Where We Are Going Today: Reyhana restaurant in Jeddah

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AN photo by Nada Hameed
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Updated 28 September 2024
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Where We Are Going Today: Reyhana restaurant in Jeddah

Enjoy a serene dining experience with a “luxury evening brunch” every Friday from 7 p.m. until midnight at Reyhana in Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah.

The cost is SR315 ($84) for adults, with children under 12 enjoying a 50 percent discount. A 25 percent discount is available for groups of five or more adults, making it an ideal destination for couples and social gatherings.

The highlight of my night was the meat station. Here, I indulged in brisket, Wagyu beef, ribs, and lamb shoulder, which were cooked to perfection.

I also sampled the moist and juicy grilled lobster from the seafood section, which also offered crabs, shrimps, and oysters.

Live cooking stations allow guests to order sushi, pasta, and bao directly from the chefs. A salad and cheese station included a Mediterranean selection featuring Moroccan delicacies.

Three signature cocktails were on offer alongside a variety of fresh juices. “Apple Kiss,” a delightful apple-based cocktail, tantalized the palate with a perfect balance of sweet and sour notes.

Another must-try is the “Garden of Taif,” a Saudi-inspired cocktail blending Taif roses, pomegranate juice, and hibiscus for a refreshing and aromatic treat.

The ambiance at Reyhana is what you would expect from a place like the Ritz-Carlton — luxurious, classic, and timeless. The restaurant’s interior features intricately engraved wooden walls, golden utensils, and dim lighting.

A live three-piece Spanish band played a mix of UK and Spanish hits, adding to the evening’s atmosphere.

As dinner wound down, Reyhana had one last surprise in store. I was escorted into a vast, dimly lit hall transformed into a magical “Alice in Wonderland” tea party.

Here, desserts took center stage, with stations offering international sweets, cakes, tarts, puddings, and chocolates. Fruits were artistically arranged, surrounded by colorful items and characters, such as the White Rabbit and Cheshire Cat from the classic story.

After indulging in the extensive dessert selection, I was led to a lounge area with oversized sofas, continuing the tea party theme. Here, I relaxed with a hot tea. Cold beverages, including coffee or tea, are also on offer.

Before leaving, I stopped by the fun station, where they served cotton candy, popcorn, and ice cream.

 


Where We Are Going Today: ‘Ornj’ in Dhahran

Updated 09 July 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: ‘Ornj’ in Dhahran

Tucked between Tamimi Market and a cluster of other eateries, Ornj in Dhahran has been serving up vibrant, health-focused drinks for the past two years, but it’s easy to miss if you don’t pay attention.

The small space focuses on fresh, made-to-order juicy goodness. 

They specialize in natural juices — no sugar, sweeteners, or artificial flavors — averaging SR17 ($4.53). For group gatherings, there’s the juice bag: a dozen different juices for SR135.

Smoothies are SR23 each, with options like the pink smoothie (banana, strawberry, milk, honey) or the avo smoothie (avocado, milk, honey, dark chocolate shavings).

Dairy-free? They offer the Saudi-made No Moo brand in almond or coconut. 

We sampled the immune booster wellness shot (SR11) — green apple, cucumber, celery, lemon and ginger. It was light, smooth and refreshing.

Other SR11 shots include the flu fighter (orange, lemon, carrot, turmeric, black pepper) and recovery (red apple, ginger, beetroot, lemon).

They also serve freshly made sandwiches, including the intriguing turkey with date combo, which I’d like to try on my next visit. 

The highlight for me was the customizable acai bowl: rich, satisfying and layered with your choice of yogurt or peanut butter. Toppings include fruit, granola, and even tahini halva, for a fun twist I couldn’t resist. I was impressed by the assembly on the spot.

Ornj is a cheerful, orange-tinged spot for nutrient-packed drinks and light bites, perfect for anyone craving flavor without compromise. 

Visit them on Instagram @ornj.sa.


Where We Are Going Today: ‘88 Port’ burger in Al-Khobar

Truffle Burger and the famous Red Bun. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)
Updated 07 July 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: ‘88 Port’ burger in Al-Khobar

  • On the side, the buffalo shrimp were spicy, saucy, and fun to eat, especially paired with the ranch dip

88 Port in Alkhobar is one of those places where visuals and flavors match — bold, indulgent, and a little over the top in the best way. From the red burger buns to the sauce-dripping stacks, the menu doesn’t hold back. 

My favorite item hands down was the truffle burger; juicy angus beef, crispy onion rings, double cheddar, and a rich truffle sauce that takes it to another level. Every bite was exactly what I hoped for. 

On the side, the buffalo shrimp were spicy, saucy, and fun to eat, especially paired with the ranch dip.

The brisket balls were another hit, crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside. I also really enjoyed the 88 Port salad, which felt fresh, crunchy, and perfectly dressed; a nice balance to all the richness. 

Now for dessert, the chocolate brownie cake was hot, gooey, and topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate drizzle — the perfect ending. 

The brisket fries were a letdown, a little too oily and overloaded with toppings. A crispier base might have made a big difference. 

For more information, check out their Instagram @88port. 

 


Where We Are Going Today: Freshhouse Kitchen in Riyadh

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Updated 06 July 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: Freshhouse Kitchen in Riyadh

  • Seafood options like the Mediterranean salmon bowl (served with kabsa rice) and the quinoa salmon bowl (topped with mango salsa) are high in protein and offer diverse flavor profiles

Freshhouse Kitchen in Riyadh offers health-conscious meals that balance flavor and nutrition.

Operating with a central kitchen model, Freshhouse serves meals through a flexible subscription service or to walk-in customers at its branches.  

One of the standout dishes is the pesto pasta chicken bowl, which brings a Mediterranean twist with ricotta, pomegranate, za’atar, pecans, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and cilantro. The pasta is light but comforting, all tied together with lemon-based dressing. 

For something more filling, the tenderloin steak potatoes bowl includes mashed potatoes, mixed green leaves, roasted corn, mixed vegetables, muhammara, and beetroot, topped with sunflower seeds and paired with cilantro and ranch yogurt sauces.  

Seafood options like the Mediterranean salmon bowl (served with kabsa rice) and the quinoa salmon bowl (topped with mango salsa) are high in protein and offer diverse flavor profiles.

Breakfast items such as the mango overnight oats and yogurt granola parfaits are light, quick options for those on the go.

While the food is generally satisfying, the temperature and presentation could benefit from more consistency.

 


Registration opens for Bocuse d’Or, Pastry World Cup contests in Riyadh

Participants will undergo a process that includes technical tests, creativity evaluations and interviews. (X @MOCCulinary)
Updated 05 July 2025
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Registration opens for Bocuse d’Or, Pastry World Cup contests in Riyadh

  • The initiative extends the partnership between the commission and Sirha Food, boosting competition in the national culinary sector and helping Saudi chefs make their mark internationally

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Arts Commission has opened registration for the Bocuse d'Or championship and Pastry World Cup, both taking place during the Sirha Arabia exhibition in Riyadh in October.

The competitions will select top Saudi chefs to compete in the Middle East qualifiers, to be hosted by the Kingdom in 2026 in collaboration with Sirha Food. These in turn lead to the global finals which will take place in France at the Sirha Lyon exhibition in January 2027.

The initiative extends the partnership between the commission and Sirha Food, boosting competition in the national culinary sector and helping Saudi chefs make their mark internationally.

The competitions will discover and develop local talent, providing a platform for Saudi chefs to display their skills and highlight the diversity and creativity of the Kingdom’s cuisine.

Participants will undergo a process that includes technical tests, creativity evaluations and interviews. Finalists will receive tailored support to prepare for the international stage.

For Bocuse d’Or, dishes must exhibit mastery of either the turned vegetable or brunoise technique. Candidates must be Saudi, aged 23 or over and provide proof of identity.

For the Pastry World Cup, entries must creatively reflect the theme of “Elevating Saudi Dessert.” There is no age restriction, but non-Saudi applicants must state how long they have worked in the Kingdom.

Hopeful chefs can register at engage.moc.gov.sa/reg_forms/tracks/40/?lang=ar.

 


Where We Are Going Today: Sofia’s Bistro – Italian dishes

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Updated 05 July 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: Sofia’s Bistro – Italian dishes

  • The pepperoni pizza was topped with thinly sliced Italian beef pepperoni and buffalo mozzarella

Sofia’s Bistro is a cozy Italian-inspired eatery with great options for pizza and pasta lovers.

On a recent visit to the Hayy Jameel branch with friends, we sampled several dishes, starting with the taco de pollo, a grilled chicken taco with pickled cabbage, fresh salsa, jalapenos and guacamole.

There were a variety of salads to choose from including the kale and goat cheese salad, which offered a contrast of creamy goat cheese and crunchy, caramelized pecans. The Thai shrimp salad brought bold flavors but while it seemed promising it did not fully live up to my expectations.

We tried the spaghetti bolognese and truffle fettuccine from the pasta section. The latter was rich and indulgent, though bordering on heavy, while the former was hearty, if slightly under-seasoned.

The pepperoni pizza was topped with thinly sliced Italian beef pepperoni and buffalo mozzarella. The margherita, a classic done right, stood out for its simplicity and balance of sauce and cheese.

The dining space is relaxed and modern, with soft background music. It strikes a middle ground between casual and slightly upscale, making it a good spot for casual lunches.

The menu includes gluten-free options for both pasta and pizza, along with drink and dessert offerings.

Sofia’s Bistro has branches in Hayy Jameel and Al-Hamra. For more details, see Instagram @sofias_bistro.