Where We Are Going Today: Nina’s Brownies in Riyadh
Updated 13 March 2025
Sulafa Alkhunaizi
Nina’s Brownies in the Kingdom’s capital is a sweet tooth’s dream, serving scrumptious baked goods made with love.
Served warm and ready to devour, the chocolate fudge has a crackled top. The cake has a slightly textured top with a rich, soft fudge interior with each bite infused with a heavenly cacao flavor.
It is evident that Nina’s Brownie’s uses high-quality ingredients including whole chocolate chips which are melted and used in the secret recipe. The dessert is sold as a slab, a large rectangular single-layer cake.
For customized messages on the cake, customers can order the party brownies, a perfect treat for special occasions and birthdays.
Nina’s Bakery recently launched its own creative twist on two classic desserts, naming it the “bramisu.” A blend of coffee infused tiramisu and the best-selling brownies creates a wonderful combination of deep flavors from the coffee and chocolate notes.
During the winter, Nina’s Brownies has a seasonal menu. The past winter, the shop sold its winter drink and gingerbread decorating kit which included icing sugar in various colors, making a great activity and treat in one.
What makes the shop stand out from the rest is its attention to detailed packaging. Upon opening your dessert, you will be greeted with the printed words on the box: “Adding an extra fudge to your day. Indulgence at its finest.”
Nina’s Brownies is available to order on the Chefz App.
Pop Tayer has become a go-to in Jeddah for lovers of bite-sized pastries, blending the rich flavors of Lebanese cuisine with the comforting taste of Saudi favorites.
Seeing classic pastries in such small portions is both surprising and appealing, with each piece fresh, flavorful and hard to resist.
The signature selection includes spinach, kebbeh and pizza. The spinach variety offers a tangy burst of flavor, the mini pizzas carry a nostalgic, homemade taste, and the kebbeh is crisp on the outside with a savory, well-seasoned filling.
Pop Tayer’s Lebanese-inspired menu also features safiha, shish barak and waraa einab, while the Saudi flavors include aish bilahham and sambusa — all served in the brand’s signature miniature style.
The pastries make great guilt-free snacks, whether at home, at work or on the go. They are sold by the kilogram or the dozen.
A kilogram of spinach pastries is priced at SR220 ($59).
All pastries are homemade and preservative-free, with orders prepared fresh, except for the spinach filling, which is frozen in advance before baking.
Arva Ahmed takes Dubai’s food stories from streets to screens with OSN and ‘Ditch the Silver’
Updated 12 August 2025
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: For more than a decade, Arva Ahmed has led curious diners through Dubai’s backstreets with her company Frying Pan Adventures. Now, she is taking those stories to a new audience with “Ditch the Silver,” a YouTube series that has grown into a 10-part exclusive docuseries for OSN and OSN+.
Launched in late 2023 in collaboration with Ti22 Films, “Ditch the Silver” shines a light on food cultures that thrive away from the city’s fine-dining glare.
“We’re not trying to go viral, but we’re just trying to document the food stories the way they are,” said Ahmed in an interview with Arab News. These stories range from Ethiopian vegan fasting platters to why Dubai is a contender for the world’s number one bread city.
The OSN series, filmed over an intense three weeks, dives deeper into those narratives. In the process, Ahmed has witnessed a shift in Dubai’s dining scene: High-powered chefs leaving corporate hotel kitchens to open intimate, accessible eateries. She points to a former Cantonese hotel chef now serving an expanded menu in Oud Metha, an Italian chef experimenting with fermented date fiber and a Moroccan cook inspired by his grandmother. “Luxury food is becoming accessible without losing authenticity,” she said.
Ahmed’s route to the screen was not straightforward. The daughter of Indian immigrants, she grew up in Deira with humble, frugal parents who valued simplicity over show. After an MBA in the US and a career as a strategy consultant, she returned to Dubai to join her father’s business — but a growing love for food, nurtured during her student years abroad, kept pulling her away.
Raised on her nutritionist mother’s home-cooked Indian meals, Ahmed only began to think seriously about food when she moved overseas. She learned to cook with a roommate, ran a small Indian takeout service and discovered that feeding people helped her connect beyond her usual circles. That curiosity deepened in New York City and Houston, where she sought out small, authentic eateries over flashy venues.
In 2012, unable to ignore her passion, Ahmed launched Frying Pan Adventures, offering walking food tours through Dubai’s lesser-known neighborhoods. But by 2023, she felt she had plateaued. An invitation from Ti22 Films’ founder Reem Al-Marzouqi to join an on-air presenters’ boot camp changed her perspective.
“I’d always dreamed of a TV food show, but I was waiting for someone to hand it to me on a silver platter,” said Ahmed. “The boot camp made me realize that dream wasn’t relevant anymore — YouTube had democratised content, and I had to take ownership.”
The answer was “Ditch the Silver”: A weekly video series built like a miniature food tour, each episode tying together multiple restaurants with a thematic thread. It has taken Ahmed beyond the set routes of her walking tours, forcing her to explore new corners of the country and uncover under-told stories.
Her recommendations for GCC visitors reflect that ethos. She points to Laki, a small Safa eatery run by Chef Mary and Chef Mae (“the food’s full of love — just be patient with the air conditioning”); Yin Kigi, the Cantonese gem in Oud Metha; and Moto Moto, an Omani-inspired food truck in Al-Khawaneej serving mishkak skewers and slow-cooked shuwa from the owners’ home garden.
For Ahmed, whether she is guiding a tour group or presenting to camera, the mission is the same: To celebrate the many food cultures that call Dubai home. “It’s an incredible time where some of these stories are popping off, and you need to kind of celebrate them, because it’s really hard right now to get your voice heard in a market that’s so saturated,” she said.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Pastamamma’ — Italian dining in Riyadh
The pasta truly is the star here as the fresh black truffle fettuccine alfredo is an indulgent treat with creamy and fragrant taste topped with tender slices of chicken
Updated 11 August 2025
Afshan Aziz
Located in Riyadh Park Mall, Pastamamma offers a refined Italian dining experience. The polished yet relaxed ambiance sets the stage for a good hearty meal, making it an ideal spot for those seeking fine dining.
The starters show a thoughtful attention to detail. The grilled aubergine and hummus salad stands out, with its smoky honey-glazed aubergine paired perfectly with creamy homemade chickpea hummus and a tangy mango dressing. In addition, the grilled garlic prawns and rocket salad is fresh and vibrant, a great way to whet the appetite without being heavy.
The pasta truly is the star here as the fresh black truffle fettuccine alfredo is an indulgent treat with creamy and fragrant taste topped with tender slices of chicken. The quattro formaggi casarecce with crispy bresaola offers a great mix of textures and flavors, though the richness might feel overwhelming for those preferring lighter fare. For spice lovers, the trottole arrabbiata with chorizo adds a pleasant kick without overpowering the palate.
On the grill, the chicken alla Milanese and grilled flank steak are executed well. The grilled salmon and prawns are equally impressive, cooked just right and complemented by vibrant sauces. Sides like herbed potatoes and grilled vegetables provide a nice balance to the steaks.
Desserts like the strawberry and thyme panna cotta are refreshing, while the gelato trio offers a satisfying sweet finish. Drinks such as the yuzu and kiwi lemonade bring a bright, zesty something and are not to be missed.
That said, Pastamamma leans toward the pricey side, reflecting its fine dining status. A meal for two can easily reach around SR500. While portions are generous, the overall experience might not fit every budget.
Where We Are Going Today: Mado restaurant in Makkah
We tried the highly recommended penne arrabiata; while the pasta was cooked well, the sauce was too sour due to the tart tomatoes used
Updated 09 August 2025
Arab News
With a central location across from the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Mado is one of the only full-service restaurants in the area, in addition to nearby hotels.
Arab News visited the restaurant and tried a variety of their items, including their fresh salads, grilled meats, desserts, and fresh juices.
The staff are knowledgeable about the menu, offer great recommendations, and are accommodating of any allergies.
Mado’s juice options, like mango, orange, and pineapple, are all refreshing, especially after a day in the mosque.
We tried the highly recommended penne arrabiata; while the pasta was cooked well, the sauce was too sour due to the tart tomatoes used.
As for the salads, we tried the tabbouleh, Ahirdag, and crispy chicken salads. While the tabbouleh was standard and nothing to write home about, the Ahirdag and crispy chicken salads were among the best starters on the menu.
The Turkish mixed grill was delicious, offering a variety of meat, including shish tawouk, beef skewers, and kebabs. We ordered the mixed grill for one, but it was enough for two people.
The doner, which is advertised prominently, was unavailable when we tried to order it.
For desserts, two options stand out: the kunafa and the layered Turkish ice cream (chocolate, pistachio, vanilla, and strawberry).
The restaurant is quite spacious and offers many seating areas, but the best seats by far are those near the window overlooking the Grand Mosque.
The service can be improved; while staff members are numerous, the restaurant’s reception area remains unmanned at times, leaving guests waiting to be seated.
Mado also has locations in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Hail.
Surging interest in the wellness exercise meets hard reality of steep costs
Women are embracing pilates for its calm and control, but not everyone can join the movement
Updated 10 August 2025
Waad Hussain
ALKHOBAR: It starts with a stretch. Then a breath. And for many women in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, what follows is far more than just physical movement. It’s calm, clarity and control. But not everyone gets to experience it.
While pilates and yoga classes have become increasingly popular in Alkhobar, Dhahran and beyond, the women who attend them — or hope to — say the trend isn’t just about fitness. It’s about access.
“I’ve felt a real difference in my body and mood since I started pilates,” said Noura Alzayani, 42, from Dhahran. “I feel more flexible, balanced, even my posture and breathing improved. I just feel better.”
Outdoor aerial Pilates sessions combine traditional poses with hammock support to improve core strength and balance. (Supplied/Instagram/sunsets_yoga)
She attends classes for free at the King Gym in Aramco camp and describes the sessions as “a complete reset.” Her favorite part? The style of the workouts.
“They tone the body, help with alignment and improve mental well-being. I wish more people understood their value.”
But outside of private compounds such as Aramco’s, access to these benefits can be difficult. While some women are willing, even eager, to sign up, the reality of high prices, limited availability and rigid schedules has kept many away.
I’ve thought about trying Pilates so many times. But the prices don’t match the value. When six classes cost as much as a full year of gym membersh-ip, it just doesn’t feel worth it.
Lama Alrajeh, Dhahran local
“I’ve thought about trying pilates so many times,” said Lama Alrajeh, 21, also from Dhahran. “But the prices don’t match the value. When six classes cost as much as a full year of gym membership, it just doesn’t feel worth it.”
She once attended a free trial with her sister and loved the experience. “It was motivating. But then we ran into the same issue — too expensive. Plus, the closest good studio is only available to Aramco employees. I can’t even go with my friends.”
And for students like her, flexibility isn’t just something they’re seeking in their bodies, but in the schedules of the classes. “Sessions are often at times I can’t manage, like early mornings or late afternoons when I’m in class. It just doesn’t fit.”
A relaxing group session that blends Pilates with sound therapy, creating a holistic mind-body experience. (Supplied)
Still, the desire is there. Many women interviewed for this story described pilates and yoga as aspirational; something they want to include in their lives, if only logistics would allow it.
Sitah Alotaibi, 22, from Al-Ahsa, said she has never attended a class but watches the trend with interest. “It feels like it suddenly became a huge thing, like everyone is doing it,” she said. “That in itself is a positive shift. It means people are becoming more aware of their health and trying to find balance in their lives.”
Her main challenges? Transportation, cost and lack of availability. “I hope one day we’ll have branches in every neighborhood, with real services and inviting spaces.”
It feels like (Pilates) suddenly became a huge thing, like everyone is doing it. That in itself is a positive shift. It means people are becoming more aware of their health and trying to find balance in their lives.
Sitah Alotaibi, Al-Ahsa local
Malak Khaled, 26, from Alkhobar, agrees. She describes pilates as “a luxury” that feels out of reach. “These places are usually located in the middle of the city and treated like elite experiences,” she said. “I don’t even have a way to get there. And I already pay for a gym — I can’t afford another membership.”
Even when her gym has pilates equipment, she doesn’t use it. “There are four machines, but I don’t know what I’m doing, and the sessions get full fast. They only offer one class a week, and it’s at a time I can’t attend.”
For Lama Khalid, 20, from Jubail, the story began differently; she actually did start. “I did pilates for almost a year in Alkhobar. It was amazing. My mood improved, my body felt lighter. But I had to stop — my friend and I were traveling from Jubail, and the routine just didn’t fit anymore.”
A serene Pilates studio featuring reformer machines, offering a calm and focused environment for strength and flexibility training. (Supplied)
She hopes more studios open in her city. “The prices need to come down. And I wish we had more class options here in Jubail.”
For others, accessibility came not from a gym, but a screen.
Hajjar Alotaibi, 22, from Al-Ahsa, practices pilates once or twice a week at home using the YouTube channel Move With Nicole. “It helps my mood, relaxes my body and tones it at the same time,” she said. “I wish there were more local places that offered this at fair prices, but for now, this works.”
Others, like Rana Abbas, 26, from Alkhobar, found solace in yoga.
“I do yoga more than pilates,” she said. “It helps my stiff body from work and lifts my mood. I feel in control, and it suits me because it’s quiet and slow-paced.”
She tried multiple studios but finds the cost high. “Around SR180 ($48) per class. I wish we had more affordable centers. And more instructors who pay attention to everyone in the class — not just a few.”
The issue of cost — and perception — comes up again and again.
“I feel like pilates has become an activity for the wealthy only,” said Khaled. “I can’t afford resistance training at one gym and pilates at another. How much do we have to pay just to stay healthy?”
Kawthar Abdulaziz, from Al-Ahsa, recently attended her first pilates class. “I wanted a gym without weights or harsh training,” she said. “I wanted to stretch, feel graceful and move like I’m dancing. That’s why pilates appealed to me.”
The experience didn’t disappoint.
“I felt a huge release — mentally and physically. I moved my blood. I felt every muscle. It felt like I emptied all my emotional tension.”
But even she admits: “The price is too high. And the good places are far. I just want more spaces where we can move, where movement is the focus, not the luxury.”
Her words echo what every woman interviewed said in one way or another; the desire to move is strong, but the barriers are real.
Whether it is the lack of nearby studios, transportation issues, unaffordable prices or simply the feeling that Pilates is not “for them,” many women across the Eastern Province are still on the outside looking in.
And yet, their responses are also filled with hope.
“Even though I’ve only done one class,” Abdulaziz said, “it made me realize how important this is. This kind of movement — it’s not just fitness. It’s therapy.”
