By Dina Ismail (www.destinationjeddah.com)
Salad Boutique, a concept from Kuwait’s restaurant scene, is one Jeddah’s fresh arrivals this month and is already causing quite a stir...
From the restaurant’s lovely seaside location on Corniche, to the opulent purple and cream decor to finally, one of the most unique concepts to grace Jeddah, Salad Boutique should definitely be on the radar of any self-respecting Jeddah foodie.
The Concept
The brainchild of three young Kuwaiti entrepreneurs: Ghadeer Khajah, Laila Al-Kandrai, and Mohamed Qabzard, Salad Boutique launched in April of 2009 in Kuwait to resounding success. The idea of a health-conscious boutique eatery where generous portions of the freshest and most innovative salads were the main course definitely made waves in the restaurant scene and others in the region took notice. Brought to Jeddah by Eng. Mohamed Khawandanah, Salad Boutique is unique in that it is unlike any other restaurants and this is in no small part to its creators.
“The most important of the experience at Salad Boutique is that the customer feels special,”
said the vivacious Al-Kandrai. “Whether we’re in Kuwait or Saudi Arabia, what matters to us that our quality and our brand are consistent no matter where the customer is . We set high standards for every aspect of the boutique - the identity, the decor, the ingredients, the menu - everything. And the end result is that we absolutely love what we did.”
There is very little not to love about this quirky restaurant, which is sure to resonate with Jeddah food-lovers. Ladies who lunch will love the sophisticated atmosphere, the iPad menus, the customizable salads. Business lunchers will appreciate the high quality of service, the intimate atmosphere, and the stunning views.
The Ambience
Everything from the spotless kitchens, charmingly elegant dining area to the outdoor seating are beautifully designed. Ghadeer Khajah was responsible for every little aspect of the decor, right down to it’s packaging. “I wanted it to be intimate and elegant,” said the smiling Khajah. All kinds of diners will fall in love with the cushy purple velvet couches, the twinkling chandeliers, and the soft creams and rich woods of the seating area. Salad Boutique has the distinction of having one of the few truly unique and trendy atmospheres among other Jeddah eateries, thanks to Khajah’s signature style and small but significant touches to the elegant boutique.
The Cuisine
Another unique aspect of Salad Boutique is the manner in which the food is presented. Upon being seated, diners are handed the ever elegant iPads, which function as the menu, which is quite comprehensive. Said Al-Kandrai of the unique menu style: “I really think it’s a beautiful way to experience our beautiful menu at a very high quality standard.” Diners are invited to peruse the vast arrays of salads (divided into Green, Pasta, Chicken, Beef, and Seafood) in addition to other offerings such as delectable sounding risottos, and mini burgers and sandwiches. International cuisine is well represented - with one little twist. Customers also have the option of selecting a salad from the ‘Salad Boutique By Me’. This section is made up of salads specially created by Salad Boutique customers. When a customer comes up with a innovative salad, they are invited to submit their ideas and after the head chef approves the recipe, diners can enjoy the delicious creations of other customers. With names like ‘Arso by Maryam’ and ‘Lovable Rocca by MJ’, diners can’t help but be charmed by this new way to interact with their food.
The Verdict
Salad Boutique really does seem the next star of the Jeddah restaurant scene. Diners will enjoy feeling that every meal at the restaurant is truly an experience on its own and the wonderful menu and cozy atmosphere is sure to bring back all salad-lovers (and otherwise!) for a return visit.
Tel: +966-2-6515656
Location: Equestrian Club. Al Hamra Corniche
