Saudi Arabia

Lazy Riyadhi’s Guide to Restaurant Deliveries

Extreme Battle Royale

Among Riyadh’s Food Districts

How to Find the Best Cups of Joe

turki al dhfayan Riyadh’s Food Critic Travel Trends

Eco-Friendly Bulgaria

Everything

you need to know about Hajj OUR Readers PICK FAV O RITE

eateries

Issue 20 NOV 2014

NOT TO HAVE PEOPLE EAT IN SUPERMARKETS

GIANT BURGERS

DOUGHNUT TREE

Editor-in-Chief Enas Hashani managinG editor Rob L. wagner

FROM THE EDITOR

REGIONAL Editorial manager Jou Pabalate Editor-at-Large Johara Al Mogbel Associate EDITOR/PHOTOGRAPHER win a willy wonka MOHAMMED AL DeGHAISHiM

This is the FOOD ISSUE.

gold ticket

Editor Bassma Al Toaimi Associate EDITOR/web admin Swalah Eshki editorial assistant Yara Bana Contributing Writers Anousha Vakani Carolyn Heaton Mohammed Al Saadoun MOHAMMED MIRZA ZAREEN MUZAFFAR fashion editor Mazin Al Maimani

EATING WITHOUT GAINING WEIGHT

Art Director FOOD MAGIC Reem Al Assal WAND Graphic Designers Mohammed Rashad / Mohamed Fawzy Jalila Al Harith Photography Reem al rifaie Tharik Hussain Social media Hurreia asif balouch

HOUSE FULL OF MANGO

Cover photo MOHAMMED AL DeGHAISHiM THE HOGWARTS DINNER

SALES & ADVERTISING RIYADH OFFICE sales@rummancompany.com +966-509752274 (9 a.m. - 10 p.m.) +966-563578291 (9 a.m. - 10 p.m.)

JEDDAH OFFICE +966-12-6060291 (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

GENERAL INQUIRIES drinfo@rummancompany.com DISTRIBUTION distribution@rummancompany.com DestinationRYD

And it’s about to become your new best friend.

Before anything else, from our Destination Family to yours, a very Happy Eid! May your celebrations be filled with blessings, merriment and meaningful feasts!

Riyadh is a city where dining is a favorite past time. It’s the universal common ground for Riyadhis. We will travel, we will walk through shady alleys, and we will converse in sign language if it meant satisfying our gastronomical cravings.

In this issue of Destination Riyadh, we attempted to answer the question, WTF, Where’s the food? You will never go hungry with our definitive guide to Food Districts in the city. With the Asian culinary invasion trending across town, we give you the chance to be ahead of the curve with our top list must try noodles.

Who says stepping out of your home is a must to enjoy good food?

We’ve got a home delivery primer to keep you fed and happy while curled on your couch. Locavores will approve of our take on the Riyadh farmers market, where you can find fresh, organic and, yes, homegrown produce.

There’s just so much to discover for Riyadh foodies (which is pretty much every reader we’ve come across). From caffeine cruising on Tahlia for coffee addicts to indulging chocoholics with the city’s best confectionary places; we are your proud enablers.

We try not to play favorites when it comes to the magazine but there’s no denying that when it’s time for the food edition, we smile a big smile and our eyes start to twinkle. It’s the time when counting calories is forbidden in the office. Hence, we hope that our weight gain was not in vain, and you are able to consume one of the sumptuous issues we’ve prepared.

Until next time, dear readers …

Eat well, laugh often and live fully.

DestinationKSA

Destination Riyadh Team Editor@rummancompany.com *Destination Riyadh Magazine is a Rumman Company Publication.

License No. 7862 - 8/8/1431

PUBLISHER

Destination Magazine UK, Coventry, CV14DH N5719

my picks this month

EDITORIAL october ISSUE # 20

Calorie-less cookies

Dont No Restaurant, P. 46

Erdem, P. 54

Dumat Al Jandal, P. 80

DESTINATION RIYADH 1

FEATURED CONTENT

64

46 Yokari

Hajj Survival Tips

36

Your Dream Closet

22

Turki Al Dhfayan

20

Business

Financial Planning with Reem Assad

22

Special Features

Turki Al Dhfayan: Riyadh’s Food Critic Table Manners Cheat Sheet Where Riyadhis Eat Battle Royale: Food Districts Go At It Riyadhi's Guide to Lazy Dining

38

Special Places

72

Bulgarian Eco-Farm

62

Healthy Living

Smoothie Bar: Common Sense Health Food Hajj Survival Tips

Riyadh's Farmers Market

66

42

Spirituality

Dining Around Town

Caffe Bene's Bubble Tea Oodles of Noodles Yokari: Asian Fine Dining Burj Rafal: Kempinski Hotel Mohammed and the Chocolate City Riyadh's Coffee Strip

68

Travel Trends

Street Food Around the World Bulgarian Eco-Farm

78

54

Fashion & Shopping

New York / London Fashion Week Tiny Trends

6

Growing Your Own Greens

DESTINATION RIYADH

Explore KSA

Archeaological Wonders of Ukhdood

50

The Chocolate City

DESTINATION RIYADH 7

THOUGHTS TO PONDER

Thumbs Up to King launches Gaza food relief campaign A food distribution program has been launched in order to supply food, like flour, sugar and more, to Palestinian families. The project is part of the Saudi Committee that aims to help the area and supply basic needs. The distribution program is valued at about SR 11 million. However, the committee’s total worth is about more than SR 234 million.

The campaign targets many Palestinian hospitals, orphanages and facilities for the disabled.

Thumbs DOWN to Two students jailed for forging papers Two students hoped to have their certificates attested by the Ministry of Higher Education, but instead were referred to an investigative bureau for using false seals on their certificates.

After the ministry’s investigation, they were able to detect the forgery with the implementation of its electronic system. Later, the two students were sentenced in a Dammam court to a year of prison and a SR 5,000 fine.

Work in Progress Ministry of Labor introduces company support program A meeting between company owners and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce board members took place in order to launch a partnership between the private sector and the Labor Ministry. During the meeting, a recruitment plan was established and an area of focus was directed towards the Musaned program. After the meeting a wide range of programs have been initiated to regulate the recruitment market and contribute to the movement of the process of recruitment.

8

DESTINATION RIYADH

DESTINATION RIYADH 9

10 DESTINATION RIYADH

CITY AND COUNTRY FACT SHEET

DESTINATION RIYADH 11

DR NEWS

THIS

JUST IN! DR Samsung app is out download it now Start browsing through our pages from your phone!

EMC Recognized as Best Company EMC has been recognized as the best place to work in Saudi Arabia by the Great Place to Work Institute, a global research and management consultancy.

EMC was recognized for creating a motivating, comfortable and engaging work environment in Saudi.

Kilian Launches Eternal Oud Kilian launches a new perfume to his Middle East exclusive collection, the Eternal Oud, now available at Paris Gallery.

MasterCard Works with Apple

H&M offers ‘Sustainable’ Denim

Apple unveiled Apple Pay, which will enable MasterCard cardholders to use their iPhone6, iPhone6 Plus and Apple Watch for everyday purchases.

H&M is introducing Conscious Denim, a collection with clean styling and contemporary fits that uses not only more sustainable materials, but also more conscious processes.

Maserati Turns 100

Maserati celebrated its 100th anniversary in grand style at Monterey Car Week, and isn’t a stranger to the famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where, in 1968, a Maserati Mistral Coupe took top honors as Best of Show.

12 DESTINATION RIYADH

Ford Fusion Tapped as Car of the Year SADAFCO

Introduces Arabic Coffee Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Company (SADAFCO) launched a unique ready-to-heat-and-serve Saudi Arabic Coffee in KSA. The launch of this innovative beverage is in line with SADAFCO’s commitment to continuously introduce delicious products for consumers.

Rawabi Launches th

5 Talent Exhibit Rawabi Holding revealed their plans to launch the fifth Rawabi Talent Exhibit (RTE) this November as part of the company’s sustained efforts to further enhance its CSR initiatives.

Nayomi’s NEW Store In Al Nikheel Mall Following the success of the fourth Princess Palace store opening in Al Noor Mall, Nayomi, the region’s leading lingerie retailer, announces the opening of its fifth store in Al Nikheel Mall, Riyadh.

The all-new Ford Fusion added yet another proof point to its growing popularity in the Middle East as it clinched Saudi Auto’s 2014 Car of the Year Award, a further vote of confidence from motoring experts in the region.

Starbucks Introduces Pumpkin Spice Latte Starbucks, the coffee roaster and retailer, introduced the long awaited Pumpkin Spice Latte to its customers across the MENA.

KSA Biggest Market for Rolls-Royce Sales in Region Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors, the sole dealer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Saudi Arabia, was named the best performing dealer in the Middle East in terms of number of Rolls-Royce motorcars sold.

Saudi Total Lubricants Introduces New Products Saudi Total Lubricants initiates three activation booths at malls in Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar in order to introduce its products and deepen clients’ trust.

14 DESTINATION RIYADH

Red Eye Un-Brie-lievable

Beef with Bite Anaheim Jack

#thenewgoods Etoile Center, King Abdul-Aziz Road, Jeddah

TheCounterKSA

thecounterburger.com

E v ents an d H a p p en i n g s

01

DRAG RACING COMPETITION iS PART OF 84th SAUDI NATIONAL DAY FESTIVAL In cooperation with the Riyadh traffic department, a drag racing competition was held at the Dirab Motorsport Park. The best Saudi motorsports teams participated in the main event, with Destination Riyadh sponsoring one of the promising racers, Bandar Hamdi. Amateurs were also given the chance to try the race track and promote responsible driving among the Saudi youth.

WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON!

02

‘Me, My Selfie and I’ by Noorah Kareem at Alaan Art Space Noorah Kareem unveiled her quirky but equally insightful collection “Me, My Selfie and I” at the Alaan Art Space on Sept.

17. Her latest artwork showcase featured people in their wackiest selfie poses and draws some inspiration from Instagram.

03

THE RITZ CARLTON RIYADH GOES BIG ON SAUDI NATIONAL DAY The grandest celebration for the 84th Saudi National Day was held at The Ritz Carlton Riyadh on Sept. 23. The event, which was open to the public, featured a light show, fireworks and a special parade of the Saudi Military units. The celebration was staged under the supervision of the Riyadh Governor Prince Turki bin Abdullah.

16 DESTINATION RIYADH

04

Hamley’s hosts Lego Building Competition Young and aspiring master builders converged at the Hamley’s Toy Store in Panorama Mall Sept. 11-13 for a free Lego building competition.

Children had the chance to create different models that became part of Hamley’s Lego mini-city, which will be on display all throughout the month of October.

05

DYSON Saudi Arabia Holds Consumer Launch DYSON, the British based manufacturer and provider of vacuum cleaners, has introduced its newest technologies in the market through a consumer launch in September at Granada Mall.

06

Fahad Al Niymah Exhibit debuts at Naila Art Gallery Saudi artist Fahad Al Niymah debuted his first solo exhibition at Naila Art Gallery Sept. 9-22. Hidden Emotions consists of contemporary abstract paintings and has been described by local patrons as, “emotionally charged and a refreshing addition to the Riyadh art scene.”

07

Ag Trade Show Draws Thousands With Saudi Arabia being the biggest agriculture market in the Middle East, the 33rd International Agriculture, Water & Agro-Industry Trade Show, Saudi Agriculture, was an eagerly awaited event. The exhibition opened its doors Sept. 7–10 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center (RICEC), covering all aspects of the agriculture and food industries from cultivation, to management, production, packaging and distribution.

DESTINATION RIYADH 17

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

4

14 16

Oct. 4 – 7 Saudi Stone A special showcase designed to help meet the needs of trade buyers for the latest technologies and products.

Oct. 14 - 15 Intersolar Summit Middle East The two-day conference will be located in the prestigious Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre (RICEC).

Location: Riyadh Exhibition Center

Location: Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center – RICEC

21 Oct. 21 – 23 Medicine and Law Forum 2014 The conference provides a platform for key issues to be explored and debated.

Annually attended by 400-600 delegates from all over GCC.

29 Oct. 29 – 30 Neonatal And Pediatrics Mechanical Ventilation Course Location: Postgraduate Training Center, RD

18 DESTINATION RIYADH

Oct. 16, 19, 20 4th Quality and Patient Safety Workshop Specialties: Quality Management Division Tel: +966-11-4647272, Ext: 35214 / 39073 Location: King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KFSHRC)

Oct. 21 – 23 Mother, Baby and Kids Expo Mothers and women in general, you wouldn’t want to miss out on this expo!

Location: Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS MONTH! Oct. 29 – 30 Organ Transplant Laparoscopy Training Course Specialties: Research Center Tel: +966-4647272, Ext: 31730 Location: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC)

+

DR magazine is not responsible for any event cancellation.

To add your event here, contact us at dr@rummancompany.com

20 21

19 Oct. 19 – 21 4th International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation The current reality of disability and rehabilitation imposes on the conference many themes and challenges that directly benefit the disabled and raises the scientific and practical level for workers in that field.

Location: The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh.

25

Oct. 20 Introduction of Using Laboratory Animals in Biomedical Research Specialties: Research Center Tel: +966-11-4647272, Ext: 31730 Location: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC)

Oct. 25 Mike Tyson: The Undisputed Truth Tour Oct. 25 – 26 International Quintessence Dental Arab Congress Location: Al Faisaliah Hotel, Prince Sultan Hall

Location: This event offers an opportunity for Tyson fans to openly speak with the boxer and gain insights from his unique and diverse experiences. Reserve your tickets now to guarantee your seat!

Web: luxuryevents-sa.com

Oct. 21 – 23 Burden of Cancer in the Gulf Region The global burden of cancer continues to increase largely because of the growth of the world population alongside with increasing adoption of cancercausing behaviors. Greater emphasis on healthcare not only has cost benefits but also increases access, improves continuity of care and brings care closer to the home and community.

Location: King Faisal Hall for Conferences, InterContinental Hotel

27

Oct. 27 – 28 4th annual Solar Arabia Summit The 4th annual Solar Arabia Summit is connecting up to 250 solar project holders from across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the world’s leading solar technology manufacturers, project developers and service providers.

Zip Code:

P.O.Box: 4113 Jeddah 21491, Saudi Arabia

DESTINATION RIYADH 19

BUSINESS

Saving Early Pays Off

Saving can help you achieve your financial goal. It may be a cliché phrase but it can’t be truer. From long-term goals like retirement to impulsive designer shopping sprees, planned saving will get you there without resorting to debt or … deprivation.

In behavioral finance, “saving” is an activity that requires a set of traits: planning, patience, discipline and composure. In terms of spending, most Saudis combine both generosity and cleverness but careful planning is something that only few practice and live by. The good news is that saving is for everyone, regardless of their financial wealth, age or profession.

The time to start saving is yesterday!

Starting Age

Saving Per Month

20

SR 510

25

SR 725

50

SR 5,600

65

tter a m o o So, n r age, d g you rt savin sta ow. n 20 DESTINATION RIYADH

SR 2 n millio

Time plays a great role in the accumulation and growth of wealth, and the earlier you start the easier and better off it gets. And while putting aside a portion of your salary and watching it grow isn’t easy for most people, let alone those with obligations and itch for fine living, these mathematical realities may help change your mind (and heart).

Let’s say you’re 20 years old right now. You want to have SR 2 million set aside for retirement at age 65 and, magically, there’s fund out there that will return 7 percent a year. If you start investing at age 20, you’ll need to put aside about SR 510 a month to reach this goal. If you start at age 25, you’ll need to set aside about SR 725 a month to reach this goal (but you don’t have to save anything from ages 20 to 25). The computation goes on till you will need to set aside SR 5,600 a month from age 50 to 65 to reach the aforementioned goal. Note that inflation (rising prices) reduces the buying power of your money. Its annual rate ranges from 3-5 percent in Saudi Arabia.

The bottom line is that the longer you wait, the harder it gets to accumulate enough money for retirement and vice versa.

DESTINATION RIYADH 21

S pecial F eat u r es

Riyadh’s F oo d C r i t i c

By Jou Pabalate Photography by Mohammed Al Deghaishim

Turki Al Dhfayan is the definition of a social foodie.

He has instagrammed his way into the dining consciousness of Riyadhis. His honest to goodness approach to food has made him the go to person for local food reviews. His Arabic instagram, M63M will soon reach 80,000 followers and with that, Turki has decided to bring his love of technology and passion for food to another level.

We sat down with the Riyadh food critic to hear his thoughts on food and restaurants in the city.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? What do you do for a living? Are you originally from Riyadh?

I’m 29 years old, and I am working in the banking industry as an E-Channels manager. Originally I am from the center of KSA, “Hotat Bani Tamim” but I lived in Riyadh most of my life. I am into new things and like to keep myself updated with the latest technology. I like to travel a lot and scout restaurants that provide food with authentic tastes.

22 DESTINATION RIYADH

Where did you get your passion for food?

I always had a passion for it since I was young, I love trying new food and exploring new restaurants.When I was in Europe on vacation, during my stay at the hotel, I found brochures about local restaurants and food recommendations/suggestions and critic reviews. I became motivated and wanted to know why these restaurants were highly recommended.

After having my meal at the restaurant, I loved the quality of food and its originality. As a result of enjoying the taste

of the local cuisine, I have decided to search for food critics that review restaurants, as I wanted to compare my opinion with theirs.

What made you decide to start m63m?

I had the idea a long time ago, I have always wanted to start my own website where I can express my opinion about the restaurants that I have visited. After reading other critics and reviews by other people, it gave me the drive to share my opinion to the public as well. Before starting

M63M, I was reviewing food and sharing my opinion through an application called Koala. After Facebook shut down Koala, I started using Foursquare. The capacity of followers you can have on Foursquare is up to 1,000 followers, which seemed to be quite little. After reaching the limit of 1,000 followers, I have realized that I can have greater potential using Instagram since the number of followers you can have is unlimited.

DESTINATION RIYADH 23

M63M has been very successful in reaching out to the Saudi/local community? What do you think is behind such success and following?

In your experience as a food critic, what are the five hidden food gems in Riyadh?

Actually I love the food in the Villa restaurant that serves Thai food.

The second one is Lusin that is providing Armenian food.The third one is HighWay5 Restaurant that specializes in burgers.

The fourth one is Tokyo Restaurant specially to taste the real Japanese food and the fifth is Kampai restaurant to taste the fancy type of Japanese foods.

I believe that the secret behind the brand’s success is the honesty and transparency that I provide in my reviews. I have reviewed various aspects about restaurants I eat in, but I specifically emphasize on reviewing the taste of the food.

As a food critic, what do you look for in a “good” Riyadh restaurant?

When I started scouting for good food, I mainly focus on the taste itself rather than the environment and the experience. Of course the environment and service does play a role in building a restaurant’s reputation, but I go mainly for the taste.

these factors are considered convenient and familiar.

How would you describe the Riyadhi taste buds?

What do local diners look for in terms of taste, experience, ambience, etc?

In your opinion, how has the food and dining industry in the city changed or developed in recent years?

I have noticed that the Riyadh population craves fast food (specifically burgers). Some of the main factors that burger restaurants in Riyadh are getting attention is because they are nearly everywhere, cheap and fast-serving, as

What new trends do you think will happen in the Riyadh food scene? Any new restaurants you’re excited about?

The food industry in Riyadh has been focusing a lot in opening fast-food restaurants.

But also, there have been many places where fine dining has been introduced in the past three to four years.

I think the new trend coming into Riyadh is going to be Brunches (breakfast and lunch) and the restaurants that serve them like IHOP or Waffle House.

I am quite excited about California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), it is a huge franchise in the United States and the chain is growing globally. I want to see if they will be able to bring their flavors to Riyadh.

Nozomi is another restaurant I am excited about, which is an oriental cuisine.

I mainly focus on the taste itself rather than the environment and the experience.

24 DESTINATION RIYADH

DESTINATION RIYADH 25

S pecial F eat u r es

By Anousha Vakani

Take a deep breath now, because you’re going to be okay. You’re going to impress your business partners, your boss and your co-workers with your impeccable table manners. You’re going to make loads of friends at the next dinner party because you fit in so well. All you have to do is pay attention until the end of this article which will be your tiny guide to the world of Arab dining etiquette.

one

four

Never eat with your left hand.

When using both a fork and a knife, always hold the knife in your left and the fork in your right hand. You might struggle a bit with cutting your meat but it’s all worth it in the end when you get promoted or invited to the next dinner party because you didn’t alienate everyone by *gasp* eating with your left hand.

People who’ve been raised here have been desensitized to the truckload of sugar used in every dessert; nothing is sweet enough for us. But if you’re going to be having a traditional Arab dessert for the first time, here are two things you should know: first of all don’t grimace, deal with your toothache later in private, and secondly if you’re prone to sugar rushes, make sure there’s someone to drive you home later. Don’t drive on a Saudi dessert-induced sugar rush.

RIGHT IS RIGHT

two

SPEAKING OF HANDS …

Don’t shy away from grabbing a fistful of rice and stuffing it in your mouth, especially if everyone is doing it. Don’t worry about a few grains falling on your lap or dripping down your cheeks because eating with your hands is not really about elegance.

However, if you can’t muster the courage to look like a slob,

don’t hesitate to ask for a spoon,

and if you really want to fit in just use your first three fingers and eat slowly.

26 DESTINATION RIYADH

SWEET!

three

WHEN YOU’RE SERVED HALF A SHEEP Don’t gasp when half a sheep and 10 kilos of rice are brought to your table; this is Arab hospitality at its finest. But don’t worry about being rude if everyone’s plates are licked clean except yours.

If you’re at a restaurant, hand the waiter a few hundred riyals to go easy on your plate or dump some food under the table when no one’s looking,

although you might not want to do this at someone’s house.

Simply slip some of your food into the plates of the people on your left and right – no one will even notice.

five

THE LAST PIECE No one will reach for the last piece of something on the table as a courtesy to others who might want it. Don’t reach for it, but if you really want it, all you have to do is look at it enough times for someone to insist you have it.

WE THINK CREATIVE Design & Art Direction Brand Identity

www.lubecreative.com

Content Development Publishing

+966 12 606 0291

Strategy & Consulting

info@lubcreative.com

DESTINATION RIYADH 27

RIYADHIS eat...

. Dine in

where

S pecial F eat u r es

Hello Riyadh!

As you know we conducted a survey Sept. 1–20 to see where your favorite eating hot spots are! The poll was divided into two categories: dine-in and fast food. We received 952 votes.

And the top five for each category are …

1

Steak House Piatto

2

3Tokyo

4 5

Yokari

JohNny

28 DESTINATION RIYADH

Ro c k e t s

. Fast Food People are always McLovin’ the Asian chicken burger and nuggets.

Kudu’s first branch opened in Riyadh over 20 years ago.

4

5

kudu

3

Dairy Queen

Domino's pizza

Burger king Approximately 2 million

sandwiches are sold every day, or around 700 million each year, worldwide.

2

mcdonald's

curly fries are

twisted good

AND Upgrade YOU them for CAN f r e e

Domino’s Pizza offers

= money-savers!

!

DESTINATION RIYADH 29

S pecial F eat u r es

Battle Royale

of Riyadh’s Food Districts

By Jou Pabalate and Johara Al Mogbel

We are a city where dining is considered to be the favorite pasttime. While the capital is divided into 16 major districts, not all of them have fully blossomed into dining destinations. We’ve narrowed things down to the four major districts where one can discover different eateries nestled together. Here are the best dining hotspots north, east, south and west of the capital just to make sure that thou shall never starve in Riyadh.

ASSULAYMANIYAH

The Fancy District As Sulaymaniyah is the District 1 of Riyadh. Being at the heart of the capital, it’s the first and wealthiest commercial area. Hence, it was a logical step for entrepreneurs to put up luxury boutiques and highend dining establishments to cater to the sensibilities of its affluent dwellers. On the other hand, at the fringes of this district are budget friendly restaurants located at what is called as the Little Manila of Riyadh.

Best For

People looking to dine out during weekends with their families and friends, if you don’t mind the traffic.

New to Try

Kitchenation: Kid-friendly, the colorful interiors and Turkish-international fusion menu is great for casual dining.

District Tribute to Food

Tahliya Street, for casual and fine dining; Little Manila for cheap eats.

30 DESTINATION RIYADH

Pizza Fusion

Pizza Fusion

Pizza Fusion

Organic comfort food. Yey! Their restaurant is a bit cramped but forgivable for those who wish to eat good Italian food made from organic ingredients. We have a soft spot for their tasty pizza and the lasagna.

Courtesy photo / Mohammed Al Deghaishim•Jou Pabalate • Johara Al Mogbel •thehungergames.com

Visit Little Manila: For those who love Asian cuisines and snacks that are wallet friendly.

Little Manila is well known among locals, also known as the Little Batha but less crowded. Try a bit of Filipino favorites like the Spanish bread, Halo Halo (native shake) and Siopao from Blue Ribbon or spend as little as SR 70 for a chinese dinner at Peking restaurant.

Munch Bakery

When the cupcake wars came to an end, Munch Bakery was one of the few shops that remained triumphant. Their customer service is one of the best in the city and the red velvet cupcakes have stayed true to their Jeddah fame.

Munch Bakery

AL NAKHEEL

Munch Cupcakes

Fast Food District Introduction Once upon a time, central Riyadh was a quite fancy place to live in. Then it got a little bit crowded, and people discovered they could expand to the north, an uncharted land with a university residing there all on its own. A number of enterprising individuals did just that, setting up one of the swankiest areas in the capital right by King Saud University.

And, as usual whenever humans and their stomachs are involved, between new residents and college students, the demand for places to eat got so high the area became flooded with restaurants. And thus, the Fast Food district was born!

DESTINATION RIYADH 31

District Tribute to Food

Turki Bin Abdulaziz St. Park your car there and you will never starve.

New to Try Best For

If you can’t make a decision on where to eat, or have a number of errands to run, Hitteen Plaza is the place to go. With a supermarket, a pharmacy and restaurants from almost every category, it’s a one-stop wonder.

Menchie’s

Frozen yogurt that tastes like soft serve and an endless amount of toppings

Danube Cafe

The seats are in the middle of the supermarket. How much more fun can it get? Try the cheese labneh manaeesh! It’s the best.

Herfy Café and Grill

Don’t expect gourmet food, but the portions are large and their breakfast is one of the cheapest in town.

Saadedin

Biscuit ice cream. Do not miss the biscuit ice cream.

Upcoming

The Boulevard Riyadh.

Menchie's

Surf & Turf, Red Lobster Restaurant, coming to the Boulevard Riyadh soon

ARRAMANIYAH

The Jack of All Trades District Introduction: The district of Ar Ramaniyah is home to the burgeoning junction of Takhassussi and Oruba Street. After the commercial overspill in the district of As Sulaimaniyah in the ’90s, the rich started to look for areas around it that were unoccupied yet connected to heart of the city. With that came their desire to invest in the district, creating an extension for commercial traffic in the city.

Fast forward to today, gone are the days when one would drive across valleys of rocks and empty lots. What we love about Ar Ramaniyah is that it is successfully marrying the old classic favorites with the new dining scene.

Best For

Just about everything.

District Tribute to Food

Takhassussi and Oruba Street.

32 DESTINATION RIYADH

New to Try Caffe Bene

The Korean Café has put up its flagship outlet on Takhassussi St. recently. Great for people looking for out of the box drinks. Oh, and they have Bingsu (a popular Korean crushed ice snack with Rice Krispies and ice cream toppings).

Alaan Art Gallery

A haven for creatives and posh dining. The concept of Alaan is the first of its kind in Riyadh. Get inspired latest artist exhibit, sip coffee while enjoying design books or proceed upstairs for an international cuisine dinner.

Lula Restaurant

Strip away ambience, set aside good service and yes, throw away whatever notion you have of branding. Lula rests its laureates on one thing: GOOD CHEAP FOOD. How good? Enough to make people from the north, south, east and west of the city drive all the way to it and stand in queue for shawarma and their chicken shish tawuk with cheese.

THE FOOD MILE

I am not a district but I should be.

Whenever you ask anyone where to go for food, people refer you to Tahlia St. Every time, without fail. Which kind of makes sense because where else would you find a whole bunch of restaurants of different types in one convenient street in Riyadh?

Well … Move aside, Tahlia, there’s a new you in town!

King Abdulaziz Road, in Northern Riyadh, has lately been seeing an influx of new restaurants and concepts, all situated conveniently by each other. So much so the street name for it seems to be the Food Mile, as a kind chap on Foursquare has named it.

Caffe Bene

Best for

People who want space to eat and breathe in peace. It’s relatively new, so here is where you come to for hassle free lunch, every time. The Murooj District, also dubbed the Burger Town of Riyadh, is relatively close by for all you carnivore lovers.

The Road of Champions

Hamburgini: It won our burger wars last year and found itself on our cover. We revisited hamburgini and yep, they still hold a spot at the top for their yummy SR 9 burgers.

Steak House

The biggest branch in the capital, Steakhouse, Exit 5, is highly recommended because of the spacious setting, the amazing salad bar and awesome wait staff. Won our best dine-in restaurant poll.

Burger at Steak House

Steak at Steak House

DESTINATION RIYADH 33

S pe c ia l F e at u r e s

The Lazy Riyadhi’s Guide to Restaurant Deliveries

By Jou Pabalate

There are times when dining out in Riyadh on a weekend feels like trying to survive the zombie apocalypse; and when stepping out of the office for a quick lunch turns into a game of traffic Jumanji. Or like me, you’d rather eat in your pajamas undisturbed while binge watching consecutive seasons of Walking Dead and holding a movie marathon of Robin Williams classics with your friends. Whatever your reason, no judgment here — in fact, we’ll enable you even with this guide to food deliveries in the city.

ALL-IN-ONE DELIVERY WEBSITES Being put on hold for 15 minutes, dealing with background noise and phone static, barking your order seven ways till Sunday and still getting the wrong order in the end. These are the issues delivery websites promise to eliminate.

Generally, they all seem to

Promised

have the same setup and order process. Select your location, choose a restaurant, place your order. Simple, right?

Not quite, as we found out through our “delivery test,” not all sites are created equal.

Some of them will get you fed, while others make you want to bite your finger.

Delivered Hungerstation.com

Talabat.com

FoodOnClick.com

Hellofood.sa

Otlob.com

Phone Call

Phone Call

Phone Call

SMS

Website

Close but not the closest.

No, like, NO.

Website and Apps Icon

Easy Sign Up Working Mobile App Order Confirmation via Order Sent Quick to Restaurant

Order Sent to Nearest Branch Order Tracking

Customer Support

34 DESTINATION RIYADH

Countdown timer!

Canceled order.

Live Chat isn’t alive.

Feels like a 1-man Like chatting shop but he gets with Siri in 2012. the job done.

DESTINATION RIYADH 35

Verdict: Except for a website I will not name, all the services did what they said they would, which is to send our order to the restaurant. They pretty much step out of the conversation thereafter. The payment option is limited to “Pay on Delivery” and sites themselves don’t charge you extra for using their service.

Right now, the websites are most useful for offices, especially those in the common commercial areas. If its home delivery, knowing your district and what its called on the map would go a long way in getting an accurate list of nearby restaurants.

Useful Arabic Words

(For the Lost Delivery Guy & You)

I liked the fact that most of the websites provide information regarding the open and closed establishments as well as their respective minimum charges. The ability to see how long the order might take to arrive is a plus. If you plan to order from different restaurants, the ability to schedule their deliveries might come handy. There’s also an option to do a quick re-order if you’re a person or group of habit.

Tariq

Street

Gharib

Near

Minwara

Back

Ba’ad

After

Thani

Second

Yameen

Right

Yasar

Left

Waqqef

Stop

Eshara

Signal / Traffic light

Bab

Door

Bawabah

Gate

Raqam

Number

TOP 5 TIPS FOR THE ORDER MASTER 1.

Put something out for everyone to munch on! It’s psychologically proven that the starving feeling intensifies when people know they’re waiting. Stave it off and bribe them with nuts, crackers and hummus (Not sweets, it’ll make them hungrier).

2.

3.

Keep a copy of DR under the coffee table or kitchen drawer! Our restaurant directory covers both casual dining and fast food joints. There’s also a “notes” section to write your customer number or the nearest branches.

Use the power of the pin, the location pin that is! A nifty trick we’ve learned is to send our location via whatsapp to the delivery guy or the restaurant manager (most of them do, just ask).

36 DESTINATION RIYADH

4.

List down what you’re ordering before you order! It seems pretty common sense, but apparently not common enough. It also pays to counter check your list (condiments, sauces, etc.) with what arrived before letting the delivery guy go.

5.

Tip! I’d like to think of tips like a pat on the back. A little thank you for carrying out a huge order, managing to figure out your labyrinth directions or reaching you in record time doesn’t hurt. Actually, it only earns you a spot in the guy’s favorite customer list.

Indie Food Delivery Joints We Love 1. Bite Me!

We try to be healthy in the office. Bite Me makes good wholesome food that plays with your taste buds. They also provide the calorie count for each item if you’re watching your intake.

We love the raspberry and goat cheese salad, if you’re up for a little sweet indulgence, try their cheesecakes (Again, we’re healthy like that).

Instagram: @bitemeksa Mob: +966-54479 4133

2. BBQ Joint

For grill lovers and those who want to bite into some juicy kababs and tawooks. Dip them in the special hummus! (scheduled orders).

Mob: +966-507331177

3. Oishii Sushi

A homemade sushi business, Oishii is run by Saudi chefs from the Tokyo Sushi Academy.

They’re quickly getting noticed for the tasty maki rolls and can be quite accommodating for quick (large) orders. (Scheduled orders).

Mob: +966-566229310

DESTINATION RIYADH 37

S P E C I A L P L A C ES

Riyadh’s

By Johara Al Mogbel Photography By Mohammed Al Deghaishim

38 DESTINATION RIYADH

Farmers Market!

Underneath a ceiling of open arches every Saturday, in the neighborhood of Al Morooj, a contingent of farmers from nearby farming counties converge and display their wares for a waiting public. It’s a little loud, and a little noisy, and by noon all the best produce are usually gone, but it’s also a colorful, vibrant place that’s worth a visit if only to gawk at the technicolor hue of the produce on display.

Every Saturday at dawn for the past three years, without fail, my father packs up some hot bread and makes his way there to breakfast on fresh laban and zabadi (yogurt) and converse with the farmers about the state of affairs in the world. It’s a trip he makes every week and by noon our house is usually filled with fresh tomatoes, onions, eggplants, zucchini, strawberries, seedless grapes, fresh spices, and in the summer, drool-worthy watermelon.

Now, buying directly from small farmers who take care not to use pesticides and water their crops with fresh water does add a little extra cost to normal options available in normal veggie shops, but we’ve gotten so used to the taste of organic food, buying from anywhere else is no longer a viable option. But we’re okay with that. The comfort of knowing where your food was made and how

it was grown overrules any extra expense. Plus, even with the extra riyals, it still doesn’t come close to the costs of organic produce abroad. And best of all? By buying from the market, we’re supporting a new wave of agriculture in Saudi Arabia that will hopefully only grow until fresh homegrown fruit and veggies are the norm.

A few faults do mar this effort, however, as with all newly founded enterprises.

Lately, the market has been overrun by “fake” farmers: cheats that buy rejected produce from supermarkets then bundle them up and resell them as fresh produce to unwise consumers. There are also owners of small farm lots in Aziziah that use cleaned sewage water typically distributed by the municipality of Riyadh to water trees on the highways to grow their vegetables and then sell them for dirt cheap. Unfortunately, it can be a little easy to

DESTINATION RIYADH 39

be taken in, as these fakes generally hawk their wares at a much cheaper price, and crowd the genuine farmers.

Which brings up the question: How can they be avoided?

With a little research and a lot of wariness, as with all products.

Stay away from too-good-to-be-true bargains!

Organic farming is expensive and genuine farmers will have more expensive produce as well and a smaller range of products. And keep a look out for tried-and-true sellers with clear answers to how they do their farming. Fraih Alfraih, for example, specializes in fresh vegetables. Abdullah Almedeid has excellent spices, and his honey is 100 percent genuine. Abdulaziz Alfraih also specializes in spices. Hamad Alrasais is known for his dates and, more specifically for his lemons.

And if you’re ever hankering for a salad, Abdulaziz Alrizayn is the man for you.

He grows great leave plants of all sorts, from parsley to lettuce. Just ask around and you’ll be directed to their various places.

Who’d have thought Riyadh could have one of the cheapest sources for organic produce in the modern world? All we need now is for someone in Riyadh to start making and selling fresh pasta and another someone to make cheese, and we’ll be set. For life.

40 DESTINATION RIYADH

Quick Tips

• This is a place where your negotiation skills can be put to the test. Feel free to try and bargain a bit.

• If you know some Arabic, great, otherwise bring a calculator with you and prepare to do a lot of pointing.

• Double-check the produce. Look at the items on display, especially when it comes to bundle bargains.

How to get there

The Farmers Market is locally called Sooq Alshamal and is in the Morooj district.

DESTINATION RIYADH 41

D I N I N G A R OU N D TO W N

Oodles

of Noodles

In Town and At Home Riyadh Noodle Trek!

By Johara Al Mogbel

We’ve rounded up all the noodle-laden places in town in a handy list for you. Feel free to rip this page out and stick it to your fridge for future East-Asian food cravings

Noodle house

Peking

Yummy Wok

Villa

Mirage Royal Chinese Gulf Le Chateau Diamond

Wok N Flame

The place is a hole in the wall, so don’t expect anything fancy. You’ll sense this the moment you catch sight of its rusty and worn out signage. In a way, it adds to the authenticity of the place and reminds you of a Bangkok canteen. Recommended: The crispy noodles and the wonderfully cheap pad thai.

Very traditional Chinese restaurant by the Military Hospital in Assulaimaniyah, from the menu to the décor.

The place is usually filled with Chinese nationals, which bodes well for the food. Try the beef fried noodles!

We’ve lumped these four restaurants as they all serve very similar fare at a different range of prices, with Le Chateau and Diamond being at the pricier end.

Tokyo

Order the regular noodles with beef or chicken teriyaki, or change things up a bit and ask for the off-menu sōmen noodles.

Korean Palace

The restaurant’s décor is stuck in the ’70s, and you can usually find its Korean co-owner running the place, which adds to its authenticity!

The restaurant offers Chinese, Korean and Indian fare.

42 DESTINATION RIYADH

A new takeaway concept that specializes in only noodles, it wins in our book! You get to choose between thin or fat noodles, with either chicken, beef, or shrimp, and your choice of sauce. The most popular is the oyster sauce, which we can happily recommend. There are two branches, one in Hitteen Plaza and another in Aziziah Plaza.

A supposedly copy of Yummy Wok situated in Alrabea Plaza, Wok N Flame has been garnering fans of its own.

Rumor has it the waiting time is much less than its counterpart and they offer more choices in their noodles.

It’s recommended you stay away from the shrimp and stick with the duck. Plus, they let you add sesame seeds to your noodles! Definitely a must try.

Shogun

Shogun was the first Asian restaurant with a private chef that cooks at your table in Riyadh. Save this restaurant for special occasions as it can get a bit pricey.

Courtesy photo/ cafemint.blogspot

The seating is quite nice and their appetizers are great, but items on the menu rapidly run out so be prepared for them to tell you your favorite dish might not be available.

Our editor recommends the pad thai.

Oodles of Noodles At Home Of all the wonderful things East Asia’s given us, there is none more respected than the venerable noodle. Being the simple minded cooks we are, we’ve decided to tackle the tried and true staple of both Saudi and college students everywhere: The Instant Noodle! With a twist, of course. We’re putting up two personal recipes and pitting them against each other. Because we’re us, and who would give up a chance to recreate Battle Royale but with noodles? Rules: It can’t involve much effort, it can’t take more than 10 minutes to prepare, and it can’t cost more than SR 25. Let the (carb-based) games begin!

The Egghead Hot sauce Spices to taste

1 pack of instant noodles

Egg

The Egghead: INGREDIENTS

1 pack of instant noodles (SR 1) 1 egg (a few halalas) Spices to taste (SR 5 a packet, zero if using

included instant noodle spices) Hot sauce (SR 2 a bottle)

PREPARATION

Bring a small pot of water to boil and drop the instant noodles in. As soon as the noodles begin to soften a bit, drop in the spices. Let the noodles cook a little more and then break an egg over them. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: we are not responsible for any burnED tongues or clogged arteries should you wish to recreate this experiment.

DESTINATION RIYADH 43

The Bangkok Knock-Off

1 pack of instant noodles

Onion

Olive oil Tom yum paste

PREPARATION

The Bangkok Knock-Off: INGREDIENTS

1 pack of instant noodles (SR 1) 1 onion, chopped (10 halalas) 1 tablespoon of tom yum paste (SR 31 for an entire jar, SR 2 for a spoonful) Olive oil (SR 10 a bottle) 44 DESTINATION RIYADH

Place the instant noodles in a bowl and pour boiling water over it. Leave it to aside to soften a bit. Meanwhile, pour a little olive oil in a frying pan, dump the chopped onions in, and caramelize them over a preheated stove. When you’ve reached the level of caramelizing that you like, add in the noodles. Mix them all together on the stove for the noodles to cook in the remaining olive oil, then mix in the tom yum paste. Take off of the oven, and stuff it into your mouth. Directly. Straight from the pan. And rejoice!

Result: It’s a little pricier and it takes more time, but we liked the Bangkok Knock-Off a little more than the Egghead. What’s that? Oh, yes. We’ll be stir-frying all our instant noodles now that we’ve figured our way around stoves and pans.

yo u r s ’ What orite fav odle cup no on? modificati k n o w!

Let us

D I N I N G A R OU N D TO W N y o u ’ v e g o t t o t ry

Caffé Bene

Bubble Tea!

By Jou Pabalate

While it has been making its way around the world since the 1980s, bubble tea only arrived in Riyadh late last year and it’s only getting a good following these past few months.

Courtesy photo / bubbeltea.com

Originally from Taiwan, it’s quite fitting that the bakery to first offer it in Riyadh is Mr. Dainty — a Taiwanese franchise.

So what is it? The “bubbles” are made of tapioca and look like black pearls at the bottom of the cup. You get an extra wide straw to suck them in.

You must then get ready for a sweet, slippery yet chewy experience in your mouth.

your chai latte, iced with a little something to surprise you at the end of your sip.

For those looking for a more familiar taste, I’d recommend the chocolate bubble tea. The taste is closer to a glass of choco milk than actual tea.

I just love it cause it reminds me of Nesquick.

ething Here’s som vers a lo for the te tte la and chai iyadh!

R f addicts o

If you’re looking for a little sweet adventure, South Korean Caffé Bene offers their unique twist on Bubble tea with their very own Red Velvet Milk Tea with pearls.

The original flavor sold at Mr. Dainty has a subtle tea-ness to it and the sweetness comes mainly from the tapioca. It’s

DESTINATION RIYADH 45

YOKARI

D I N I N G A R OU N D TO W N

Japanese restaurant raises the bar in Asian fine dining

Opulent dining has always been a tricky affair in the city of Riyadh. There’s a silent understanding among food connoisseurs to set expectations lower for restaurants in the city. Food International, a Saudi-owned food and beverage company dares to break the silence by creating a dining concept and experience that sets the bar of excellence for other restaurateurs in the Kingdom.

The restaurant has had a fully booked dinner service since its opening. Hence, getting a reservation is not just recommended— it’s a must. The good news is, you can book online or over the phone rather conveniently.

The moment you arrive at the doors of Yokari, a gentleman at the reception greets you with a smile and a “Hai!” for good measure. This is where their advance reservation system shows off its chops. Yokari is able to store and cascade your preferences, pet peeves and allergies in order to anticipate and provide a bespoke 46 DESTINATION RIYADH

P ROMOTION

service based on your needs and wants. Begin your Yokari experience with their Zensai (starters), the Hamachi yellow tail is perfect for anyone who appreciates the refined balance of acidity and freshness of ingredients.

The radish cuts through the flavor and adds a unique layer of texture. For those looking for something more familiar, karaage (shrimp balls) and karashi ebi (tempura) promises to exceed expectations.

STAFF photo/MOHAMMED AL DEGHAISHIM

Yokari has mastered the artistic and technical precision of Japanese cuisine. Its name is aptly a portmanteau of the Japanese words, Yoki meaning from and Hikari, meaning light. The restaurant is a testament to authentic Japanese food; given a refined, modern interpretation with indulgent ingredients you won’t find anywhere else in the Kingdom.

In terms of salads, one cannot go wrong with the Kaisen. The succulent king crab meat provides a taste of the sea, while the scallops, prawns and seaweed add a unified depth to the texture and flavors.

For mains, one will see that their Moriawase (large plate) menu is carefully crafted to offer a select number of dishes that have been finetuned to perfection. Seafood fans will love the Gindara (black cod), it has a soft and silky texture and offers a sweet note. The fish itself has been marinated for three days to achieve the taste you’ll get in every bite.

What is a Japanese restaurant without its Nigiri, Maki Rolls and Sushi? Yokari serves up the epitome of each element that leaves its kitchen.

You would find yourself gastronomically hooked to the Wagyu truffle with ponzo jelly (nowhere else in the city would you find this), sake (salmon topped with caviar) and for those who want something of an acquired but exuberant taste—the Otoro (blue fin tuna) topped with foie gras and a gold garnish.

As for the maki rolls, making a debut in Riyadh is the Beikoku (soft shell crab) with a subtle but defined flavor that is succulent and heightened by the sambal mayo and garlic. There’s also the Unagi

Saku Saku (deep fried sushi) which can appeal to those looking for a crunch in their bite.

For beverages, Yokari can also rank high as the ideal metropolitan lounge at the heart of the city. The mocktails aren’t simply a mix of faux flavors and syrups but rather an intricate result of true mixology. The Yokari mojito comes highly recommended if you’re looking for something invigorating. While the Shiso Blossom is for those who like a kick of sweetness.

The pastry chef at Yokari prepares a dessert menu that not only indulges but comforts. They serve a different selection of homemade ice cream and sorbets daily, which adds a playful ribbon to end your night.

Over all, the Yokari experience is a nouveau approach to Japanese fine dining in the city and dare I say, the Kingdom. The restaurateurs behind this establishment have pushed the limits of what is imaginably possible in the local dining scene and have definitely brought Yokari to where it is now in record time, one of the best restaurants in Riyadh.

Location: Second Floor, Centria Mall Tel: +966-11-2886999 Reservations: Yokari.com

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DESTINATION RIYADH 47

hotel burj rafal Kempinski Riyadh's Latest Dining Hot Spot

DINING AROUND TOWN

Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski is the ideal destination not only for those seeking luxurious accommodation, but also for those who appreciate wonderful culinary delights. This five-star hotel located in the tallest residential tower in the city is home to culinary prodigies, namely The Grand and Tuğra restaurants, and Skylight opening soon.

At The Grand restaurant, guests will enjoy an allday dining buffet featuring European cuisine, Arabic and Middle Eastern delicacies, all of which include vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

The Grand is perfect for all occasions from casual to formal. Their facilities at the restaurant include three semi-private rooms for private 48 DESTINATION RIYADH

P ROMOTION

functions, a must-try Friday Brunch and an appetizing spread of options in the lunch and dinner buffets.

DR Recommends: Their Sea Bass is light, fresh and definitely something you can go back and try over and over again. And their freshly baked bread is a must-try!

Unfortunately, Ottoman cuisine seems to have lost its unique taste nowadays.

It took a lot of research through libraries and palace historians to bring back some documents filled with Ottoman Palace cooks’ professional kitchen secrets and recipes.

Tuğra, Kempinski’s signature restaurant, proudly states that they benefited from all these documents in order to provide their guests with a taste of history – authentic Ottoman cuisine.

s: mend r, m o c DR Re e platte

ezz ly Cold M i and fresh ts t s er Kulba rkish dess a.

Tu af baked a and Kun v Bakla STAFF photo/MOHAMMED AL DEGHAISHIM

Your visit to Riyadh would not be complete without a dining experience at the prestigious Kempinski Hotel. Their dining options are remarkable due to the exceptional experience of global flavors they provide.

Each of their restaurants offer a different ambience and flavor, with the common factors being premium quality food, they’re all ideal options for businessmen, families and women, and that they’re open all throughout the day.

DR Recommends:

Their Syphon coffee machine, exclusively available in KSA through Kempinski.

Skylight is an internationalcuisine, pool-bar themed restaurant opening soon at Kempinski. Sunshine lovers, stay tuned for the opening date, since Skylight will stand out among restaurants due to the beautiful view it’ll offer of the city.

In addition to the culinary delights, Kempinski also has two noteworthy cafés and lounges, Le Bijou and El Capitolio. Le Bijou, a delectable little French café, takes Riyadhi’s on a journey to the heart of France with their exclusive breakfast, tea, pastries and desserts collections. Families can enjoy some quality time at Le Bijou’s terrace seating area.

Last but not least there’s El Capitolio, which is a cigar lounge offering an impressive collection of coffee, tea and mocktails. El Capitolio features the widest cigar selection in the city, and it’s mostly known for being the best location for people to relax, unwind and take a break.There’s something for everyone at the Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski. Plan your next meal with them.

Location: Burj Rafal Community, King Fahad Road Unit 1 Tel: +966-11-5117777 Email: burjrafal.hotel@ kempinski.com Web: kempinski.com/burjrafal

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DESTINATION RIYADH 49

DINING AROUND TOWN

Mohammed and the

Chocolate City

By Mohammed Al Deghaishim and Jou Pabalate

Chocoholics, rejoice! Riyadh just got a whole lot sweeter. Pitting themselves side by side, the chocolate cafes and fine chocolate boutiques in the city are confectionary carnivals. These are surefire happy places for kids of all ages — and the best part?

They’ll definitely be indulging your inner child too!

Candylawa Panorama Mall

It looks like a department store for confectionaries, with every sweettooth’s desire cleverly divided into colorful and fun corners. There’s a café on the second floor overlooking the Panorama food court, which serves Arabic coffee as well as desserts.

A fair warning to parents:

There’s a connecting path between Hamley’s Toy Store and Candylawa. They’re also pretty slick in positioning their merchandising around the store, your kids will be tempted.

50 DESTINATION RIYADH

Shelves we love:

• DIY candy area • Thornton’s • Kitkat’s humongous collection • Willy Wonka’s

STAFF photo/MOHAMMED AL DEGHAISHIM

The first time I entered Candylawa, it made me want to dance and do cartwheels. The confectionary store is a game changer in the city, making others in its league seem like baqalas.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Takhassussi St.

We’ve always thought that a fudge mountain with cocoa waterfalls would be an awesome addition to the Riyadh landscape. So when we first got whiff of this new place, our imagination went into overdrive. It’s not that but it still managed to wow us with their selection of imported goodies.

Rocky Mountain originated in the small town of Durango, Colorado. Their Riyadh franchise carries most of its world-famous products: chocolate barks and slabs, truffles, buttercup pails and buckets and caramel apples.

The cost of the chocolates is on a per gram/kilo basis, it makes the prices seem daunting but in reality, they are somewhat reasonable if you’re buying a piece of this and that. The caramel apples are anywhere between SR 25-30, with the apple pie flavor being their top-seller.

DR Recommends:

The Avalanche Bark is LOVE (all caps worthy).

If you like Rice Crispy treats, chocolate, peanut butter, marshmallows and any kind of sensible goodness, it’s all that in one bite.

CANDY DAYS

STAFF photo/Jou Pabalate

Riyadh Gallery Mall When the whole candy store trend started in Riyadh, Candy Days was the first to open a big carnival like shop in the city. It became a hit simply because of the Riyadhi’s love for novelty and a sugar high.

While it does have a good round up of confectioneries like jellybeans, Hershey’s,

Nutella and more, we’re hoping they would up their ante with more items that we won’t find a Tamimi supermarket. We actually left the store empty handed during our last visit because the popcorn corner wasn’t serving fresh popcorn and some of the items were gathering dust.

It was rather off-putting considering their stuff was rather pricey.

DESTINATION RIYADH 51

DINING AROUND TOWN

RIYADH’S COFFEE

STRIP

By Jou Pabalate

Destination Riyadh is made of love, passion and boatloads of coffee! With over 30 cafes spread across its pavements, Tahliya Street is our go-to place for our caffeine fix. Below is our list of must-try’s if you ever find yourself in search of a buzz:

For Chocolate Lovers A place where describing your order is a lot less time consuming than trying to pronounce anything on the menu. The marriage of rich chocolate and espresso in their coffee cioccolattato is both thick-textured and decadent

2. Cappuccino at Paul’s

Breakfast Lovers We would recommend having cappuccino at Paul’s dine-in rather than to go; just because of the little piece of sponge cake you get to dip in your cup.

DR Pick: For a light morning pick-me-up, we love pairing the cappuccino with a pain au chocolait.

52 DESTINATION RIYADH

3. French Vanilla Latte at Tutti Café

Ladies’ Favorite If you like starting your day with something sweet, silky and creamy, then join the French Vanilla Latte fans club of Tutti café. The drink is a hit with college students and the ladies of Riyadh. I think it’s because you get a 2-in-1 sugar high and caffeine buzz in every cup.

4. Brewed Coffee at Dunkin Donuts The Manly Fix It’s a local favorite of local Riyadhi men for any time of the day. The original Arabica blend has a very bold flavor; its simplicity is its charm, no foams and syrupy frills here.

Only on Tahliya: You’ll see Harley-Davidson riders parking their big motorcycles outside on some Thursdays

and weekends, turning the otherwise no-seating outlet into their very own al fresco café. They’re actually a friendly bunch and will let you take a selfie on their bikes.

5. Dark Roast Coffee at Tim Horton’s

The Darkside has Doughnuts How do you take your coffee?

If your response is, seriously, very seriously; then Tim Horton’s may just be your next favorite addition on Tahliya.

Their coffee is made from 100 percent premium Arabica beans and we believe it. The dark roast is rich and full-bodied, matching well with their always-fresh doughnuts!

STAFF photoS / Mohammed Al Deghaishim

1. Coffee Cioccolattato at Cioccolat Italiani

6. Espessone at Lavazza Espression

Espresso Lovers The editorial team’s fuel of choice during deadlines. You’ll be amazed at the kick you’ll get from their itty-bitty cups.

Lavazza creations promise a taste of traditional Italian coffee. Regardless of which beverage you order, you will get that distinct solid espresso base.

7. Arabic Coffee at Bateel

After-Dinner Wind Down Bateel has positioned itself as a restaurant/café that appeals to local sensibilities.

Their gahwa is made with the finest traditional spices and served with complementary dates if you dine in.

8. Second Cup

A favorite among locals primarily because of the outdoor seating, Second Cup is right in the middle of Tahliya, on the corner of Localizer Mall. You come here to chill and for the lattes (their seasonal flavors are always a nice surprise), coincidentally, people also love their chillattes.

9. Starbucks

I will celebrate the day the barista takes my name and write it on the cup like any normal Starbucks franchise would. Nonetheless, it’s in this list because their in house coffee beans are good. The seasonal Kati Kati blend has fresh citrus notes and spice flavors that render a distinct acidity to it. The South American Veranda blend is a delight for people who like their coffee mellow and made with soft notes.

Did you know? You can order the Harry Potter Butterbeer at Starbucks.

If the local barista seems baffled, just hand him this:

STARBUCKS BUTTERBEER SECRET RECIPE

Crème Frappuccino base (no skimmed, full fat milk is a must) • Add three pumps of caramel syrup • Add three pumps of toffee-nut syrup • Top with caramel drizzle

10. Mocha at Caribou

For people who like their coffee to taste less like coffee, you’ll be very happy with their mocha variations. Otherwise, they have the best java blend and Sumatra coffee beans in the city if you want to keep things authentic.

DR Picks: Raspberry Mocha and Dark Chocolate Mocha if you want a bit of intensity hitting your palette.

For those who enjoy subtle flavors, try the campfire mocha and White chocolate mocha.

te hot ur favori us o y ’s t a h W et iyadh? L drink in R a photo and ap know! Sn tinationryd. es D # s u tag is too mber, life ee. e m re And off c d drink ba short to

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FA S H I O N & S H O P P I N G

54 DESTINATION RIYADH

DESTINATION RIYADH 55

SR 4,900

56 DESTINATION RIYADH

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FA S H I O N & S H O P P I N G

Tiny Trends

By Anousha Vakani

Hana is just 3 months old and I already love dressing her up – lace and frills, bows and beads – but as I wade through countless mommy blogs I come across many different takes on baby fashion and not everyone would agree with her “style.” I’ve come to the conclusion that there are three major “schools of thought” – the minimalist, the middle ground and the bling.

THE MINIMALIST

The minimalist acknowledges that babies couldn’t care less about their clothes and so they stick with the two C’s: clean and comfortable. The most important items in the minimalist’s closet are snappy onesies and sleepers that zip up or button down.

Nicole from The Same Rainbows End, mother to an adorable 1-year-old, believes that all babies need before they can move around on their own are footed onesies. ”My best advice for moms of baby girls who don’t have time or tears to spend on wrangling their infant daughters into dresses that involve layers and zippers and buttons: buy tutus. Invest in tutus. Buy stock in a tutu company. Because if you want your baby girl to elicit coos and smiles and silly faces and repeated confirmations that your kid is just adorable, all you need is a white onesie and a tutu. The Onesie-Tutu Theorem applies even when your daughter is stealing and eating everything in sight while sporting untamed bedhead and bare feet. Ask me how I know,” she writes in her blog. (thesamerainbowsend.com).

58 DESTINATION RIYADH

THE BLING

Obviously not literally bling but these parents dress their babies to the nines – headbands and matching shoes, dresses and skirts, shorts and overalls, bowties and dress shirts, you name it. And let’s face it, there’s nothing cuter than a baby boy in a bowtie and nothing more adorable than a baby girl in a lacy dress. I guess it’s only for a short while that you can pick your kid’s wardrobe before they begin refusing ruffles and ties, so why not go all the way?

THE MIDDLE GROUND

Most parents fall under this category usually by mixing and matching comfort with sparkles.

On most days, Hana hangs out in summer dresses or tops with tights because I think onesies are better suited for bedtime, but I keep the bows and ruffles tucked away in her closet for occasions.

Baby’s First Bites

BABY MUST HAVES FOR ALL STYLE TYPES: 1. Tutu for girls

I totally agree with Nicole, tutus are just so adorable and they work for all occasions — they can be as casual or as formal as you like depending on how you dress it up.

Recommended: Fairy tutu with tights – Next

Your baby’s early experiences with food will determine their eating habits for years to come, so it makes sense to start off with clean, healthy eating even though there may still be a couple of months (or years!) until your baby learns table manners.

2. Plain white onesie

The plain white onesie is a baby wardrobe staple. You can dress it up with a skirt, a dress, overalls or jeans or simply pair it with pajama bottoms for the night.

Recommended: Absolutely any baby clothing shop will have these!

Step 1: Consult with your pediatrician and make sure your baby is ready for solids.

Step 2:

Maryam Al Saeed

3. Nightgown

Nightgowns are the cutest thing ever and so convenient for quick nighttime diaper changes without completing waking the baby up.

Recommended: Mothercare Stars and Dreams Bundler

Step 3:

Buy fresh fruits and vegetables and use up within the next day or two. You can start with apples, bananas, peaches, pears, peas, potatoes and carrots. Wait a week before starting on a new puree to determine any allergies.

Step 4:

Nadia Arab

Steam or puree fruit or vegetable of choice.

4. Sun Hat

Sun hats are a must-have for those weekend beach visits or any daytime outing to minimize the chance of sunburn, plus a baby in a huge sun hat is the sweetest thing ever.

While you don’t need special equipment, you might want to keep a few things separate just for preparing your baby’s food such as food processor, a steamer and of course a cute bowl and spoon to serve.

Step 5:

Start with feeding your baby the amount of a teaspoon and freeze it (or eat it yourself!).

Abdulaziz Attar

Step 6:

Don’t despair if your baby seems to be spitting out most of the food, it will take them a while to get used to the taste. Just enjoy the process!

Recommended: Carter’s Polka Dot Poplin Sunhat

5. Something with ears!

Take advantage of these couple of years that your baby will look adorable in a hat, jacket, bathrobe or headband with tiny bear, rabbit, cow or hippo ears.

It’s just so CUTE. Recommended: Babies R Us Woombie Cuddle Towel

Saif Abbar Faisal Nasser

DESTINATION RIYADH 59

GADGETS

FA S H I O N & S H O P P I N G

Active Cooling Carafe SR 175

Pasta Spoon + Timer SR 65

The Active Cooling Carafe allows drinks to be chilled instantly — without ice!

The stylish table-top cooler incorporates two active cooling elements, making it ideal for chilling a variety of drinks including water, milk or fruit juice. Simply store the cooling elements in the freezer and insert into the Carafe base when you are ready to use.

Available at dokkanafkar.com

The Pasta Spoon + Timer is a tool designed to measure one portion of spaghetti, time it while it is boiling in the pan and scoop it from the pan when ready. With the help of the digital timer, which is stored in the handle, you can set the correct cooking time necessary for your spaghetti.

Available at dokkanafkar.com

Parrot MiniDrones Jumping Sumo SR 1,009 This fast, rugged and lively addition to the Parrot MiniDrones collection performs acrobatics as never seen before. Through this simple, easy-touse device, Parrot has reinvented the experience of playing with robots.

Jumping Sumo reveals its mischievous personality through the flashing LED lights and sounds. You can personalize your robot with a range of stickers depending on your mood!

Available at izone.

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Popcake Chocolate Fondue Dual Pack SR 247 Prepare delicious treats in no time with this popcake and chocolate fondue maker.

The practical popcake maker comes with a non-stick aluminum plate and thermostatic control. This piece is easy to clean and comes with non-slip rubber feet. The chocolate fondue maker features a keep warm function and includes four forks for your convenience.

Available at wysada.com

Chalk Mug with Two Speech Bubbles SR 57

Personalize your coffee or tea with our exclusive Chalk Talk Mug. Each mug comes with a blackboard space in which you can write on in chalk for a fun gift that keeps giving! Featuring a black speech bubble, this mug lets you start the morning off with a joke, personal mantra, or inspirational quote of your own choosing. Available at wysada.com

Jmelna Iphone Covers

SR 99

Use this stylish high-quality case to protect your phone from scratches and dust. Its unique design gives your phone complete access to all functions. Its designed for iPhone 5/5S. This case is the perfect way to show off your style. Available at dokkanafkar.com

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H E A LT H Y L I V I N G

y o u r

v e r y

o w n

SMOO THIEbar

By Carolyn Heaton

We all know what's “healthy,” so why are so many people sick and having to go to the doctor all the time? People going about their day-to-day life are always looking for new ideas, so I have put together what I call a “common sense” article to get you started.

I usually have time to prepare one meal per day if at home, the rest of the time I'm “snacking on the run.”

It’s always a challenge to keep up a healthy diet whilst traveling on business or even if you’re in an office or at home. You know the feeling, when you go somewhere perhaps to a meeting or gathering and there’s nothing available other than sodas, salty food and sweet treats?

Getting organized is the best way to start to lose weight or just maintaining an already healthy lifestyle. Chances are if you rely on eating in restaurants all the time, you

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could possibly get distracted to tasty, high calorie choices.

A good idea is to buy a food blender for the office or home and get experimenting with smoothies. Oranges, apples, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, grapes, pineapple to name but a few are great standbys to create your very own cocktail.

Adding small amounts of vegetables for instance cucumber, lettuce, spinach and tomatoes can make interesting drinks.

Coconut water and almond milk make good substitutes for dairy milk. Look out for nuts like cashews, unsalted peanuts and sunflower seeds to snack on, keeping these in your handbag, and don’t overdo it for hungry moments.

By having your own smoothie bar at hand, in the office

and at home, you’re likely to keep your nutrient level topped up and stop un-invited salty and sweet cravings. An important anti-craving mineral is chromium. It’s pretty much readily available in most healthy foods for example fruit and vegetables. Of course everyone knows of the vitamin C content of oranges, so get juicing and blending.

Courtesy photo/ dws4.me • wall.alphacoders.com

People are very busy with family, work and pressures from one thing or another and it's frightening that sometimes we don’t even have enough time to eat. As a nutritionist, I'm no exception to the rule.

People think I spend hours preparing meals for myself and my family, the reality is that there isn’t enough time for slaving over a hot stove, especially here in Saudi as most of the year the weather is well above my temperaturegauge tolerance.

I must admit my favorite fruit to have at home is lemon. If I don’t have a big stack of these in a bowl in the kitchen, there could be something wrong! Why? I just love the fresh, sharp taste in iced water, savory and sweet dishes.

What's nicer than thinly sliced lemon in a cool glass of water?

I also put lemons through the electric citrus press and make fresh lemon juice. It’s always in the fridge to add to drinks, smoothies and food.

Courtesy photo/sheknows • nourishingmeals.com

I adore making ice cubes from freshly squeezed lemon juice, always there for me on busy days. Lemons are natures very own alkalizing fruits, helping to keep acidity in the body at bay.

The fruit and vegetable man spoils me when I come to Saudi in my locality where I find fresh fruit for instance lemons, oranges, apples, pineapple, guava, pomegranate, watermelon and much more. Spinach, parsley, coriander, spring onions name just a few of my everyday

staples. His brother brings me a trolley and puts the produce in a bag for me; I don’t get that kind of service in England! In the end of the day planning ahead with plenty of fruit and vegetables will keep hunger pangs at bay, energizing your body and mind, and work towards keeping you disease free and in optimum health.

YOU'RE LIKELY TO KEEP YOUR NUTRIENT LEVEL

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H E A LT H Y L I V I N G

Health and Safety

Tips for Hajj

By Zareen Muzaffar

It’s that blessed time of the year once again. Days of Hajj are inching closer and everyone in the Kingdom is looking forward to blessings, forgiveness and peace during the auspicious month.

Here are some health and safety tips for our pilgrims who are preparing for Hajj this year.

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Prepare a will Official documents

Before leaving for Hajj, make sure you make an extra copy of the documents you are taking with you. Leave a copy behind with your family and take the other with you. It is always advisable to keep a separate document holder in your bag.

May of us tend to fold important papers and stuff them in our wallets, and that is risky.

Don’t keep all your important cards in your wallet, just take the necessary ones with you and leave the rest behind.

Vaccinations

Courtesy photo/ shutterstock.com • haj.gov.sa

With the ongoing viruses and illnesses, it is imperative to get yourself and your family vaccinated for a trouble free journey. Visit your doctor before embarking for Hajj so he can prescribe vaccinations and give other helpful advice.

Educate yourself

For those who are going on Hajj for the first time, it is highly advisable to read and educate yourself and your family about the principles and practices of Hajj. There are some really well written and informative books on Hajj available in major bookstores as well as online. Although going in groups really helps as people can ask each other but reading and researching reaps better satisfaction.

For some pilgrims this is a suitable option as it alleviates stress related to the family’s future.

If one is embarking on such an important spiritual journey, it is better to deal with financial (or other) family related issues. This would possibly give a peace of mind to the travelers before they leave their home.

Social etiquettes

Be courteous and helpful to other pilgrims along the way. Being friendly and charitable always goes a long way. Making this journey easy for others brings peace to the soul and rewards from the creator. You can also help other elderly people on this journey by collecting stones when in Muzdalifah or by giving money or alms to the poor.

What to take along

It is very important to take along a small health aid kit, disposable slippers and gloves, prayer mat, sunglasses, loose clothing, scissors, multi-vitamins, snack bars and hand sanitizers.

Wearing a good quality cross-body bag is good for extensive walking instead of holding a bulky shoulder bag.

Monitor your health

Many pilgrims tend to overlook their health issues due to the spirit of Hajj and strong emotional feelings attached to the blessed journey. But it is equally important to gauge your health and this is especially pertinent for the elderly as they tend to ignore the danger signs. Make sure you carry your medications with you and the contact number of your family doctor.

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SPIRITUALITY

Tips for G R OyWo uI Nr Go w n

GREENS

By Umm Muhemmed

Although at first glance one might see enhanced productivity simply through outsourcing all growth, is there not a form of deen (religion)-centered productivity that takes root when we return to the soil?

Everyone Has

a green thumb

I have long heard, “I don’t have a green thumb” and “I can’t garden.” You may not (yet) like the soil or you may not like the sun, but everyone has the potential to be a gardener.

If something has not yet grown successfully under your watch, do not blame it on your ‘‘thumb.’’ Instead, consider gaining more knowledge and experience. We have to be open to re-envisioning our thumbs and our whole beings, for that matter, as we seek to tap a new, earthbound sense of productivity, in which we are connected to Allah’s creation in a tangible and constructive way. If you are lacking in inspiration, it may be enough simply to open the Qur’an and review any of the magnificent passages describing the growth that Allah has gifted us in this world.

CHEESE MATTERS •

• • •

•

•

The world’s biggest cheesecake, made in 2009 in Mexico, was 56 centimeters high, taller than the world’s shortest man, who is 54.6 centimeters tall.

Some of the world’s largest consumers of cheese include Greece, France, Iceland, Germany, Italy, the United States and Canada.

The United States produces more than 25 percent of the world’s supply of cheese.

Processed American cheese was developed by J.L. Kraft (founder of Kraft Foods) in 1915 as an alternative to the traditional cheeses that had a short shelf life.

The last week in June is National Cheese Week.

A cheesemonger is someone who sells cheese professionally.

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• •

According to the British Cheese Board, Britain has approximately 700 local cheeses.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, innovative monks were responsible for inventing some of the classic varieties of cheese we know today.

Start Small

and be realistic Involve

A cherry tomato is small, but even that was overly ambitious for us when we started. In fact, it took us four tries before we got it right (and even then several birds beat us to it). If you are new to the field of gardening, I recommend starting small, quite small, possibly with an herb or two, after first identifying what is indigenous to your area.

be persistent

As with all new activities, it is critical to be persistent.

Have a schedule; it can keep you on top of your weeding and watering. And of course remember to keep your eyes on the prize. That prize may come in the form of a cherry tomato or delicious mint, or perhaps it will come in the form of a child demonstrating that he has the potential to care for the earth.

Just do not abandon your garden. It is reported that prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “There is none among

the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him.”

(Bukhari). Yes, it may not be you or your family eating from your garden, initially, but do not overlook the benefit, including the charity of feeding a bird.

children,

and learn about the food chain

In addition to having children plant and reap, involving children in that ever evolving compost pile has been a wonderful teaching outlet.

This is science in action.

Although some recoil at the sight of worms breaking down our own vegetable matter, many are intrigued.

think of

Maryam

Earlier this spring, when we decided to plant fruit trees, I took further inspiration from Maryam, who we know to be especially blessed. Every time Zakariyya (pbuh) entered the Mihrab to visit her, he found her supplied with sustenance.

According to one narration, “He would find with her the fruits of the summer during winter, and the fruits of the winter during summer.” (Ibn Kathir). When Zakariyya (pbuh) would see this, he said:

SHARE YOUR GARDENING EXPERIENCE WITH US @DestinationRyd

“O Maryam! From where have you gotten this?” She said, “This is from Allah.

Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills, without limit.”

(Qur’an: Chapter 3, Verse 37) Find a Qur’anic model that inspires you. It may be Maryam or another, but the Qur’an has no lack of inspiration for gardening.

I pray that Allah accepts our efforts, and that gardens, the world over, flourish.

Facebook: ProductiveMuslim - Twitter: @AbuProductive

T R AV E L T R E N D S

By Mohammed Al Saadoun

NYC Conflict Kitchen: Scattered around Manhattan, these food booths only serve cuisines of countries with which the USA is in conflict. Their food varies from Afghanistan and Iran all the way to Cuba.

Have a lunch hour to spare and a passion for politics?

Roll up your sleeves because it is time for the munchies!

Some people go bird watching, while others go sightseeing. As for Destination, we went street food spotting worldwide!

conflictkitchen.org

Chelsea Market: Grab a bite

for lunch and take a stroll up in the High-Line, an abandoned railway turned promenade, passing right through the building’s top floors. The Chelsea Market is home to the National Biscuit Factory where Oreo was invented and produced.

spread the taste

dylanscandybar.com

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•

is what makes the world go round and round and round.

For peanut butter lovers and party favors, one can always have a minute to indulge in chocolate or even find nostalgic treats from their youth and XXL sizes that last a lifetime. Got a sugar rush and go by the alias Sweet Tooth?

Courtesy photo/ CHELSEA MARKET

Dylan’s Candy Bar: This

conflictkitchen

chelseamarket.com

Courtesy photo/ google

Oh Wow Portland, Oregon Food Carts: The place to be for yummy

travelers, this phenomenon took this town by storm. Right by the famous Benson Hotel is where one of the main clusters of oriental food carts can be found. foodcartsportland.com

Voodoo Doughnut: Have a taste for the obscene? Then look no further! VD is as loca as la vie gets. Open until the wee hours of the morning, it is never too late to stand in line for a bite out of these mysterious treats. Heck, if you are mad at your ex, why not create your own and bite his head off.

!

voodoodoughnut.com Food allergy warnings: our doughnuts may contain traces of dairy, eggs, wheat, peanuts and some voodoo magic.

Courtesy photo/ appetization

Aachen, Germany Chocolate Sauce and Fries: This is a delicacy I picked up from the show Weekenders and was happy to find on the streets of Aachen. Surprisingly in this small Germanic town, French fries dominate the scene at every street corner. #HammudRecommends fries drizzled in chocolate.

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Chinchin Labs: Sugar, spice, everything nice is the secret to this subzero laboratory. Pick and choose your poison to witness your own ice cream mix freeze before your eyes.

Courtesy photo/ batsbazaar.

chinchinlabs.com

Life is good 70 DESTINATION RIYADH

Munich Sausage Carts: Just as pearls

had lost their value but retained their majestic nature, so did the weisswurst and bratwurst, which come in varieties and recipes.

All around the streets of Munich one can enjoy a hot sausage on a stick, especially during the winter. The first literally means white sausage in Deutsch, while the latter is of Bavarian origin.

So one can say these are the ancestors of today’s corn dog.

Courtesy photo/ culinaryhouston.com

London

Osaka & Tokyo When East meets West, you get freckled fish. French infused Japanese snacks are a must try.

Beard Papas: Down the

rabbit hole we go, from a green tea frosted Parisian Brest to mochi cream puffs and cheesecake sticks. Pop them like they’re hot anywhere, anytime. One can also enjoy them right here in RYD. muginohointl.com

Momi and Toy: Here’s a

creperie that will keep you coming back for more. Go for the Cheddar Cheese Choco if you are curious crazy courageous or the local kuromitso vanilla. If you can’t decide, then jump in on a third with matcha azuki. No better way to pass the time commuting than indulging in a crepe roll. momiandtoy.com

If you are into freebies and samples #HammudRecommends conducting a bad performance with the street as your stage. I guarantee you organic veggies coming your way.

Courtesy photo/ sheilla.blogspot.com

The Mysterious Doughnut There is no date, time, place or person associated with the invention of doughnuts! It’s actually frustrating now because we want a name! The concept of fried dough existed in all countries as early as the mid-19th century.

The center of the “dough balls” did not cook as fast as the outside so people used to stuff them with fruits or nuts. The doughnut’s shape was apparently “invented” by American ship captain Hansen Gregory in 1847.

He simply punched in a hole in the center of the dough ball.

So Hansen Gregory invented the doughnut hole, but nobody really knows when doughnuts were invented or who even invented them.

Do you?

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T R AV E L T R E N D S

L

I

V

I

N

G

The Good Life

on a BULGARIAN Eco Farm Text and Photography by Tharik Hussain

“So Daddy, what exactly is a compost toilet?”

Ten-year-old Anaiya isn’t quite sure about our latest idea for an adventurous family summer holiday, a week-long stay on an eco-farm in the mountains of Bulgaria, complete with eco-toilets!

“Well baby...” I begin, before thinking.

“It’s a toilet that doesn’t flush.” I say finally.

There is a short pause in the back of the car, as she considers this.

The Romanian radio station RFI is playing Pharrell Williams and as I go to turn this up in the hope of ending this awkward discussion, the inevitable question arrives.

“So, Daddy, where does the pooh go?”

Amani, her sister, begins to giggle and I wish my wife was here to take up these questions. After all it was her idea, but she is still on a flight from London and we are not due to pick her up from Bucharest airport for at least another hour.

Fortunately, while enjoying the first part of our summer holiday here in Romania, 72 DESTINATION RIYADH

The raod leading to the farm offers excellent views.

Common room

The main house

Organic vegetables

just the three of us (mum opted for the Edinburgh Book Festival), I have been doing a bit of Googling. You see, I knew this question would come, ever since their mother told them about the “compost toilets” at our planned holiday destination, and I also knew it would probably come before she joined us to make the border crossing into Bulgaria – doesn’t it always?

“Well, it is a toilet that takes the pooh and dries it until there is no liquid left and then the solid stuff can be reused as compost,” I explain, feeling rather proud and a little surprised that I not only kept it simple but actually made sense.

There is another brief silence as they both now ponder this revelation and then the response comes in almost rehearsed unison.

They shriek before falling about laughing like 2-yearolds who have just heard the word used for the first time.

Fortunately our stay at the Wild Thyme Eco Farm, turned out to be anything but “eeurrgh!”

In fact, it was love at first sight as we crossed the Danube River, went down through the plains below and rocked up (literally, as the roads in rural Bulgaria are not made for a rented hatchback Renault Clio!) in the tiny village of Palamartsa.

There we found the late afternoon sun throwing beautifully lazy shades of golden yellow onto the gorgeous blue and white farmhouse we were going to call home for the next week. Beside this stood our equally beautiful hosts, Reiki master Clare Coulter and archaeologist Chris Fenton, both also originally from the United Kingdom.

Over the next few days, the girls find they are unable to tear themselves away from the farm animals; goats, chickens and cats, and in particular the dozy and slightly deaf farm dog, Wally, while me and my wife wander around the place asking ourselves how on earth Clare and Chris managed to creep into our dreams and steal everything inside them.

Organic Vegetables Garden

Not only do they live in a slower and spiritually satisfying way that we both aspire to but they also possess a delightful library DESTINATION RIYADH 73

come over holding a freshly baked loaf and Wild Thyme’s very own raspberry preserve for us to spread on it.

For lunch, we would ask the girls to pick from the delightful little vegetable garden, fresh rocket, cherry tomatoes and capsicums.

These would go into a salad and accompany the goat’s cheese and beetroot tart baked using, yes you guessed it, Wild Thyme cheese and a giant beet dug up by Chris.

that keeps us both content for hours on end. I nose through the Ottoman Islamic history of Bulgaria while my wife catches up on her fiction classics such as Alex Garland’s The Beach.

The dreamy sensation continues throughout the house, where every ceiling exposes ancient wood beams and every room is furnished in a rustic, “rescued” country style.

What we didn’t eat we placed in an enamel green bin to give to the animals. Almost everything at the farm is powered by solar energy, whilst all the rainwater gets reused and bins for recycling are pointed out on arrival – nothing is wasted here.

Sometimes in the evenings after collecting the goats, we might make the short trip into Popovo to have dinner at a local Bulgarian restaurant, or just stay on the farm and watch the last rays of the setting sun as they roll down the green hills of the Danubian Plain.

Even the compost toilet is agreeable; neatly boxed up in cladding to hide the ugly bits; guests sit on comfortable wooden seats in a tastefully decorated room scented by burning oils. Not one of us complained in seven days.

Every morning, after Chris took the goats out to meet the local shepherds, Clare would 74 DESTINATION RIYADH

A view of the garden

There isn’t a single road in Palamartsa without a huge pothole in it and so driving can be quite the nightmare, but the way in which Chris and Clare have captured the essence of ethical eco living means there’s no real need for roads, because once you get here, you never really feel like leaving.

HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN Wild Thyme Farm can be reached at +359 876 562746 and wildthymefarm.org Doubles at the farm cost SR75 per person per night The nearest airport to Popovo is Varna, which is 2.5 hours by train. There are no direct flights from Riyadh to Varna in Bulgaria. Any flight would include a transfer at Istanbul.

The most direct flight is via Turkish airlines, which goes from Riyadh to Istanbul and then on to Varna. Trains from Varna to Popovo are quite regular and cost approx SR48 (between 2-3 hours) Chris and Clare are happy to pick up guests from Popovo train station.

WHAT NOT TO MISS If you do ever leave the farmhouse, be sure to tap into Chris’ expertise and embark on an excursion with him that takes you into Bulgaria’s rich past; both recent and ancient. Just an hour and a half away by car near the village of Sveshtari, are two fascinating sites; the first is the mausoleum of a mysterious Muslim dervish known as Demir Baba. Set in a serene mountainous enclave, wrapped in thick woodland, the 16th century dervish’s “tekke,” as it is known around here, is also revered by local Christians, making it a fascinating religious site to visit. The heptagonal building constructed out of local sandstone is believed to have been built on an ancient Thracian holy site. Listen to Chris as he reveals the cryptic aspects of the venue, which include coded messages on the ceilings, holy water rituals and strange rock carvings.

Once finished Chris will then drive you a short distance around the corner to the

Chilis hang to dry

fabulously spectacular Unesco World Heritage site, the Thracian tombs of Sveshtari, which were discovered in 1982. These were built way back in the 3rd century B.C. and are believed to be the final resting place of a royal Thracian. The impressively well-preserved tomb is located deep within an earthen mound with sliding door - a location that resembles the lair of a James Bond Villain. Inside the eerie sensation is enhanced by the spookily cool interior and the panged faces of life-size stone female figures that stare back at you from 2,300 years.

Domesticated animals

The Author: Tharik Hussain is a freelance travel writer, journalist and photographer living with his family in London, UK. Tharik is also the Director of a sixth form centre where he teaches Sociology and Media Studies.

Follow him at: thewanderingmusulman. wordpress.com Twitter: @_TharikHussain Facebook: TharikHussainUK

DESTINATION RIYADH 75

Music

by Big Hass of Re-Volt

1

2

Cairofornia

3 Natihad Sahab

Sphinx (Arabian Knightz) Feat Qusai

Let Me Go

El Far3i & Damar

Moh Flow

Other Albums to look out for!

Blacc Hollywood

Wiz Khalifa

Now That’s What I Call Love

Angelina Jolie wears veil adorned with her children’s artwork, Jolie added to HELLO!: “I wanted the kids to be a part of everything including the dress because that’s our family; that represents the way we live our life together.”

X

Chris Brown

Apps

Real Simple’s new and improved No Time to Cook? App features new recipes every month that you can make in 20, 30, or 40 minutes.

76 DESTINATION RIYADH

Epicurious

Wellness Mama Recipes

Experience the all-new Epicurious app with added free features and a fresh interface. The ever-popular cooking resource—over 10 million downloads—has been fully redesigned and reengineered for today’s home cooks.

Hi, I’m Katie, author of Wellness Mama, mother of five and amateur chef. Through my blog wellnessmama.com I share my journey to providing my family with the healthiest, most delicious food possible.

APP S OF T H E MONT H

Hair Try On by TAAZ

Books

By Tarek Malouf

Britain’s million-copy bestselling, hugely popular bakery is back with over 100 new tried-and-tripletested recipes that celebrate home baking. This cookbook includes step-by-step photos and every foolproof recipe with its own image. popular & favorites

Cooking Light Way to Bake

By Editors of Cooking Light Magazine

DVDs

The Arabian Cookbook

READ W H AT YOU LOVE

The Hummingbird Bakery Home Sweet Home: 100 New Recipes for Baking Brilliance

By Ramzi Choueiry

Luc Besson admitted that he knew that some scientific assumptions were erroneous, e.g. that humans use only 10 percent of their brain. Nonetheless, he said that “would be a great start for a sci-fi movie.”

WAT C H W I T H FAM I LY & FR I END S Must-See tv The Leftovers (Season 1) OSN First HD Time: 23:00 KSA Monday

Lucy A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.

Lucy is a 2014 French science fiction action film directed, written and edited by Luc Besson, and produced by Europacorp. It stars Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Amr Waked and Choi Min-sik.

The Knick (Season 1) OSN First HD Time: 22:00 KSA Sunday The Flash is an upcoming American television series. It will be based on the DC Comics character Flash (Barry Allen).

DESTINATION RIYADH 77

EXPLORE KSA

AN ARABIAN

ARCHAEO LOGICAL WONDER UKHDOOD

Ukhdood literally translates into trench or ditch in English and is believed to be the place that is referred to in the Noble Qur’an in Surah Al Burooj (chapter 85). In the Qur’an the residents of the place were cursed as they were bystanders to a massacre that took place, when the true believers were being thrown into a fiery trench.

The road from Yemen to the Mediterranean was the great trade route, passing through harsh deserts, verdant forests, terrifying bandits and exotic oases. The route served as a channel for trading of goods such as South Arabian frankincense and myrrh; Indian spices, precious

By Mohammed Mirza

Deep in the Najran province, close to the Yemen border lies one of Arabia’s oldest surviving historical sites. The site of the former mystical town of Ukhdood has stood in existence since 7th century B.C. that makes it well over 2,500 years old — a must visit for history aficionados.

This great urban city, contemporaneous with those of Egypt and Mesopotamia, had grandiose palaces, rich residents and was a major trading hub that sat in the midst of a labyrinth of valleys and hills. This town is shrouded in mystery as very little is known about its social and cultural aspects even today. The city of Ukdhood is one of Saudi Arabia’s best kept secrets.

ient city The anc s to e continu visitors intrigue er close even aft ars of ye to 3,000 e. e exist nc

The Main Pathway

78 DESTINATION RIYADH

stones, pearls, ebony, silk and fine textiles, feathers, animal skins, and gold.

This route passed through the town of Ukhdood.

Strategically located on a major caravan route it was able to levy taxes on merchants and through this the city became rich. At its peak, Ukhdood was one of the most important trading cities in Southern Arabia. The city’s downfall

eventually occurred when newer trade routes were developed and demand for frankincense dropped. With much thrill and excitement we head to the city of Najran some 900 kms south of Jeddah. Once in Najran we asked locals for directions and went straight to the Ukhdood that lies close to the older part of Najran. After registering our names with the onsite SCTA staff member we were allowed in the fenced area, which encircles the city of Ukhdood. Initially we had to walk through a sandy portion that was scattered with rocks which seemed to go on for miles on both sides. We were looking curiously at these rocks as we walked past them for ancient inscriptions but couldn’t find any.

We then came upon a modern pathway that was under construction and as soon as we crossed the pathway we saw massive fortification walls rising against the dry landscape. Within these walls was the carefully designed city.

We made our way through an entrance whose steps led us to a higher platform from where we were able to get a view of the entire ancient city.

Though in ruins it was still breathtaking. The massive size of the place, the sophisticated grid like pathways and the excellence in plotting that was done in the residential quarters left us aweinspired. After following what was the largest pathway at the site, we reached the acropolis and came upon the remains of the foundations of the King’s castle. Its wall was the most impressive structure in the entire premises. The wall had numerous petroglyphs and inscriptions on it, depicting stylized horses, two-headed snakes, cattle and even ancient South Arabian script.

We heard about the existence of the ancient ditch which is mentioned in the Qur’an from other travelers but were unable to spot it ourselves. There are very few descriptions on site for tourists; there was hardly any information available about notable structures in the city and more importantly the purpose of

Ancient Script

each structure. We continued to stroll around the ruins and spotted the occasional inscriptions. The most Inscription On The Wall impressive of which was a tablet that had a large amount of ancient script engraved on it.

Ancient South Arabian Script On Tablet

The refinement of buildings, street remains and inscriptions speak volumes about the technological sophistication of the residents of the town. Close by were the residential quarters that were in a depleting condition, some were reduced to the ground and only scrambled rocks remained while others were standing firm yet roofless. There was also vegetation growing on the depleting structures making their condition worse. As we walked through the residential quarters we were trying to contemplate on life during the city’s hey day, it was actually quite a fun experience. There is an onsite museum that is located close to the entrance but is currently closed as expansion works are being carried in it. There is also an ancient cemetery south of the external wall but time didn’t permit us to visit it.

Shrouded in mystery the ancient city continues to intrigue visitors even after close to 3000 years of existence.

It may be a bit horrific to see the site in a deteriorating condition, but with restoration works having begun already one can expect things to improve for Ukhdood. Though in ruins, the ancient city is perhaps the oldest and most impressive archaeological site that we’ve visited. So make your way through the crumbling stone walls whilst searching for the occasional inscriptions and experience ancient Arabia for yourself.

DESTINATION RIYADH 79

A Trip To Historic Saudi An Ancient Part of Saudi Arabia:

Dumat Al Jandal

By Yara Bana

Far off in the North Western part of Saudi Arabia in Al Jawf exists the ruins of the ancient city Dumat Al Jandal. This old city’s history dates to 10th century B.C. and was referred to as the capital of an Arab Kingdom. According to archaeologists, people have been living in this area for 20,000 years. After being captured by the Roman Empire, Khalid bin Al Walid fought for it and named it as a part of the newly formed Islamic empire.

The city has a large mosque and remaining stones, along with small gardens and waters. The city is located on an oasis, which makes it even more worthy of visiting. The mosque of Omar bin Al Khattab was considered a major intersection of ancient trade routes. The architecture of the mosque contains several details made over a large space. The stone mosque has surroundings of a castle, and smaller remains of what are thought to old houses.

Al Dar’i quarter is also located in the neighborhood of the Omar bin Al Khattab mosque. The many houses that surround this area are made of multiple layers topping each other.

Archaeologists believe that this is due to the multiple ages and empires that this area has seen.

Courtesy photo/ skyscrapercity.com

Today, this city makes an excellent tourist site and shows an amazing contrast between the modern city life and ancient empires. There are many smaller details in this area that contribute to its beauty and history.

80 DESTINATION RIYADH

FUN & RECREATION

Al Maktaba Bookstore Sitteen St.

Alem Al Ibdaa King Abdul Aziz Rd.

Al Raqeem Bookstore Olaya Main St.

Alfa Cassettes Batha Commercial Center

Al Shagrey Bookstore Olaya Main St. Tel: +966-11-4611717 Al Sharq Bookstore Al Malaz Tel: +966-11-4720538 Al Wataniyah Bookstore Aswaq Al Majd Tel: +966-11-4450619 Dar Al Hdrama Jareer St. Tel: +966-11-4788510

Anamel Arts of Ceremics Olaya Main St. Arts Al Andalus Center Art Line Gallery Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4622573 China Town Euromarche Cool Prince Abdullah Rd.

Dar Al Qasem King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-4092000

Dar Al Maskukat Oruba St. Tel: +966-11-4651166

Dar Al Minhaj for Used Books Prince Abdullah Rd.

Eastern Gift House Oruba Plaza

Dar Al Shawaf Library Thalatheen St. Tel: +966-11-4622667 Dar Elem Bookstore Prince Abdullah Rd. Golden Pages Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4631917 Islamic Book Center Sitteen St. Jarir Bookstore Olaya Main St. Tel: +966-11-4626000 Prince Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-2645807

Fantastic World Thalatheen St. Gift House Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4661316 GIft Village King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-4620219 Heritage Touch Abdullah Bin Sulaiman Al Hamdan Tel: +966-11-4612930 Konouz Tahlia St. Luxury Events Mob: +966-509421214

Medical Bookstore Prince Abdullah Rd.

Magic Art Sahara Mall

Najd Bookstore Jareer St.

My Home Flower King Abdul Aziz Rd.

Obekan Bookstore King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-4160018

Occasions Olaya Main St. Tel: +966-11-4654555

Reema Bookstore Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4705228

Papermoon Sahara Mall Tel: +966-11-4520393

Tuttie Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4613976

Party Time Olaya Main St. Tel: +966-11-4659101 The Final Touch King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-4641023 The Gift Thalatheen St. Tel: +966-11-4615859

LIBRARIES Al Sewaidi Sudair St. Tel: +966-11-4251263 Dar Ben Jawzi Prince Saud bin Mohammed St. Tel: +966-11-2107228 King Abdul Aziz Library King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-4050188

Al Khuzama Studio and Lab Tel: +966-11-4609417 Fahad Studio Prince Mandouh Bin Abdulaziz St. Tel: +966-11-4623547 Luxury Pictures Mob: +966-56595669

King Fahad National Library King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-4891455 The Centeral Talking Liberary Dabab St. Tel: +966-11-4020997

MUSEUMS & ART VENUES 7 Star Art Gallery Akkariya Buildings Art Vision Kingdom Centre Tel: +966-11-2112412 Lamsa Exhibition Al Faisaliah Tel: +966-11-2734239 The Art Of Photography Abu Bakr Al Sedeeq Rd. Tel: +966-11-4944614 The Bazaar Akkariya Buildings The Orientalist House Olaya Main St. Tel: +966-11-4634228 Tunisen Antique House Euromarche Village Gallery Thalatheen St. Wonder Castle Corporation Dabbab St. Zamani Art Gallery Olaya Main St. Tel: +966-11-4613057 Zekrayat Frames Tahlia St.

STUDIOS Ajman Photographic Lab Tel: +966-11-4610210 Ajman Studio and Lab Tel: +966-11-4823608 DESTINATION RIYADH 81

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTORY

BOOKSTORES

FASHION & SHOPPING DIRECTORY

BALLOONS Balloons Time Debab St., Derma Clinic Building Goodship Lollipop Prince Muhammad Ibn Abdulaziz Rd. Tel: +966-11-4659521 www.goodship-lollipop.com Riyadh party supplies store Al Nakheel Dist.

Tel: +966-11-4702454 World of Balloon Art Safwa Center Mob: +966-542233838

BALLROOMS Al Faisaliah Rosewood Hotel King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-2732000 Hotel Al Khozama Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4654650 Holiday Inn Olaya Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4612000 Madareem Crown Hotel Airport Rd. Tel: +966-11-2758888 Marriott Riyadh Airport Rd. Tel: +966-11-4779300 Nayyara Al Raed St. Tel: +966-11-4806655 Sheraton Riyadh King Fahd St. Crossing King Abdulla St. Tel: +966-11-4543300

BOUTIQUES Baco Design Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-2935633 www.bacodesign.com

Harvey Nichols Al Faisaliah Mall Tel: +966-11-2734444 www.harveynichols.com Hoss Intropia Tel: +966-11-4658122 Jacadi Boutique Garanada Center Hayat Mall Sahara Mall www.jacadi.us La-Boutique Al Nahda Rd. Facebook: La-Boutique Riyadh La Coquette Kingdom Centre Modern Us Designers Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4612079 www.riyadhdress.com Montblanc King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-2111080 www.montblanc.com Queen of Spades Al Faisaliah Mall www.queenof spadesstore.com Sada Shop (online) Tel: +966-11-4411940 www.sadashop.com Stache Tel: +966-11-4656333 Terra Eclat Jewellery

by Ranyah Seraj Mob: +966-543768585 Mob: +966-542988187 info@terra-eclat.com www.terra-eclat.com The Art of Living #4 Serecon Building Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4610533 www.theartofliving1999.com Z Boutique Garanada Center Olaya Mall

BRIDAL & EVENING DRESSES

Balenciaga Centria Mall www.balenciaga.com

Al Falah Tel: 920001678

Bijou Boutique Tel: +966-11-2882601 http://beautebijou.com

Airebarcelona Orouba St. Tel: +966-11-2884807

Blank Boutique Orouba St. Tel: +966-11-2010033

Basma Al Jazaery Orouba St.

Brioni Olaya St.

82 DESTINATION RIYADH

Mystique Kingdom Mall Tel: +966-11-2112592

Princess Fashion Olaya St. Rusais Center Mob: +966-562289459 Pronovias Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4163410 Rosa Clara Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4652677 Silver Dew Orouba St. Tel: +966-11-4197153

CUSTOM THOBES Ajlan & Bros Olaya Dist.

Tel: +966-11-4665555 www.ajlanbros.com Lomar Thobe Localizer Mall Tel: +966-11-2170094 www.lomarthobe.com

EVENT PLANNERS Lollipop Prince Mohammad Bin Abdul Aziz St. Mob: +966-508916441 Luxury Events Mob: +966-567893966 Ghala Events Tel: +966 55 5597951 www.ghalaevents.com

FLORISTS

HOME FURNITURE @ Room Tel: +966-11-2298457 Ayar Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4612757 ChenOne Home Olaya St. Cities Centria Mall Tel: +966-11-2180007 Dar Al Hadaya Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-2155550 Hoshan Furniture Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-2933939 Ikea East Ring Rd. Exit 16 Tel: +966-11-2442233 Jazira Interiors King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-4632631 Jazira Projects King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-4632631 KA International King Fahad Rd. Tel: 920001216 Miladora Furniture King Fahad Rd. Tel: 920003277 Morocco Line Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-2816612 Razin Tahlia St.

Al Gaba Flowers Orouba St. Mob: +966-502017058

The Classics Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4611888

Arawla Musaed Al Angari St. Mob: +966-508085546

The White House King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-4615332

Lamar Safwa Center Mob: +966-555505441 Nardeen Mob: +966-507976733 Spring Rose Tel: +966-11-2167777 Spring’s Wedding Musaed Al Angari St. Tel: +966-11-2791024 Style Flower Musaed Al Angari St. Mob: +966-504237071

Traditionals King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-2012300

SHOPPING CENTERS Al Faisaliyah Mall Olaya Dist.

Tel: +966-11-2730000 www.alfaisaliahmall.com Al Qasr Mall Al Swaidi St. Tel: +966-11-4515600 www.alqasrmall.com Supermarket: Hyper Market Azizia Mall Off of King Fahad Rd.

FASHION & SHOPPING DIRECTORY

Centria Mall Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-2161111 www.centria.com.sa

NOTES

Garanada Center East Ring Rd., Exit 9 Tel: +966-11-2534990 www.granadacenter.com.sa Supermarket: Carrefour Hayat Mall King Abdul Aziz Rd. Tel: +966-11-2057401 www.hayat-mall.com Supermarket: Danube Hypermarket Kingdom Center Olaya Dist.

Tel: +966-11-2112222 www.kingdomcentre.com.sa Localizer Mall Prince Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz St. Tel: +966-11-2178999 Panorama Mall Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-2814950 www.panorama-mall.com Supermarket: Danube Rimal Center East Ring Rd. Tel: +966-11-2441004 Riyadh Gallery King Fahd Rd. Tel: +966-11-2078111 www.riyadhgallery.com Supermarket: Hyper Panda Sahara Mall National Guard St. Tel: +966-11-4520300 www.saharamall.com.sa Supermarket: Tamimi Market

STUDIOS AD Advertising Sulaimaneya St. Safwa Center Tel: +966-11-4665111 Ajman Photographic Lab Tel: +966-11-4610210 Ajman Studio and Lab Tel: +966-11-4823608 Al Khuzama Studio and Lab Tel: +966-11-4609417 Fahad Studio Prince Mandouh Bin Abdulaziz St. Tel: +966-11-4623547 Glamour Shots Panorama Mall Tel: +966-11-2814326 Souvenir Prince Sultan St. Tel: +966-11-2199919

83 DESTINATION RIYADH 83

RESTAURANTS DIRECTORY

AMERICAN Chili’s Tahliah St. Tel: +966-11-2934849 Grilled Bell Pepper Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-2814747 Johnny Rockets Tahliah St. Tel: +966-11-2016667 Outback Steakhouse Localizer Mall Tel: +966-11-2174633

Kalimat Thalateen St. Tel: +966-11-2885511 La Bouchee Prince Sultan St. Tel: +966-11-2190099 Lateen Tel: +920011999 Le Notre Boutique Prince Sultan St. Tel: +966-11-4651465 La Reine Chocolate Ubadah bin Samit St. Tel: +966-11-2272000

Pardon Cafe’ Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4 160933

Golden Saj Takhasoussi St. Tel: +966-11-4807441

Richony Makkah Rd. Tel: +966-11-8801062

Hardee’s Takhasoussi St. Tel: +966-11-2929900

Shangai Cafe’ Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-2934734 Tea Lounge Four Seasons Hotel Tel: +966-11-2115000

Steak House Al Thalateen St. Tel: +966-11-4649638

Patchi Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4834464

The Diamond Cafe’ Localizer Mall Tel: +966-11-2170125

The Pancake House King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-2016816

So Thalateen St. Tel: +966-11-4629229

Tony Romas Hayat Mall Tel: +966-11-4649178

Synphytun Chocolate Tel: +966-11-2931813

Tutti Cafe’ Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-2160666

BRAZILIAN IL Terrazzo Al Faisaliah Hotel Tel: +966-11-2732222

ARMENIAN Al Mayass Oasis Complex, Orouba Rd. Mob: +966-503753333 Lusin Restaurant Centeria Mall.

Tel: +966-11-2939800

CHOCOLATES Alpina Chocolate King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-2013452 Cannelle Prince Sultan St. Tel: +966-11-4664491 Chocolate Dream Candy Bouquet Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4197237 Chocolate Studio Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4657476

COFFEE & TEA SHOPS Areej Art Cafe’ Centria Mall Tel: +966-11-4162990

YmmY Riyadh Gallery Mob: +966-553333998

FAST FOOD

Bateel Across Localizer Mall Tel: +966-11-2936240

Al Tazaj King Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-2254769

Cafe’ Blanc Prince Mohamad Bin Abdulaziz St. Tel: +966-11-4633426

Baby Burger Imam Rd. Tel: +966-11-4941129

Cafe’ Pascucci Tahllia Tel: +966-11-4620555 Colony Coffee Sultan Bin Salman St. Mob: +966-597452311 Diwan Cafe’ Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4833595 Java Cafe’ Old Airport Rd. Tel: +966-11-4773582

Chocoline Olaya Main Rd. Tel: +966-11-4641172

Maui Wowi Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4616363

Ganache Faisaliyyah Mall Tel: +966-11-2734337

Papparoti Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-2936452

84 DESTINATION RIYADH

Versai Cafe ‘ Exit 4 Tel: +966-11-4703853

Breakfast to Breakfast Tahliah St. Tel: +966-11-2178233 Buffalo’s Tahliah St. Tel: +966-11-2792123 Burgerizzr King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-4874477 Burger Hut Al Munisiyah, Al Thumamah Rd. Mob: +966-545356463 Burger King Al Ahsaa Rd. Tel: +966-11-4732506 Elevation Burger Tahliah St. Tel: +966-11-2885859 Fatburger Bustan Center, Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-2154176

Herfy Takhasoussi St. Tel: +966-11-4816826 Hotdog Express Al Ahsaa St. Tel: +966-11-2912565 Hungry Burger Tel: +966-11-5485999 Jan Burger King Abdul Aziz St. Tel: 920006765 Johnny Rockets Tahliah St. Tel: +966-11-2016667 Jollibee 2nd Floor, Al Rajhi Building Tel: +966-11-4057420 KFC Takhasoussi St. Tel: 920021111 Kudu Al Muhamadiyyah Dist.

Tel: 920006999 Little Caesars Al Ahsa St. Tel: +966-11-4765112 Mama Noura Dabab St., Suleimania Tel: +966-11-4628144 Manoosha Localizer Mall Tel: +966-11-2190491 McDonald’s Al Ahsaa Rd. Tel: 920000001 My Burger Imam Mohamed bn Saud Road-Exit 9 Tel: +966-11-4503324 My Way Uruba St. Tel: +966-11-4643824 Panini Prince Turki Al’awl Rd. Tel: +966-11-4809909 Panino’s Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-2734388

Quiznos Sub King Saud University Tel: +966-11-4824741 Saj Al Balad Jaber St., King Saud University Shuneez Tahliah St. Tel: +966-11-4648989 Texas Chicken Turki bin Abdulaziz Rd. Tel: +966-11-2545454 The Sandwich Co. King Abdullah Rd. Mob: +966-558442255

FRENCH Apetit Kitchen Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4656491 Cafe’ Lenotre Centria Mall.

Tel: +966-11-2791108 L’ecluse Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4657648 Le Relais de l’Entrecote Almas Plaza.

Tel: +966-11-4615058

FUSION Pizza Fusion Thalateen St. Tel: +966-11-4633329

ICE CREAM Baskin Robbins Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4801138 Fresh Berry Garnada Mall Tel: +966-11-2535587 Fresh & Tangy Hayat Mall Mob: +966559333344 Marble Slab Creamery Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4538746 Pink Berry Garnada Mall Tel: +966-11-2534783

Russian Corner Olaya, Abdullah Al Hamdan St. Al Bustan Sheraton Riyadh, King Abdullah Tel: +966-11-4658387 Rd. Senses Tel: +966-11-4543300 Luthan Hotel Al Dana Tel: +966-11-4807799 Holiday Inn Hotel Sizzler House Tel: +966-11-4612000 Tahlia St. Al Diwan Tel: +966-11-4661133 Al Sahara Hotel Tel: +966-11-2204500 Spazio Kingdom TowerAl Orjouan 77th Floor Makkah Rd., inside Tel: +966-11-2111180 The Ritz Carlton

Il Gabbiano Olaya Dist.

Tel: +966-11-4616066

INTERNATIONAL

Tel: +966-11-8028020 Cafe Ceramique Sahara Mall Tel: +966-11-4520677 Centro Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4658488 Cocos Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-2939444 Cristal Al Faisaliah Hotel Tel: +966-11-2732222 Elements Four Seasons Hotel Tel: +966-11-2115500 Hediard Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-2173933 La Brasserie Al Faisaliah Tower Tel: +966-11-2732222 Living Colors Faisaliyah Tower Tel: +966-11-2734410 Lobby Lounge Four Seasons Hotel Tel: +966-11-2115591

The Globe Al Faisaliah Tower Tel: +966-11-2732222 The Lounge Sheraton Riyadh, King Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4543300 The Windrose Al Faisaliah Hotel Tel: +966-11-2732222 Trader Vics Panorama Mall Tel: +966-11-2814782 Waterlemon Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-2194444

IRANIAN Sheraz Abdullah Bin Sulaiman Bin Hamdan St. Tel: +966-11-4655886 Shaya King Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4708933

ITALIAN

L’Olivio Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4634240 La Campagna Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4624339 La Casta Al Rahmaniya Dist.

Tel: +966-11-4198016

La Cucina Al Faisaliah Hotel Tel: +966-11-2732222 La Piazza Sheraton Riyadh, King Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4543300 Liolimpo Al Dabab St. Tel: +966-11-4166222 MBCo Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al Hamdan St. Tel: +966-11-2936506 Nino Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-2016662 Piatto Exit 5, Northern Ring Rd. Tel: +966-11-2006868 Pizza Era King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-4542233 Pizza Inn Dabbab St., Opposite Medical City Tel: 920001601 Pizza Roma Abdullah Al Hamdan St. Tel: +966-11-4629032

Al Forno King Abdullah Rd. Mob: +966-558442255

Pizza Stockholm King Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-2811888

Mirage Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4834127

Amore Tahlia St., Olaya Intersection Tel: +966-11-4653082

Pizzeria Napoli Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz St. Tel: +966-11-2172288

Oasis Grill Hilton Garden Inn Tel: +966-11-2935533

Anthurium Abdulla Alhamdan St. Tel: +966-11-4661473

Quattro Four Seasons Hotel Tel: +966-11-2115599

Panoramic Makarem Riyadh Hotel Tel: +966-11-2204500

Azzurro The Ritz Carlton Hotel Tel: +966-11-8028020

Roma Mussa Bin Nusair St. Tel: +966-11-4641133

Pavillion Intercontinental Hotel Tel: +966-11-4655000

Cento Per Cento Olaya Rd., Behind Jarir Tel: +966-11-4644159

Roma Way Al Rabwah, Othaim Mall Tel: 920000129

Da Pino Al Khozama Center Tel: +966-11-2732222

Rosso Four Seasons Hotel Tel: +966-11-2115500 DESTINATION RIYADH 85

RESTAURANTS DIRECTORY

Penguin Takhasoussi St. Tel: +966-11-4829843

RESTAURANTS DIRECTORY

Rossopomodoro Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-2939565

Eatzah Al Ghaz St. Mob: +966-531224433

Darbar Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-2930249

Santino’s Hayat Mall Tel: +966-11-2057497

Fairouz Garden King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-2167171

Indian Garden Riyadh Gallery Tel: +966-11-2161112

SPAZIO 77 77th floor in Kingdom TowerRiyadh

Tel: +966-11-2111888 Tel: +966-11-2111181

Gad Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4641212

Indian Style Sheikh Abdullah Al Angary St. Tel: +966-11-4561138

Squisito King Fahad Rd., Across Ovotel Tel: +966-11-2160111 The Pizza Company Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4642952 Vecchia Roma Al Sulamaniyyah Z Pizza King Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4881199

MEXICAN Buffalo’s Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-2792123 El Chico’s Exit 5 Tel: +966-11-4640385 Fajita Avenue Al Hamra Tel: +966-11-4644999 Tako Hut Faisaliyyah Mall Tel: 920000129

MIDDLE-EASTERN Abdul Wahab Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-2934111 Al Haj Dawood Imam Saud St. Tel: +966-11-4943691 Al Mansaf Al Sulamaniyya Tel: +966-11-4630345 Al Nakheel Al Khozama Center Tel: +966-11-4654650

Garden Barbecue Hotel Al Khozama Tel: +966-11-2732222 Ghouzi Al Rawdah, Khuraish St. Tel: +966-11-4934162 Karam Beirut Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4161717 Koshary Express Jarir St. Tel: +966-11-4728881 Lebanese Corner Olaya (Talateen St.) Mama Noura Dabab St. Tel: +966-11-4622195 Mareez King Abdullah St. Tel: +966-11-4508877 Shawerma House Prince Mamdouh St. Tel: +966-11-2191999 Shawermama Abdullah Bin Rawaha St Tel: +966-11-2936644 Sit Al Sham Prince Sultan St. Tel: 920000399 Yamal Al Sham Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4613292

ORIENTAL

KOREAN: Korean Palace Takhasoussi St. Tel: +966-11-4198878

INDIAN: Aladdin Kingdom Center Tel: +966-11-2112150

Al Naseem Marriott Hotel Tel: +966-11-4779300

Avadh Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4654109

Cafe Blanc Prince Mohamad Bin Abdulaziz St. Tel: +966-11-4633426

Copper Chandni Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4167000

86 86 DESTINATION RIYADH

Crown Garden Suliamaniyah Tel: +966-11-4616334

Indian Summer Suliamaniyah Tel: +966-11-4652328 Red Onion Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-2176644 Tamarind Prince Faisal Bin Turki St. Tel: +966-11-4738770 Tandoor Al Ahsa St. Tel: +966-11-4734531 Tulaitelah Al Wazarat Dist.

Tel: +966-11-4082968

CHINESE: Canton Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4520584 Chinese Golden Palace Olaya Dist.

Tel: +966-11-4655127 Golden Dragon Olaya Dist.

Tel: +966-11-4645136 Gulf Royal Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4631622

Hayat Prince Mansoor bin Abdul Aziz St. Tel: +966-11-4042655 Khan’s Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al Hamdan St. Tel: +966-11-2937880 La Sani King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-4655666 Marhaba Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4622070 Samurai Faisaliah Mall and Kingdom Mall Tel: +966-11-2734386 Shogun Radisson Blu Hotel Tel: +966-11-4791234 Sushi Yoshi Al Dabab St. Tel: +966-11-8120055 Tokyo Ouruba St. Tel: +966-11-4605672

SAUDI Al Sudda Oruba St. Tel: +966-11-4800111 Shawaya House Khalid Bin Al Waleed St. Mob: +966-557819214 Sheikh Al Mandy Dabab St. Tel: +966-11-4644099

SEA FOOD

Mirage Restaurant Takhasoussi St. Tel: +966-11-4834127

Amo Hamza Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-2316148

Noodle House Centria Mall, Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-2939969

Doe King Abdullah St. Tel: +966-11-4887080

Peking Suliamaniyah Tel: +966-11-4765250 Seasons Madina St., Exit 28 Taal Olaya Dist.

Tel: +966-11-2734383 Yummy Wok Takhasoussi St. Tel: +966-11-4889166

JAPANESE: Furusato Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4657648

Dr. Ocean Takhasoussi St. Tel: +966-11-4708647 Fountain Fish Al Malaz Dist.

Tel: +966-11-2158888 London Fish & Chips Tel: +966-11-2102480 Jasmin White Palace White Palace Hotel Tel: +966-11-4787800

Al Hallab Tel: +966-11-4725559 Anoosh Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4609588 Al-Rabwa Tel: +966-11-4971649 Al-Hamra Tel: +966-11-2784297 Al-Bade’ah Tel: +996-11-2679689 Khurais Rd. Tel: +996-11-2080833 Ben’s Cookies Exit 7 Tel: +966-11-2084862 Crepaway Bustan Center Tel: +966-11-2010505 Diplomat Orouba St. Tel: +966-11-4652411 Dixie Cream Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4661192 Edible Arrangements Prince Sultan St. Tel: +966-11-4643131 French Corner Dabab St. Tel: +966-11-4645322 Golden Brown Bakery Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz St. Mob: +966-569337314 Kabbani Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4816892 Kitsch Cupcakes Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4633838 Krispy Kreme Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4610409 Laduree Centria Mall Tel: +966-11-2885075

Pane Piatto Al Thalateen St. Tel: +966-11-4168882

RESTAURANTS DIRECTORY

SWEETS/DESSERTS & BAKERIES

Rotiboy Arabia Jarir Mall, Omar bin Abdulaziz Road Tel: +966-11-2886546 www.rotiboyarabia.com Salehia Dates King Fahad Rd. Tel: 8004308888 Sugar Dreamin Khurais Rd. Mob: +966-553383749 Sugar Sprinkles Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-2290505 Talah For Dates Oruba St. Tel: +966-11-2173303 Tmreya Prince Sultan St. Tel: 920000652 Torta & more Al Hassan Ben Ali St. Tel: +966-11-2080003 Wooden Bakery Intersection of Saleh El Din Al Ayoubi St. Tel: +966-11-4725559 Yummy Tummy Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4538720

NOTES

TURKISH Anatolia Turkish Grill Granada Mall.

Tel: +966-11-2535527 Assaraya Thalateen St. Tel: +966-11-4649336 Caravan Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4658856 Köşebaşı Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-2886418

Le Croissant Shop Al-Ameer Mamdouh St. Tel: +966-11-4655328 Maya Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-2113311 Munch Bakery Abdullah Al Hamdan St. Tel: 920015010

87 DESTINATION RIYADH 87

TRAVEL DIRECTORY

AIRLINES Air Arabia Tel: 920013322 www.airarabia.com Air Canada Tel: +966-11-4772228 www.aircanada.ca Air France Tel: +966-11-2885218 www.airfrance.com Air India Tel: +966-11-4786409 www.airindia.com Air Nigeria Tel: +966-11-4626165 www.myairnigeria.com American Airlines–AA Tel: +966-11-4625993 www.aa.com

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Tel: +966-11-4771026 www.klm.com Korean Air Tel: +966-11-4658222 www.koreanair.com Kuwait Airways Tel: +966-11-4631218 www.kuwait-airways.com Lufthansa Tel: 8001245550 www.lufthansa.com Malaysia Airlines Tel: +966-11-4784039 www.malaysiaairlines.com Middle East Airlines Tel: +966-11-4614670 www.mea.com.lb

Nas Air Biman Bangladesh Airlines Tel: +966-11-2171800 www.flynas.com Tel: +966-11-4623537 www.biman-airlines.com Olympic Air Tel: +966-11-4644596 British Airways www.olympicair.com Tel: +966-11-4645550 www.britishairways.com Oman Air Tel: +966-11-4733133 Cyprus Airways www.omanair.com Tel: +966-11-4640391 www.cyprusair.com Pakistan INT’L Airlines Delta Airlines Tel: +966-11-4659600 Tel: +966-11-4613688 www.piac.com.pk www.delta.com Egypt Air Tel: +966-11-4784004 www.egyptair.com Emirates Airlines Tel: +966-11-4655485 www.emirates.com Ethiopian Airlines Tel: +966-11-4782140 www.flyethiopian.com Etihad Airways Tel: +966-11-4197722 www.etihadairways.com Garuda Indonesia Tel: +966-11-2937690 www.garudaindonesia.com German wings Airlines Tel: +966-11-4632004 www.germanwings.com Gulf Air Tel: +966-11-4626666 www.gulfair.com Japan Airlines–JAL Tel: +966-11-4645056 www.jal.com Kenya Airways Tel: +966-11-4772228 www.kenya-airways.com

88 DESTINATION RIYADH

Philippine Airlines Tel: +966-11-2160530 www.philippine airlines.com Qantas Airways Tel: +966-11-4772228 www.qantas.com.au Qatar Airways Tel: +966-11-21180424 www.qatarairways.com Royal Air Morocco Tel: +966-11-47741100 www.royalairmaroc.com Royal Jordanian Tel: +966-11-2180850 www.rj.com Saudi Arabian Airlines Tel: 920022222 www.saudiairlines.com Singapore Airlines Tel: +966-11-4734102 www.singaporeair.com South African Airways – SAA Tel: +966-11-4633133 www.flysaa.com

SriLankan Airlines www.srilankan.lk Sudan Airways Tel: +966-11-4720040 www.sudanair.com Swiss Air Tel: +966-11-4789745 www.swissair.com TAM Brazilian Airlines Tel: +966-11-4633133 www.tam.com.br TAROM Romanian Airlines Tel: +966-11-5788935 www.tarom.ro Thai Airways Tel: +966-11-4766766 www.thaiairways.com Tunis Air Tel: +966-11-4626165 www.tunisair.com Turkish Airlines Tel: +966-11-4000287 www.turkishairlines.com United Airlines Tel: +966-11-4772228 www.united.com Yemenia Airways Tel: +966-11-4039282 www.yemenia.com

TRAVEL AGENCIES ABC Travel Agency & Cargo Tel: +966-11-4631600 Ace Travel Tel: +966-11-4648701 www.ace-travel.com Al Abbad Travel Tel: +966-11-4778736 Al Ahmadiah Travel Tel: +966-11-4656668 Al Mouwasat Travel Tel: +966-11-4160580 Al Naiem Travel & Tourism Tel: +966-11-4655698

Al Romaizan Travel Agency Tel: +966-11-4652100 www.romaizan.com Al-Sarh Travel & Tourism Tel: +966-11-4941111 www.alsarh.com.sa Al Sager Travel Tel: +966-11-4827979 Al Sarah Travel Tel: +966-11-4647480 Al Sarh Travel Tel: +966-11-4627000 Al Tashelat Travels Tel: +966-11-4034477 Al Tayyar Travel Tel: +966-11-4633133 www.altayyargroup.com Amjad Travel & Tourism Tel: +966-11-41161737 www.amjadtravel.com Fursan Travel Tel: 920000442 www.fursan.com.sa Haya Tour Al Nozha Dist.

Tel: +966-11-4507176 Kingdom Wings Travel Agency Tel: +966-11-4625544 My Holiday Travel & Tourism Tel: 920010087 www.myholiday.com.sa Rixon Tour Network Tel: 920029993 www.myrtn.com Travel Port Tel: +966-11-4163810 www.travelport.com The Orientalist House Tel: +966-11-4634228 Top Travel Tel: +966-11-4641969 Tunisen Antique House Tel: +966-11-4825247 Village Gallery Tel: +966-11-4631089

Al Rajhi Travel Tel: +966-11-4566900

Wonder Castle Corporation Tel: +966-11-2790482

Al Rasheed Awnings Factory Tel: +966-11-4059031

Zahid Travel Group Tel: +966-11-4602829 www.zahidtravel.com

Zamani Art Gallery Tel: +966-11-4613057 Zekrayat Frames Tel: +966-11-4661196

HOTELS Al Faisaliah Rosewood Hotel King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-2732000 Al Khozama Hotel Olaya Rd. Tel: +966-11-4654650 Al Mashreq Boutique Hotel Orubah Road Tel: +966-11-2834777 Coral Gulf Riyadh King Abdul Aziz St., Ministries Area Tel: +966-11-4121000 Corp Executive Deira Hotel Al Batha St. Tel: +966-11-4141500 Courtyard Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter Al-Hada Dist., Abdullah bin Hothafa St. Tel: +966-11-2817300 Crowne Plaza Hotel Riyadh Minha Old Airport Rd. Tel: +966-11-8749200

Makarim Riyadh Hotel Near To King Khalid International Airport Tel: +966-11-2204500

NOTES

TRAVEL DIRECTORY

Zahran Air Travel & Cargo Co. Tel: +966-11-4659614

Mena Grand - Khaldia Khazzan St. (Immam Faisal bin Turki) Tel: +966-11-2682222 Mercure Value Hotel Exit 9, Eastern Ring Rd., Close to Granada Center.

Tel: +966-11-2773300 Novotel Alanoud King Fahd Rd. Tel: +966-11-2882323 Radisson Blu Hotel Al Mubarakiah Plaza King Abdul Aziz St. Tel: +966-11-4791234 Riyadh Marriott Hotel Al Maather St. Tel: +966-11-4779300 Riyadh Palace Hotel Ministries Area Tel: +966-11-4054444 Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers Olaya Junction of King Fahad & King Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4543300 The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh Hada Area, Makkah Rd. Tel: +966-11-8028020

Four Seasons Hotel Kingdom Center Tel: +966-11-2115000 Golden Tulip Andalusia Olaya Rd. Tel: +966-11-4611000 Holiday Inn Riyadh Izdihar Abdulwahab Bin Abdullah St., Unit One Tel: +966-11-4625000 InterContinental Riyadh Al Maather St. Tel: +966-11-4655000 Luthan Hotel And Spa A Women Only Hotel Orubah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4807799 Madareem Crown Hotel King Khalid International Airport Rd. Tel: +966-11-2758888 DESTINATION RIYADH 89

HEALTH DIRECTORY

BEAUTY CLINICS Al Manihal Center Diplomatic Quarter Tel: +966-11-4881069 Al Safeer Tel: +966-11-2050810 Apollo Tel: 920027070 Ayan Consultative King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-2725555 Ayma Consultative King Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-2635555 Beauty Corner King Fahad Rd. Mob: +966-543300557 www.beautycorner.co FOUR Salon & Nail Spa Diplomatic Quarter Tel: +966-11-2014444 www.www.four.com.sa Malesa Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4888831 Med Art Clinics Olaya Main St. Tel: 920000045

Pearl’s Smile Sulaimaniya Tel: +966-11-4646334

FITNESS CENTERS

Riyadh Medical Orouba St. Tel: +966-11-4653060

My Gym Panorama Mall Tel: +966-11-42814870

Saudi Sugeons Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4653030 SSC Tel: +966-11-2335000 Uranus Medical Orouba St. Tel: +966-11-4657000 White Wing Medical Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4834286

DENTAL CLINICS Aagi Dental Center Tel: +966-11-2080107 Dima Dental Tahlia St. Tel: +966-11-4661200 Gama Dental Clinic King Abdulaziz Road Tel: +966-11- 4542929 Mob: +966-534542929

Obagi Hospital Makkah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4627111

Noble Smile Abdullah Al Angary St. Tel: +966 11 4197740

Platinium Khurais Rd. Tel: +966-11-2097777

Ramah Dental Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4800931

The British Center King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-2795555

Sanaya Dental Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-2174888

CLINICS

EYE CARE

Attadawe King Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-2780211

Al Hokama Mallaz Tel: +966-11-4797777

Consulting Center Tel: +966-11-4555545

Menshaf Eye care Al Rawda Mob: +966-565869059

Czech Center Infront of King Saud University Tel: 920002737 ENT Center Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4802229 Mayiez Medical Olaya Tel: +966-11-2169999 90 DESTINATION RIYADH

The Eye Center Tel: +966-11-4623094 www.eyecenter.com.sa

KIDS

MEN Apple Fitness Tel: +966-11-4538800 Body Masters Tel: 920000626 Tel: +966-11-4875531 Fitness Time Tel: 920003131 Gold’s Gym Tel: +966-11-6912077 Life Fitness Tel: +966-11-2061133 Up Scale Club King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-4871502

WOMEN Al Manihal Center Diplomatic Quarter Tel: +966-11-4881069 Curves Olaya St. Tel: +966-11-4633219 Kinetico Tel: +966-11-2815595 Mob: + 966-530034010 Luthan Hotel & Spa Tel: +966-11-4807799

Al Falah INT’L Tel: +966-11-4463737 www.alfalah.com.sa Al Hammadi Hospital Khalid ibn Yazid Muawiyah St. Tel: +966-11-4643312 www.hammadi.com Al Jafel Hospital Western Ring Rd. Tel: +966-11-4322222 www.aljafelhospital.com Al-Mouwasat Hospital Western Ring Rd., Exit 114 Tel: +966-11-4455555 Dallah Hospital Tel: +966-11-4720777 Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Mishari Hospital Olaya Dist.

Tel: +966-11-4657700 http://drabdulrahman almishari.com.sa Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Olaya Medical Complex Tel: +966-114622224 www.drsulaiman alhabib.com Green Crescent Abdul Malik Bin Marwan St. Tel: +966-11-4644434 www.gch.com.sa King Abdulaziz University King Abdul Aziz Rd. Tel: +966-11-4775524 www.medicine.ksu.edu.sa

Lumiere Olaya Tel: +966-11-2169030

King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) Makkah Rd. Tel: 8001277000

Scented Tel: +966-11-2112003

Kingdom Hospital Tel: +966-11-2751111

Yibreen Off of Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4411115

King Faisal SHRC Al Zahrawi St. Tel: +966-11-4647272 www.kfshrc.edu.sa

HOSPITALS ABAS Medical Group Rawda-Hamra-Dabab Tel: 920000172 ADMA Makkah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4660000 Alamal Complex for Mental Health Al Khuzami Dist.

Tel: +966-11-4804548 www.alamal.med.sa

King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital Oruba Branch St. Tel: +966-11-4821234 www.kkesh.med.sa King Saud Medical City Al Imam Abdul Aziz ibn Saud St. Tel: +966-11-4355555 www.ksmc.med.sa Maghrabi Hospital Tel: +966-11-4455049 www.maghrabi.com.sa

OBIED Specialized Al Farazdaq Rd. Tel: +966-11-4767222 Prince Sultan Cardiac Center Makkah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4783000 www.pscc.med.sa

Al Jaza Olaya Main St. Tel: +966-11-4642072 Al Lizam Olaya Main St. Tel: +966-11-4655595 Al Mowasa 3 Prince Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4568598 Al Mutanabbi Jareer St. Tel: +966-11-2910981

Dar Al Dana Abdullah Bin Sulaiman Al Hamdan Tel: +966-11-4643373

Sara Spectrum Medical Pharmacy Akkariya Buildings Tel: +966-11-4601018

Mazin Pharmacy Olaya Main St. Tel: +966-11-4624562

Shrazad Sitteen St. Tel: +966-11-4787047

Medical & Pharmaceutical Service Dabbab St. Tel: +966-11-4629680

University Pharmacy Akkariya Buildings Tel: +966-11-4191944

Medicine Time Olaya Main St. Tel: +966-11-4569140

Riyadh Care Hospital Tel: +966-11-4933000 www.riyadhcare.com

Al Olaya Olaya Main St. Tel: +966-11-46411501

Riyadh Military Makkah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4791000 www.rmh.med.sa

Al Raja No 2 Oruba St. Tel: +966-11-4624942

Mohammmed Al Hozaimi Oruba St. Tel: +966-11-4628758

Al Rawabi Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4828028

Nabra Pharmacy Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4887329

S.B.H King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-4636666 Saudi German Hospitals Group King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-2685555 www.ryd.sghgroup.com.sa

Al Riyadh Oruba St. Tel: +966-11-4643108 Al Saggaf Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4640716

Specialized M.C.H King Fahad Rd. Tel: +966-11-41164000

Al Saggaf 25 Talatheen St. Tel: +966-11-4645274

Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City Exit 6 Tel: +966-11-5620000

Al Shameeah Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4880595

PHARMACIES Adhwaa Al Seha Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4887455

Al Teriaq Prince Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4828289 Al Thalatheen Talatheen St. Tel: +966-11-4623529

Al Dimishqi Prince Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4707887

Al Shamsia Jamal Center Tel: +966-11-4057296

Al Farabi Takhassusi St. Tel: +966-11-4880843 Al Hozaimi Ibn Sulaiman Commercial Center Tel: +966-11-4722054

Arac Health Care Talatheen St. Tel: +966-11-4645107 Asir Pharmacy Prince Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4811629

Nazaar Pharmacy Al Awais Market Tel: +966-11-4541408 NEO (Neointernational) Olaya Main St. Tel: +966-11-4615089

University (2) Oruba St. Tel: +966-11-4626338 Wardat Al-Oroba Oruba St. Tel: +966-11-4622904 Whites Pharmacy Tel: +966-11-2886877 / 4895994/ 4897750 / 4897751 www.whites.net Zahrat Al Rawda Pharmacy Prince Abdullah Rd. Tel: +966-11-4804935 Zahrat Sami Oruba St. Tel: +966-11-4653060

Nissah Pharmacy Al-Rajhi Five Buildings Tel: +966-11-4041573 Noorana Pharmacy Al Malaz Tel: +966-11-4785006 Olaya International Olaya Main St. Tel: +966-11-4160349 Prince Pharmacy Talatheen St. Tel: +966-11-4611418 Rajaa Pharmacy 2 Oruba St. Tel: +966-11-4624942 Riyadh Corner Jareer St. Tel: +966-11-4780759

0544408585 DESTINATION RIYADH 91

HEALTH DIRECTORY

National Guard Health King Abdulaziz Medical City Tel: +966-11-8011111 www.ngha.med.sa

GENERAL DIRECTORY

BANKS Al inma Bank Tel: +966-11-2185000 www.alinma.com Al Jazira Bank Tel: +966-11-4317474 www.baj.com.sa Al Rajhi Bank Tel: +966-11-4603333 www.alrajhibank.com.sa Arab National Bank Tel: +966-11-4029000 www.anb.com.sa Bank Al Bilad Tel: +966-11-4971905 www.bankalbilad.com Banque Saudi Fransi Tel: +966-11-2899999 www.alfransi.com.sa National Commercial Bank Tel: 920001000 www.alahli.com Riyadh Bank Tel: +966-11-4013030 www.riyadbank.com SABB Tel: +966-11-2764356 www.sabb.com Samba Tel: 8001242000 www.samba.com Saudi Hollandi Bank Tel: +966-11-2548500 www.shb.com.sa

CAR AGENCIES Audi Tel: +966-11-4660044 BG Khurais Rd. Exit 30 Tel: +966-11-2300000 BMW Khurais Rd. Tel: +966-11-2391000 Cadillac Tel: +966-11-4924048 Chevrolet Khurais Rd. Tel: +966-11-4454040 Chrysler Khurais Rd. & Dabbab St. Tel: +966-11-2332222

RAM Khurais Rd. & Dabbab St. Tel: +966-11-2332222 Renault Khurais Rd. Tel: 8002445050 Rolls Royce Khurais Rd. Tel: +966-11-2391000 Seat Khurais Rd. Tel: +966-11-2301515 Skoda Tel: +966-11-2301515 Subaru Tel: +966-11-2300000 Toyota Tel: +966-11-2486777

COMPOUNDS

Dodge Khurais Rd. & Dabbab St. Tel: +966-11-2332222

Volks Wagen Tel: 920000380

Ishbilia Tel: +966-11-2406000 Mob: +966-593111389 www.ksacompounds.com

Fuso Tel: 8002440060

Volvo Khurais Rd. Tel: +966-11-4923539

Al Hamra Oasis Village Tel: +966-11-2490440 www.alhamra.com.sa

GMS Khurais Rd. Tel: +966-11-4454040

Unic Tel: +966-11-2300000

Al Issa Compound Tel: +966-11-4918400

Harley-Davidson North Ring Rd. Exit 5 Tel: +966-11-4554499 Honda Khurais Rd. Tel: +966-11-4454646 Isuzu Tel: +966-11-2300000

CAR RENTALS Al Falah Tel: 920001678 Al Moddarraj Tel: +966-11-4779902 Avis Tel: +966-11-4884887

Al Jazeera Bader Tel: +966-11-4921135 www.badercompound.com Al Manar Tel: +966-11-2460100 Al Mohaeya Tel: +966-11-4821222 Al Mostaqbal Homes Tel: +966-11-4816666 www.almostaqbal homes.com

Jeep Khurais Rd. & Dabbab St. Tel: +966-11-2332222

Best Rent A Car Tel: 8001249955

Lexus King Fahad Rd. Exit 9 Tel: +966-11-4566600

Diplomat Khurais Rd. Tel: 920008008

Auto Gard Tel: +966-11-2924343

Mazda Khurais Rd. Tel: +966-11-4968888

EuropCar Al Ahsaa St. Tel: 920000153

Al Ola No 7 Tel: +966-11-4608095

Llumar Khurais Rd. Tel: +966-11-2912929

Mini Cooper Khurais Rd. Tel: +966-11-2391000

Faz Prince Sultan St. Tel: +966-11-2912679

Red Cap Khurais Rd. Tel: +966-11-4913212

Mitsubishi Khurais Rd. Tel: 8002440060

iCar Tel: +966-11-4561099

Al Rabwa Al Rabwa Area, Exit 14 close to Nahda Rd. Mob: +966-544096296 www.almutlaq.com

Solar Control Khurais Rd. Tel: +966-11-4966633

Mopar Khurais Rd. & Dabbab St. Tel: +966-11-2332222

Sajil Tel: +966-11-4935222

Unique Your Car Mob: +966-566225544

Peugeot Tel: +966-11-4666614

CAR ACCESSORIES 3M Tel: +966-11-2884135

Porsche Tel: +966-11-4667788

92 DESTINATION RIYADH

Theeb Rent a Car Khurais Rd. Tel: 920000572 Uber Application: Uber.com/app support.riyadh@uber.com

Al Nakheel Residence Tel: +966-11-4704191

Al Rayan Residential Tel: +966-11-2089027 Al Waha Village Villas Rossas Tel: +966-11-4864711 Al Yamama Village Tel: +966-11-4012550 Arab Investment Tel: +966-11-4823444

Asasco Village Tel: +966-11-4199000 Barada Village Arabian Homes Tel: +966-11-4541888 www.arabian-homes. com

Mob: +966-541362462 ROC Compound Tel: +966-11-2412800 www.roc.com.sa Sahara Towers Tel: +966-11-4625666 Seder Village Tel: +966-11-2280000 www.sedervillage.com

Bonita Village Mob: +966-597721361 www.alwakkan.com

Star Compound Villas Rossas Tel: +966-11-4881139

Cordoba Oasis Village Tel: +966-11-24834711 www.cordoba.com.sa

Villas Rosas Al-Wadi Tel: +966-11-4881139 http://villasrosasco.com

Delta - 11 Estate Villas Rossas Tel: +966-11-4803201 Delta - 2 Estate Villas Rossas Tel: +966-11-4804084 Eid Villas Tel: +966-11-2483366 www.eidvillas.com.sa Euro Compound Tel: +966-11-4780718 FAL Compound Tel: +966-11-2490091 www.falcompound.org Granada Village Tel: +966-11-2488387 Green City Olaya - Rahmaniah Dist.

Mob: +966-559623393 www.gccompound. tripod.com Jadawel Compound Tel: +966-11-2406000 Kingdom City Tel: +966-11-2750275 www.kingdom-city.com Najd Compound Tel: +966-11- 2481040 Palm Court Tel: +966-11-4850288 Ranco Village Tel: +966-11-4924411 www.ranvil.com Riyadh Village Khurais Road, off exit 36 Tel: 08111010101

GO Tel: 8111011180 www.go.com.sa Gulfnet KSA Tel: +966-11-4628562 www.zajil.net Nesma Tel: +966-11-4633100 www.nesma.net.sa Nour Net Tel: +966-11-4728900 www.nour.net.sa NTG National Technology Group Tel: +966-11-4763777 www.ntg.com.sa

CANADA Tel: +966-11-4882288 CHINA Tel: +966-11-4832126 CZECH REPUBLIC Tel: +966-11-4503617 DENMARK Tel: +966-11-4880101 Ext 111163 DJIBOUTI Tel: +966-11-4543182 EGYPT Tel: +966-11-4810159 Tel: +966-11-4831458

Oger Tel Tel: +966-11-4889826 www.ogersystems.com

ERITREA

Arabian Hala Tel: +966-11-4884887 www.hala.com.sa

PrimeNet Tel: +966-11-4193000 www.prime.net.sa

ETHIOPIA

Aramex Tel: +966-11-4160353 www.aramex.com

Saudi Internet Company Tel: +966-11-4603031 www.sol.net.sa/en

DHL Worldwide Express Tel: +966-11-4654200 www.dhl.com.sa

Saudi Net Tel: +966-11-2180300 www.saudi.net.sa

FRANCE

FedEx Tel: +966-11-4633999 www.fedex.com/sa

Shabakah Net Tel: +966-11-4193193 www.shabakah.net.sa

GABON

COURIER

Overseas Courier Service Tel: +966-11-4647193 www.ocstracking.com www.ocscouner.com UPS Global Tel: +966-11-4626655 www.ups.com

DSL NET

EMBASSIES

Tel: +966-11-4801731

Tel: +966-11-4824055 FINLAND Tel: +966-11-4881515 Ext 9

Tel: +966-11-4881255

Tel: +966-11-4567173 GAMBIA Tel: +966-11-2052158

ALGERIA Tel: +966-11-4887171

GERMANY

ARGENTINA Tel: +966-11-4652600

GHANA

AUSTRALIA Tel: +966-11-4887788

GREECE

Tel: +966-11-4880700

Tel: +966-11-4545122

Tel: +966-11-4801975

Advance Telecom Company (ATC) Tel: +966-11-4601877 www.atc.com.sa

AUSTRIA Tel: +966-11-4801217 BAHRAIN Tel: +966-11-4880044

Arabic Computer Systems (ACS) Tel: +966-11-4763777 www.acs.com.sa

BANGLADESH Tel: +966-11-4195300

HUNGARY

BELGIUM Tel: +966-11-4882888 BRAZIL Tel: +966-11-4880018

INDIA

Atheer Tel: +966-11-4198000 www.atheer.net.sa Awal Tel: +966-11-4600111 www.awal.com.sa CYBERIA Tel: 8001248124 www.cyberia.net.sa DigiNet Tel: +966-11-4192009 www.digi.net.sa

BRITAIN Tel: +966-11-4880077

GUINEA Tel: +966-11-4881121

Tel: +966-11-4546707

Tel: +966-11-4884144 INDONESIA Tel: +966-11-4882282 IRAN

BRUNEI Tel: +966-11-4560814

Tel: +966-11-4881444

BURKINA FASO Tel: +966-11-4652244

Tel: +966-11-4882300

CAMEROON Tel: +966-11-4880022

IRELAND

ITALY Tel: +966-11-4881212 DESTINATION RIYADH 93

GENERAL DIRECTORY

Arizona Golf Resort Tel: +966-11-2484444 www.agr.com.sa

GENERAL DIRECTORY

JAPAN Tel: +966-11-4881100 JORDAN Tel: +966-11-4880071 KENYA Tel: +966-11-4882484 KOREA Tel: +966-11-4882211 KUWAIT Tel: +966-11-4883500 LEBANON Tel: +966-11-4804060 MALAYSIA Tel: +966-11-4887100 MALI Tel: +966-11-2290753 MALTA Tel: +966-11-4615315

QATAR Tel: +966-11-4825544 RUSSIA Tel: +966-11-4811432 SENEGAL Tel: +966-11-4880146 SIERRA LEONE Tel: +966-11-4643982 SINGAPORE Tel: +966-11-4803855 SOUTH AFRICA Tel: +966-11-4429728 SPAIN Tel: +966-11-4880606 SRI LANKA Tel: +966-11-4608232 SUDAN Tel: +966-11-4887979

GROUND TRANSPORTATION AILAF Tel: +966-11-2713377 Blue Connect Tel: 920004948 www.the-blueconnect .com London Cab Club Tel: +966-11-4966670 http://londoncabclub .com SAPTCO Tel: +966-11-2884400

KINDERGARTENS

Tarbia Pre-School Tel: +966-11-4199017 Tiny Tots Mob: +966-580473602 Twinkle Kindergarten Mob: +966-559268188 White Rose Play Mob: +966-563296205

MINISTRIES Agriculture Tel: +966-11-4016666 Civil Service Tel: +966-11-4026900 Commerce

Baby Day Care

Tel: +966-11-4012220

Mob: +966-582657594

Communications and Information Technology

Birds of Hope Mob: +966-569754506

Tel: +966-11-4637225 Culture and Information

British Islamic

Tel: +966-11-4014440

SWEDEN

Tel: +966-11-4649666

Defense

Tel: +966-11-8806700

www.britishislamic

Tel: +966-11-4785900

Ext 204

school.com

MOROCCO

SWITZERLAND

Busybee

Tel: +966-11-4826382

Tel: +966-11-4881291

Tel: +966-11-2193900

NEPAL

SYRIA

Tel: +966-11-4645170

Tel: +966-11-4887481

NETHERLANDS

TANZANIA

Tel: +966-11-4880011

Tel: +966-11-4542833

NEW ZELAND

THAILAND

Tel: +966-11-4887988

Tel: +966-11-4881174

NIGERIA

TUNISIA Tel: +966-11-4887900

MAURITANIA Tel: +966-11-4646749 MEXICO Tel: +966-11-4808822

Tel: +966-11-4823024 NORWAY Tel: +966-11-4881904 Ext 300 OMAN Tel: +966-11-4823120 PAKISTAN Tel: +966-11-4884111 PERU Tel: +966-11-4822474 PHILIPPINES Tel: +966-11-4823559 PORTUGAL Tel: +966-11-4826964

94 DESTINATION RIYADH

TURKEY Tel: +966-11-4820101 UAE Tel: +966-11-4881227 UGANDA Tel: +966-11-4544910 UKRAINE Tel: +966-11-4508536 URUGUAY Tel: +966-11-4620739 USA Tel: +966-11-4801831 YEMEN Tel: +966-11-4881769

www.busybee.com.sa Dazzling Stars Mob: +966-545682945 First Step Mob: +966-500320566 Kids World Tel: +966-11-4006000 www.kidsworldschool.net Little Rosas Tel: +966-11-4865128 My Home Mob: +966-569598011 Play House Mob: +966-556365035 Play n Learn Mob: +966-564684094 SM Nursery Mob: +966-558391591 Super Kids Mob: +966-564460167 www.superkidseducation center.com

Education Tel: +966-11-4042888 Finance Tel: +966-11-4050000 Foreign Affairs Tel: +966-11-4067777 Hajj Tel: +966-11-4022200 Health Tel: +966-11-4012220 Higher Education Tel: +966-11-4644444 Industry Tel: +966-11-4772722 Interior Tel: +966-11-4011944 Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance Tel: +966-11-4730401 Justice Tel: +966-11-4057777 Labor and Social Affairs Tel: +966-11-4771480 Municipal and Rural Affairs Tel: +966-11-4415434

Water and Electricity Tel: +966-11-4016666

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AFTA Society for ADHD (Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit) Tel: +966-11-4815455 Mob: +966-554559086 Mob: +966-530034981

SCHOOLS & INSTITUTES Al Alameen INT’L Tel: +966-11-4649666 Al Amjad National Tel: +966-11-2494188 Al Andalus National Tel: +966-11-4936585 Al Khaleej National Tel: +966-11-2012112 Al Olaya National Tel: +966-11-4538867 Al Rowad INT’L www.rowad-is.com American INT’L Mob: +966-567990096 www.aisr.org British International Tel: +966-11-2482387 www.britishschool riyadh.com Dar Al Maarefah Tel: +966-11-2314010 École Française Internationale de Riyad www.efi-riyad.com EDUCON STUDY ABROAD Tel: 920001338 Elite International Tel: +966-11-4627224 Fursan Al Jazeerah Tel: +966-11-5457505 Future Window Tel: +966-11-2063371 http://fwis.edu.sa/ International Indian Boys Section Tel: +966-11-4934688 www.iisriyadh.com

King Faisal School Tel: +966-11-4820802 www.kfs.sch.sa King Saud INT’L Tel: +966-11-4633180 www.ksischool.com Kingdom School Tel: +966-11-2755555 www.kingdomschools. edu.sa

UNIVERSITIES Al Faisal University Tel: +966-11-4401626 www.alfaisal.edu Al Namuthajigah Campus Tel: 920000842

Manahel Al Elm Tel: +966-11-4770419

Al Yamamah University Tel: +966-11-2242222 www.yu.edu.sa

Manarat Al Riyadh Tel: +966-11-4509916 http://maarif.com.sa

Arab Open University Tel: +966-11-2742277 www.arabou.org.sa

Middle East Modern Education Tel: +966-11-4622815 Najd National Tel: +966-11-4914434 Nour Al Maaref Riyadh Tel: +966-11-4028411 www.riyadhschools .edu.sa Saudi Arabia Multinational Tel: +966-11-2751751 www.mns-r.com

SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATION Aberr Charity Society Tel: +966-11-5448654 Al Bir Charity Tel: +966-11-4056666 Al Nahda Tel: +966-11-4650029 www.alnahda-ksa.org Al Wafa Tel: +966-11-4650029 Charity Committe For Orphans Care www.ensan.org.sa Charitable Society for Memorization of the Qura’an Tel: +920011799 www.qk.org.sa

GENERAL DIRECTORY

Transport Tel: +966-11-4042928

Dar Al Uloom Tel: +966-11-4949000 www.dau.edu.sa Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic Tel: +966-11-2580000 www.imamu.edu.sa Institute of Public Administration Tel: +966-11-4740412 www.ipa.edu.sa King Saud University Tel: +966-11-4670000 www.ksu.edu.sa King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences Tel: +966-11-2521300 Munisiya Campus Tel: 920000183 Olaya/Quatoba Campus Tel: 920000182 Prince Sultan University Tel: +966-11-4948000 www.psu.edu.sa Princess Nora bin Abdulrahman University +966-11-2297290 www.pnu.edu.sa Riyadh College of Dentistry and Pharmacy www.riyadh.edu.sa

Charity Ibn Baz Organization Tel: +966-11-2293333 www.alzwaj.org

Girls Section Tel: +966-11-2323248 DESTINATION RIYADH 95

RELIGIOUS DIRECTORY

Accommodations close to the Two Holy Mosques: MADINAH Al-Ameen Crom Hotel Markazeyah al Gharbiyah Tel: +966-14-8198000 Al-Ansar Golden Few steps away from Al-Haram Tel: +966-14-8290177 Al-Ansar New Place Al-Siteen St. Tel: +966-14-8207770 Al-Haram Hotel Abi Zar Road Tel: +966-14-8182300 Al-Karam Hotel King Abdulaziz St. Tel: +966-14-8155500 Al-Madinah Crom Markazeyah Al-Gharbiyah Tel: +966-14-8192020 Andalus Classy Hotel King Fahad St. Tel: +966-14-8290000 Andalus Dar Al-Khair Hotel Few steps away from Al-Haram Tel: +966-14-8181114 Anwar Al-Madinah Movenpick The Courtyard of Al-Haram Tel: +966-14-8181000

Green Palace Hotel Abi Zar St. Tel: +966-14-8269040 Hilton Madinah King Fahad Road Few steps away from Al-Haram Tel: +966-14-8201000

Le Meridien Makkah Ajyad St. Tel: +966-12-5751111

Le Meridien Madinah Khalid Bin El-Waleed St. Tel: +966-14-8460777

Le Meridien Towers Hotel Rawabi Ajyad Road Tel: +966-12-5399999

Marriott Madinah Omer Ibn Al-Khatab St. Tel: +966-14-8180000 Movenpick In front of Al-Safeya Bridge, Opposite Al-Haram Tel: +966-14-8188888 Ramada Al-Hamra Abi Zar St. Tel: +966-14-8208084 Ramada Al-Qibla Islamic Court St. Tel: +966-14-8160008 The Madinah Oberoi Abi Zar St. Tel: +966-14-8282222

MAKKAH Ajyad Makkah Ibrahim Al-Khalil St. Tel: +966-12-5720500 Al-Jaad Crom Hotel Naqa Al-Sulaimaneyah St. Tel: +966-12-5705555

Dallah Taibah Hotel King Fahad St., crossing Al-Siteen St. Tel: +966-14-8290180

Al-Shohada Hotel Ajyad St. Tel: +966-12-5744401

Dar Al-Iman InterContinental Off Al-Siteen St. Tel: +966-14-8206666 Dar Al-Taqwa InterContinental Off Al-Siteen St. Tel: +966-14-8291111 Durrat Andalus Hotel King Fahad St. Tel: +966-14-8291114

96 DESTINATION RIYADH

InterContinental Dar Al-Tawhid Ibrahim Al-Khalil St. Tel: +966-12-5411111

Hotel Elaf Taibah Saad Bin Maaz St. Tel: +966-14-8180050

Barakat Andalus Al-Siteen St. Tel: +966-14-8208884

Dar Al-Hijra InterContinental King Fahad St. Tel: +966-14-8207777

Hilton Makkah & Towers Hijrah St. Tel: +966-12-5340000

Dar Al-Manasek Hotel Ibrahim Al-Khalil St. Tel: +966-12-5394444 Elaf Ajyad Hotel Al-Masafi St. Tel: +966-12-5722200 Elaf Al-Sud Hotel Ajayad Al-Sud St. Tel: +966-12-5708586 Elaf Kindah Hotel Al-Messyaal St. Tel: +966-12-5745555

Makkah Clock Royal Tower King Abdulaziz Endowment Tel: +966-12-5717777 Manazel Al-Ain Mesrcure Al-Azizia St. Tel: +966-12-5578000 Mercure Grand Um Al-Qura Al-Jamaiza St. Tel: +966-12-5702212 Mercure Hibatullah Hotel Um Al-Qura St. Tel: +966-12-5498855 Raffles Makkah Palace King Abdulaziz Endowment Tel: +966-12-5717888 Swissotel Makkah King Abdulaziz Endowment Tel: +966-12-5718000 Zam Zam Grand Suites Adjiad St. Tel: +966-12-5715555

Hajj & Umrah Visa: www.hajinformation.com

Useful websites:

1- www.biblioislam.net 2- www.tvquran.com 3- www.rasoulallah.net 4- www.islamonline.com 5- www.quranexplorer.com 6- www.islam-guide.com 7- www.islamweb.net 8- www.islamicity.com 9- www.theholyquran.org 10- www.al-mawrid.org