Bakermeem is a family-run business founded by a group of sisters. It offers an array of sweet treats including trifles, cookies, French-style macarons, meringue candy, chocolate blocks, petit fours and more. The brand also serves up delicious pastries and savories that can be enjoyed with a coffee, including focaccia, brioche, baguette, sandwiches, and scones.
One interesting flavor is the caramel fudge macaron or ‘halawa baqara,’ which has the taste of traditional Saudi candy. There are also refreshing and tropical desserts. Bakermeem has trifles with vacation vibes such as pina colada, passion fruit, mango, strawberry lemonade, lavender and rose pistachio.
The treats are ideal for picnics and beach trips as they come in boxes or individual jars, while there are also thirst-quenching cold beverages. The bakery offers delivery and catering services for parties and gatherings. Products are also distributed to cafes and restaurants. For more information visit the bakery’s website: linktr.ee/Bakermeem
What We Are Eating Today: Bakermeem
https://arab.news/ba9ah
What We Are Eating Today: Bakermeem
- The treats are ideal for picnics and beach trips as they come in boxes or individual jars, while there are also thirst-quenching cold beverages
Where We Are Going Today: Maritime
Where We Are Going Today: Maritime
Afshan Aziz
Located in the Jeddah Edition hotel at Kurnaysh road, Maritime delivers an unparalleled dining experience, blending French finesse with Asian culinary traditions.
The restaurant’s design features contemporary sophistication, with stylish tables and seating that enhance the overall aesthetic.
Guests are welcomed into a sleek, inviting space where an open-show kitchen serves as the focal point, allowing diners to witness the artistry behind each dish.
Maritime’s menu is a celebration of culinary creativity, showcasing an inspired fusion of flavors. Chef Cedric Vongerichten, celebrated by Zagat as one of the top 30 chefs under 30, has meticulously crafted the menu, skillfully blending locally sourced ingredients with global influences to create a distinctive selection of dishes that delight the palate.
The lunch menu offers an array of vibrant salads, comforting starters and hearty entrees, tailored for a midday feast. Highlights include the zesty avocado salad with quail eggs and peanut relish, the delicate salmon sashimi with turmeric dressing, and the savory mie goreng, a stir-fried noodle dish enriched with prawns and bean sprouts. For those seeking comforting bites, the corn fritters, paired with sambal oelek and kecap manis, deliver a satisfying mix of sweet and spicy flavors.
Dinner elevates the experience with an expanded and more refined menu, showcasing small plates and entrees. To begin your meal, the monkey bread is served warm and fresh, accompanied by salted butter — a comforting and flavorful start that sets the tone for the dining experience. The shrimp dumplings draped in velvety lemongrass beurre blanc and topped with caviar are a standout, alongside crispy baby squid paired with galangal emulsion.
Main courses offer an exquisite range, from the flavorful garlic crab rice, accented with tapioca crisps and fresh cilantro, to the juicy half chicken Lombok, served with smashed rosemary potatoes for a perfect balance of spice and comfort. The lamb shank, paired with crunchy okra and a deeply spiced gulai sauce, is another favorite that impresses with its tender texture and bold flavors.
Whether it is lunch or dinner, Maritime’s offerings cater to diverse tastes. While the lunch menu features lighter and quicker fare, the dinner menu adds a layer of indulgence, offering an expanded selection of thoughtfully crafted dishes.
Maritime’s desserts are as indulgent as the savory dishes. The pandan custard with passionfruit and the banana sundae featuring ube ice cream offer the perfect sweet conclusion to a meal.
Complementing the menu is a selection of temperance beverages and innovative drinks. Highlights include the vibrant Saffron Spritz, a blend of clementine, honey, ginger, and saffron, and the creamy yet refreshing Avocado Oasis, combining Lyre’s white cane, avocado, cucumber, chilli honey and black lava salt. The tangy Rujak Bounce delights with pineapple, tamarind, lime, gula jawa and tajin, while the elegant Amaretti Sour pairs Lyre’s amaretti with lime juice, cherry, and orange peel. For a classic touch, the Martini features Conviv bianco, Lyre’s dry London, mementi blue and olive brine, offering something for every palate.
For private gatherings, Maritime offers two elegant dining rooms, providing exclusivity and intimacy for special occasions.
Check @maritimejeddah for more information.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Nakhat Alshraq’ authentic northern Indian cuisine
- Prices are reasonable, making Nakhat Alshraq an excellent option for those seeking quality Indian food without breaking the bank
Nakhat Alshraq is a haven for those craving authentic northern Indian cuisine, with branches in Riyadh, Dammam, and Alkhobar.
Known for its dedication to fresh ingredients and bold spices, this restaurant has become a favorite for families and food enthusiasts.
The menu boasts a variety of classics like butter chicken for SR59 ($16), chicken tikka masala, and chicken biryani, all expertly prepared and bursting with flavor.
The royal biryani stands out as a signature dish, with its rich blend of basmati rice, fresh vegetables, and perfectly balanced Indian spices.
The Singapore noodles is an Asian fusion option that delivers a unique twist to the dining experience. The dishes are meticulously presented, showcasing attention to detail that elevates the overall meal. The vibrant and cozy ambiance creates a welcoming environment for gatherings, whether casual or celebratory.
Prices are reasonable, making Nakhat Alshraq an excellent option for those seeking quality Indian food without breaking the bank.
Additionally, the restaurant caters to a diverse palate, offering both mild and spicy dishes, ensuring something for everyone.
However, the restaurant’s popularity is both a blessing and a curse. Nakhat Alshraq is frequently crowded, particularly during peak dining hours, which can make securing a table a challenge. For those who plan ahead, this minor inconvenience is outweighed by the consistently excellent food and service.
For more information, check their Instagram @nakhatalshraq.
Where We Are Going Today: Crosto bakery in Dammam
- The Crosto Om Ali provided a warm, creamy, comforting conclusion to the meal
If you’re in Dammam and looking for a flavorful brunch or a light meal, the recently opened bakery Crosto offers a cozy atmosphere and a versatile menu catering to different tastes.
The maple shrimp for SR46 ($12) was the highlight of our visit — perfectly cooked shrimp complemented by a sweet maple glaze. The chicken sliders (SR33) were another favorite — juicy, tasty, and served on fresh buns. The Turkish shakshuka and Crosto avocado are worth trying too.
The Crosto Om Ali provided a warm, creamy, comforting conclusion to the meal.
Crosto’s Turkish Coffee is a must-have for coffee enthusiasts. Its authentic preparation and rich taste paired perfectly with the desserts, enhancing the overall dining experience.
The atmosphere at Crosto is welcoming and casual. However, the service during our visit was a little slow, which might be a concern if you’re in a rush.
With its mix of regional and international flavors, Crosto could be a good choice for your next outing in Dammam.
For more information, check their Instagram @crosto.sa.
Italian and Saudi flavors blend in embassy dinner and cooking competition
- Highlighting similarities between Italian and Saudi cultures that can be sensed in their cuisines, Chiari said: “Both Italy and Saudi Arabia place great importance on hospitality, family, and the tradition of sharing meals
RIYADH: A group of 15 Saudi and Italian chefs created a seven-course dinner titled “Italy meets KSA,” combining both cuisines at Ritz Carlton’s Azzuro Restaurant.
Daniele Chiari, Italian chef and head of Dinner Incredible, the hosts of the event, told Arab News: “Tonight’s event in Riyadh is inspired by the shared love for storytelling and culture through cuisine. As a chef, I see food as a universal language that connects people, and Saudi Arabia’s culinary traditions are incredibly rich and diverse, just like Italy’s.”
The event featured a culinary risotto competition between top Saudi chefs, which was won by Omar AlKhaldi, who received a scholarship fund from ALMA, the School of Italian Culinary Arts.
The event also had a display of fresh mozzarella cheese for tasting, made in the Kingdom by Sana cheese company, which specializes in Italian cheeses.
“This evening, we aim to create a bridge between these two cultures, highlighting how local Saudi ingredients and techniques can harmonize beautifully with Italian culinary artistry,” Chiari said.
The evening concluded with a seven-course tasting dinner highlighting Italian and Saudi flavors. The menu included a pumpkin tart, cream of beans soup with shredded camel meat, a Red Sea grouper served with truffle, and a Saudi-coffee twist on the famous tiramisu.
Highlighting similarities between Italian and Saudi cultures that can be sensed in their cuisines, Chiari said: “Both Italy and Saudi Arabia place great importance on hospitality, family, and the tradition of sharing meals. In terms of food, there’s a deep respect for natural, high-quality ingredients in both cuisines. Just as Italians value simplicity and the authentic taste of their produce, Saudis take pride in the purity and flavor of their spices, grains, and meats.”
Chiari spoke about the ability of food to cross international borders and connect communities.
“Food is one of the most powerful ways to build connections and foster understanding between cultures. It transcends language, politics, and borders, allowing people to experience something deeply personal yet universally relatable. By crossing international borders through food, we’re not just sharing recipes — we’re sharing history, values, and creativity.”
The competition was organized by the Italian Embassy in Riyadh, the Italian Trade Agency, and ALMA, the School of Italian Culinary Arts, in collaboration with Sitaf and the Royal Protocol.
Where We Are Going Today: Soul Bowl restaurant in Riyadh
Soul Bowl, an on-the-go healthy meal station is catching the eye of Riyadh’s foodie and wellness fiends with their nutritious bowls and sandwiches.
While most tend to order for delivery, you can enjoy a comfortable and quaint indoor dining experience in their store in As Sahafah; where the neutral colors, soft warm lighting, and pop of green offer a welcoming atmosphere for both solo and social dining.
Soul Bowl’s menu offers a wide selection of salads, bowls, flatbread sandwiches, wraps, soups, and rice meals, as well as fresh juices, desserts and acai bowls.
Their wraps and bowls are a hit, with the chicken chipotle wrap and the Mexican bowl as big standouts.
The chicken used is clearly of high quality and cooked very well, and the rest of the ingredients, such as the greens, rice, sauces, feel very fresh. The flatbread sandwiches, however, are a bit of a hit or miss.
The main courses they offer range from tandoori chicken to beef stroganoff.
