Where We Are Going Today: ‘La Petite Maison’ in Riyadh

Photo/Supplied
Short Url
Updated 11 May 2024
Follow

Where We Are Going Today: ‘La Petite Maison’ in Riyadh

  • Our two recommended dishes for the main course would be the homemade spinach ravioli and the herb-marinated chicken

La Petite Maison’s new business lunch menu features simple yet classic dishes bursting with intricate French Mediterranean flavors.

When Riyadh’s LPM opened it became the organization’s sixth location, indicative of its popularity.

The new lunch menu is available from Sunday to Thursday from 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. and has two versions: the small menu, which costs SR180 ($48) per person and includes a starter and one course; and the larger menu, which costs SR230 and includes a dessert as well.

Similar to other set menus, the lunch begins with a salad and then moves on to starters.

The selection of starters on the set menu include tartare d’espadon (swordfish tartare with sesame citrus dressing); carpaccio de boeuf (cured sirloin with pickle dressing); beignets de brocolis (tender stem broccoli tempura); and the rules de legumes grilles (grilled vegetable rolls with buffalo mozzarella).

I highly recommend the tartare d'espadon. The fish is freshly diced into cubes with a light and natural flavor, and the dressing is refreshing and does not overpower the raw fish. The beignets de brocolis is another great option.

Four options on the main course include ravioli aux epinards au pistou (a homemade spinach ravioli with pistou); cote de veau grillee (grilled veal chop); poulet marine aux herbes et epinards sautes (herb-marinated chicken with sauteed spinach); and the cabillaud a la provencale (roasted cod with provencal sauce).

Our two recommended dishes for the main course would be the homemade spinach ravioli and the herb-marinated chicken.

When opting for the set menu, visitors should note that the dessert option is limited to the chocolate bar with coffee and hazelnut. If chocolate is not preferred, visitors can always opt to order from the a la carte menu. I recommend trying the gateau au fromage frais (cheesecake).

The freshness and quality of the ingredients are apparent as each dish on the set menu is produced specifically for the current season.

LPM is usually quite busy in Riyadh so it is best to make a reservation, especially if you are attending with a large party.

What sets it apart from other fine dining restaurants is that it does not have silver service but rather encourages a family dining setting, with guests serving and sharing the food.

If you are looking for a casual business lunch to break the corporate ice, LPM would be ideal.

LPM has locations all over the world, including in London, Dubai, Miami, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Hong Kong.

 


Where We Are Going Today: Orenda Coffee Hub in Dhahran

Updated 14 January 2026
Follow

Where We Are Going Today: Orenda Coffee Hub in Dhahran

  • The Hasawi cookie was the highlight of my visit, and definitely something I would order again

In search of a hot beverage that you can hold like a hug for your hand as the winter weather cools? Try Orenda in Dhahran.

According to Dictionary.com, Orenda is defined as “an invisible magic power believed by the Iroquois people of North America to pervade all natural objects as a spiritual energy.”

While geographically far away from the land in which the word originated, the cafe has plenty of inspiration from local and global lands.

Their Hasawi cookies—caked with dates and a tiny bit of nuts and cardamom tucked within to give it texture and an elevated taste of neighboring Al-Ahsa—goes for SR 12. This was the highlight of my visit and I would definitely order again.

I tried it with a satisfying SR 16 cappuccino in a ceramic mug. Soft jazz played on the day of our visit. Plenty of natural light bathed the space with the giant windows and many people were typing on their laptops or scrolling on their phones in silence.

 It has a perfectly quiet, perhaps even an orenda atmosphere.

While the weather is still pleasant, you can find many options for outdoor seating. There’s also an upstairs section, up a fun, winding green spiral staircase. Though no elevator was in sight, the bottom floor interior seems wide enough for a wheelchair.

If you do find yourself wandering up the second floor, you’ll find even more seating with an even cozier feel with decor reminiscent of a warm home.

Restrooms are situated on the next and final floor, up even more steps.

A prayer area can be found on the third floor too, along with a massive glass door leading into an outdoor space with tables and chairs aplenty.

Opened eight months ago, it remains the first and only branch in the Kingdom.

Because it seemed very popular, I ordered an iced Orenda matcha for the road, at SR 24. It was decent.

It is open from 6 a.m. until midnight daily, aside from Thursdays and Fridays when it closes at 1 a.m.

Follow them on @orendacoffee.sa.