A glamorous new restaurant in Jeddah’s Assila Hotel puts you at the center of the world with a special Ramadan theme that celebrates international cuisine and music from around the globe.
24 Restaurant Assila offers delicious homemade Italian patisseries, ice creams and desserts as well as a mix of international, Saudi and Middle Eastern buffet options for iftar and suhoor.
The large buffet has everything: High-quality meats, cheeses, desserts, an organic food bar, fresh fruits and veggies, yogurts, dips, fresh juices and homemade varieties of granola.
Chef de cuisine at the restaurant Daniel Vicente Atunes is a Portuguese national who has worked in leading restaurants and five-star hotels around the world. He is experienced in Arabic, Italian, French, Spanish and Thai cuisine.
For starters, enjoy the smell of cooked harirah and mushroom soup ladled out of a huge pot. The scent alone is sure to make you eager for iftar.
Harirah is a traditional soup from the Maghreb region, consumed in Morocco and western Algeria. It is popular as a starter, but is also eaten on its own as a light snack. There are many variations and it is mostly served during Ramadan.
Eating the hot dessert of Umm Ali with a ball of coffee ice cream while sipping delicious Turkish coffee after iftar is the perfect end to a sumptuous meal.
Umm Ali is an Egyptian dessert containing puff pastry, milk and nuts. Any kind of nuts can be added and you can eat it with a spoon. Legend has it that Umm Ali was the first wife of the Mamluk Sultan Ezz El-Din Aybek.
But to talk solely of starters and dessert would be misleading as what lies between is what makes this restaurant truly shine.
A fresh tasty lamb was served in a huge ornamented steel tray for everyone to enjoy at the buffet.
If meat to your liking, the pasta station has choices galore. Pesto pasta was the most delicious and colorful choice with a twist of dried cherry tomato. It is best enjoyed warm and is loaded with protein and fiber.
Pesto sauce originates in Genoa, in the northern region of Italy. It traditionally consists of crushed garlic, pine nuts, salt, leaves, Parmesan cheese and olive oil.
Refreshing drinks to wash it all down
This year, the holy month of Ramadan falls in the summer, making fasting a tough task for Muslims who abstain from food and drink until sunset. As the body loses liquids, Muslims need to drink more after iftar in order to avoid dehydration.
In addition to the everyday drinks of Ramadan, such as Laban and Vimto, this buffet provides traditional Ramadan drinks that can keep you hydrated.
Amar el din contains enough sugar to boost the digestive system without over-stimulating it. Made from either rolled dried apricot or dried apricot paste, amar el din contains digestive aids, metabolism regulators and vitamins.
Tamer Hindi is popular in Arabic countries. Tamer Hindi is a very sour drink that is considered the twin of hibiscus as it is made almost in the same way.
Karkade is refreshing hot or cold with a color that is as intense as the flavor. Karkade is a sweet infusion made from hibiscus flower. Karkade, which is a typical Ramadan drink, is also served during other occasions, such as weddings.
Erk sous, is another popular drink in Arab countries, especially Egypt and Syria. It is a black, mildly sweet and slightly bitter beverage made from licorice root.
Jallab is a popular drink around the Middle East, especially in Syria, Palestine and Lebanon. The drink is made of dates, grape molasses and rose water and served with lots of ice and topped with pine nuts and raisins.
While the prices at most buffets have gone up considerably in many Jeddah hotels, the quality of food you will find at this restaurant make SR310 a convincing enough spend.
The Assila Hotel is located at the heart of Tahliah Street, one of Jeddah’s most fashionable business and shopping districts.
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— Photos by Huda Bashatah
Assila Hotel’s 24 Restaurant: An ideal Ramadan meal to delight the senses
Assila Hotel’s 24 Restaurant: An ideal Ramadan meal to delight the senses
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Jon & Vinny’s restaurant in Riyadh
- The atmosphere and decoration of the restaurant are standard, with wooden bench-style seating and walls decorated using pizza boxes
Los Angeles-based Italian restaurant Jon & Vinny’s has opened a location in Riyadh serving pizza, pasta, desserts and coffee.
Located in Al-Sulimaniyah, the Italian restaurant has four locations in the US, all in California: Fairfax, Brentwood, Slauson and Beverly Hills.
The Riyadh restaurant features a more casual laid-back dining experience as opposed to other Italian restaurants in the Saudi capital that offer a more refined dining atmosphere.
If you are looking for a luxury restaurant for a quiet date night, this is not the best option, but if you are searching for a trendy hang-out spot, Jon & Vinny’s is suitable for you.
The atmosphere and decoration of the restaurant are standard, with wooden bench-style seating and walls decorated using pizza boxes.
The restaurant founders, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, attended the grand opening in Riyadh on April 17, saying that their mission is to offer authentic food that captures traditional Italian flavors.
The prices on the menu are average, with dishes ranging from SR65-75 ($17-20).
The menu offers a wide variety of pizzas, from “The Rosy,” a tomato and olive oil pizza with parmesan, to the “The Lola,” with fresh burrata, tomato, basil olive oil and a dash of sea salt.
One thing to note is that the pizza is quite authentic compared to other options in the city. The pizza crust is crispy, light and airy, allowing the freshness of the tomatoes and herbs to shine through.
Unlike other Italian restaurants, Jon and Vinny’s also offers different options for crust dips, such as ranch, garlic, buffalo, creamy Italian, pomodoro and olive oil.
In terms of drinks, the options on the menu include juices, soft drinks and caffeinated beverages such as americanos, cappuccinos and other coffee.
You may try the house-made lemonade, which is refreshing but a bit on the sour side. It is definitely great for guests looking for something tangy and refreshing for the Saudi summer heat.
For pasta options, you can try the pesto pasta, known on the menu as the pesto parmigiano oregano. The pasta is perfectly cooked al dente and the sauce is tasty but nothing new or innovative.
The lemon pasta and the spicy fusilli are the two highlight dishes of the restaurant.
When it comes to meat, there are limited choices on the menu. You may try the braised meatballs with ricotta and garlic bread.
The meatballs are very flavorful and seasoned well, with the flavors of the spices in the meatballs complimenting the simple and fresh red sauce.
The garlic bread which is offered with the meatballs is a bit on the charred side.
Another notable option on the menu is the Caesar salad with cheese sticks.
The freshness and quality of the ingredients shine through in the simple dishes.
The restaurant is very trendy and social-media friendly. The wall of Jon and Vinny’s pizza boxes is the perfect backdrop for photos.
Although the restaurant is small, it does offer an open-style kitchen where guests can approach the kitchen area and see the chefs cooking each meal.
For dessert, the restaurant offers a variety of sweets, including cheesecake and chocolate cake.
You will find the staff incredibly friendly.
Jon & Vinny’s offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is open from 8 a.m. to midnight.
Renowned London restaurant and Emirati fashion label launch t-shirt collection
DUBAI: Acclaimed Persian restaurant Berenjak Dubai, hailing from London, has joined forces with Shabab Intl. to launch a range of stylish t-shirts.
In sleek black, the t-shirts – now on sale at the restaurant – feature a Berenjak-inspired print on the back. The logos of both the restaurant and Shabab Intl. are depicted on the front.
Images for the launch campaign were shot by Dubai creative Cheb Moha, who leads the fashion label.
“We’re thrilled to be at Berenjak,” he told Arab News. “Personally, I am a huge fan and make it a point to dine there at least once especially when I’m in London.”
Moha’s deep appreciation for Berenjak stems from an enduring passion for Persian cuisine and cultural heritage, he said.
“Having Shabab there is particularly special for us, and I am confident that it will open doors for more collaborations. With our Shabab community present, it is exciting for them to witness this crossover between our origins and the spaces we inhabit at the restaurant. We are thrilled to stand alongside Berenjak and to have Shabab represented there.”
Moha added his t-shirt designs aimed for simplicity and clarity.
“I wanted to incorporate our identity with Berenjak’s identity and the identity of (the) city we are in, which is Dubai,” he said.
“If you notice, the graphic on the back of the t-shirt is sort of sun shaped. That is part of the Shabab spirit, the sunrise. And if you look in the windows, Berenjak also has a sun motif in the glass. I wanted to incorporate that and feel like there is a nice synergy between both brands.”
Moha also feels there is a crossover between fashion and food. “I feel like there’s always been a pipeline between both. They do complement each other in some way,” he said.
Berenjak, founded by chef Kian Samyani and award-winning London restaurant group JKS Restaurants, is a renowned Persian restaurant that has made its mark by bringing a contemporary twist to classic dishes.
Where We Are Going Today: Kaak Al-Farah
Kaak Al-Farah — which translates as “the cookie of joy” — is an Instagram shop that offers kaak, a traditional date-filled treat enjoyed in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.
A cherished part of celebrations such as Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, weddings and baby showers, kaak are similar to maamoul cookies, which include semolina.
Kaak Al-Farah makes each cookie with care, using ornate molds to shape the date-stuffed dough. After baking, the cookies are packed in a beautiful reusable box.
Made from locally sourced ingredients, including wheat, dates and traditional Saudi flavors such as cardamom and cloves, each bite is a celebration of the region’s rich culinary heritage.
What makes Kaak Al-Farah stand out is not just the delightful taste of the cookies but also the thoughtful packaging which reflects the essence of Saudi culture.
The round box features designs redolent of the joyful spirit found in Saudi communities, including a cheerful ring of colorful flowers symbolizing happiness and beauty and a portrait of a lady representing peace and love. Added to each box is a personalized greeting card.
Kaak Al-Farah delivers to various cities throughout the Kingdom and can be found on delivery apps including The Chefz and Hayak.
For more information, visit their Instagram profile — @kaak.alfarah.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Dave’s Hot Chicken’ in Riyadh
- The dishes come in six heat options, with the most intense level named the “reaper,” which is served with a waiver that must be signed before consumption
Dave’s Hot Chicken — a parking-lot food truck in East Hollywood before becoming internationally renowned — can be found in Riyadh on Tahliah Street.
They are famous for their iconic Nashville-style hot chicken, a sweet and spicy concoction of flavorful spices including cayenne pepper, paprika, salt and pepper.
The balance of sweet and spicy along with the irresistible crunch makes their chicken tenders one of the best in the city.
Each order is served with sliced bread, tangy pickles, and Dave’s special sauce.
The dishes come in six heat options, with the most intense level named the “reaper,” which is served with a waiver that must be signed before consumption.
The waiver reads: “I acknowledge that eating the reaper can cause me harm, including, but not limited to, bodily injury, property damage, emotional stress, and even death.”
For customers who prefer it, their chicken tenders are also available with no spice.
The menu has a selection of Nashville-inspired sides including fries, cheese fries, mac and cheese, and kale slaw.
The eatery is known for its attention to detail and is the ideal spot for those craving succulent fried chicken with a kick.
Their story began in 2017 with four friends — Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganeshyan, Tommy Rubenyan and Gary Rubenyan — who used $900 to create an Instagram page showcasing their offerings.
In 2021, Canadian rapper Drake, actor Samuel L. Jackson and Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner invested in the company to become major shareholders.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is now an international food chain with over 100 locations.
For updates and more information check @daveshotchickengcc.
CDC says it’s identified 1st documented cases of HIV transmitted through cosmetic needles
- Many popular cosmetic treatments are delivered with needles, such as Botox to iron out wrinkles and fillers to plump lips
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.: Three women who were diagnosed with HIV after getting “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed New Mexico medical spa are believed to be the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure using needles, federal health officials said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its Morbidity and Mortality Report last week that an investigation into the clinic from 2018 through 2023 showed it apparently reused disposable equipment intended for one-time use.
Although HIV transmission from contaminated blood through unsterile injection is a well-known risk, the report said this is the first documentation of probable infections involving cosmetic services.
Many popular cosmetic treatments are delivered with needles, such as Botox to iron out wrinkles and fillers to plump lips. A “vampire facial,” or platelet-rich plasma microneedling procedure, involves drawing a client’s own blood, separating its components, then using tiny needles to inject plasma into the face to rejuvenate the skin. Tattoos also require needles.
The New Mexico Department of Health began investigating the spa in the summer of 2018 after it was notified that a woman in her 40s had tested positive for HIV even though she had no known risk factors. The woman reported exposure to needles through the procedure at the clinic that spring.
The spa closed in fall 2018 after the investigation was launched, and its owner was prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license.
The report said the investigation showed how important it is to require infection control practices at businesses that offer cosmetic procedures involving needles.
It also noted that the investigation was slowed by poor record keeping and said businesses providing such services should keep better records in case clients need to be contacted later.
