A slice of Los Angeles flair has landed on Prince Sultan Street in Jeddah with the arrival of Jon & Vinny’s, a lively eatery drawing crowds with its take on Italian comfort food.

The restaurant, located in La Paz Plaza, has a warm, energetic ambiance with a setting that is modern yet relaxed, with high ceilings, wooden accents and a clean design palette dominated by shades of green.

The showcase of their pizza boxes and a few quirky touches like neon signs add character to the space.

Reservations are a must unless you are up for a long wait. Fortunately, they hand out coloring pencils and quirky food-themed sheets to help kill time, which is especially handy if you are dining with kids.

The menu is straightforward but thoughtfully curated, starting with breakfast staples like a standout grilled ciabatta salad and tender braised Tuscan kale.

Among the most talked-about dishes are the hand-tossed pizzas, with dough fermented for two days before hitting the oven.

The Bronx Bomber, topped with fennel sausage, onions, garlic and herbs, is rich and rustic, while the Rosy keeps it simple with tomato and olive oil, elevated by an optional layer of parmigiano reggiano.

Salads also hold their own on the menu, especially the caprese, featuring buffalo mozzarella and tomato vinegar, and the gem lettuce salad, dressed in a zesty Calabrian chili vinaigrette and finished with parmigiano reggiano as well as breadcrumbs.

Pasta is made fresh in-house and ranges from a bold rigatoni slow-cooked in beef bolognese to a creamy, spicy fusilli with basil.

Meat dishes like the garlic buffalo wings and chicken cutlet with lemon-dressed greens are decent, but they do not outshine the pastas or pizza.

Dessert is not to be skipped. The hazelnut cafe bombolone was light yet indulgent, and the lemon ricotta cookie added a nice finish to the meal.

In terms of cost, I expected it to be pricey, but it was fairly reasonable. A full meal for four, with dishes from each section, came to about SR300–350 ($80-93).

For more, check Instagram @jonandvinnys.ksa.

If you are looking for an authentic taste of Japanese curry in Riyadh, look no further than Kokoro.

Nestled in Al-Yasmeen district, this cozy restaurant has made its way from Alkhobar and quickly captured the hearts of curry enthusiasts.

On entering Kokoro, you are transported into a minimalist Japanese setting that feels like stepping into a traditional home. The ambiance is warm and inviting, enhanced by the friendly staff who make you feel at home.

Kokoro specializes in Japanese curry, offering a delightful departure from the more common Indian curry. The menu features a variety of options, including chicken, shrimp, and beef curry. You will love the Kokoro Special, designed for two at a reasonable price of SR51 (about $14).

The curry here is distinctively good, offering a distinctive flavor profile. The spice levels range from 0 to 5.

You might start with some appetizers. The gyoza dumplings are a standout. They are perfectly cooked and flavorful, while the sweet potatoes are decent but don’t quite impress. For the main course, you might indulge in the chicken Katsu curry, which is crispy and juicy, and never disappoints.

The service is impressively fast.

Kokoro can get quite busy, so downloading the Requeue app to manage your wait time is recommended. While the line can be long, the food is undoubtedly worth it. You also must try both the shrimp and chicken Katsu; each dish is flavorful and well-spiced.

The vibrant flavors and cozy atmosphere here make it a memorable dining experience. If you are in Riyadh and craving Japanese curry, Kokoro is a must-visit.