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I spotted the Lebanese-concept Japanese restaurant Le Sushi Bar opened at Al Hamra Luxury Center today. I kept hearing from my friends in Lebanon about this restaurant but never tried it before and they say this is their first ever franchise outside Lebanon. I approached the manager and asked some questions about the restaurant and if it brings anything special to the very competitive Japanese cuisine market in Kuwait, he said Le Sushi Bar was the first Japanese restaurant to open in Beirut, Lebanon and is considered to be one of the finest in the country and that they serve a variety of sushi’s and maki’s that can’t be found else where. 

The restaurant interior design was simple and consists of a wooden bar with tables distributed around with total capacity around 170 seats, there was also private cabin for special gatherings and occasions. I may give them a try sometime and share my opinion with you. Have any of you tried it?

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Recall the little small Kuwaiti-based burger joint located nearby Solo Pizza Napulttana in Kuwait City so called Hashtag Burgers? I received an email from them saying that they are saddened to announce to their fans that they are closing down due to the commitments of studying abroad. Sadly I liked their burgers, that place was so tiny yet so cozy. I wish them all the best and wish they make a come back in future.

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I spotted McDonald’s opening while filling my car fuel tank at ALFA gas station near Ahmedi and they have both eat-in and drive-thru service. Other gas stations have Subway and Burger King but what we really need is a supermarket. 

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I spotted 2nd branch for the luxury cakes and pastries cafe from love city Paris, Ladurée, opening at The Prestige District. I became macarons addict for sometime even though they’re relatively expensive.

Read about my previous experience with Ladurée at 360 Mall [link] 

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What do you know about steak really? its types? How to have it best served? I almost tried all steakhouses in Kuwait but frankly for so long all I knew was Rib Eye, Fillet, well-done and medium-well. Today I’m going to take you all on a journey into steak world that I promise will change your steak choices forever. I got invited by The Meat Co for a “Meatology training” yesterday, meatology means the science behind meat and beef, sounds exciting. I arrived at 5:30 pm exact and met with their international steak expert Mr. Gracious B Sikhosana, you should have seen the look on Meat Co staff, they were so surprised because I’m a regular customer and they didn’t that I’m the guy they were waiting for the trainig.

Cattle Breeds

My first question was about cattle breeds; I was mesmerized to know there are over 800 breeds, but the most famous are actually the Angus, Wagyu, Hereford, Longhorn among others. The Angus cattle are tough and mature around 2 years of age and they are used for beef (not milk) and are known for marbled meat (meat with intramuscular fat). Though what really awed me is the Wagyu, a Japanese breed in which the cows don’t ever move for over 500 days, and get massaging to prevent muscle cramping! They say this will produce highest quality juicy meat and most expensive of course.

Do feeds effect the steak?

Yes what the cows are fed does effect the meat quality, cows are either grain-fed, grass-fed, or milk-fed but most beef on market today is grain-fed because it helps producers to raise and fatten cows rather quickly than if they feed on grass. However, mlik-fed produces the highest quality meat of young cattle.

What’s all about Marbling score thing?

Whenever I’m checking steak menus I see the term Marbling score, rings any bell? Well it turned out that the marbling is the streaks of fat in lean meat, so the more marbling or higher score the more fatty, juicy and flavorful the steak. I can imagine many of you had the “Wide-Open-Eyes” when you read fat, but luckily this is mostly unsaturated fat rich in omega 3 & 6 fatty acids.

Steak Types

The steak type depends on which part of the cow the primal cut was taken from (see above), for example Rib Eye is from the ribs, the fillet from the tenderloin. However most popular types are the Rib (shorts ribs, Rib Eye steak), Tenderloin (most tender and expensive, fillet steak & T-Bone), Chuck (roasts and hamburgers), Sirloin (less tender than loin but more flavorful), Brisket (best for barbecue), Shank (tough and used for stews and soups). I personally prefer fillet steak because it’s lean (low fat) and very tender, others may prefer Rib-Eye or Sirloin because they are more fatty and hence more flavorful.

Steak Doneness?

This is the tricky part that could either make your steak experience truly delightful or miserable one. I for some reason always asked waiters to have my steak served well done but later changed to medium-well, I’m pretty sure many of you did the same maybe because we feel uncomfortable seeing blood? Thing is steak doneness highly depends on type of meat used, so suppose you order Rib Eye steak (which is high in marbling) then it’s fine to have it served well done, but if you are going say for Fillet steak then it’s best to have it served medium well or medium to preserve the tastiness. However, bear in mind that having the steak medium well shouldn’t have any blood (dark pink only) otherwise it means steak was frozen and not grilled properly, also the more the meat is grilled the less nutritional values it preserves.

So now how do you like your steak? and what are the steakhouses that you think serve best steak in Kuwait?

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Last October I posted about Burger Fuel to open in Kuwait [link] but I wasn’t exactly sure where they are going to open. Well I finally found the exact location and I kinda expect it, it’s opening at Al Bida’a specifically at Movinpick next to Prime & Toast. The question is how many burger joints/franchises do you think Kuwait market can still accomodate? I won’t be surprised at all if I also come to know that Five Guys and In-N-Out burgers will open in Kuwait.

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Kuwaiti chef Ahmed Al Bader is certainly one of the most active restaurateurs in Kuwait with opening of several restaurant concepts serving burgers, pizza, steak, sushi, and fusion. I spotted a new restaurant by Ahmed Al Bader so called Pintxos at Al Seef strip at the same location of Wasabi that was closed down. I’m not really not sure what the name Pintxos means but according to uncle Google it’s a Spanish term for certain snacks typically eaten in bars.

Actually it did look like a bar on the inside with dimmed lighting and design, I’m seeing many new restaurants in Kuwait are trying to copy designs of bars,lounges, and even night clubs. Maybe some people love to feel they are in a bar or a lounge?

The staff say the restaurant is in the soft opening phase now and will be serving fusion cuisine, I may give it a go sometime.

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Spotted this new restaurant opening at Discovery Mall today, at first glance I thought it’s Lord of the Rings and I was like huh didn’t know such store ever existed but as I looked closely turned out it’s actually Lord of the ‘W’ings. My friend from Lebanon says they have it at City Mall in Beirut and they serve over 14 signature chicken wings sauces and customized burgers. 

I haven’t tried it before so I can’t tell for sure, maybe our friends from Lebanon can help?

Thanks [PinkGirlQ8]

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A source from AlShaya has told me the other day the International House of Pancakes, IHOP, will open on January 12th. It was supposed to open in December 2012 but there was some sort of a delay I suppose, I’m craving their Cinn-A-Stack pancakes already, but I hope their prices in Kuwait will be reasonable. It’s located at 1st level of The Mall district of Avenues Phase III. 

Here’s our review for IHOP in Dubai [link]

Update: I apologize that IHOP did not open at the date we specified that got through our source from Alshaya, for reason we don’t know the opening was postponed to a later date even though the restaurant interior and exterior is ready with all staff available.

Update2: IHOP will open next Saturday February 16th at 8:00AM.

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Chocolate has always been like a drug to me in the winter, I crave it enormously! Luckily Kuwait has several great chocolate-specialized restaurants and yesterday I was exclusively invited for the opening of  The Chocolate Cafe which is the latest addition to the chocolate places in Kuwait. The Chocolate Cafe is opened at The Food Circle in Mishref, I arrived at around 9:00 pm and I made sure to be there on empty stomach because I knew there will be high calories involved.

The owners greeted me warmly and started explaining the concept, they said they wish to offer customers such an unforgettable chocolate experience by combining the Belgium, French, and American chocolate cuisines and by using the highest quality of Swiss chocolate. I looked at the temporary menu and saw they serve Crepes, Macaroons, cakes and cupcakes, hot desserts, fondue, brownies, dips, pudding in addition to hot and cold drinks, smoothies, shakes, and coffee.

Also I saw they serve sizzlers and iron grilled chocolate which are served for first time in Kuwait. Personally I ordered the French toast (tasty and light especially with sauce), hot chocolate fudge cake (filled with fudge and coupled with ice cream) and of course the crepes (crispy and tasty with Nuttela). The decorations were simple and neat, there were tables indoor and outdoor based on your preference.

I liked how they let customers see how they prepare the crepes and sizzlers so customers can ask for any additions. The prices were in the KD0.500 fils to KD3.000 ,however I didn’t taste the other items so I can only judge what I tried.

Address: Mishref area, The Food Circle beside Yarmouk Sporting Club.

Phone: 22261061

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I was heading toward Marina Mall on Gulf Road this morning and saw new restaurant courts opening along the way, I think the Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC) which is responsible for delivering high quality tourism and recreation experiences can do a lot better with the coastal area of Kuwait, the current beach fronts are fine but I believe they can do more. Anyhow, the restaurant courts that I told you about are;

Wok Hay: Located at the Green Island waterfront, it’s nearly finished and it’s an Asian dining that I think a subsidiary of Ruby Tuesday, it will serve Asian food but I never tried it before, anyone?

Prime & Toast, Wasabi, Pickles, and Ward o Hail: The four restaurants owned and operated by The Sultan Center group are opening at Marina Waves waterfront opposite to Plaza complex in Salmiya. The location is great as it directly faces the sea so I suspect an early breakfast in Prime & Toast would be great in this weather, though I guess there’s a delay in the opening.

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