Isabella’s — which was formerly Gerbino’s and for a while Il Sicilliano — is located in the Zahra district of Jeddah, close to the Andalus Elementary School. Arriving early in the afternoon, we noticed a wooden sign declaring Isabella’s was open.
The exterior is a little bid of an oddity; two stand-alone conservatories would be the best way to describe the way the restaurant is laid out. They are two glass boxes that contain the restaurant’s smarter and air conditioned dining rooms. A narrow passage runs between these two rooms, leading to a wooden door on the façade of the restaurant’s kitchen. Here one can place takeaway orders, or opt to eat in the much smaller and considerably more basic bachelor area.
Standing at the black granite counter, we looked around. A considerable amount of effort seems to have gone into the faux brick walls and arched oven in an attempt to give the place a traditional Italian feel. However, the choice of some items was a little topsy-turvy. For instance, just across the counter there are an inordinate number of exterior lights on the wall, the type that would be more appropriate outside. But interiors aside, if the food is good, the furnishings can take a back seat.
Staff welcomed us as we walked into the restaurant. Saudis and non-Saudis man the kitchen. As we browsed the menu and pondered over which pizza to order, the cashier was quick to offer suggestions. With so many to chose from, we were a little lost for words, but finally settled on two — a pepperoni pizza and a smoked salmon pizza.
Now I’m not a fish-on-a-pizza type of guy. Anchovies and I just don’t get along. I, however, like salmon and this was the first time I had seen it as a pizza topping in Jeddah and thought it really was too good an opportunity to miss.
We also ordered some garlic bread with cheese and bruschetta to start. While ordering, we also asked about the desserts. The tiramisu caught our eye and so we asked if it was available. It was, we were told, but the waiter looked at us a little warily. “But it’s just a cream cake! You should try the frozen rich and creamy dessert, it’s much better.”
It was an interesting way to market a dessert at the expense of another, but we were sold. We cancelled the tiramisu and ordered the frozen cream dessert.
We watched, as the pizzas were freshly prepared before being lifted into the fired oven. We waited patiently while they cooked and then picked them up to go. Back home, the taste test began.
As can be seen from the photos, the pizzas are impressive, the Salmon particularly so. We were half expecting slithers of smoked salmon to be added to the top of the finished pizza, but thick cuts of salmon were mixed under the cheese making it a rich and creamy slice. The pepperoni pizza was equally good and we found ourselves going back for slice after slice before realizing we hadn’t even touched the garlic bread.
Made from thick slices of baguette topped with melted cheese, the garlic bread was not as soft as we had hoped. The crust was far too crunchy having been left in the oven a little too long. The bruschetta was much the same — made from the same baguettes, minus the garlic. Having said that, the tomatoes and basil salsa topping was fantastic.
As for the rich and creamy frozen dessert, the waiter was right. This was simply delicious. It is a smooth pudding covered in swirls of caramel and chocolate. So rich was the dessert that we struggled to finish it. Not a problem, we put it in the fridge for later.
All in all, Isabella’s made a very good first impression. With numerous other dishes and pasta mains other than pizza, we will definitely be back. If you’ve been to Isabella’s, please share your experience on our forum at www.Jeddahfood.com. We would love to hear your comments!
- Rashed Islam, [email protected]
