Saudi Arabia

TEMPTED?

Around Town plus Dining . Southern Italian Cuisine

In The Spotlight Fashion The Jewel of The Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day . Lebanese Cuisine with a Twist Red Sea Gifts

Issue 26 March 2011

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Celebrating Our Mothers This issue is a celebration of mothers! With Mothers Day coming up, we encourage our readers to do something special for the most valuable person in their lives…take her out to dinner, buy her a gift, pamper her with a day on a spa, or go as far as to book her a weekend at a hotel or a nearby destination. You can find many inspiring ideas in this issue, so delve in and plan ahead. Celebrate and enjoy life! We also celebrate another mother in this issue; a mother that we tend to take for granted and sometimes overlook her value and beauty, a mother that has had her share of suffering in the past months: our beloved city, Jeddah. Therefore to support Jeddah and show her our love, we have compiled a feature article about Jeddah to remind us all of this special city by the sea that we call home. We talk about the history, the attractions and the thriving business scene. Jeddawis have yet another reason to celebrate this month; the safe return of our beloved King Abdullah. On behalf of the city of Jeddah, Destination Jeddah would like to express the relief and joy that the King’s return has inspired in us. Join us in welcoming back His Royal Highness with the commemorative poster sticker included within. As always, we strive to provide our readers with new sections and information that we feel will make their lives easier, either as recent residents or longtime locals. We’re excited to debut our new real estate section featuring quality homes for sale in Jeddah. They may tempt you to go house-hunting this month…so consider yourself warned! Don’t forget to check the Mark Your Calendar section as this March is full of exciting events and activities – see you there!

Enas Hashani Editor-in-Chief editor@destinationjeddah.com

EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Enas Hashani

Editorial Director Dilara Hafiz

Creative Director Maha Alkhalawi

Graphic Designers

Lina Malaika Mohammed Rashad KK Yousef Kurashi

Fashion Editor

Hassnah Abousabah

Editors

Dina Ismail Silwan Eshki

Editorial Associate Salma Al-Amoudi

Photography

Lina Malaika Silwan Eshki Yousef Kurashi Hans Sjoeholm

Contributing Writers Serene Feteih Ahmed Sahab Hans Sjoeholm Afifa Jabeen Quarishi

Account Manager Saleem Zeidan

SALES & ADVERTISING

sales@destinationjeddah.com Tel: +966-2-6060291 Mob: +966-563578291

GENERAL INQUIRIES

info@destinationjeddah.com

DISTRIBUTION

distribution@destinationjeddah.com

VISIT US ONLINE

www.destinationjeddah.com

*Destination Jeddah Magazine is a Rumman Company Publication. License No. 7862 - 8/8/1431 Tel: +966-2-6060291 P.O. Box 6707 Jeddah 21452

PUBLISHER

Destination Magazine UK, Coventry, CV14DH N5719

DESTINATION JEDDAH 1

Jeddah The Jewel of the Red Sea

4 10 34 24

Fashion & Shopping: Mother’s day gifts

Useful Information

Readers’ Feedback, Poll, & City Facts

Events & Happenings

WOODROC, LAMBORGHINI Clothing, and Openings

Business Real Estate

Explore KSA

Arts & Entertainment

Fashion & Shopping

Red Sea Coast

Dining Around Town

Travel Trends

Healthy Living

Entertainment/Useful Arabic Words

Lajab Valley

Bridges , Modern Interior Design Tips

Carol Boys, Hassna’s Picks, Mother’s Day Gifts

Marsa Al-Ahlam, Corridor of Marvels

Explore KSA: Lajab Valley

Sem Som, Margarita, Lenotre,

Spa Lounge, Red Sea Romance

Green Living, A-Z of Mosquito Bites, Listen to Your Skeleton!

Outdoor Finds, TV Shows, Youtube Channels & Book review!

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FEATURED CONTENT

36 Arts & Entertainment 48 Fashion & Shopping 57 Beach Resorts & Dive Shops 68 Restaurants 76 Travel 79 Religious Directory 86 Health & Beauty 92 General

33 42 49 66 74 76 84 90

Useful Information Word on the street

Reader’s Feedback Dear Editor, I’m really proud of DJ; can you please write about how boys try to insult girls or make fun of them in the malls & stores? My friends & I face this most of the time, while everyone just keeps watching & doesn’t do anything to stop it!!!! Thank you. Reem A.J Dear Reem, Thank you for writing, I understand your frustration, we will study your concern and raise it in a future issue, in the mean time my advice to you & your friends is to complain to mall security. Many people don’t take action thinking that the management or owners don’t care, but they do & they will take action - so please DO complain. Again thank you and all the best. Enas Dear Destination Jeddah, I’ve been living in Jeddah for a year and 10 months. From the first moments of my stay, I enjoy being and living here. Your contribution to this was quite important. I first practiced Arabic letters and phrases with your guide, passed on some of the information to my friends and family in Turkey and enjoyed your articles.I sometimes spend time in Turkey & miss some issues of yours. If possible, I would love to receive my missing issues. Gizem Dear Gizem, First we would like to thank you for your nice comments! You can get back issues between 9-5 at our office – stop by anytime you like. DJ

Please send to feedback@destinationjeddah.com 4

DESTINATION JEDDAH

Dear DJ, Thanks for the ‘Navigating Jeddah’s Roads...It Can Be Done!’ article in last month’s ‘Settling In’. The taxi & car service resources you listed were especially helpful for me since I’m not yet confident of driving & surviving on the roads yet! Imran Dear DJ Team, I’m a journalist and have recently arrived in Jeddah. Where can I pick a copy of your July/ August/Sept issues? Is it available at Jarir? Aamer Dear Aamer, You can pick up past copies from our office, the office is open from 9-5. please find attached map to the location. DJ is a monthly publication distributed free at many locations throughout the city; DJ is available for sale at all Danube branches. Thanks! DJ Team Hi DJ, Congratulations on another great issue. I always look forward to it. As an expat, I am always looking for events that may be coming up either of a social or business nature. Philip Al Salamu Alaikom DJ! I want to tell you guys that Destination Jeddah is one of the best magazines in the market/ if not THE best! Nour

POLL OF THE MONTH Q: Do you have a fire extinguesher in ur

car?

No (60%)

yes (39%)

Next Month’s Question: Q: What do you crave most when you are out of town? To participate in next month’s poll, visit the Destination Jeddah Magazine page on Facebook.

Thumbs up to... Mix FM 105.5

Mix FM 105.5 has been on DJ’s radar for a while as a Saudi run radio station, which acts as a platform of creativity and expression for Saudi youth. Mix FM has been selected for Thumbs Up this month due to their recent relief efforts during the January floods. Mix FM became an important resource of valuable traffic information for the thousands stuck in gridlock due to the rains. Warning about streets which were impassable as well as alerting listeners to the dangers of driving through roads which may have appeared safe, but were in reality sinkholes, kept people out of danger. Mix FM was a valuable link between those in need of aid and those offering help, whether in the form of medical supplies or even just transportation. Their timely updates ensured the safe return home for thousands of stranded Jeddahwis and DJ heartily applauds their efforts.

DJ Suggests:

Carpooling

Traffic jams, rush hour traffic delays, constantly stopping at gas stations for fillups – we’ve all experienced the frustrations arising from the pressures of a growing population where everyone is rushing around Jeddah. A sensible solution to Jeddah’s crowded streets is carpooling. Many cities around the world designate high-occupancy, carpool lanes on highways to encourage ridesharing. Jeddahwis don’t need to wait for these formal rules to be in place – start tomorrow by organizing a carpool to school, to work, or for your weekly grocery shopping. All it takes is a few phone calls to friends to set up a schedule. You’ll save time, money, reduce pollution, alleviate traffic, and best of all, you may enjoy the company during the ride too. A group of friends sharing a ride to a mall or a restaurant will feel like their fun has been extended to the journey as well – let the party begin!

Thumbs down to... Sale of Tobacco To Underage Shoppers It seems like common sense for most shopkeepers to know that selling cigarettes or any other tobacco products to a customer who is clearly under age is unethical. However, DJ staffers have, on too many occasions, witnessed children asking for a pack of cigarettes at the cashier, and the shopkeeper casually fulfilling the order. It’s important to mention that we’re not talking about begalas but in this case, a rather well known upscale tobacco store in the heart of Tahlia! To sell cigarettes to a child or an adolescent is wrong both morally and socially and next time you witness this type of situation, don’t ignore it. Think of your young child or brother or sister or nephew/ niece - would you want them smoking? No! There are some situations that are too reprehensible to stay quiet about…and this is one of them. As responsible citizens, we should applaud salespeople who do not sell cigarettes to minors. DESTINATION JEDDAH 5

Useful Information

City&

Country:

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - KSA Capital: Riyadh

Country

Fact Sheet

Head of State:

King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud Crown Prince: Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud Population: 29،207،277 (72% Saudi, 27% foreign)

Population Growth:

1.75% (approx. 2% per year) (55% are under the age of 20) Birth rate: 28.29 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) Area: 2,149,640 sq. km Major Cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam. Holy Cities: Makkah, Madinah.

International Airports:

Jeddah: King Abdul Aziz Int’l. Airport (Airport Code: JED) Madinah: Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz Airport / Riyadh: King Khaled Int’l Airport / Dammam: King Fahad Int’l Airport.

City: Jeddah Head of Region:

Prince Khalid Al-Faisal

Location:

West coast of Saudi Arabia, on the Red Sea Distance between Jeddah & Makkah: 80km Distance between Jeddah & Madinah:405km

Inhabited Area:

1,500 sq. km - Largest urban center in the Makkah province Jeddah Population: 3.4 million and the 2nd largest city in Saudi Arabia.

Official Language:

Arabic. English is the second official language.

Major Arabic Newspapers: Al-Watan , Al Hayat, Al-Iqtisadiya, Al-Madinah. Major English Newspapers: Saudi Gazette, Arab News.

Important Dates:

National Day: September 23, 2011 Ramadan (The Holy Month of Fasting): August 1 - August 29, 2011 Eid Al-Fitr (The Feast of Fast-Breaking): August 30, 2011 Eid Al-Adha (The Feast of Sacrifice): November 6, 2011 Calendar: The Hijri lunar calendar is the traditional measure of time and the Gregorian calendar is used as well in business. (1432/2011)

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Business & Banking Hours: Cut this out and keep in your wallet 8/9AM - 4/5PM Sat-Wed, some are open on Thursdays for half a day 8/9AM - 1/2PM.

Weekend: Thursday- Friday. Shopping Hours:

Information/ Maintenance:

$$$$$$$$$$$$$

10AM - 1PM 5PM - 10/11PM

Currency:

Saudi Riyal (SR) - divided into 100 Halalas; Notes printed in 1 (one), 5 (five), 10 (ten), 20 (twenty), 50 (fifty), 100 (one hundred), 200 (two hundred), 500 (five hundred) Riyal denominations. Currency Exchange Rates: 1.00 US Dollar (USD) = SR3.75 1.00 Euro (EUR) = SR5.23 1.00 British Pound (GBP) = SR5.94 1.00 Indian Rupee (INR) = SR0.079 1.00 Pakistan Rupee (PKR) = SR0.047 1.00 Phillippines Peso (PHP) = SR0.08

Time Zon e: GMT +3

Country Code:

Emergencies :

966

City Codes:

International Information.......905 Telephone Maintenance.........904 Telephone Directory.................905 Speaking Clock.........................1222 Mobily..........................................1100 STC...................................................902 Zain..................................................959

Radio Stations FM Channel Rotana Quraan Jeddah Radio AFN Panorama MBC FM Mix FM

88.0 89.9 92.6 93.7 102.0 103.0 103.9 107.0 105.5

Ambulance...................................997 Electricity Emergency...............933 Fire Fighters..................................998 Natural Disasters.........................988 National Security........................989 Nijm “ Insurance Company for Car Accident “.........................920000560 Road Security..............................996 Traffic Accidents.........................993 Water Emergency......8004411110

Type Arabic pop Religious National News Western Music Arabic Pop Khaliji Music Western Music Techno Music Westren & Arabic Pop

Electricity: 110V and 220V

Riyadh: Jeddah and Makkah: Dammam, Dahran, Alkhobar and Jubail:

02 Telephone, 03 Mobile & Internet: Madinah and Yanbu: 04 The main telephone service provider is STC – Saudi Abha and Najran: 07 Telecom Company. The Main mobile service providers

Transportation:

Air: Saudi Arabian Airlines - Nas Airlines Land: Bus: SAPTCO: National Bus Company offering transportation between most Saudi cities. Inside the city: Taxis and Chauffeur companies. Railroad: Only one passenger train service between Riyadh and Dammam.

are STC, Mobily and Zain. They also offer mobile Internet solutions *STC: www.stc.com/ *Mobily: www.mobily.com/ *Zain: www.zain.com To block commercial SMSs for STC users: Call 800-2444455 toll-free (24 hr service Sat-Wed) or e-mail: Ecare@stc.com.sa Internet Service Providers: * Orbit Satellite internet: www.orbitsatnet.com *www.zajil.net, *awalnet.net.sa, * www.naseej.com, * www.shabakah.net.sa, * www.sol.net.sa, * cyberia.net.sa, *Nesma: www.nesma.net.sa

National TV: Saudi Channel 1/ Saudi Channel 2 (English)/ Saudi Channel 3 (Sports)/ Al Ekhbariya News Satellite TV: Thousands of free channels from across the Middle East, Asia and Europe can be viewed using a satellite dish and receiver. Premium Satellite Providers: Showtime Arabia: Premium Arabic and Western Entertainment. www.showtimearabia.com Orbit: Premium Arabic and Western Entertainment. www.orbit.net ART: Premium Arabic, Western, and Asian Entertainment www.artonline.tv DESTINATION JEDDAH 7

Useful Information Settling In

Ahlan wa Sahlan!

Visitors to Jeddah, especially first-timers, will find life much easier once they understand the customs behind everyday socializing and how that translates into everyday encounters. For example, upon meeting a Saudi couple in a social setting, do you shake hands or embrace both of them? Why are their last names different if they’re married? Should you follow the host or the hostess upon entering their home? Confused yet? Relax...DJ is here to help.

Meeting & Greeting

Names

Amongst Saudis, men will shake hands with each other; hugs and kisses may be shared between good friends or relatives. Women follow a similar pattern, however physical contact, including shaking hands, between men and women who are not related to each other is rare. Ritualized verbal greetings will follow – questions about each other’s families, children, relatives etc. will be asked and answered. Only then does the actual conversation begin. People who are not comfortable shaking hands with people of the opposite gender will politely place their hand over their heart as a greeting instead. If the handshake you receive when leaving somebody is longer than the one you received when meeting him, it indicates that you’ve made a good impression. (Generally true, but DJ doesn’t want to mislead people or turn every handshake into a competition! Enthusiastic handshakes may signal friendship...or they may simply be a sign of an enthusiastic greeter DON’T be offended if you don’t get the long handshake!)

Lineage and tribal affiliations are extremely important in Saudi society. Although the society is changing, it remains patriarchal in the sense that men are the primary breadwinners, however, women are increasingly working outside the home if they desire to do so. Upon marriage, women retain their maiden name as a sign of their descent from their father’s line. Children will take their father’s name, thus identifying themselves through their father’s family tribe. It’s common for Saudis to have a given name, followed by their father’s name, followed by their tribe/clan name. For example, a man might be called Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz AlJishi. Abdullah is his given name and he’s the son (bin) of Abdul Aziz; Al-Jishi is the family or tribal name. Amongst women, the custom is the same, except the the term ‘bint’ is used to refer to daughters. However, most residents of Jeddah are proud Hejazis who don’t necessarily track their tribal lineage in quite the same manner as the rest of Saudi Arabia. Their surnames may be a reflection of their occupation or region of origin, an interesting side note in the story of Arab traditions.

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Salutations

The most common greeting in Saudi Arabia is Salaam alay’kum (‘Peace be upon you’), to which the correct reply is Wa alay’kum as-salaam (‘And upon you be peace’). Other common greetings and replies are:

Greeting

Meaning

Ahlan wa sahlan* Welcome Sabah al-khayr Good morning Masa al-khayr Good evening

Ahlan bik Sabah an-nur Masa an-nur

Visiting

If you’re invited, go! Saudi custom dictates extreme hospitality towards the guest, to the extent that a visitor is offered the best of what the host has in his possession! If you are lucky enough to be invited into a private home, you’re in for a treat as you will be lavished with food and drink so partake a little of everything. Traditional Saudi homes will have separate reception rooms for the men and women; the men’s hall is called a majlis. It’s customary for men to gather at friend’s houses in the evenings to discuss current current events, literature, and social issues in this informal setting. Follow the lead of your host and others around you. You will definitely be offered tea/coffee, sweets, or dates numerous times throughout the evening. In Jeddah, most homes will have a large living room where entertaining takes place - gender segregation is not as prevalent as it is in other cities in Saudi Arabia due to the cosmopolitan nature of the population. However, traditionally, furniture

may be arranged around the perimeter of the room, or long, low cushions may be placed on the ground in lieu of sofas and chairs. Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the experience! As in most cultures, it’s always a good idea to take a small gift for your host. Whether it’s business, personal, formal or informal - no matter what the event - a token of appreciation for the invitation is always welcome. Presents can range from a simple floral bouquet to a box of chocolates/bag of nuts to a crystal vase; everyone loves to receive a gift. You may also want to ask your host about the timings of the event as dinners may begin and end much later than you’re accustomed to. Jeddahwis are cultured and easy-going hosts - take every opportunity to mix socially with them in order to enhance your overseas experience, you won’t regret it.

Readers’ Settling In Adventures Ten years ago, when I first moved back to Saudi from living in the States for 25 years, I was still unaccustomed on how to handle interactions with females in public. This one time I was out shopping with my sister. We were entering a clothing store and a fully veiled female was entering as well. So being the gentleman I am, I held the door open for her. I gestured for her to proceed ahead of me, but she stood frozen in place. It was awkward and felt like a prolonged Mexican Standoff. Until finally my sister pulled me aside and told me that some very conservative females are particular about these types of gestures. A couple of weeks later the same thing happened again with another completely veiled woman, but this time I didn’t hold the door open for her. Instead I entered the shop and let the door swing close behind me. The woman ended up coming after me and telling me that I was raised with no manners. The Gentlemen without Manners Do you have a ‘Settling In’ adventure to share with our readers? Help newcomers avoid the fauxpas you may have made as they adjust to life in Jeddah. Language barriers, rules of the road, cultural missteps...they’re all funny in retrospect. Send in your tales to DJ and we’ll republish them here in an upcoming issue. E-mail: feedback@destinationjeddah.com with the Title: Settling In DESTINATION JEDDAH 9

Events & Happenings

WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON... SHUHRA.COM – THE REGION’S LEADING TALENT COMMUNITY: huhra.com is an exciting, new multimedia platform created for the discovery & promotion of talent in the Middle East & North Africa – the 1st online Arab talent search forum. It will provide participants with maximum coverage by giving them the opportunity to showcase their skills, upload their work, & share it with the online public. Young, talented artists are invited to join Shuhra.com’s Talent Bank, enjoy their News & Events section, or become talent reporters.

WOODROC APPOINTS PROMOACTION DDB: Al Muwakaba Wooden Furniture & Industries Factory Co. (Woodroc), a new company in KSA manufacturing a variety of quality wooden products and furniture, signed a contract with Promoaction DDB as their official advertising agency. Sheikh Hasan Al Amoudi, Chairman of Woodroc, and Mr. Talal Dhulaymi, Chairman of Promoaction DDB, met at the new Woodroc site where Sheikh Hasan Al Amoudi said “Promoaction DDB showed a full understanding of Woodroc’s aspirations as a leading furniture brand.” The 40,000 sqm Woodroc facility has been developed under the consultancy of a global industry leader and is equipped with top-notch computerized machinery.

LAUNCH OF LAMBORGHINI CLOTHING AT RUBAIYAT: The Lamborghini Clothing Line (Artimarca) was launched at Rubaiyat in Etoile Center on 22 February. The Rubaiayat CEO and Sheikh Ghassan Al-Sulaiman, owner of Al-Ghassan Group (Saudi distributor for Lamborghini) attended the event along with Lamborghini Club members. Attendants enjoyed canapes and cocktails while viewing the wide range of accessories offered by the Lamborghini line. Lamborghini Artimarca includes collections for men, women and juniors. 10 DESTINATION JEDDAH

DESTINATION JEDDAH 11

Events & Happenings

LIPTON INSPIRATIONAL DIALOGUES INITIATIVE: The ‘Inspirational Dialogues’ initiative for women, sponsored by Binzagr Unilever Lipton and hosted by Dr. Aisha Netto of the JCC, gathered successful Saudi women together to share their stories. Chief English Broadcaster at the Jeddah Broadcasting Station, Samar Fatani, & Capt. Lina Al-Maeena, founder of the first women sports team in KSA, shared their tales of the initial obstacles they faced. Tawfiq nal-Akhrass, Dir. of Food and Beverages at Unilever Saudi Arabia, said, “We at Lipton share today with Saudi women the opportunity to achieve success in various aspects of life through hearing the experiences of our guests and their contributions to serve their nation and their community.”

NOW OPEN MARGHERITA AUTHENTIC ITALIAN: Pizzeria Margherita celebrated its soft opening in Khalidiyah with their authentic, delicious Italian classics like pizza, pasta, and sinful Italian desserts. Everyone present enjoyed tasting the fresh flavors amongst their old favorites.

12 DESTINATION JEDDAH

Events & Happenings

TRACCS NAMED ‘MIDDLE EAST CONSULTANCY OF 2011’: TRACCS public relations firm has been named the Middle East Consultancy of the Year 2011 by the Holmes Report, among the world’s most influential public relations reports. The volume of business TRACCS generates ranks it among the world’s top 100 independent PR agencies – the only Middle Eastern one to reach this elusive goal. “TRACCS refutes the notion that multinational clients requiring strategic PR services in the Middle East and North Africa need to seek out multinational PR agencies,” the Holmes Report stated. “With a network of over 200 professionals in 13 countries, TRACCS is more than capable of providing coverage of all the major markets.”

ADVANCED SHOWROOM FOR FERRARI & MASERATI: Fast Auto Technic, the sole dealer of Ferrari and Maserati in KSA, opened an advanced facility showcasing state of the art displays for the stunning,new models. Billed as a ‘Ferrari & Maserati lifestyle hub’, the showroom includes a reception hall, service section & spare parts warehouse. GM Mr. Pietro Innocenti, & MD Mr. Umberto Cini of Maserati Middle East & Africa attended the grand opening ceremony. LOMAR’S GIFT TO ORPHANS: After entering the Guinness Book of Records last year for creating the world’s largest thobe, Lomar deconstructed this garment into 350 individual thobes which they donated to orphans. Students from the Al Andalus School as well as delegates from the charity were present at the event where the President of the Governing Council of Lomar, designer Louay Naseem, said, “Our goal to develop community service was the main idea in designing the biggest thobe in the world with the proceeds going to charity.” 14 DESTINATION JEDDAH

Mouawad Introduces The World’s Most Valuable Handbag

The House of Mouawad introduces the “The Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse”. Valued at over of $3.8 million, this breathtaking creation takes its place in the Guinness World Record as the most valuable handbag in the world. “Just as the tales of Scheherazade have captivated readers with their intricately woven plots of uninhibited passion and daring, so the Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse is designed to mesmerize with its lavish attention to detail and elaborate workmanship,” said Pascal Mouawad, co-guardian of the House of Mouawad. The heart-shaped purse, handcrafted from 18kt gold, incorporates 4,517 diamonds - 105 yellow, 56 pink and 4,356 colorless totaling 381.92 carats. The exceptional level of craftsmanship exemplified by the Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse has been a hallmark of the Mouawad name since its founding in 1890. Mouawad Diamond Purse” is the second record-breaking creation from the House of Mouawad.

Accor expands in Saudi Arabia with second ibis in Yanbu

Accor, one of the leading hotel operators in the region and a leader in the economy lodging segment, has signed a management contract with His Highness Prince Abdullah Bin Saud Bin Mohammed Al Saud to develop the second Ibis Hotel in KSA, in Yanbu. Christophe Landais, MD of Accor Middle East, said, “KSA’s travel and tourism market is currently maturing and we see the time is right to open the Ibis Yanbu. With Prince Abdullah’s long-term vision and full support, we are expanding Accor’s Ibis network of high quality hotel services at the best value-for-money prices in Yanbu.” Yanbu, a coastal city and major industrial center, has a recently modernized domestic airport, is located only 3 hours from Jeddah, and is a key gateway to African and European markets. The new hotel will offer 196 well-appointed rooms, an all-day-dining restaurant, a coffee lounge, 3 meeting rooms as well as an outdoor swimming pool, a diving center and several leisure shops.

DESTINATION JEDDAH 15

Mark Your Calendar

March2011

Mar 1 - Mar 31 Art Exhibition Where fashion meets end, a month long fashion display and window design competition. Venue: Ana Special/ Ana Ghair Mall , Sultan st. Contact: +966-2-6590000 Mar 8 The Australian College Fair 2011

The Australian College Fair 2011 will be held for prospective students interested in studying in Australia. With Australia’s top universities in attendance and governmental scholarship programs approaching, potential students should not miss this unique educational experience. Venue: Marriott Hotel Time: 5:00 am - 9:00 am Contact: +966-2-6984112 For more details: info@igec.com.au

Mar 5 - 7 Women’s Kingdom Bazaar Venue: Jeddah Hilton (Al Qasr Hall)

Mar 6 - 8 Gulf Environment Forum

Gulf Environment Forum is the first, all encompassing environmental event in Jeddah. This prestigious forum and exhibition will bring together international clients across all environmental sectors for a chance to exchange ideas and discuss solutions for a cleaner and brighter future. Venue: Jeddah Hilton Contact: +966-2-6590000 For more details: www.salehoo.com/tradeshows/ saudi-arabia/jeddah Mar 9 5th Annual Quilt Show & Artisans Fair The Quilting Arts Studio & The Quilting Bees of Jeddah announce a ladies only event for quilt lovers. Venue: The Quilting Arts Studio (12am -10pm) To find the location: www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=384997&id=10150107649875099

Mar 9 - 11 The Jeddah Equestrian Festival

The Jeddah Equestrian Festival welcomes visitors to enjoy three days of unlimited fun, bazaar, inflatable games and slides, great food and lots of extraordinary surprises. Venue: Al-Aseel Equestrian Club For more details: www.fainak.com/portal/ event/view/the-jeddah-equestrian-festival/ Mar 13 - 16 Protex Arabia 2011 Protex Arabia is the first international fire, safety and protection trade exhibition to be held in KSA. Come gather first-hand information about state-of-the-art technologies, services and techniques. Venue: Al Harithy Company for Exhibitions (Jeddah’s Center for Events and Forums) Contact: +966-2-6546384 Ext: 101 For more details: www.protex-arabia.com Mar 24 Jeddah Twstival Jeddah will be hosting its first Twestival Local which brings together Twitter communities for an evening of fun to raise money for local charity and spread awareness. Twestival (or Twitter-Festival) is a single day, global movement which uses the power of social media for social good toorganize offline events that mobilize communities in support of local causes. Website: www.jeddah.twestival.com Time: 6:00 am - 10:00 am

The Equestria Competitionn

Mar 31 IEF Environment Awareness Event

Dre s he s you r fa r vou little !‫ﻟﻌﺐ‬ rite on ‫وق وا‬ pri e up nc ‫ر‬ for ess the

An informational funfair titled‘Our Culture & Our Environment’for women and children sponsored by the Islamic Education Foundation at a private farm near Mersal Village. Venue: Mersal Village Contact: +966-506670617Email: lamyshah@gmail.com

Send us information about your upcoming event to events@destinationjeddah.com and we will gladly announce it. 16 DESTINATION JEDDAH

The Equestrian Competition Dre as h ss yo er f ur lit avo t urit le one ep !‫واﻟﻌﺐ‬ rinc up ‫روق‬ e for ss the

* Bring Your Friends and picnic blankets! *Bazaar & Used Bo ok Fair *Inflatable Castle & Slides!

So much more fun

for everyone! DESTINATION JEDDAH 17

Jeddah Property Page Jeddah's thriving real estate market can at times be confusing to navigate. How can buyers go about the process of locating a property, finding out the necessary details, and then closing the deal? Enjoy DJ's latest feature, the Property Page, for tips and locations of interest!

Smart Buyers’ Tips: 1- Visit the location at different times of the day.

Seeing property you wish to invest in at different times of the day can be a smart move, as the light changes, you can see different aspects of the property.

2-Bring along someone whose advice you trust.

But not too many people. Too many can confuse you, as different people have different tastes, and pleasing them all can be difficult. Just bring one or two people along, and tell them the purpose of looking at the property. ie: why you need it. An objective observer can sometimes see things more clearly.

3-Check the neighborhood.

Ask around, see where the nearest school is, the nearest supermarket, the nearest mosque and whatever else you would need to make your life easier.

4-Don’t wait too long.

If it’s a good deal, and has what you need, seal the deal and get it! Hesitating too much over a property can lead to it being snatched up from under your nose. and no one wants to miss out on a good deal.

18 DESTINATION JEDDAH

New Custom Luxury Duplex Location: Al-Shaatee/ AlMurjaan District Land Area: 300 sq mtr Total build up area: 600 sq mtr 2 living rooms, dining room, 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, full size pool, driver’s room & more. Price: Upon Request For More Information: Contact Ideal Homes: 0545734402 Website: www.idealhomesjeddah.tumblr.com New Custom Luxury Villa Location: Al-Bsateen 3 District Land Area: 380 sqm Total build up area: 420 sqm 4 Bedrooms, swimming pool, driver’s room & more. Price: Upon Request For More Information: Contact: 0562777906 Al-Murjan Villa Location: Al-Murjan district /Malik rd. Size: 500 sqm 2 floors, Guest house & basement. Ground floor: 3 large rooms, 3 bathrooms & Kitchen. First floor: 5 Bedrooms, 4 bathrooms & 1 Living room, plus maid room, wash room & pool Price: 3,000 000 SR For More information: Contact Remax: Fawaz Haza’a - 0552554492 Al-Rawda Building Location: Al-Rawda district, behind Panda store. Size: 525m2 Apartments: 6 Rooms: 5 Bedrooms Pemthouse: 3 Bedrooms Price: 3,000 000 SR For More information: Contact Remax: Fawaz Haza’a - 0552554492

ArabNet 2011 Coordinates ‘Year of the Arab Entrepreneur’

ArabNet – bringing together ideas, energy and enthusiasm in order to drive new regional digital start-ups and encourage venture capital flows.

Undertaking a bold, new initiative - the ArabNet team took a three week trip through Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Egypt. Their slogan of “Entrepreneurs without Borders” was under the aegis of the Strategic Partnership of Bank Audi, Aramex, Google, N2V and MBC Group. Participants were given the opportunity to connect with and learn from lawyers, investors, experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders from within their communities. Workshops were live-streamed and the team blogged, tweeted, videotaped and photographed the entire journey on the web, building a broader sense of community among the different cities they visited. From March 22-25 in Beirut, ArabNet, the largest conference for the Arab web industry, will bring together over 1,000 Arab web business leaders, investors, mentors and startups. This event is under the patronage of H.E. General Michel Sleiman, President of Lebanon and in collaboration with the Central Bank of Lebanon. Over 80 speakers from leading domestic and global companies, in addition to the region’s top executives, entrepreneurs, developers, and investors will cover the industry’s latest trends. The four day summit is split up into three parts: Developer Day, ArabNet Forum, and a Community Day. 20 DESTINATION JEDDAH

“It is critically important that we take this opportunity to harness this wave of innovation and optimism, to sift out the best ideas and truly get behind them with the financial support and an ecosystem that lets the best of these many ideas thrive and flourish. That’s one reason why ArabNet is working to sponsor thirty of the top new ideas we encountered during the ArabNet Roadshow,” said Omar Christidis, organizer of the upcoming regional conference. “Entrepreneurs around the region have showcased and shared brilliant ideas. It’s safe to say the will, the talent and the funding are all definitely there. ArabNet is aiming to bring the three together.” ArabNet aims to grow web content, services, and applications in the region by fostering the ecosystem of entrepreneurship

More about ArabNet can be found at: www.arabnet.me

Under the patronage of the President of Lebanon

Under the patronage of the President of Lebanon H.E. General Michel Sleiman Under the patronage of the President of Lebanon Under the patronage of theMichel President ofSleiman Lebanon H.E. General Under the patronage of the President of Lebanon H.E. General Michel Sleiman Under the patronage of the President of Lebanon H.E. General Michel Sleiman H.E. General General Michel H.E. Michel Sleiman Sleiman Under the patronage of the President of Lebanon

H.E. General Michel Sleiman Under the patronage of the President of Lebanon Under the patronage of the President of Lebanon

H.E. General Michel Sleiman H.E. General Michel Sleiman

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In The

Spotlight

Jeddah Jewel The

Red Sea

of the

Jeddah is a cosmopolitan city of contrasts. It’s the gateway to Islam’s most venerated cities, Makkah and Madinah, yet it’s also widely acknowledged to be Saudi Arabia’s most liberal, ethnically diverse city due to the influx of traders and pilgrims over the centuries. With a population of over 3 million and one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, Jeddah is Saudi Arabia’s 2nd largest city after the capital, Riyadh, and remains a thriving sea port and rapidly growing commercial and industrial hub in the Middle East. Whether it’s for business, religious tourism, or trade, the Department of Transportation reports daily traffic between Jeddah and the cities of Makkah and Madinah averages between 40,000-60,000 cars!

22 DESTINATION JEDDAH

Photograph by Bahaa Qadah

DESTINATION JEDDAH 23

Photograph by Khaled Al Sibai

Photograph by Bahaa Qadah

Historians claim Jeddah’s roots reach back to the Stone Age. It was certainly a thriving fishing village as early as 500BC and evidence points to a visit by Alexander the Great in 334BC. Many theories abound relating to the origin of the name ‘Jeddah’. Some say that the Qoda’a tribe settled in the region more than 2500 years ago. The growing city adopted the name of one of the tribal elders, Jeddah bin Jerm bin Ryan Helwan bin Omran ibn Ishaq bin Qoda’a. Others say that the original name was intended to be ‘Joddah’ – Arabic for seashore, however most people concur with the following popular, third explanation. The name ‘Jeddah’ derives from the Arabic word for ‘grandmother’, Jaddah. Legend says that Eve, the first mother and the grandmother of mankind, is buried in Balad, the old town center of Jeddah, hence the city is named ‘Jeddah’ in honor of this ancestor of all women. Tradition says that after Adam and Eve were expelled from Paradise, Eve came to live in Jeddah and, from time to time, she visited Adam in Makkah or in Mina. This tradition also recounts that after Eve’s 24 DESTINATION JEDDAH

death, she was buried in Jeddah, where her tomb withstood the ravages of the ages up until only half a century ago, when it could still be seen from Bab Medina - one of the three main gates which surrounded the town up until 1947. In that year, the wall was demolished in order to expand the size of the rapidly growing city and Eve’s Graveyard was cemented over. Balad is a living treasure as it contains many of the oldest structures in Jeddah. Its unique architecture includes houses built of the native Red Sea coral, beautifully intricate wooden window-boxes called ‘rawasheen’, and winding alleys thronging with goods from all over the world. One of the masterpieces of the area is the restored Naseef house which belonged to one of Jeddah’s historic trading families. The wide ramps found throughout the house in lieu of stairs were rumoured to have been installed on the order of King Abdul Aziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia, in order for camel-mounted messengers to ride all the way to the upper terraces to deliver their messages!

Photograph by Bahaa Qadah

Jeddah is a bustling, commercial center with modern skyscrapers, a growing highway network, and evidence of entrepreneurial spirit across the business sector. It has witnessed rapid expansion of economic and industrial activities which have facilitated the movement of international trade on the global markets. A number of large-scale economic projects promise to establish satellite cities with their own attendant infrastructure of housing, education, and health facilities to cater to the workforce. It is also an important tourism destination for religious tourism by Muslims all over the world, as well as a featured resort destination within Saudi Arabia. The natural beauty of Jeddah, with its 80 km Corniche along the Red Sea coast, offers ample opportunity for water enthusiasts – from snorkelling, scuba-

diving, and boating – it’s easily accessible in north Jeddah. Climatically, Jeddah offers scope for year round outdoor activities. It is bordered by the Red Sea to the west and the Al-Sarawat Mountains to the east and features a dry, arid climate. Winter temperatures range from 15 °C (59 °F) - 25 °C (77 °F), while summers are very hot, often breaking the 40 °C (104 °F) mark in the afternoon. Rainfall in Jeddah is sparse and usually occurs in small amounts in December. The variety and level of international sophistication of the leisure industry’s facilities in particular are rapidly becoming one of the hallmarks of Jeddah. Large scale public projects such as the King Abdul Aziz University, the King Abdul Aziz International Airport and the Jeddah Islamic Port have transformed the geography of the city and encourage expansion north and south.

Photo courtsey of Red Bull

Photograph by Hans Sjoehlolm

DESTINATION JEDDAH 25

26 DESTINATION JEDDAH

Photograph by Bahaa Qadah

Photograph by Khaled Al Sibai

Photograph by Bahaa Qadah

Jeddah’s growing art scene is evidenced by the many public sculptures dotting the city’s public spaces. Visitors often refer to Jeddah as an ‘open museum’ as public art abounds on its many roundabouts and coastline walkways. Internationally renowned artists and sculptors compete for the opportunity to create original, large-scale works to grace the streets and interiors of Jeddah. Art gallery openings are well attended and local artists are rapidly rising to prominence in the international art world. The King Fahd Fountain, located along the southern Corniche, is an outstanding feature of the coastline, particularly during the night when it sends beautiful colored water up to 260m in the air. Presently the highest fountain in the world, this famous landmark is a frequent backdrop for photographers from all over the world. The shopping and dining scene is second to none in Saudi Arabia. Top designers from New York, Paris, London, as well as the Middle East and Asia, have showrooms along Tahlia Street and in the luxury malls springing up all over the city. With over 320 shopping centers and malls, Jeddah corners more than 20% of KSA’s total commercial market. The residents of Jeddah are well-travelled and well-heeled and demand only the best of the world’s high-end products – it’s all available in the boutiques of the city. In terms of enjoying the best of the world’s best cuisines…it’s sure to be found in the variety of restaurants in Jeddah. From local delicacies to gourmet French, Lebanese or Japanese cuisine, some of the world’s most famous chefs have opened establishments in this port city. Jeddahwis appreciate cutting edge food where only the freshest, finest ingredients are used – their refined palates demand high quality food equal to the leading restaurants the world over. Jeddah, the Jewel of the Red Sea, is a modern city with an historical past. Its prominence as the gateway to the heartland of Islam has invited visitors from the ends of the world. This harmonious merger of diversity makes modern Jeddah the treasured city of Saudi Arabia – where the prince may bow his head in prayer next to a pauper, where the languages of the world may be heard resonating in the mosques, where the fisherman and the businessman may mingle in the marketplace. Jeddah, a city of cultural contrasts, is a city which must be visited to be truly experienced.

DESTINATION JEDDAH 27

h a d d Je YEAR ALL UND ROurisim To

TE R WIN

28 DESTINATION JEDDAH

ING R SP

MER SUM

High-Profiling Jeddah

L FAL

Establishing Jeddah firmly in the minds of tourists around the world...that’s the goal of the Jeddah Tourism Committee (JTC). They have all the tools necessary to fulfil their vision, because Jeddah is not only the gateway to Islam’s holiest cities, it is also a thriving commercial hub as well as a shopper’s paradise! Encouraging domestic and international visitors to consider Jeddah as a premiere, year-round travel destination is JTC’s raison d’être; they’re well on their way with an organized plan. In order to achieve this lofty goal, JTC is committed to coordinating the many diverse tourism projects and developments within the leisure industry. Highlighting cultural events, seasonal expos, and business opportunities will enhance Jeddah’s image in the region. Showcasing the Red Sea coast sporting opportunities is a continuing emphasis as international divers all agree that Jeddah’s coral reefs are among the top five diving spots in the world. The tourism sector is poised to take off in the next decade as a result of the JTC’s foresight.

DESTINATION JEDDAH 29

Explore KSA

Lajab Valley: A Crack in Time

The Lajab Valley is a crack or rift in the eastern part of Al-Qahar Mountain which dates back to Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Great Rift Valley â&#x20AC;&#x201C; evident due to the mountains of solid rock differing in formation and color from the surrounding terrain. It extends for 11 km from north to south and is located 700km south of Jeddah, 100 km before the city of Jizan. Our team took the coastal highway route south from Jeddah; to reach Lajab we had to leave the coastal highway at Beesh and head east for approximately 90km. The last 30km before reaching Lajab, the road narrows and winds its way around the mountains as the terrain becomes hilly. You will see a lot of greenery and farms along the way, and you might spot the short, black, local wild donkeys and the ever present mountain goats. 30 DESTINATION JEDDAH

DESTINATION JEDDAH 31

Lajab Valley is a towering 300m high crack in the great sandstone mountains. The entrance is narrow and barely allows a car to squeeze in initially, however 3km into the valley, it is bisected by another crack valley approximately 2km long and the road widens to its maximum width of 30m. This secondary valley has high, steep edges with water running from a spring located at the south side which flows north for about 11km into the Beesh valley. This valley is an ancient forgotten location which belongs to the dinosaursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; era...you will feel as if you have stepped back in time 32 DESTINATION JEDDAH

to Jurassic Park (without the dinosaurs!) The plant cover is stunningly diverse and includes trees of all shapes and sizes - small trees, giant trees, annual trees, palm trees and aging trees. The plant life is equally interesting to photograph as you explore this bygone location. The scenery is truly amazing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the many types of trees and breathtaking formations of sand rocks with colourful, striated layers. Due to strong flash floods which rush through the valley during bouts of heavy rain, intricate networks of tree roots are revealed for examination. The crack of the

valley is so tall and high that the sun doesn’t hit the ground for more than few minutes every day, yet it’s fascinating to observe how nature flourishes under these difficult conditions. If you’ve ever visited the American South West, you will recognize the slot canyon geography. There are numerous ponds where you can see different types of fresh water fish, as well as contemplate the peaceful reflections of the surrounding rock walls as the sun momentarily lights up the scene. The trees which cling tenaciously to the walls of the sandstone valley miraculously grow up to

12m high. Their roots stretch down until they reach the valley floor where sunlight and water offer them the sustenance they require. A visit to Lajab Valley is definitely a visit back in time. HOW TO GET THERE Lajab valley is located in the Jazan region Southwest of Saudi Arabiaaround 85 km east of Baysh City

GPS coordinates

17° 36’ 43.04” N 42° 56’ 34.12” E For information: +966-2-6671942 info@centuryevents.tv DESTINATION JEDDAH 33

Arts &

Entertainment

Bridges A Quiet Hub In A Loud City

By Dina Ismail

There’s little not to like about Jeddah. At first glance it seems like we have it all - gorgeous beaches, a thriving restaurant scene, some of the best shopping in the world…the list goes on. However, Omar Shabaan, and Mohamed and Abdullah Jastaniah found something missing in Jeddah… a place to enjoy reading, to promote literature, and to encourage creativity and discussion in all artistic arenas. They brainstormed together and came up with Bridges in April of 2010. 34 DESTINATION JEDDAH

Bridges is the perfect name for this coffeeshop/ bookstore located on Hamra St. As soon as one enters Bridges, they are transported to a place where literature is king and creativity runs free. Books (both Arabic and English) nestle in diamond shaped recesses on the walls. The entrance is dominated by a display that features signed books from all the authors that have held book-signings at Bridges. Narrow stairs lead to the second floor where art exhibitions, book club meetings, art and book-signings take place. The food on offer in the café is simple and unobtrusive - sandwiches and chocolate bars are available, ensuring that visitors have a hand free to thumb through the pages of the latest novels. A variety of teas and coffees are also available. All in all, it is evident that the focus here is not on the food, but rather on the atmosphere. And what an inspiring atmosphere it is! The founders spoke passionately about the motivation behind creating Bridges. “We wanted to act as a bridge for book-lovers. In all societies, public libraries play a large role in acting as a center of knowledge and Bridges is our spin on a public library,” Shabaan explained over cappuccinos. Bridges aims to promote art, literature, and discussion through a variety of means. By renting out their second floor for exhibitions, readings, and book club meetings, Bridges is a lovely and intimate alternative to larger bookstore chains. The experience is intensely personal and enjoyable - who wouldn’t enjoy reading their favorite book over a frothy coffee? What is more impressive is that Bridges hasn’t been traditionally marketed, but has relied solely on word of mouth.

“The reaction has been so positive,” Abdullah Jastaniah remarked. “People are really enjoying the space and the way we’ve executed our concept. Bridges attracts so many different kinds of people, young and old, and it’s been great to hear their suggestions and compliments.” Recalling the salons of 18th century Paris, Beirut, and London, where philosophers met to discuss the latest theories of the day, Bridges acts as a meeting place for individuals to discuss art, literature, and life. With plans to hold lectures on various topics such as Islamic architecture and Arabic calligraphy, writing workshops, film-making seminars and many other activities, Bridges will appeal to the book-lover, the art-lover, to anyone who enjoys all mediums of creativity. For a quiet break from a busy day or just a change of scene, Bridges is the perfect option. Location: Arafat St. next to Qabbani Center Tel: +966-504607208 Email: bridges_jeddah@yahoo.com DESTINATION JEDDAH 35

Arts &

Entertainment

Modern Interior Design

The framed or 4-poster bed is a roomwithin-a-room.

By Leen Assassa

The interior of your home should reflect your personal style. Follow a few basic tips and transform your family room into a fun, functional space that the whole family wants to spend time in. Your master bedroom makeover will result in a restful, relaxing space. Most items are special order, but test your design savvy by searching Jeddah’s well-stocked markets for local sources.

Select sitting room furniture which is soothing and comfortable.

Tips for: Modern Master Bedroom Suite - Storage matters! Always include cabinetry and furniture with extra shelves that will allow for “controlled clutter.”. - Mixing vintage pieces with new ones contributes to a timeless feeling. - To maintain a room’s tranquility, be mindful of how a work of art will interact with the space. Like unwanted noise, art that is visually agitating can upset a calm atmosphere.

36 DESTINATION JEDDAH

Simple Zen aesthetic is reflected in the golden, oak-encased master bath.

Tips for: Modern Family Room - Humor is always modern. - When collecting objects or art for yourself, be willing to work slowly. - First and foremost, rooms need to be comfortable for everyone. Living rooms are intended for living. - Don’t be shy about mixing well-designed bargains with costlier pieces.

Put rooms on a diet because too much furniture is a common problem in small homes. Remove pieces that aren’t needed to satisfy the main function of the room. This opens up natural walkways and creates space so that a room can harmoniously function as intended.

Picture new ways to display old images: Skouras designed in Swap floor lamp with a shade constructed from 4 acrylic 8x10 frames for a freestanding, ever changing picture gallery.

Well-considered but startling combinations can produce astonishing results: a demure Louis chair upholstered in pale gray cowhide and outlined in Swarovski crystals takes on a thrilling new identity. For Tips & Info Contact: Interior Designer: Leen Assassa Email: Leen@elleides.com DESTINATION JEDDAH 37

Arts &

Entertainment

Celebrating Coffee Culture Legends say that coffee was first discovered when a goat-herder in Yemen observed his goats dancing on their hind legs after eating some red berries which were growing on low bushes in the countryside. This prompted the herder to taste the berries himself and he immediately felt a rush of energy. Further experimentation led him to crush the berries and steep them in hot water, resulting in an approximation of today’s version of roasted coffee which is enjoyed all over the world. Coffee is prepared and served in a unique manner in the Middle East. The method of preparation results in a strong coffee, ‘qahwa’, commonly known as “Turkish coffee” or “Arabic coffee”, which are actually two quite different drinks. Qahwa is part of the Arab culture – guests will always be offered numerous refills if they gently shake their coffee cup in front of the server. 38 DESTINATION JEDDAH

It is served in a special coffee pot called a dallah and the coffee cups are small, handle-less porcelain cups. It is served in restaurants by specially clad waiters called gahwaji, and it is almost always accompanied with dates, a mutually beneficial combination which pairs the tartness of the coffee with the sweetness of the date. Traditional Arabic coffee is flavor-rich with cardamom, cloves, and sometimes other spices like saffron to give it a golden color. As for Turkish coffee, some people add evaporated milk, depending upon preference. When ordering coffee, be sure to tell the server or host/hostess if you would like sugar. Sugar is actually added during the preparation, not after the coffee is done. Variations include

sada (plain black coffee) qahwa ariha (lightly sweetened) qahwa mazboot (medium amount of sugar) qahwa ziyada (very sweet).

Bookstores

Libraries

Fun & Recreation

Museums & Art Venues

Arts & Entertainment

Directory Bookstores

Fun & Recreation

Al-Fanous Bookstores Tel: +966-2-6553897 Al-Khair Bookstores Tel: +966-2-6936318 Al-Maktaba Stores Tel: +966-2-2562187 Al-Obeikan Bookstores Tel: +966-2-6927018 / 920020209 Dar Al-Mareekh Bookstores Tel: +966-2-6524682 Jarir Bookstores Tel: +920000089 Little Book Roshana Center Tel: +966-2-2634817 Stars Avenue Tel: +966-2-2754689 Madina Bookstores Tel: +966-2-6659045 Mamoun Bookstores Tel: +966-2-6446614 Tihama Bookstore Tel: +966-2-6970690 Rawaea Al-Maktabat Tel: +966-2-6827730 Virgin Tel: +966-2-2633886

Al-Hokair Tel: +966-2-6836666 Al-Shallal Theme Park Tel: +966-2-6063993 Bowling City Tel: +966-2-6690800 Bowling World Tel: +966-2-6744545 Chucky Cheese Tel: +966-2-6062608 Color Me Mine Red Sea Mall Tel: +966-2-2180081 Funtime Pizza Tel: +966-2-6555992 Fun Day Tel: +966-2-2635487 Ice Land Tel: +966-2-6626666 IN10SO Tel: +966-2-2844992 Jeddah Lanes Tel: +966-2-6636381/ 6690343 Jungle Land Tel: +966-2-2881111 Kid’s Cafe Tel: +966-2-2634888 Mob: +966-555651653 Kid’s Castle Tel: +966-2-2634760 Moon Toon Tel: +966-2-2844855 Oceanica Tel: +966-2-2150723 Smart Kid (Al-Hokair) Tel: +966-2-4202370 Sparks Tel: +966-2-6162144 Stationery Fantasies Tel: +966-2-6827730 Vi Kids Club Tel: +966-2-2616899 Vortex Tel: +920009550

Libraries CBA Library Tel: +966-2- 6900671 Effat Library Tel: +966-2-6364300 Jeddah Public Library Tel: +966 2-6363920 Mirza Library Tel: +966-2-6721063 My Library Tel: +966-2-2631709

Museums & Art Venues Al-Alamia Gallery Tel: +966-2-6635107 Al-Tayebat International City Museum for Sciences & Knowledge Sitteen St. Tel: +966-503601376 www.altayebatcity.com Art Frame Trading Est. Macarona St. Tel: +966-2-6722339 ATHR Gallery Tel: +966-2- 2845009 www.athrart.com Darat Safeya Binzagr Tel: +966-2- 6571030 www.daratsb.com Ebdaa Gallery Center Tel: +966-2- 2154480 www.ebdaagallery.com Jeddah Atelier Tel: +966-2-6530812 Mansoojat Foundation www.mansoojat.org Rochan Gallery Tel: +966-2-6655630 Ext.236 Saudi Center for the Fine Arts Tel: +966-2-6696786

ATHR Gallery Tel: +966-2- 2845009 www.athrart.com Call or email to check opening and closing times. DESTINATION JEDDAH 39

Fashion & Shopping

By Hassnah Abousabah

1. “A women who doesn’t wear

The wise Coco Chanel once said

perfume has no future.”

But the amount of second hand fumes I’ve inhaled recently has made me fear for mine. Drowning oneself in nauseatingly heavy scents is an unattractive etiquette faux-pas. Perfume is an accent not a mask so why not opt for something a little lighter. Aqua di Parma have long been a symbol of Italian refinement, I particularly adore their unisex Blu Mediterraneo range which boasts five deliciously fresh elegant scents.

H S 5T SAK UE N AVE 05 SR 4

STE MCCLLA SR 2 ARTNE ,200 Y

NDID SPLE 0 2 SR 7 40 DESTINATION JEDDAH

The classic great white shirt is simple crisp and timeless. If you do not own at least one variation of this then you should and I personally suggest going high end rather than high street with this one, with such a straightforward piece quality tailoring is essential.

These Arabic versions of the highly coveted initial necklace from Cream are beautiful. The necklaces come in both oversized and ever so sweet petite versions, whichever you chose these

statement pieces are

sure to add a chic personalized point of interest to many a needy outfit.

CREAM SR 250

The iconic Hermes Birkin takes on the humerous form of an eco tote! Famously Given out as goody bags at Jasper Garvida’s Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion show, this delightful bag by Banane Taipei that comes in an array of bright colours is now finally available to buy in Jeddah. A HM HIS 3 < I 60 SR 4

Meow Meow! Kitten heels were originally made famous by the iconic and eternally elegant Audrey Hepburn in the 1950’s and although I adore her beyond words, I am more than a little apprehensive about the comeback of this ugly duckling of the heel family. I am a firm believer in either sky high or ballerina flat the awkward middle ground of 1 to 3 inches is far from my first choice when it comes to foot candy.

However, like it or not, they seem to be everywhere at the moment so if you do decide to try this trend then there are a few things that you should keep in mind. Go for a pair that are simple and minimalist and preferably with a pointed toe as they create a more delicate silhouette. To avoid the “clownfeet” effect, stay far, far away from peep toe styles! Be realistic - we are not all Audrey Hepburn, so make sure that you have the figure to make them work... because believe it or not, kitten heels can be extremely unflattering on the wrong body type. To be fair, I must admit that accompanied with a simple and sophisticated outfit, they have the potential to look incredibly chic... but if you are anything above a size zip zero, then consider avoiding this trend. Paired with the wrong outfit or on the wrong figure, this small but deadly heel may leave you looking more like Smurfette than a timeless icon of style.

Manolo Blahnik

Prada

Stella McCartney

Jimmy Choo

Valentino

DESTINATION JEDDAH 41

Fashion & Shopping

Mum’s

the Word Mothers Day is here again - think outside the box this year. While beautiful flower bouquets and heartfelt, handmade cards are sure to bring a smile to your mother’s face, this month is our luxury issue, so why not select a stunning, unique gift which will have mummy dearest smiling for the rest of the year!? For the perfect Mother’s Day purchase, pick from any one of these utterly chic items - you won’t regret it!

BULGA RI SR 95

Bvlgari’s B.Zero 1 bracelet in 18k yellow, white & pink gold, for SR 6,750.

All items available in jeddah check your nearest store.

Manolo Blahnik for TOUS “Campari” gold necklace, POA. for SR 6,285.

42 DESTINATION JEDDAH

Fendi’s large Peekaboo neuteral tote, for SR 10,640.

Carolina Herrera’s pearl drop earrings, for SR 390.

Tiffany’s Keys crown key pendant with diamonds in 18k gold, for SR 7,500. Swarovski’s tea light holder, for SR 410.

Tom Ford’s private blend in Champaca Absolute, at Paris Gallery, for SR 820

Salvatore Ferragamo’s red patent varina flats, for SR 2,050.

DESTINATION JEDDAH 43

Fashion & Shopping

Carrol Boyes: A Gift Every Mother Would Love

Carrol Boyes is one of South Africa’s most prominent designers and manufacturers. Her imagination and mind knows no boundaries, but she has successfully reined some of her creative spirit to build what is today a successful international brand. Boyes started out in 1989 and wanted to use her sculpture and art training to earn a living. The former teacher started to make copper products for the home from her basement. It was a success from day one. “I began making verdigris candles which set off a market trend,” says Boyes. In 1991 she combined her artistic flair and talent in sculpture with her jewellery experience to create unique pewter handles for cutlery and the Carrol Boyes Functional Art range was born. International success in markets like the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, 44 DESTINATION JEDDAH

P ROMOTION

Africa and Scandinavia has since followed. Pewter, she recalls, was an excellent choice for her early sculptures, designed for every day use in the home. In addition to pewter, metals like aluminium and stainless steel are also used today. Glass and ceramics are new additions. The Carrol Boyes range consists of tableware, hollowware, kitchenware, bathroom, desk and office accessories, leather and furniture. All are made in metal, in combination with wood and leather and available exclusively at KENZO Home Furniture on Rawdah St. for the month of March. Each piece is individually handcrafted and therefore unique and charming but also practical. “With our emphasis on functional art, we produce a variety of distinctive and uniquely African items that are both useful and beautiful to own,” the Carrol Boyes website says.

As well as running this hugely successful business, Boyes is responsible for designing of new products every year, although a lot of time and effort has also gone into nurturing young talent so that they will eventually “take over the creative side.” Essentially, the company endeavours to nurture new product designers working in metal, explains Boyes. The company has a design art competition, called Metal, which is open to any South African. The winners each year have the opportunity to have their product developed and to work within the company. Carrol Boyes employs around 600 people who participate in an intensive training program in casting, filing, grinding and fabrication. “Training is essential,” Boyes acknowledges. “I am committed to the betterment and welfare of individuals in the community and workplace.” Location: Carrol Boyes Boutique at Le-Shattoo Mall, Al-Sawani – Basatin Mall Tel: +966-2-2611168 or 0568221073

P ROMOTION

DESTINATION JEDDAH 45

Gifts & Souvenirs

Fashion & Shopping

Jeddah is truly a shopperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paradise, IF you know where to look. While most people check out the main malls...let DJ introduce you to the hidden gems of Jeddah where you can discover unique gifts, memorable souvenirs, and one-of-a-kind handmade treasures.

NOMAD

By Silwan Eshki

These delicate glasses are simply works of art. Buy them to display or to fill with trinkets or beads - theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a delight to look at! SR250 For the smoker who wants a dramatic ashtray to reflect her sense of style, this unique ashtray is almost too beautiful to use. SR160 Mob: +966-2-6680401 Location: Tahliah St. behind Center point

46 DESTINATION JEDDAH

This hanging metal lamp is a show-stopping work of art. Use it as a vertical element which draws the eye upwards. SR1800 Perfect for impromptu gift-giving, these decorative little jars and bottles with elegant images of ladies adorned in outfits/jewelry from the past are sure to spark conversation. SR340

A modern, feminine take on the traditional Arabic coffee cups, these colored glass versions are delicately etched and simply a delight to behold. SR 415 (for the set) For the women who loves candles, this elegant holder is perfect as is or with a candle inserted inside. SR220

DESTINATION JEDDAH 47

Fashion & Shopping TRENDnet ProView Wireless Pan/Tilt/Zoom Internet Camera - SR 989 Real-time security surveillace.. wirelessly. Monitor areas viewable in your camera’s viewing field from any internet connection. You can see more with this internet camera because you can sweep the camera a remarkable 312 degrees as well as tilt it up and down 115 degrees. The internet camera provides high quality video streams, and you can manage up to 32 TRENDnet cameras with the complimentary camera management software. Other features include motion detection recording, email alerts, scheduled recording sessions, and auto-patrol pan/tilt and digital zoom. Available at memega

Get your quick tech fix for the month with DJ’s news and reviews. Here you’ll find the latest and greatest gadgets and gizmos guaranteed to keep Jeddah plugged in and on the go. We’ve also found you a great App to add to your collection every month and a game review that will entertain you in the doctor’s waiting room!

GADGETS JAWBONE JAMBOX - SR 451 JAMBOX delivers stunning hi-fi audio in a portable wireless speaker so compact you won’t believe it when you hear it. It’s loud. With an output capacity of 85 decibels, JAMBOX fills even the largest rooms. Unlike other portable speakers, JAMBOX is powered by a pair of proprietary, highly sophisticated acoustic drivers, unmatched in their ability to produce extreme high (tweeter) and low (woofer) frequencies from a single, ultra-small dome speaker. They work in concert with an innovative moving-wall passive bass radiator and airtight enclosure to deliver shimmering highs and thumping lows that you can literally feel - the richest sound all in the palm of your hand. Available at iZone stores

48 DESTINATION JEDDAH

APPMUST CUT THE ROPE Man cannot live on Angry Birds alone. That’s why the App Store had a hugely successful release with Cut the Rope, another game that manages to appeal to just about every person that picks it up (and subsequently can’t put it down). The game has been a runaway succes on the iPhone after reportedly selling one million copies in just ten days. Following the model of Angry Birds and a number of other popular iOS games, CtR just released a holiday app, Cut the Rope: Holiday Gift. As with any gift this one is free, but you don’t have to wait until the 25th for it because it’s downloadable now. It’s said to be a short game (I’ve only played for a few minutes), something akin to a demo, but free is free so if you love the original or haven’t played it yet you probably want to pick this up.

GAME REVIEW BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY:

Set to be released on, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 & Windows PC

Batman: Arkham City, is one of the most anticipated video game releases of 2011. This game is the follow-up to the stellar 2009 game Batman: Arkham Asylum. The sequel takes the action to the streets of Gotham where former Arkham warden Quincy Sharp has now become mayor and designated a section of the city as an even larger prison. Game Director Sefton Hill recently told IGN that the game will have no multiplayer because they wanted to focus all of their attention on the single-player experience. Available in june 2011.

DESTINATION JEDDAH 49

Fashion Designers

Florists, Plants

Furniture

Shopping Malls

Fashion & Shopping

Directory Boutiques Al-Jadila Boutique Tel: +966-2-2841249 Baby Fityani Tel: +966-2-6673971 Cugini Tel: +966-2-6612099 DADU Tel: +966-2-6633699 Jasmine Box Tel: +966-2-6685533 Jungle Blue Tel: +966-505660175 Lollipop Tel: +966-2-6643295 Life Tel: +966-2-2844266 Nawal Al-Maimani Tel: +966-2-6606502 Sabine Tel: +966-2-6651572 The Neverland Circus Tel: +966-500398181 Pink or Blue Tel: +966-2-6634452 The Wedding Shop Tel: +966-2-6690808

Custom Thobes Bazerkaan Tel: +966-2-2560044 HM Tel: +966-2-6828064 Lomar Tel: 920000554 Omar Azure Tel: +966-2-6921773 SAB Thobe Tel: +966-2-6100009 Sindi Tel: +966-2-6678587 Siraj Sanad Tel: +966-2-6979720 Tasmeem Tel: +966-2-6519014 Toby Tel: +966-540576639

Fashion Designers Afaf Baflah Tel: +966-505325251 Amal Engawi Tel: +966-503613314 Basma Abuljadayel Tel: +966-506634000 Basma Al-Mouawad Tel: +966-533653333 Eman Joharjy Tel: +966-535687773

50 DESTINATION ATION JEDDAH

Fatima Abed Tel: +966-554369993 Gardenia Hafez Tel: +966-506666230 Hanaa Samman Tel: +966-505350958 Maha Ghalayeni Tel: +966-506661634 Manar Al-Rawi Tel: +966-569169923 Meriam Arab Tel: +966-503333128 Mona Abulfaraj Tel: +966-505652018 Nawal Maimani Tel: +966-2-6606502 Niyaah Tel: +966-500545455 Rania Khogeer Tel: +966-555532571 Rana Ismail Tel: +966-556666881 Rotana Alhashimi Tel: +966-554598449 Sahar Serafi Tel: +966-505622515 Salma Rudwan Tel: +966-504627012 Shaza Khayali Tel: +966-500909321 Thanaa Addas Tel: +966-504664288 Turki Jadallah Tel: +966-506677800 Wed Bogary Tel: +966-504634001

Florists, Plants

Furniture

Al-Khidra Landscaping Tel: +966-2-6913946 Alwan Tel: +966-2-6837239 Arabian Flower Tel: +966-2-6644403 Azhar Rima Tel: +966-2-2564001 Eshrak Tel: +966-2-6643035 Florina Tel: +966-2-6670719 Flowers Center Tel: +966-2-6607391 Flowers Queen Tel: +966-2-6621779 Gardenia Tel: +966-2-6609220 Jannati Tel: +966-2-6984852 Orkidia Tel: +966-2-6833136 Nargis Flowers Est. Tel: +966-2-6673008 Petals Tel: +966-2-6642519 Rabya Tel: +966-2-6602856 Spring Flower Tel: +966-2-6519684 Sendian Flowers Tel: +966-2-6835679 Sultan Garden Center Tel: +966-2-6686666

Abdul Latif Tel: +966-2-6913750 Al-Alameya Tel: +966-2-6915188 Al-Amer Tel: +966-2-6977767 Al-Fakhama Tel: +966-2-6355043 Al-Sabban Tel: +966-2-6919900 American Gallery Tel: +966-2-6676031 Batal Design Tel: +966-2-6983288 Bin Shayhoon Tel: +966-2-2574815 Bo Concept Tel: +966-2-6141418 Dimos Tel: +966-2-2830302 Domvs Tel: +966-2-6611447 Estikbal Tel: +966-2-6687511 Haba Tel: +966-2-6687084 Home Plaza Tel: +966-2-6913659 IKEA Tel: +966-2-6633000 Kare Tel: +966-2-6901443 La Maison Colonial Tel: +966-2-2616800 Ligne Roset Tel: +966-2-6634158 Mazar Tel: +966-2-6642626 Mourastarr Tel: +966-2-6980498 MilaDora Tel: +966-2-6615152 NV Tel: +966-2-6684686 Options Tel: +966-2-6824888 Roche Bobois Tel: +966-2-6647272 Visionnaire Tel: +966-2-6988591 Wahat Tel: +966-2-6636267

NOW YOU CAN CREATE THAT ONE T-SHIRT YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED !

Al-Khayat Center Tahlia St. Tel: +966-2-6655558 Shops: BOSS, Burberry, Chanel, Christian Dior, Coach, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Emporio Armani, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Jacques Dessange Salon, Jamalouki, Louis Vuitton, Roberto Cavalli, Rubaiyat, Sergio, Tiffany & Co. & Co., Tods, Yves Saint Laurent Ana Special Prince Sultan St. Tel: +966-2-6649155 Shops: Al-Mohra, Almayass, Basics, Buttons, Diva, Fox Fibre, I Love Hishma, Kash Kash, Vaniti, Lilies, Only For You, Set Al-Hoson, Tefa Aziz Mall Prince Majed Rd. Tel: +966-2-6162222 Dining: Al-Saaj Al-Refi, AlThawaaq, Baskin Robbins, Burger King, Cinnabon, Conton, Durrat China, Fish World, Hardee’s, Harfi, Indian Express KFC, Krispy Kreme, Kudu, McDonald’s, Mongo, Panino’s, Roma Way, Sheesh Kabab, Shawermar, Starbucks, Sushi King, Taco Hut,Trios. Supermarket: Panda Shops: Accessorize, Adams, Al-Maghrabi, Al-Sawani, Aldo, Aldo Accessories, Ann Harvey, Athletes Foot, Aussino, B.Bush, Baby Shop, Barratts, Bata, Behavior, Bershka, Bhs, Camieu, Celina, Celio, Charles & Keith, City Max, Claire’s, Damas Jewelry, Dorothy Perkins, Etam, Faces, Femi.9, Gap, Giordano, Howard, Kids, Kotton, La Senza, La Senza Girl, La Vie En Rose, Mango, Mexx, Mikyaji, Milano, Miss Selfridge, Mothercare, Naomi, Nectar, New Look, Next, Nine West, Okaidi, Orchestra, Pans & Co, Paris Gallery, Pom Cherry, Promod, Pull & Bear, Pumpkin Patch, River Island, Riyadh Bank, SGT Major, Showtime, Sports City, Starbucks, Stradivarius, Swatch, Tape A L’Oeil, Terranova, The Body Shop, Urban, Vero Moda,

Xanka, Zara, Zoppini Al-Haddab Center Tahlia St. Tel: +966-2-6942888 Shops: Centrepoint (Baby Shop, Splash, Shoe Mart, Lifestyle), Home Center, Koton, Mobily, Natuzzi, Sedar, Warde Badriyah Towers Rawdah St. Tel: +966-2-6062777 Dining: Le Croissant Shop, Quattro Café. Shops: Babooche, Basket of Pearl, Blend, Boutque Mix, BSX, Denim, Diesel, DKNY, Entra, Free Days, Hawanim, Infiore, Kurta Boutique, Le Style, Levi’s Store, Nowar, Optics2020, Pharmwacy, Samuel and Kevin, Suite 966, T Shirt & Jeans, Tony G’s, U Right, Zearuci Basateen Center Tahlia St. Tel: +966-2-6611721 Dining: Assaj, Baskin Robbins, Krispy Kreme, La Cerpelrie, Nutellina, Takada. Shops: Al-Ghazali, Al-Moalim, Al-Sawani Department Store, Anne Klein, Baby Fitaihi, Bakhashwain, Bali, Benetton, Betty Barkley, Esprit, Courier, Glitter, Guess, La Perla, Max & Co., Max Mara, Noon, Opticals, Replay, Rubaiyat, Swish, XOXO Coral Mall Tahlia St. Tel: +966-2-6607624 Dining: Goodies, Tea Amo. Shops: Adawliah (Yamaha), Armani Jeans, Beach & Beyond, Calvin Klein, Color Be Mine, Ecko, Ed Hardy, FCUK, Geox, Killah, Lacoste, Lindex, Lola et moi, Marlboro Classic, Miss Sixty, Patch Work, Primo, Quick Silver, Serb, St.Dupont, Sun Spot Etoile King Rd. Tel: +966-2-6973428 Dining: Steak House. Shops: Al-Romaizan, Boss, Canali, Come As You Are, Emad Rizq, Fitoshi, Gentle Man, Lomar, Lo Spazio, My Fair Lady, Rawasy, Rubaiyat, The Wall Hera’a Avenue Hera’a St. Tel: +966-2-6942236

Dining: Agadir, Baskin Robbins, Cinnabon, Hot & Crispy Shops: Adams’ Kids, Aldo, Alhomaidhi, Barrats, Bershka, Camieu, Charles & Keith, Faces, Early Learning Center, Jennyfer, La Senza, La Senza Girl, La Senza Shop, La Vie en Rose, Marks & Spencer, Mikyaji, Mansoon, Nayomi, Nine West, Sergent Major, Sports City, Spring, Swatch, Tape A Loeil, The Body Shop, Wallis, Zain, Zara Kids. Hera’a Intl. Souq Hera’a St. Tel: +966-2-6540097 Dining: Al-Musbah, Al- Umda, Baskin Robbins, Cinnabon, Hot & Crispy, Juice Island, Starbucks. Supermarket: Danube. Shops: Adams, Al-Attar, Al-Dahham, Al-Humaidi, Al-Maghrabi, Al-Mualim, Barkley, Benatton, Bershka, Bhs, Celio, Claire’s, Diesel, Esprit, Faces, Giordano, Guess, Health Lines, Jacadi, La Moda, La Senza, Mango, Milano, Mothercare, Naomi, Nectar, Next, Next Kids, Nina, Nine West, Panasonic, Paper Moon, Promod, Quick Silver, River Island, Sisley, Sony, The Body Shop, U2, Zara, Zain, Zimas Jama’a Plaza Jama’a Dist. Tel: +966-2-6024580 Shops: Adams, Camaieu Charles & Keith, Giordano, Guess, La Senza, Mikyaji, Nayomi, Promod, Sergent Major, Tape A Loeil Jamjoom Center Palestine St. Tel: +966-2-6685388 Dining: Ice Cream Movenpick. Shops: Abd Al-Samad AlQurashi for Perfumes, Celio and Longen and Dior, Cileo, Claire’s , Fareed Musalli for Gold and Jewelery, Gazzaz for Perfumes and Make Up, Geox, Jennyfer, Kuwait Airlines, La Senza, Malaysian Airlines, Marks & Spencer, Mikyaji, Milano Shoe, Mother Care, Nayomi, Next, Nectar, Aldo, Promod, Raymond Weil Watches, Starbucks, The Body Shop, The International for Watches, Tokyo Games DESTINATION JEDDAH 51

Jeddah Mall Tahlia St. Tel: +966-2-6678666 Dining: Al-Tajin, Basket of Cookies, Baskin Robbins, Costa Café, Cinnabon, Hawaii, Hijaziyat , Hot & Crispy, Joffrey’s, Le Gadin Suzette, Mongo, Padovana, Panino’s, Steak & Bake, Sushi King Shops: Al-Musali & Al- Raies, Barakat Jewellery, Damas, Elite, Eye2eye, Faces, Gosh, Karen Millen, Kipling, Luxury, Maria Pino, Naomi, Swatch, Trussardi, WAIPAI La Promenade Tahlia St. Tel: +966-2-6688737 Dining: Al-Forn, Carmel, Gelato, La Promenade Café, Lifestyles Café. Shops: Budget, Chic Boutique, Chole, Femi.9, Lerre, Lifestyles, Mavi, PaperMoon, Quik Sliver, Roxy, Sport Look Le Mall Tahlia St. Tel: +966-2-6600111 Dining: Cerebe Express, Layla’s, Le Croissant shop, Starbucks. Shops: Accessorize, Claire’s, Fitaihi Jeweley, Karen Millen, la Senza, Musalli, Nine West, Rizq Jewellery, Rosyblue, Rubaiyat (Bags & Shoes), Showtime, Springfield, Swatch, The Body Shop Mall of Arabia Al-Haramein Rd. Tel: +920009550 Dining: Al-Saaj Al-Refi, Brioche Doree, Burger King, Café Larica Espresso, Café Verganano , Cinnabon, Charley’s, Conton, Costa Coffee, Hardee’s, KFC, Krispy Kreme , Kudu, London Fish&Chips, Marble Slab Creamery McDonald’s, Mongo, Pans, Roma way, Shawermar, Starbucks, Sushi King, Taco Hut, Thai Express, The Pizza Company, T.G.I Fridays, Tony Roma’s, Zyng (Asian Grill) Supermarket: Panda Shops: Abu Sharaf, Accesorize, Adams, Adidas, Ahmad Abdulwahed, 52 DESTINATION JEDDAH JEDDAH 52 DESTINATION

Alpha Opticals, Alshaya, Balad, Bershaka, Blue Age, Bonia, Boots, Brics, BSB, BSX, C&B, C&K, Cameui, Camille’s Sidewalk, Carters, Celio, Chad Valley, Coast, D-F-P-T, Debenhams, Diesel, Desigual, Dorthy Perkins, Forever21, Evans, Exit, Faces, Gap, GBK, Girls, H-Flow, H&M, Hokair, Hush Hush, I Style, Jennyfer, Kikik, La Senza, La Senza Gril, La Vie En Rose, Lady Bird, Life Kids, Limited Too, Liz Claiborne, Lynnes, Mango, Maghrabi Kids, Mini Modu, Miss Selfridge, Miss Whatever, Mothercare, Nectar, New Yorker, Next,Nike, Nil Yarz, Nose, Oasis, Okaidi, Opt. Centre, Party Princess, Pride of Kashmir, Principle, Pull & Bear, Puma, Pumpkin Patch, Quiz, Ribbon, Rina, Salhiya, School, Sgt.Major, SIA, Spring, Stradivarius, Sun & Sands Sports, Swiss Corner, Tally Wejil, TCF, Terranova, Terranova Kids, The Museum, TPC, Twaila, Vero Moda, Vertbaudet, Viss, Wallis, Warehouse, White Company, Zahoor Al-Reef, Zara, Zoppini, ZYNG Nojoud Center Tahlia St. Tel: +966-2-2571217 Shops: Adidas, Al-Badr Optical, Alcott, Alhomaidhi, Bonia, Cortefiel, Emad Rizq, Faces, Feni 9, Gerry Weber, GS Big & Tall, I Zone, Pumpkin Patch, Lora Lina Sfera, Magrabi, Mango, Mobily, Women’s Secret, Sarafia, Shalky , Smash,Tanagra, Vincci Red Sea Mall King Rd. Tel: +966-2-2151551 Dining: Applebee’s, Al- Baik, Al-Nabulsi, Al-Reef, Baskin Robbins, Bonnon Cup, Burgerino, Burgerking, Café Larica, Canton, Cheese Cake Factory, Chinese Pearl, Crepe Suzette, Cup & Cino, HäagenDazs, Hardee’s, Hijaziyat, House of Donuts, Indian Express, KFC ,Krispy Kreme, Kudu, London Fish, Magic Wok, McDonald’s, On the Border, Pana Caldo, Pan’s & Co, Roma Way, Santino’s, Second Cup, Shamiana, Starbucks, Steak House, Swensen’s, Taco Hut, Tajin, Tea Amo, Teayana, Trios. Supermarket: Danube

Shops: Adidas, Aigner, All Star Converse, Al-Mussali, Al-Refaie, Al-Sawani, Axiom, Barove, Beach & Beyond, Benetton, Bhs, Body Action, Body Shop, Bomby, Bonia, Boroue, Boss, Burberry,Calvin Klein, Change, Claire’s, Coach, Coast, Diesel, Diorucci, Divisage, Dorothy Perkins, Early Learning Center, Elaf (Travel Agency), Escada & Loriel, Esprit, Etro, Evans, Eye Fashion, Faces, Faith, Fanateer, Fashion Top, FCUK, Ferragamo, Fetaihi, Foot Locker, Giordano, Givenchy, Go Sport, Guess, Guess Accessories, Guess Kids, G2000, Izzue,Lacoste, La Perla, Lazourdi, Levis, Life Line, Life Styles, Limited Too, MAC, Mac PC’s, Maghrabi, Maghrabi kids, Mikyaji, Milano, Mommy Me, Montblanc, Mother Care, Naomi, Next, Noon, Nokia, Oasis, Obaji, Occasions, Occulis, Optic Center, Panasonic, Paris Gallery, Patchi, Puma Watches, Replay, Rubaiyat, Rolex, Rouj, S & K (Samuel & Kenvin), Samsonite, Sephora, Sergio Rossi, Sony, Sports Wear, Swatch, Tea Gschwender, Tiffany & Co., Tihama (Stationery), Top Shop, Top Man, Versace, Vision Express, XOXO, Zuhur, Zoopini, Roshana Center Tahlia St. Tel: +966-2-2635114 Dining: Berts Coffee ,Cinnabon, Crepe Café, Virgin Restaurant & Café, Kidz café, Zen Lounge Shops: 4U4Ever, Abo Moammar, Abotche, Adawliad, Adnan Jewelery, Adolfo Dominguzs, Ahmed Abdulwahed, Ahmed Adgaish Electronices, AlFalona Stores, Al-Hamary, Al Homaidi Watches, Al-Garmooshi for Matches, Al-Togbi, Al-Yasr, Al-Arabi Optics, Al-Dawliyah, AMH, Armand Basi, Baby Fitaihi, Bajsair, Bayana, Blanco, ByBasi, Change, Courir, Damas,Diktons Barcelona, Extra Ordinary, Fityani, Gara

Roufa, Halawani Audi ,Hamza Abd El Rizk Jewelery Damas, Home Appliances & Electronics, Hussain Trading Co., Jeddah International Market, Jollibee, Korloff, LG, Lights, Linen Chest, Little Book, Lolaetmoi, Mohsen, Mr. Mohammad Rizq ,My Fair Lady, Nail Spa, Nof Jewelery, On Time Plus, Orange Bed Bath, Plug Ins, Pretty Shoes Yalghi Couture Qeuess, Ruben Perlotti, Said Ahmed Al-Ajou (JVC), Saloon Tamim, Samsung, Sarwat, Scholl,Seasons, Sid, Sony World, Sunglasses Hut, The Wall, Tamim Shoes, Virgin Megastore, Zumorrodah Roshan Mall Malek Rd. Tel: +966-2-6226720 Dining: Al-Baik, Baskin Robbins, Chilis, Donut House, Fuddruckers, Kudu, McDonald’s, Sayadiyah express, Second Cup Supermarket: Hyper Panda Shops: Abdul Samad Al-Qurashi, Axiom, Bonia, Callem, Cavlo Rino, Cell Com, Cinnzeo, Claire’s, Colombia Sports Wear, Fendi, Gerry Weber, Giordano, Grand Optics, Gucci, Herffy, Ikks, It’s Mine, Jacqueline Riu, Kashmir, Lingo, Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, Maghrabi, Mango, Mikyaji, Miss Fashion, Missha, Mothercare, Nayomi, Nectar, Panda, Royal Mandaina, Samuel & Kevin, Sayadyah Express, Sensi, Show Time, Stadivarious, Sun & Sand Sports, Swatch, The Body Shop, Timberland, Tom Tailer, Toys R Us, U-Qote, Vavavoom, Versace Serafi Mega Mall Tahlia St. Tel: +966-2-2844886 Dining: Al-Baik , Baskin Robbins , Blend , Burger King, Costa Coffee, Gelato, Hot & Crispy, KrispKreme , Kudu, McDonald’s , Mugg & Bean, Seattle’s Best, Subway Supermarket: Danube Shops: Al-Sawani, Baleno,

Claire D K, Claire’s, Faces, Go Sport, Life Style, Maghrabi, Pepe Jeans, Samuel & Kevin, Sensi, Swatch, Voyage

Tiffany, Tipity Toes, Tumi, Vertu, Victoria Casal, Voila, Waed, Wahat Al-Jalabiya, Wazer Pharmacy, XOXO, Zanotti

Stars Avenue Mall Malek Rd. Tel: +966-2-2754522 Dining: Bert’s Restaurant, Bon Bon, Bharat, Café Ceramique, Crep Café, Café Italia, Deera Café, FreshBerry, Goodies, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Haagen Dazs, Joe’s Diner, Krispy Kreme, Lina’s Café, Olio Supermarket: Carrefour. Shops: Agatha, AlGhazalo, Al-Humaidi, Al-Mutahajibah, AlOthaim, Al-Shayiya Accessory, Arabian Oud, Argeterie, Art of Idea, Axiom, Baby Fitaihi, Batteel, BCBG, Benetton, Body Shop, Bonpoint, Borbonese, Breil, Carolina Herrera CH, Champion, Coach, Cole Haan, Collci, Courier, Cream, Custo Barcelona, Cute, Derby X, Destination Maternity, Faces, Faith Connexion, Farsi Jewelry, Fayandra, Fityani, GBK, GC Watches, Geox, Guess Accessory, Guess by Marciano, Hang Ten, Issam Jamal, Jarkas, Jasmine Box, Jimmy Choo, Kanz Al-Sahra, Karen Millen, Khider Rizek, Kohar, Kurt Geiger, La Perla Palace, Lacoste, Lide X, Little Book, Liujo, L’ Occitane, Love Sac, Lyne’s, Magrabi, Majesty, Mama’s and Papa’s, Mango, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Masagh, Max Mara, Mikayaji, Mimosa, Moschino, Mutamiez, My Accessory, Nayomi, Nectar, Newbury, New Look, Odd Molly, Oliver and Company, Painegonda, Patchi, Paul and Joe, Paul Smith, Penny Black, Petit Bateau, Pomellato, Paul Frank, Pucci, Quick Silver, Replay, Rubaiyat, Rumaizan, Saks Fifth Avenue, Samuel and Kevin, Sensi, Shalky QQ, Space Toom, Stella McCartney, Swarovski, Swatch, Tara Jarmon, Teen2Teen, The Counter,

Sultan Mall Prince Sultan St. Tel: +966-2-2758992 Dining: Al-Baik, Baskin Robbins, Capo Grillo, Casper & Gambini’s, Coffee Maker, Conton, Hot & Crispy, Kudu, Sayadiyah express Shops: Al-Mashat, AlSaadami, Al-Dham Watches, Athlete’s Foot, Attitude, B-Bushh, BGN, Bossini, Cardial, Casa Rossi, Cerruti 1889, Chin Chin, Coton, Cute Make Up, Dadida, Dearson, Eyat, F&F, Fashion Shop, Feel Free, Giordano, Go Bo, i2 Telecom, International Styles, R&R, Kodak, LA Lanidar, Lamar, Life Style, Lolet, Lora Lina Paris, Mag, Majed, Majesty, Manash, Mastiha Mikyajy, Nayomi, Orbit, Paris Gallery, Parkadello, Passion De Mode, Pierre Cardin, Pretty Fit, Rieker Antistress, Riyadh Lady, Samsonite, Sayadyah, Simi, Skin Bijoux, Soccer Scene, Spring Field, Teen o Teen, The Body Shop, Tokyo Games, U-mark, Vincci Tahlia Center Tahlia St. Tel: +966-2-2634662 Dining: Al-Nabulsi Sweets, Burger King, Canton, Hot & Crispy, Indian Express, Krispy Kreme, Kudu, La Creperie, Mana’ish, Manarat Marakesh, Minimoonz, Mirador, Panino’s, Starbucks Shops: Al-Humaidi, Al-Rayes, Armani Exchange, Bakhsh Jewellery, Birkenstock, Coach, Claire’s, Cope Copine, Daniel Hechter, Du Pareil Au M’em, Emad Rizq, Esprit, Evans, Giordano, Lacoste, La Moda, Laura Ashley, LoraChilli, Laurel, Limited Too, Longines, Make Up Forever, Mac, Mikyajy, Milano, Moawad, Naoumi, Nectar, Omega, Paris Gallery, Pierre Cardin, River Island, Rolex, Rubaiyat,Sanrio, Sephora, Swarovski, Swatch, T.S. Dupont, Terranova, The Body Shop, Tiffany &Co., Tina Tailor,Top Shop / Top Man DESTINATION JEDDAH 53

Red Sea Coast

Mesmerizing Manta Rays:

An Undersea Fantasy

Text & Photography by Hans Sjoeholm

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Marine mega fauna such as the majestic Manta Ray add to the beauty, diversity, and mystery of our world. If you spend sufficient time in the ocean around manifestations of plankton...you may be lucky enough to have one of the most awe-inspiring underwater experiences possible - witnessing first-hand the beauty of the gentle giant known as the Manta Ray. Given their sheer size, the sight of a Manta Ray circling your boat might seem frightening, but this animal is one of the most peaceful sea giants, even its whiplike tail contains no venom or barb. Manta Rays are circumglobal; they are found in temperate and tropical waters within a range of latitudes around the world. They can be spotted in the open sea, close to coral reefs at cleaning stations, around sea mounds and in lagoons, but the best place to find them is close to their food source, plankton. Mantas can weigh up to 1400kg, with wingspans up to 7 meters. They are playful and acrobatic as they perform graceful somersault manoeuvres while swooping up plankton as they cruise through the water. Mantas swim through the water by gracefully undulating their modified pectoral fins. In play, or in flight from predators, they have been known to leap out of the water and land with an enormous splash. Their scientific name Manta Birostris derives from the Spanish manta meaning blanket, while birostris means two-snouted. Mantas feed in nutrient rich areas, often near the water surface in slow and long sweeping circles, with the result that their wingtips are spotted protruding from the surface and often mistaken as shark fins. Mantas are closely related to sharks, but despite the familial ties, sharks are their main predators. < A ventral view provides an excellent fingerprint for Manta identification. Remoras attached to the underside near the russet colored gills.

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Mantas can be identified by their own unique color pattern on their shoulders and particularly on the undersurface of their body.

Manta Ray Etiquette: - Do not attempt to touch or ride on a Manta, it will consider this a threat/attack! - Simply touching a Manta may remove the mucus coating that protects it from marine infections. So hands off! Newborn Mantas are about 1.2 meters across; their gestation period is 12-13 months and their life expectancy is estimated to be in excess of 20 years. This low reproductive rate makes them vulnerable from fishing pressure as their numbers are in danger. Manta Rays are categorized as “Near Threatened” by 56 DESTINATION JEDDAH

the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Get involved by sending ID photos to www. marinemegafauna.org and keep detailed sighting records. They can be photographed and catalogued to identify and build up a visual database of all Mantas in a given area. Mantas can be identified by their own unique color pattern on their shoulders and particularly on the undersurface of their body. Manta rays are randomly seen cruising the coastline of Jeddah. Will you be the next lucky person to experience and enjoy a fantastic encounter with this graceful creature? Put your mask and snorkel on and get ready for an awesome wildlife experience.

The Manta Rays wingtips are seen protruding out of the surface many times being mistaken for shark fins. A pair of Manta Alfredi swooping up plankton as they gently cruise through the water.

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Red Sea Coast

Al-Ahlam MarineTourism

Discover The Red Sea in Jizan The newest project handled by Marsa AlAhlam is the opening of the Jizan Marina, established by Prince Mohammed bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz on February 5. Considered to be one of the best untapped diving sites in the Kingdom, Marsa Al-Ahlam will be organizing weekly trips and excursions both for families and singles as well as providing in the first phase accommodation in the 20 chalets available.

The marina can accommodate 100 yachts/boats and is operational 24 hours a day. A 24-hour restaurant and royal suite accommodation are also available.

Guests will be able to take advantage of the full diving facilities at the Jizan Marina, including a fully equipped showroom which offers diving gear for rent and gas tank refills. Families and other groups will be able to book overnight trips, in addition to day trips and trips on an hourly basis to the stunning islands around the area. For a unique way to discover the bounties of the Red Sea, Marsa Al-Ahlam brings you its newest offering - the Jizan Marina. Al-Ahlam Marine Tel: +966-2-4209590 Fax: +966-2-4209592 Dream Diver King Road:+966-2-2150018 Fax: +966-2-2150021 Corniche: +966-2-6949942 Yanbu: +966-4-3573444 Jizan: +966-7-3400333 Al-Lith: +966-7-7425800 Al Furooseya: +966-2-6526063

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Marketing Manager: Ahmad Al-Disoqi Mobile: +966-504385223 Website: www.alahlam-marine.com

Dive Shops

& Dive Resorts

Directory AL-KHORAYEF YAMAHA MARINE EQUIPMENT Location: King Rd. next to Auto Mall Tel: +966-2-4202666 mmumtaz@alkhorayef.com Opening hours: Sat - Wed: 8 AM - 12.30 PM, 5.30 PM - 9 PM Thu: 8 AM - 1.30 PM Fridays closed!

BLUE REEF DIVERS Location: Behind Danube, off Tahlia St. Tel: +966-2-6613931 info@bluereefdivers.com Opening hours: Sat - Wed: 9 AM - 11 PM Thu - Fri: 7 AM - 11 PM Branch: Durrat Al-Arous (50km north of Jeddah) Tel: +966-546154356

DESERT SEA DIVERS Location: On North Obhur Rd. (Creek), near Rose Village Compound GPS: N21°43.685’, E39°06.449’ Tel: +966-2-6561807 Fax: +966-2-6561288 info@desertseadivers.com www.desertseadivers.com Opening hours: Sat - Wed: 10 AM - 8 PM Thu - Fri: 7 AM - 8 PM Mondays closed!

DREAM DIVERS

Location: King Rd. next to Auto Mall Tel: +966-2-2150019 Fax: +966-2-6644892

Jeddah’s dive shops are the city’s resource for water sports and activities. They are in the know about the latest rules and regulations, do’s and don’ts and offer sound safety advice with a smile.

marketing@alahlam-marina.com eric_fwd@yahoo.com (for boat trips) www.alahlam-marina.com Opening hours: Sat - Thu: 9 AM - 11 PM Fri: 6 PM - 11 PM

RED SEA DIVERS

Location: Opposite Danube, off Tahlia St. GPS: N21°32.743’, E39°09.727’ Tel: +966-2-6606368 Fax: +966-2-6602064 redseadivers@arab.net.sa Opening hours: Sat-Wed: 9 AM - 11 PM Thurs & Fri: 7.30 AM - 11 PM

THE ARAB CIRCUMNAVIGATOR

Location: Behind Danube, off Tahlia St. GPS: N21°32.790’, E39°09.802 Tel: +966-2-6651304 Fax: +966-2-6608224 www.arabcircumnavigator.com Opening hours: All week: 9 AM - 10 PM

Beach Resorts Andalus Resort: +966-2-6561444 Bahadur Resort: +966-2-2344400 Blue Beach: +966-2-2341900 Coral Beach: +966-2-6561343 Crystal: +966-2-6563032 Dive Village: +966-2-6561980 Durrat Al-Arous: +966-2-6180000 Fal: +966-2-656 0033 Movenpick: +966-2-6555550 Nakheel: +966-2-6066644 Obhur Resort: +966-2-6563030 Remal: +966-2-6561880 Reem Riviera: +966-2-2342332 Sheraton: +966-2-234 2264

Dive Resorts

Dive Village: +966-2-6561980 Dream Beach: +966-2-2342266 Durrat Al-Arous: +966-2-6180000 Fal Diving: +966-2-6560033 Ext. 624 Red Sea: +966-2-6562199

Jeddah Marinas

Dream Beach: +966-2-2342266 Al-Nakheel Village: +966-2-6562101

Hans Sjoeholm

Dive Coordinator Looking for the basics or instructor level courses? Hans, a 25-yearveteran diver, is the most qualified in the Kingdom for you to learn from.

PRO UW Photo and Videographer Contact: +966-551070190

hans@destinationjeddah.com desertsea2000@yahoo.com

Experience Al-Ahlam Floating Restaurant

Seating over 240 people. Complete with an air conditioned hall, terrace and special VIP deck for dignitaries, this floating restaurant is the ideal getaway for you & your guests! Al-Ahlam Marine Tel: +966-2-4209590 Marketing Manager: Ahmad Al-Disoqi Mob: +966-504385223

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Dining

Around Town

Lebanese cuisine will always remain an old favorite among Jeddah residents and there exists no lack of options here in the city. From casual dining to upscale luxury, the beauty of Lebanese food is that it can be interpreted in so many different ways. Semsom - Beirutâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest offering, arrives in Jeddah to serve you a piece of Lebanon with every dish! By combining the appealing tradition of the cuisine with a contemporary twist, diners will soon be flocking to experience the Lebanese way of life! 60 DESTINATION JEDDAH

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Semsom’s interior is just as appealing as its menu. Featuring a contemporary design with traditional accents like printed couches and rounded columns adorned by geometric prints, Semsom’s meld of modern and classic is evident even in the decor. Semsom’s Lebanese roots are evident in the walls covered with images of notable personalities and scenes from the country. High ceilings and light colored woods all contribute to the the light and airy environment and is a perfect compliment to the fresh dishes on the menu. Semsom has quite the menu which includes all of the classic starter favorites such as varieties of osmalieh, hummus, mtabbal, tabouleh, fattouche.. etc. yet diners have the option of selecting those dishes “with a twist” - items that have been modernized and infused with new flavors. Standouts include the Maakroun inspired by Douma’s unique recipe and comes in tomato sauce, garlic, or basil variations. Don’t miss the tabbouleh with lentils originating from the rural dishes of a Lebanese village; or the hummus flavored with sumac and zaatar created by Semsom’s team of chefs. The party platter, with its selection of hot appetizers, is also a must have! Keep some space for the luscious desserts, including the Ghazel bil Warred (a beautiful dish that incorporates cotton candy), the traditional Lebanese favorite of Osmalieh made even better with chocolate ice cream, the ‘Ash el Saraya’ or the ‘Café Gourmand’ (a selection of three mini desserts with any coffee) - all will surely delight your taste buds. For fans of Lebanese food (and realistically, very few people aren’t!), Semsom provides diners with a fresh perspective on old favorites and is not to be missed. Embark on a culinary journey to Lebanon through the comforting flavors of traditional delicacies to the remarkable taste of culinary creations. Semsom is part of the Al Mathaaq group of restaurants, a premier Food and Beverage management company which is introducing several local restaurant concepts in the near future. Semsom, located on the crossroads of Prince Sultan and Khalidia St. in the Courtyard at the Bin Suleiman Center, is open for lunch through dinner. Contact: +966-2-6068600

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Dining

Around Town

A little slice of Italy Jeddah is no stranger to Italian cuisine and over the years, this popular ethnic favorite has become everyone’s top choice for a comforting, delicious meal. The newly opened Margherita takes Italian food to a whole new standard with their beautiful setting, quality ingredients, and authentic dishes from southern Italy. Margherita began as the brainchild of veteran Chef Giovanni, who first opened the restaurant’s original location in Beirut in 2008. Three years later, Margherita makes its stunning debut in Jeddah with the attainable ambition of becoming the best Italian in town. Chef Giovanni summed up the idea behind Margherita as he said, “We’re trying to share with diners the cuisine, smells, colors and culture of southern Italy. The staples of the Mediterranean lifestyle – olive oil, fresh produce of the highest quality – are all represented here. We want people to appreciate al dente pasta, the taste of Neapolitan pizza, and the variety of cheeses.” At Margherita, nothing is spared in the name of quality. It is evident in the first bite that every single ingredient in any given dish meets their high standards of freshness and flavor. One of Margherita’s most appealing features is the décor. Forget the faux-rustic interiors of the restaurants of yesteryear – Margherita is sharp and elegantly decorated. Silky, dark woods accentuate the ceiling height authentic pizza oven that dominates the room; the chalk wall, which features menu items, is a lovely juxtaposition with the minimalistic mirrors that adorn the entrance. Forget your greasy neighborhood pizzeria, Margherita somehow melds the elegance of Milan with the charm of Naples in true Italian fashion. Everything from the bathrooms to the high ceilings is gorgeously executed, making for a visually stunning environment which only enhances your dining experience. 62 DESTINATION JEDDAH

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Everything on the menu sounds delicious and from the several dishes sampled, it’s evident that everything is delicious. Begin with some antipasti selections such as the Bresaola Con Parmigiano (Bresaola with Parmigiano Cheese); hands-down the most delicious bresaola in Jeddah. The Calamari Alla Griglia, a grilled calamari starter, is among the standouts on the menu, as is the Parmigiana Di Melanzane, a decadent dish made with eggplants, tomato sauce and mozzarella.

Don’t neglect to order the Pizza Bufala, an authentic Neapolitan pizza made with buffalo mozzarella. For those looking for a non-pizza main, the Gnocchi Gratinati Alla Sorrentina is a delicious take on the classic Gnocchi that will ensure a return trip to Margherita for this item alone! Their dessert options are a sweet treat to end a delicious meal. The Crema Al Limone, a lemon infused crème brûlée, is flat out sinful, as is the Crostata Al Cioccolato, a chocolate tart that is no less than 70% dark chocolate. On the ligher side is the Fragole E Sorbetto Agli Agrumi, freshly cut strawberries paired with a refreshing lemon sorbet. Margherita is poised to become the number one Italian restaurant in Jeddah. Their attention to detail and commitment to quality foodies will be hard-pressed to find any fault with this newcomer to the city’s food scene. For a delicious, expertly prepared meal in a gorgeous atmosphere, Margherita is going to be the next big thing in Jeddah restaurants – you heard it here first! Location: The Courtyard at Bin Sulaiman Center, intersection of Pr. Sultan & Rawda st. Open for Lunch & Dinner. Contact: +966-2-6061100

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Dining

Around Town

Where Cuisine Meets Luxury For upscale delicious cuisine Lenôtre is always the premier option for discerning diners. Known for years in Jeddah as the first choice for a luxurious dining experience, Lenôtre’s menu features some of the most delicious and expertly prepared dishes to be had in Jeddah. A dedication to quality and flavor and a beautiful aesthetic are just some of the unique aspects of this gourmet eatery. Everything from foie gras to millefeuille - Lenôtre is a feast of the senses just begging to be indulged in. Photography by Lina Malaika

Thai Beef Salad:

Made with succulent slices of marinated beef fillet and served with fresh Chinese cabbage and vegetables all drizzled with soy sauce. 64 DESTINATION JEDDAH

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Grilled King Prawns:

Served with a flavorful saffron sauce and Iranian rice.

XXL Millefeuille:

Extra large millefeuille with light bourbon vanilla flavoured cream. Caramelized flaky pastry with vanilla cream and raspberry sauce.

Luxury Products: Trio of Salmon Mediterranean Style:

A delectable selection of salmon tartare, marinated salmon and salmon that is smoked in-house, try this new variant of a classic dish.

Prime Rib:

Perfectly prepared cuts of prime rib that are cut live in front of diners and served on hot marble - served with crispy potato chips and your choice of sauces.

Foie Gras:

A true gourmet dish, cooked duck foie gras is served on a bed of fig chutney and roasted bread.

Wagyu Beef:

The finest beef in the world served at Lenôtre; this unusually tender and flavorful beef can be served as a beef tenderloin (accompanied by wasabi, potatoes, snow peas, and beef bacon) or as a grilled beef burger served with potato chips and iceberg lettuce.

Lenôtre’s Othmalieh:

This traditional Middle Eastern dessert given a new spin at Lenôtre with a special filling that is prepared in-house.

Rosewater Ice Cream Cake:

A unique take on a classic dessert served with raha halkoum.

Location: Teatro Mall on Tahlia St. Tel: +966-2-2611222 P ROMOTION

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You’ve

GOT to try..

Local

Recipe

Fatah Bamia (Okra) Ingredients

Chocolate Muffins

at Barnie’s

Are you a choco-holic? Do you usually crave that melty taste of chocolate that takes you to other dreamy places? Are you looking for the perfect morning coffee comapion? If your answer is yes, then you’ve got to try Barnie’s fluffy double chocolate chip muffins! These creations can be found at any of Barnies drive through booths around the city. Or at any of the Barnie’s shops. These delicious muffins are sold; for just SR 6. Nothing can make your coffee taste better, so find the nearest barnies sign and drive towards it and don’t look back. Take it from us; you won’t regret it!

Location: Sari St. Rawdah – 2 blocks west of Madinah Rd.

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1/2 kg fresh okra 2 diced chicken breasts 2 medium onions, chopped 4 chopped tomatoes 1 tbsp minced garlic 1 cup of hot water 1/4 cup of vegetable oil 1 Maggie Cube 1 tsp black pepper 1 piece of cinnamon 1 tsp allspice 2 tbsp fresh chopped coriander 2 large pita breads

Preparation Method:

1) Wash okra, trim off stems, and dry. 2) Saute the onion in oil till translucent, then add the chicken and cook until color begins to change, then add okra, tomatoes, Maggie cube, black pepper, cinnamon, and allspice. Mix well, then add hot water. Simmer on low heat for ½ hour. 3) Cut the pita breads into small squares and place in a pyrex dish. Then add the cooked chicken/okra mixture on top of the bread. 4) Fry the garlic until it’s light brown, then add it to the dish. Garnish with chopped coriander & serve.

Little, Soy: Too Too Late?

Mystery Diner

Soy held its much anticipated soft opening recently, much to the delight of lovers of upscale Asian cuisine in Jeddah. It seemed to be poised to threaten Toki’s position as the favored Asian restaurant in Jeddah… until we made a visit to Soy and were sadly disappointed. A subpar dining experience through and through. After hearing a great deal about the much anticipated opening of Soy, some fellow intrepid diners and I made dinner reservations for their soft opening. Soy, which opened at Toki’s old location, unfortunately invites more than a few comparisons to the much acclaimed Toki, a glittering fixture in the Jeddah food scene. However, the restaurant itself has been completely redesigned and the candles flanking the entrance, dim lighting, and spacious lobby seemed to be a good start to the meal. This was sadly not the case. After a confused search for our reservation, we were escorted upstairs to the beautifully dramatic dining area. We began with the basics: hot and sour soup, sweet corn soup, chicken spring rolls, and steamed dumplings. The soup was quite good (with the addition of some salt) and spring rolls and dumplings were also more than adequate. The arrival of the main course was when things took an unfortunate turn for the worse. In the spirit of being thorough, our main course orders varied from tuna sashimi and the dragon roll sushi to the more traditional chicken with black bean sauce, and veal with garlic butter, as well as scallops in black

bean sauce and miso fish; all accompanied by plain steamed rice. I must take a moment to state that the service at Soy is sadly missing the artful precision of Toki’s. Some might say it’s wrong to compare the two, but it’s honestly hard not to. However, back to the food… our main courses were disappointing on all fronts. The chicken was bland, and one fellow diner swore that the dragon roll was made with mayonnaise. The tuna sashimi was the only bright spot of the evening, prepared and presented perfectly. The scallops were smothered in sauce and over-seasoned and as for the miso fish? For some unknown reason, it appeared at the end of the meal, and as four unimpressed diners looked at each other, it was apparent that no one was interested in trying it. I had high hopes for Soy and if it can remove itself from Toki’s shadow, bring its service up to par, and pay more attention to the taste of the food rather than just its appearance- perhaps I’ll make a return visit. For now, it’s a wait-and-see kind of situation.

We want to get your feedback on the places you love or love to hate. Send us an e-mail at: feedback@destinationjeddah.com DESTINATION JEDDAH 67

Restaurants