In its first opening outside the UK, Isabel Mayfair has made its way to the Kingdom’s capital with a bang. The art deco, Gatsby-esque mansion is located in Riyadh’s bustling Al-Sulaimaniya district.
It offers terrace seating if you’re looking for a romantic spot or a girls’ night out-style cozy dinner.
We started with the tomato salad, which is a medley of seasonal tomatoes with labneh tahini dressing and red pickled onion — a fresh and simple way to kick off the meal.
We then opted for the lamb croquettes, made with slow-cooked lamb and served with aioli. The cheesy bites come in a crispy pastry with creamy filling and Parmesan snow. Although the appetizers were satisfactory, they were nothing out of the ordinary.
The risotto zafferano — a concoction of carnaroli rice, bone marrow and a saffron emulsion — was creamy and the saffron was not too overpowering. It’s perfect for those who want a taste of the local spice without too much of its complexity.
We ordered it alongside a 350 gram dry-aged rib eye steak, served with sweet potato puree and peppercorn sauce, which also pairs well with their smokey, roasted and grilled sweet potato and the broccolini with a spicy dressing and hazelnut. The steak was a definite highlight of the evening.
For desert don’t miss out on the tiramisu, which comes with an Instagram-worthy reveal. The sticky toffee pudding with warm toffee sauce and saffron ice cream is also a crowd-pleaser for a sweet ending.
Try not to miss their complementary cherry mocktail and sweet ’n’ spicy appetizer if you visit on a Wednesday.
