered on the last Friday of every month from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For SR195 ($52) per person, you can indulge in a thoughtfully curated set menu

Updated 11 January 2025

Rahaf Jambi

January 11, 2025 21:16

Picture this: An afternoon filled with a delightful set menu, live entertainment and a vibrant atmosphere that feels like a celebration. Sushisamba in Riyadh offers the kind of brunch that lingers in your memory.

Nestled in the bustling King Abdullah Financial District, Sushisamba offers a fusion of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian flavors that truly captivates the palate.

As soon as you step inside, you are greeted by a spacious dining area, a charming private room on the mezzanine and the stunning Samba Room — a glass-enclosed space that offers breathtaking views of the Wadi. The open kitchen, two sushi bars and a live robata grill create an interactive dining experience.

The Vida Brunch is offered on the last Friday of every month from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For SR195 ($52) per person, you can indulge in a thoughtfully curated set menu. If you are bringing kids, Sushisamba has a special menu priced at SR130.

What makes the Vida Brunch unforgettable is the live entertainment. Each month, a different DJ or live musician sets the mood, making every visit feel fresh and exciting.

The menu is a feast for the senses. I particularly enjoyed the corn fritters and pao de queijo as appetizers. For the main course, the black cod bolinho and robata salmon were standout dishes. The sushi assortment — three maki rolls and two nigiri pieces — was also enjoyable.

To finish off the experience, the chef’s selection of desserts is a sweet ending I always look forward to.

Sushisamba blends culture, music and design, embodying the spirit of Japan, Brazil and Peru.

Topics: Sushisamba

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Where We Are Going Today: ‘Memos’ Italian-inspired dining in Riyadh

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