Having always loved the Michelin-starred steakhouse, Taleb was researching for his next big endeavor: Saudi Arabia’s very own fine dining steakhouse. “I didn’t want to just open any restaurant, I wanted to bring some added value to the industry here,” explained Taleb. And in order to do that he knew he’d have to bring in the best.
“At the time, I had already left CUT in L.A. and had moved to Lawrence to head a kitchen there when the phone rang at the bar,” revealed Executive Chef Matthew Lawson. “I almost didn’t take it, but the hostess said I was asked for by name.” He took the call, and about a month later he was in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia sampling local produce and surveying the local spice markets in order to determine what could be ascertained from the Kingdom and what would need to be outsourced.
“It’s all about the ingredients,” explained Lawson who is learning very quickly that in Saudi, acquiring imported goods is more a hassle than a convenience. “We want to make sure we stay consistent and only use the highest quality of produce and meats.” The meat, which Lawson perfectly marinates, using a non-alcoholic version of his original CUT recipe, is USDA Prime Aged Halal Beef — the first time offered in Saudi Arabia.
The restaurant is tucked away behind the charming sandstone bricks of Le Chateau, located on the western end of Tahlia Street in Jeddah. 16Hundred is a new, sparkling gem in the rather lackluster offerings of the Saudi restaurant industry.
With a décor that is awkwardly more New York Sunday brunch and less New York contemporary steakhouse, the restaurant manages to still be welcoming with a refined intimacy. The feminine wallpaper, Rattan & La Dome chairs and porcelain light fixtures make you feel like you should be ordering tea and biscuits, rather than Braised Short Ribs and Prime Steak Fillet — the restaurants two bestsellers. But what 16Hundred may lack in décor-concept compatibility, it immensely compensates with its unmatched menu.
The ambiance has an undeniable hint of French sophistication, as do Lawson’s dishes. Lawson admits his background in French cuisine always seems to creep up, but nothing reveals his past more than his flavorful French Onion Soup, which sets the bar high for the preceding courses.
Regardless if you’re a steak connoisseur or have a habitual preference for poultry, the quality of meat can immediately be detected. The steak is cooked to perfection, with a crisp outside and a tender center that seems to melt in your mouth. The ribs have become an instant hit, with many salivating in anticipation for their next chance to devour one of America’s hallmark dishes.
Although a steakhouse, what makes 16Hundred standout is that its other dishes are just as good — even their signature side dishes have been carefully thought-out and flawlessly executed in the kitchen. The Brussels Sprouts and Date and Lobster Macaroni & Cheese sides reveal the creativity under the chef’s hat, while the Shoe String Fries, often seen served in Paris with entrecôte, and Potato Tarte Tatin reflect his French influence once again. The unique assortment of herbed butters, including the popular Cream Cheese Butter and the Maître de Butter, which consists of garlic, Thyme and lemon zest, are wickedly delicious!
From the addictive Wagyu Beef Sliders to the irresistible Braised Short Ribs, 16Hundred has given Jeddah residents more than a few reasons to never go vegan. But, if you’re really not a meat eater, Lawson has meticulously created fish and chicken dishes that not only showcase his mastery of the grill, but of the entire kitchen.
Almost stealing the spotlight from the steaks and revealing Saudi’s insatiable sweet tooth, the Chocolate Bread Pudding is an instant hit among locals. Trust me, ignoring your diet has never been so decadent. The rich sweetness of the baked-to-perfection dessert has everyone in town confessing to the indulgence of this guilty pleasure.
16Hundred’s American-style cuisine of “tricked out home cooking,” as Lawson likes to label it, is definitely better — and more expensive — than dinner at home. While its expensive price range puts it on par with Leylaty’s fine-dining restaurants, the impressive skills of Lawson put it on par with the acclaimed international restaurants we’re used to visiting during vacation abroad.
The steakhouse is definitely a welcomed addition to the Kingdom’s restaurant industry. Its attention to detail in terms of service and quality ingredients, ups the ante for other fine dining restaurants in the Kingdom. Saudis, who are often well traveled, are no strangers to exquisite cuisines, but for one of the very few times, they can experience that international indulgence without the inconvenience of a plane ride. Other restaurants better get the point: with 16Hundred now in the picture, the heat is on!
