Beit Misk is a tribute to authentic Lebanese cuisine and all things Lebanon. After two years of operation in Dammam, the fine-dining restaurant opened its second branch in Alkhobar last month.
Although there is no dearth of Lebanese restaurants in the Middle East, you can tell — right from the outset — that Beit Misk is different. Mosaic walls, wooden furnishings and fittings, earthen pots, photographs of old Lebanon and weave baskets have us longing for the countryside.
Designed by a Lebanese interior designer, the ambiance has a cross-generational appeal, with private seating areas that appeal to the older generation and the use of trendy aesthetics that appeal to the young.
Although the concept is “Lebanese at heart,” the restaurant is 100 percent Saudi. It is owned and managed by the Al-Shiha family, which has been in the restaurant business for 40 years. The social media manager of the family-run business, Najoud Al-Shiha, spoke to Arab News about the extensive social media and marketing strategies that Beit Misk has adopted.
“The traditional methods of marketing may not be very relevant anymore. Especially in Saudi Arabia, where word-of-mouth and social media — Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat — is a good way of informing people about your brand and services, and building a loyal customer base,” Al-Shiha said.
At the launch of Beit Misk Alkhobar, social-media influencers and bloggers were invited to the event through personalized Beit Misk clay-pot invites.
Learning from her culinary trips abroad, Al-Shiha has worked closely with the Lebanese head chef, Milad, to curate some of the restaurant’s signature dishes.
For starters, she recommends the chicken tenders (deep fried, and served with a spicy sauce) and the “Beirut Twist” — a fusion of Mexican and Lebanese, potato wedges doused in bolognese sauce, cheddar cheese, and jalapenos.
It would be disgraceful to visit a Lebanese restaurant and not order cold mezze. We tried the trio-hummus (mango, pesto and almond) and the “Mama Ghanoush” (a smooth, creamy beetroot ghanoush) served with fresh pita bread.
The star of the show was the Beit Misk salad — a combination of quinoa, broccoli, bell peppers, and three sweet and savory cheese balls (raisin, almond and pistachio). From the hot mezze, we ordered the lehmeh ras asfour, which is kibbeh stuffed with meat and sautéed in grenadine molasses and garnished with sesame and pomegranate seeds.
From the main courses, we ordered the chicken and lamb taouk platter served with garlic sauce and rice, the kibbeh labanieh (kibbeh balls cooked in yogurt sauce, served with rice) and the hamour fish on a bed of rice, served with a caramelized onion sauce and tahini sauce. The combination of melt-in-the-mouth fish, warm rice, and creamy sauces should not be missed.
We opted for the pomegranate juice and the Beit Misk fruit cocktail (kiwi, melon, pineapple, mango, cocktail juice, avocado juice, honey and nuts.) Other popular options are the “Jamaica Special” (grenadine, pineapple juice, orange juice, grapefruit juice, fresh strawberry and soda) and the white coffee (a special blend from Lebanon.)
“Customers always like to see a food show and the sizzling kanafah is definitely worth a show,” says Al-Shiha. This dish is served on a hot plate and made to “sizzle” with sugar syrup and ice-cream.
Beit Misk is located in a strategic location — on the Prince Mohammed bin Fahad Road — between Alkhobar and Dammam. It caters to customers who are largely working professionals, and offers private party catering and home-delivery services.
“Providing exceptional quality and service makes the whole difference,” said Al-Shiha. We couldn’t agree more!
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Lebanese at heart: Beit Misk
Lebanese at heart: Beit Misk
Black limes: a unique staple of Middle Eastern and North African cuisine
- Dried citrus adds zesty kick to dishes
- Originated as a way to preserve fruit in hot climes
RIYADH: Anyone who has not yet dived into the world of black limes is in for a treat. Known in English as dried limes or black lemons, these intriguing ingredients are referred to as noomi basra in Iraq, limoo amani in Iran, and loomi in Saudi Arabia and Oman.
They are a must-have for elevating culinary creations and have graced dishes across the Middle East and North Africa for more than 1,000 years. It’s about time they were brought into every kitchen.
So, what exactly are black limes? Think of them as the sophisticated cousins of fresh limes. They undergo a transformation process: first, they are packed in salt, and then they bask in the sun until they turn a striking black.
The result is a hard, dried fruit that delivers a remarkable burst of flavor.
When it comes to taste, black limes pack a powerful punch. The flavor is a harmonious blend of sour and slightly sweet, rounded out by a touch of bitterness.
“It was a game-changer to realize that (adding black lime) isn’t just about adding tanginess to a dish — it’s a full-on spice with a smoky aroma and earthy notes that bring out so much flavor,” Shadia Al-Bayat — a home cook from Qatif — told Arab News.
“Beyond that, it’s packed with nostalgia, calling to mind traditional Gulf dishes like seafood, grilled meats, and hearty stews. It’s also the key to the signature hot ‘loomi’ tea, a staple at traditional gatherings and celebrations,” Al-Bayat added.
FASTFACTS
• Black limes are packed in salt and then they bask in the sun until they turn a striking black.
• They add a zesty kick to Saudi dishes; they originated as a way to preserve fruit in hot climate.
This unique profile makes them perfect for enhancing stews, tagines and a variety of other dishes. A black lime added to a cooking pot will instantly elevate any meal.
Cooks can get creative with black limes. They can be used whole or crushed into powder, allowing for versatility.
Imagine a flavorful tagine or a warming soup that gets a delightful kick from a black lime. If preferred, the lime can be removed before serving, but leaving it in adds an appealing touch.
For something refreshing, blend black limes into limonana, a delightful drink that combines lemon and mint, perfect for quenching thirst.
And for something soothing, consider brewing some dried lime tea — a comforting drink that can settle the stomach and provide a sense of warmth.
They also make excellent additions to marinades for meats and fish, giving dishes a fantastic zest.
In Saudi cuisine, loomi is a prized ingredient that adds a distinctive tangy flavor to traditional dishes.
In kabsa, a popular rice dish, black lime is added whole or ground to add acidity and elevate the dish’s depth.
Black limes have a history that dates back centuries. They are believed to have originated in the Middle East and North Africa, where they were a valued ingredient in ancient cooking.
Historically, they were prized not just for their flavor, but also for their ability to preserve food in the warm climate. Over time, dried limes became a staple in various cuisines, with each culture adding its own flair to their use.
Today, they are recognized for their versatility and are celebrated in dishes in many cultures.
Beyond their culinary charm, black limes come with health benefits, too. Packed with vitamin C, calcium and potassium, they are a nutritious addition to any diet.
Black limes are a cultural staple. While they share ties with fresh limes, black limes have a distinct personality, bringing an intriguing bitterness and complexity to dishes.
They can even be spotted in spice blends like baharat, because a little extra flavor never hurt anyone.
Black limes are a unique and flavorful ingredient that can bring depth to cooking and are worth adding to any culinary repertoire to impress the taste buds.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Yum-A-Sama’ – a sushi spot in Riyadh
- Pricing is reasonable, making it an attractive option for regular orders
Yum-A-Sama has quickly established itself as one of the top sushi spots in Riyadh, operating as a cloud kitchen that consistently delivers fresh treats.
The raw salmon is incredibly delicious, and the tuna is equally impressive. A must-try item on the menu is the torch salmon nigiri. Each dish showcases the freshness of the ingredients, making it a delight for sushi lovers.
In addition to sushi, Yum-A-Sama offers a variety of salad bowls that are generously portioned. Options include crab salad, chicken salad, and a veggie salad bowl for those seeking vegetarian choices. This variety ensures that there’s something for everyone, whether you’re in the mood for sushi or a refreshing salad.
Pricing is reasonable, making it an attractive option for regular orders. I find myself ordering from them twice a week because the quality remains consistent, and the food is always fresh. This reliability is a significant factor in why many customers keep returning.
Yum-A-Sama also features some unique signature dishes that are worth exploring.
Items like the spicy mango sushi, sunset salmon, special crab, samurai fry, and pink tara are just a few of the creative offerings that set this restaurant apart from others in the area.
For convenience, Yum-A-Sama can be easily ordered through popular delivery apps, allowing customers to enjoy their favorite dishes without hassle.
Overall, the combination of quality, variety, and reasonable pricing makes this outlet a go-to choice for those craving delicious sushi in Riyadh.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Enabah’ restaurant
There is a certain art to mastering hospitality and creating memories, which requires attention to detail and providing your guests with the perfect array of food to swoon over.
Enabah restaurant in Riyadh specializes in appetizer boxes of authentic Mediterranean food, making it an ideal choice for any type of gathering.
The boxes are offered in small, medium and large options with a variety of starters including grape leaves, stuffed cabbage, onions and kibbeh.
There are also classic and spicy grape leaves, the perfect savory dish. Often, grape leaves are a little too sour or acidic, prone to causing discomfort, but Enabah has perfected the balance of salty and tangy.
A particular attraction on the menu is cheddar jalapeno kibbeh and meat kibbeh, the national dish of Syria and Lebanon. Kibbeh is usually prepared as a combination of bulgur cracked wheat, onions, and minced meat which could be beef, goat, lamb or camel.
At Enabah they have their own twist with a vegetarian option. This is a cheddar jalapeno, which is crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.
Their stuffed cabbage is a mixture of beef, rice and spices — a perfect lighter option for those who do not prefer fried foods.
To get more bang for your buck, bigger boxes are recommended, as the smaller ones perhaps have too little food. For SR165 ($43), you can get the Large Mixed Box, with the option of four to eight appetizers.
You can cleanse your palette with one of Enabah’s fresh juices and creamy smoothies. The menu has lemon mint, pomegranate and orange juices, cocktail smoothies, and Awar Qalb, a mix of milk, strawberry, banana and mango.
Enabah is available to order through delivery applications including The Chefz and HungerStation.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Home Bakery’ in Riyadh
- For a sweeter breakfast, the restaurant offers a variety of French toasts, but you can’t go wrong with the creme brulee French toast
Located on Anas bin Malik road in the north of Riyadh, Home Bakery is one of the city’s most beloved breakfast spots with a constant crowd bustling through the bakery.
What started as a popular home-style bakery in the UAE has expanded to Saudi Arabia with 10 cafes open in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and most recently Riyadh.
Home Bakery offers an array of freshly baked goods, including breads, cookies, croissants, and cakes, and is also renowned for its breakfast selections.
We’ve visited this cafe multiple times and sampled various menu items. From desserts like the zaffron or pistachio cake to savory dishes such as eggs Benedict and avocado toast — we highly recommend trying it all.
For a sweeter breakfast, the restaurant offers a variety of French toasts, but you can’t go wrong with the creme brulee French toast. It might sound overly sweet, but it was well-balanced.
For drinks, we tried the Earl Grey tea, green tea, and a few of their coffee options, such as the cappuccino and latte. The coffee was quite standard, and other places in Riyadh offer stronger and more refined blends. We wouldn’t recommend the matcha, which came in a plastic cup that didn’t reflect the cafe’s aesthetic and tasted overwhelmingly of milk.
The tea service was exceptional. Instead of merely serving a mug of hot water and a tea bag like other restaurants, staff presented us with tea in a glass kettle, warmed over a candle, along with a tray of sweeteners. They also provided a tea timer, explaining that the steeping process takes five minutes for proper brewing.
Regarding the experience, the bakery is very elegant and offers a quiet atmosphere — perfect for work meetings, intimate family breakfasts, or simply enjoying a book over a cup of coffee.
In the winter, the restaurant expands to offer outdoor seating with a variety of sofas and chairs.
In Riyadh, one of the most common concerns is parking space, but the plaza offers free parking, underground parking, and valet service.
In terms of pricing, most items are standard; however, some customers might hesitate to pay SR30 ($8) for a single croissant or SR95 for a slice of tiramisu.
Aside from a few items, most prices are reasonable, ranging from SR10 for a cookie to SR78 for granola pancakes.
Festive season’s guide to dining in Saudi Arabia
- Roasts, sweets and music on the menu for brunch, lunch and dinner in Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla
DUBAI: Celebrate with friends and family this festive season as hotels and bakeries in Saudi Arabia host special dining events and offerings on Christmas Day.
Riyadh’s Fairmont Ramla has four packages for its festive dinner, including the “Just the Roast” offering, which features a roast turkey with traditional stuffing for SR899 ($239).
Other turkey offerings with sides include the silver package with pomegranate or orange glaze for SR1,299; the gold package with the same glaze for SR1,499; and the diamond package for SR1,599.
Fairmont Hotel Riyadh has a festive brunch from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 365 Restaurant, offering a buffet complemented by live entertainment for SR320. The hotel is also offering a “Turkey to Go” takeaway package that serves six to eight for SR1,200 until Dec. 31.
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh’s Obaya Lounge is offering a festive set menu on Christmas Day from 12 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. for SR380 per person.
Also, the hotel’s Cafe Boulud by Chef Daniel Boulud has a festive menu combining traditional French ingredients with a modern twist from 12:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Dec. 25 for SR600 per person.
Also in Riyadh, the Mandarin Oriental Al-Faisaliah is offering a festive lunch at La Brasserie from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 25 for SR245 per person.
Over in AlUla and Sass — the desert outpost of the fine-dining celebrity hotspot from Monaco — launched a new menu on Dec. 24. Diners can also enjoy a festive-themed saxophone performance on Dec. 25 and 26.
To end things on a sweet note, Rosewood Jeddah’s Soleil Cafe is offering festive treats for the season, including assorted cookies, German stollen, a traditional yule log and a Raffaello ball.
