all that's interesting + some extras
I'm a whisper in water. A secret for you to hear. You are the one who grows distant when I beckon you near.
We are big steak lovers and last night Jun and I had a sudden craving for steak, so we headed to one of our favorite streets in the city, Tahlia, where all teenagers and young professionals seem to flock during the weekends. Jun even remarked that this is the Malate of Riyadh and i couldn't help but agree.
Going back to the steak, we were supposed to eat at Chilis again but decided otherwise at the last minute because we concluded that we didn't really enjoy our dinner there the last time. Mainly because (1) the place is just sooo crowded and its really hard to get a table, (2) the food isn't that great and (3) the service is a bit of a disappointment.
So off we went to Outback. And boy we had a wonderful time!
1. It's located at the 2nd level of Localizer Mall and has its own private elevator.
2. Ambiance is very warm and homely.
3. The waiters are 80% Filipinos which is a big plus because you can almost be assured that you'll get good service.
4. The price is a tad expensive than Chillis but worth it because...
5. The food is just great. I mean really good. The rib eye steak we ordered was perfect and flavorful. And the Salmon with Basmati rice is a knock-out. I even tried their pseudo-cocktail Dessert Rose which was recommended by our waiter and even that is delightful.
7. We ended the dinner with their Dessert Sampler consisting of a Carrot Cake, Strawberry Cheesecake and Chocolate Thunder. It's not extraordinary but it's not bad either.
The Verdict? Outback is definitely a winner.
“When I see you, the world stops. It stops and all that exists for me is you and my eyes staring at you. There’s nothing else. No noise, no other people, no thoughts or worries, no yesterday, no tomorrow. The world just stops, and it is a beautiful place, and there is only you.” - James Frey (A Million Little Pieces) via Dominique James (FB)
Consider us captivated by the charm and fun ambiance of Ketchup, the famous american casual fine dining restaurant franchise located at Olaya, Abdullah Al Humdan Street.
The first thing that will grab you outright is the subtle glowing red presence of the restaurant from the street - inevitably rousing your curiosity and eventually luring you in. Initially, this rather loud character may come as intimidating and out of place considering the strict and conservative nature of the city. But then again i think it’s an excellent way of attracting new customers who are unfamiliar about the restaurant.
Surprisingly, once inside, Ketchup transforms into a warm and familiar red-laden-ketchup-inspired setting and all the initial strong impressions caused by its startling exterior vanishes. Nevertheless, the vibe is still sophisticated and cool.
Ketchup’s menu is a classic testament to the safe and familiar flavors of American food with a modern and exciting twist. Some of the items, we believe, are even tweaked to the palate of the local client (like the Gourmet Burger that we ordered), which is expected and wise since i think the locals here would find the usual American food to be bland and less exciting compared to the strong flavors of local food.
Service is good but we find that the waiters were hovering a bit too close for comfort (not sure if they are always like that or it just happened that we were the only ones dining in the Singles Section at that hour). Nevertheless, it was still a surprisingly pleasant experience.
Having said that, we highly recommend trying Ketchup; we'll surely be back soon.
Visit Ketchup's Facebook Page to know more about the restaurant.
(Edit: Some of the photos here are from Ketchup's FB Page)
It is important to let certain things go. To release them. To cut loose. People need to understand that no one is playing with marked cards; sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Don't expect to get anything back, don't expect recognition for your efforts, don't expect your genius to be discovered or your love to be understood. Complete the circle. Not out of pride, inability, or arrogance, but simply because whatever it is no longer fits in your life. Close the door, change the record, clean the house, get rid of the dust. Stop being who you were and become who you are.
