șÚÁÏÉçÇű

Where We Are Going Today: Messier82 Roastry in Alkhobar

Where We Are Going Today: Messier82 Roastry in Alkhobar
(AN photo by Waad Hussain)
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Updated 14 min 4 sec ago

Where We Are Going Today: Messier82 Roastry in Alkhobar

Where We Are Going Today: Messier82 Roastry in Alkhobar

Messier82 Roastery in Alkhobar is a spot that any coffee enthusiast should check out at least once.

From the moment you step inside, you can tell this place takes its coffee seriously. The space is small and minimalistic, with a clean aesthetic that focuses all the attention on what really matters; the coffee itself.

But it does get a little cramped when more customers arrive, so they could benefit from expanding the seating area. A bigger space would really elevate the overall experience and allow more people to enjoy the atmosphere without feeling crowded.

For my coffee, I went with their iced V60 and chose Uganda Bujjuko, a specialty coffee that turned out to be an excellent choice. The flavor profile was outstanding, with clear notes of chocolate, brown sugar and nuts.

The taste was smooth and perfectly balanced — not too acidic, not too bitter — which made it a pleasure to sip slowly and really savor. It had just the right amount of sweetness and depth to make it memorable, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good filter coffee. It felt carefully brewed, highlighting the quality of the beans and the skill of the barista.

Of course, I couldn’t resist trying their famous tiramisu, which has been trending on TikTok lately. While I had high expectations because of the online buzz, I have to say it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me.

The texture was good, but I found the flavor to be rather mild, especially when it came to the coffee element, which is what I think really makes a tiramisu shine. It wasn’t bad by any means, just not as special as I expected considering all the attention it has been getting.

Overall, Messier82 Roastery is worth visiting for the coffee alone. Their beans are high quality, the brewing is precise, and the flavors are rich and well-balanced.

With a bit more space and some refinement to their dessert menu, they could easily become one of the top coffee destinations in Alkhobar.

For more information, check their Instagram @messier82.sa


Italian chef Antoine Di Fazio builds culinary bridges at one-off event in Riyadh

Italian chef Antoine Di Fazio builds culinary bridges at one-off event in Riyadh
Updated 16 September 2025

Italian chef Antoine Di Fazio builds culinary bridges at one-off event in Riyadh

Italian chef Antoine Di Fazio builds culinary bridges at one-off event in Riyadh

DUBAI: Italian chef Antoine Di Fazio, known for his championship-winning pizza-making prowess, is taking on an altogether unexpected challenge in șÚÁÏÉçÇű.

On Tuesday night, the chef will present Irish brand Silver Hill’s roasted duck in two Middle Eastern-style dishes with an experimental twist.

Diners at Levantine Restaurant, DoubleTree by Hilton in Riyadh, will be treated to the chef’s thoughtful take on food that bridges cultures.

He told Arab News ahead of the event: “For sure, duck is not a common ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine, but things are changing quickly.

“Arabs are traveling more, discovering new tastes, and are eager to experience different cuisines. As an executive chef, I always strive to innovate and create fusion concepts.”

“șÚÁÏÉçÇű itself offers immense inspiration, with so many traditional dishes to learn from. Over my decades here, I’ve had the privilege of learning from each region.”

Di Fazio has opted to create two traditional Saudi dishes with a twist. First, guests will be treated to Jareesh or cracked wheat. It is a staple grain in the Kingdom and the wider Middle East.

The chef and his team will cook the grains until tender with ghee, caramelized onion, Arabic spices, and dried lemon. Instead of chicken, Silver Hill duck will be featured, which “adds a richer, more distinctive flavor,” said Di Fazio.

Next up, Saleeg will be made with Egyptian rice, milk, butter, olive oil, mastika (Arabic gum), and a blend of spices. Traditionally served with chicken, this time around duck will enhance the creaminess of the dish.

“Technically, yes, it can be challenging, especially as an Italian chef, to balance flavors and reach the right taste,” he explained of the cooking process.

“But after years of studying traditional food and cooking in șÚÁÏÉçÇű, I’ve adapted. I also collaborate closely with a committee of Arabic chefs, who I often turn to for advice and refinement.”

Di Fazio, who placed fifth at the Pizza World Cup in Napoli in 2011 and won the Italian Pizza Cup in 2012, is also a special advisor to Italian chefs through the World Association of Chef’s Societies.

“There were many challenges at the start, especially when I first introduced Italian food here. People were less familiar with authentic Italian cuisine. But with patience, consistency, and passion, I gained great joy in showing Middle Eastern diners the richness of true Italian flavors,” he said.

“Italian cuisine is deeply rooted in tradition and heritage, with each region offering unique dishes and stories — just like in șÚÁÏÉçÇű. There is so much more to discover beyond the basics,” he added.


Where We Are Going Today: Wagyu Burger Joint in Jeddah

Photo/Supplied
Photo/Supplied
Updated 15 September 2025

Where We Are Going Today: Wagyu Burger Joint in Jeddah

Photo/Supplied
  • Desserts feature milkshakes (oreo, vanilla, and matcha) and blueberry cheesecake ice cream

Wagyu Burger Joint on Prince Sultan Road has become a popular spot in Jeddah for quality food.

The menu focuses on fresh ingredients, soft buns, and wagyu beef.

Highlights include the double wagyu patty burger with cheese, beef bacon, fried onions, and WBJ sauce, served with fries.

The J burger adds a smoky, spicy touch with BBQ sauce and Monterey Jack, while the on fire burger comes with jalapenos and double cheese for extra heat.

For groups, the Q+Q bucket offers four burgers with family-size fries. Sides include parmesan fries, bacon cheese fries, and brisket balls.

Desserts feature milkshakes (oreo, vanilla, and matcha) and blueberry cheesecake ice cream. Vegan options are also available.

Service is quick, with both dine-in and drive-thru options. Burgers are priced between SR30 to SR40 ($8-$11). They can be heavy, so it is more of an occasional treat than an everyday meal.

Orders can also be placed through the WBJ app. Check more on Instagram @wbj.sa.

 


Where We Are Going Today: Bianca Bakery & Restaurant in Riyadh

Where We Are Going Today: Bianca Bakery & Restaurant in Riyadh
Updated 13 September 2025

Where We Are Going Today: Bianca Bakery & Restaurant in Riyadh

Where We Are Going Today: Bianca Bakery & Restaurant in Riyadh

Combining the charm of a European cafe with the refinement of a fine-dining destination, Bianca Bakery & Restaurant is tucked inside the fashionable Via Riyadh complex.

It has quickly become a go-to for diners in the capital seeking both comfort food and elegant presentation. The restaurant is immaculate, the atmosphere warm and the interior beyond stylish.

The menu is impressive, featuring a wide range of offerings from fresh salads and artisanal pizzas to indulgent desserts and classic pastries.

The Bianca Salad is highly rated for its freshness, while the almond croissant proved a star choice. The pizzas — particularly the Margherita — stood out for their flavor and authentic Italian sauce while the steak, although flavorsome, could have been presented a little better. The tiramisu and cheesecake were both exceptional.

There were some niggles, with slow service during peak hours and main courses arriving before drinks and appetizers.

Bianca also operates a bakery that supplies fresh pastries to other venues across Via Riyadh, but with its fantastic desserts, quality coffee and excellent pizzas, it is well worth a visit — whether for a chic breakfast, casual lunch or refined dinner.
 

 

 

 


Recipes for success: Chef Carmen Landsberg offers advice and a tasty egg carbonara recipe

Recipes for success: Chef Carmen Landsberg offers advice and a tasty egg carbonara recipe
Updated 12 September 2025

Recipes for success: Chef Carmen Landsberg offers advice and a tasty egg carbonara recipe

Recipes for success: Chef Carmen Landsberg offers advice and a tasty egg carbonara recipe

DUBAI: For Carmen Landsberg, the kitchen has always felt like home — a place of creativity, comfort and connection. Born in the small South African town of Empangeni and raised in a family passionate about cooking, Landsberg found her love for the kitchen at an early age. 

“I enjoyed cooking from a really young age. It’s always kind of been in my family. I think I’m the only one that’s a professional chef, but we’ve always been surrounded by food — and obviously, being South African, it’s very much part of our culture,” she tells Arab News. “It’s a gathering. It’s about getting together.” 

She credits her uncle for sparking her interest: “I spent a lot of time on our family farm. I’d get tomatoes from the garden and maybe make some tomato soup from very few ingredients.” 

Now group executive chef at Brunch & Cake Global, she leads the brand’s expansion across the GCC and beyond, including the Kingdom. 

For Carmen Landsberg, the kitchen has always felt like home. (Supplied)

“What excites me most about șÚÁÏÉçÇű is the growing appetite for unique and global food experiences,” she says. “There’s an incredible energy. People are curious, open-minded, and eager to explore new flavors and concepts. It’s a vibrant, fast-evolving landscape, and I’m proud to be part of bringing Brunch & Cake into that.”  

When you started out, what was the most common mistake you made? 

Letting the pressure get to me and not utilizing the things around me to make my life easier. Like, using the wrong utensils and equipment — trying to take shortcuts. Specific tools are there to make everything easier for you. Like having a sharp knife, using a slotted spoon to pick up a poached egg instead of just quickly grabbing anything, or not using tongs to pick up pasta out of boiling water, or using a proper pasta basket, for example.  

What’s your top tip for amateur chefs?  

Investing in a good knife is key. Your knives are everything. They are your best friend. And, more generally, don’t overcomplicate things. Less is always best, I’d say.  

Brunch and Cake in King Abdullah Financial District. (Supplied)

What one ingredient can instantly improve any dish?  

I think citrus is probably my top one. Anything with a little bit of acidity can lighten up something that’s very heavy. If you over-season or over-salt something, adding a little bit of lemon helps. Lemon would definitely be my go-to.  

When you go out to eat, do you find yourself critiquing the food?  

I do notice things, but I don’t actively go out looking for them. I think being a chef makes you more lenient, actually. I try to let people do what they’re good at and just enjoy the experience. Do I notice things? Of course. It’s in my nature. But I don’t want to be obnoxious. I’m happy to go to a burger place and just appreciate that I’m there for a burger and enjoy that. But if someone does ask, I’ll give feedback. That’s important. If someone asks me, “How was it?” and I genuinely feel that I didn’t enjoy a specific thing, or maybe we didn’t get proper service, I’ll say something like, “Everything was amazing, but it would’ve been helpful if someone came to check on our table a bit more.” I’d approach it like that.  

What’s the most common issue that you find in other restaurants?  

I often notice that, after you’ve eaten, there are a lot of times when you just get the bill — no one comes over to ask, “Did you have a good time? Did you enjoy it?” I would say that’s a common mistake not asking for feedback. But sometimes people would rather not ask because they don’t want to hear the answer.  

What’s your favorite cuisine or dish to eat?  

I hope you’re not going to hate me for this, but I don’t actually have a favorite dish. I genuinely love all food — I promise you, I really love food. I’m not the kind of person who says, “Oh, I only love Italian.” But I will say that I do love fusion items. I love experimenting, I love combining Asian with other cuisines, like, why not have an Asian-style burger? So I’d say fusion food is probably my favorite. But more than specific dishes, I think I love specific ingredients, like butter, cream or herbs.  

What’s your go-to dish if you have to cook something quickly at home?  

I think my go-to and my “cooking something quickly” are a bit different. My go-to
 I love cheese. I love anything with cheese, so, like, crackers with cheese. Even if I start cooking something that’s meant to be quick, I tend to go off track, because I just get inspired and let the flavors flow — and before I know it, an hour’s gone by. So my quick, easy, go-to is probably a little harvest board — something where I can just avoid a cooking accident.  

What customer behavior most annoys you? 

I have two that are probably tied. Number one is people leaving without giving feedback. Or people saying everything is great, then leaving a bad review, or guests not giving you the chance to make things right. We take our negative reviews really seriously. And giving negative feedback isn’t always a horrible thing — you don’t have to do it in a horrible way; it can be very constructive. 

But also, it’s when guests want to change the dishes too much. You come to have an experience, and then you change the dishes so much that they’re not even recognizable. That happens a lot. Sometimes people come in and say, “Oh, can I have that instead of this?” or “I don’t like that, can I have this instead?” And you’re, like, “But we don’t actually have that on the menu.” And sometimes that even leads to a complaint.  

What’s your favorite dish to cook ? 

Anything around the fire really brings me back home because I’m South African. Having a barbecue is something that brings people together. It’s always about everyone bringing a dish. I do have a passion for anything cooked over fire. Nothing can beat a good steak on a fire — that crust you get, the fat that renders down
 nothing compares. Even with vegetables, that smokiness, the char, it really adds something. It’s a little bit of home away from home. 

What’s the most difficult dish for you to get right?  

Definitely a souffle. A souffle is one of those things that can flop in the oven depending on your mood. You could do everything right, but if you’re in a bad mood, the souffle just doesn’t souffle. It’s just one of those things I honestly try to avoid. If anyone ever asked me, “Are you going to put a souffle on the menu?” I’d be like, “No.” Even if you have everything perfect — the oven, the temperature, the ingredients — it’s just one of those things that really picks up on your energy. 

As a head chef, what are you like? Are you laid back? Strict? 

I think my team would tell you I definitely love to keep good vibes in the kitchen. We spend a lot of time with the people we work with, and it’s already such a high-pressure industry, so I definitely don’t want people coming in and not being happy in the place they work. It’s important to always provide a safe space for people. You’re constantly teaching, so you don’t want to be unapproachable. But, at the same time, having boundaries is very important. I’m not like I was maybe 10 years ago — back then I was a bit more Gordon Ramsay-style crazy. But as you get older and reach certain levels in your career, you start to realize that hitting someone over the head with a pan is probably not the best way to get a positive reaction. You have to have a good balance. That’s something I always strive for. 

Chef Carmen’s egg carbonara  

Chef Carmen’s egg carbonara. (Supplied)

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1 plain croissant 

40g grated parmesan 

40g sliced beef bacon 

3 eggs 

50g brown mushrooms, roughly chopped 

10g truffle paste 

100ml cream 

40g butter 

2ml truffle oil 

0.1g dried edible flowers 

3 sprigs of parsley  

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Slice the croissant lengthwise and toast until lightly golden. Set aside. 

In a heated pan, add the butter, chopped chopped mushrooms, and bacon slices. SautĂ© until the mushrooms are soft and the bacon is crispy. 

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until fluffy and then fold in the cream and truffle paste. 

Lower the heat and pour the egg mixture into the pan with bacon and mushrooms. Stir slowly and gently until all combined and creamy. Cook to preferred doneness. 

Once the eggs are almost at preferred doneness, season well and finish with a drizzle of truffle oil. 

Plating: 

On a plate, scatter the grated Parmesan in a wide circle, leaving the centre slightly bare. 

Place the toasted croissant in the centre of the plate and generously spoon the truffled egg mixture into the croissant, making it flow out onto the plate. 

Sprinkle with grated Parmesan, garnish with dried edible flowers, and finish with three small parsley sprigs on either side. 


Where We Are Going Today: Over Under in Riyadh

Where We Are Going Today: Over Under in Riyadh
Updated 10 September 2025

Where We Are Going Today: Over Under in Riyadh

Where We Are Going Today: Over Under in Riyadh

RIYADH: Nestled in the heart of Via Riyadh, one of the capital’s most luxurious destinations, Over Under cafe has quickly become a popular spot for those seeking a relaxed coffee experience in an elegant setting.

With its cozy interior and plenty of seating options, it caters equally well to solo visitors looking for a quiet corner and groups seeking a casual gathering place.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, enhanced by the staff’s attentiveness — special mention goes to Kristel and May, whose friendliness and professionalism leave a lasting impression on guests.

Coffee is undeniably the star of the show. Over Under’s signature latte is smooth, rich and perfectly balanced, while its “coffee of the day” option offers something new for regular customers. The cafe provides a variety of plant-based milk alternatives.

The pastries deserve their own spotlight. The chocolate croissant, with its crisp layers and deep flavor, feels straight out of Paris, while the cheesecake and brownies stand out as customer favorites — indulgent without being overwhelming.

Freshly baked croissants, cinnamon rolls and honey cakes further round out the menu, making it a sweet-lover’s paradise.

Although the menu focuses mainly on drinks and desserts, light sandwiches or savory bites would make the experience even more complete. Still, the prices remain reasonable for the quality and setting, with an average spend of about SR140–160 ($37-43) per person. 

Over Under also adds charm with little extras, such as its ice-cream cart, perfect for a sweet treat on warmer days.

The cafe blends luxury with approachability. Whether it is a quick coffee, a leisurely dessert or just a moment of calm amid the buzz of Via Riyadh, the cafe offers a memorable experience in a refined yet cozy atmosphere.