Mediterraneas

mediterraneans

mediterraneans

lunedì 4 agosto 2008

jeddah food article

http://www.jeddahfood.com/?p=107
http://www.jeddahfood.com/?p=70
http://www.jeddahfood.com/?p=50


venerdì 1 agosto 2008

il Villaggio restaurant & Lounges

June 3rd, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

Italian Restaurants in Jeddah


When you go out to eat with your family or colleagues, you want nice food, atmosphere & service, Il Villaggio Restaurant & Lounge have all these ingredients, this is the meaning of Italian food, concept and hospitality; friendly & courteous. Italian Mediterraneans food is healthy, reduces the risk of cancer and gives you a healthy lifestyle. Il Villaggio is one of my favourite Italian restaurants in Jeddah, Both the chef and pastry chef are Italian, and everything is cooked fresh. There is also a Gluten free menu which is a nice to see in Jeddah, try their Napoletana pizza for something really special.

Good business lunch prices, the sandwich and salads are also outstanding.

(8 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5, rated)
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Address: Al Andalus Street

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There Are 2 Responses So Far. »

Comment by criticfoodsydney on 9 July 2008:

I went there, and honestly the food was just perfect, i never ate such food before in saudi arabia, my mother is Italian, and i know traditional italian food, Il Villaggio I can say have ‘real traditional food’, something i think most people do not understand, American fast food or other italian amercian food cannot compare with il villaggio, i appreciate that in Jeddah we have a restaurant like this, and i wish it to continue as it is.
i spoke with the Pastry chef (italian) and he told me that people in this country still do not understand real italian food, but on the other hand he told me in italy does have a variety of Italian food, in Italy we have, Vincenzo say; 21 regions with different cultures and different foods, from north to south the food changes, south Italy is quite close to the Middle East.
Il villaggio introduced also the sorbetto, which was founded in an Arabic country, most people don’t know this.
i wish all the best for this restaurant and also i hope the jeddahfood.com writes more about this Restautant, and try to help the saudi people understand about food safety and healthy food. Thanks to you, for giving me the chance write in this web site, and good luck.


Comment by remingthonsteel on 10 July 2008:

oh, just see the place and eat there, try the food it’s the best!!!!!!!!!imposible to comment, it’s just perfect…



Tea Rose

from jeddahfood.com
June 2nd, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

Top 10
Tags: Cafe • cakes • morning • scones • Tea • views
TeaRose is an elegant ‘cafe’ just down from Chilis on Andalus. It is part of the El Vilagio complex. It serves English tea all day long with scones and cream and jam as well as decent coffee, although there is no Turkish coffee available (unlike at Caspars), a variety of paninis are on offer also as well as all sorts of cakes, sandwiches and petit fours. The sofas and chairs are upholstered in brightly coloured suedette which prevents the slipping and sliding to which the synthetic material of abayas and tobes are so prone. The vast windows of the octagonal room provide wonderful light and views of the bustle of Andalus, yet are so well double-glazed that no traffic noise penetrates. Well worth a visit, especially in the mornings when it is often empty.

(8 votes, average: 5 out of 5, rated)




Ozone

from www.jeddahfood.com

July 14th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under
I had lunch in Ozone today, at the Ill Villagio Complex on Palestine Street. The restaurant itself is for singles and as such is much smaller than the rest of the complex, and decorated in a more modern style than the others. A rather interesting selection of illuminated cones cover the ceiling and stainless steel lamps line the walls. Not really my choice of furnishing, but I wasn’t there for the decor…
What I did like was the smallish outdoor seating area at Ozone, surrounded with small potted hedges and furnished with wooden tables and chairs. ‘Mist’ spraying fans are provided to cool you in the heat of the summer (something others should seriously consider). It’s a nice idea but I’m not sure it works perfectly as the wind seemed to be blowing the spray away from where the fans were often being aimed.
The Food is Italian like all of Ill Villagio, and I was at a loss what to order, the Manager kindly came over to offer some suggestions. We ordered soup to start, one chicken and one beef and both were excellent. My friend had a taste for some mushroom risotto something that wasn’t on the menu but the chef kindly prepared it anyway. I ordered the Beef Lasagna for my main which was also very good but so large I unfortunately couldn’t manage to eat it all after my overly generous serving of soup. As such I had no room for dessert, although I will certainly return in the near future to sample some.
Throughout the meal the staff were very attentive, topping up drinks, and serving us small complimentary mini h’orderves from the menu which was a nice touch. The music worked quite well for the place and wasn’t too loud, i recall a bit of James Blunt and Amy Winehouse, which was a refreshing break from the norm of Jeddah.
A Large flatscreen TV was mounted on the wall if you were interested in watching the football games, and as we arrived there was some discussion of bringing in some sofas into the central area of Ozone which will probably appeal to the sports crowd.
The waiter was very helpful and even took me on a tour of the executive lounge which is on the floor above ozone, and has a large selection of cigars and shishas for visitors. This looks like a great place to grab a snack and a coffee (if you don’t mind the smoke).
I also passed through the rest of the complex and explored the veranda which looked out on Luigis (a typical elegant Italian restaurant), Tea Rose, and the Sea Food Restaurant.
A Mediterranean BBQ is held each evening from 7pm in the family section veranda and I will certainly make an effort to come back and try this out soon.
All in all excellent food, Ozone is probably great if you want a quiet bite with a friend, and I was very impressed with the food, although after seeing what else is on offer I think Luigis is next on my to do list…
(5 votes, average: 4.8 out of 5, rated)


Italian gastronomy at its best in Jeddah setting

JEDDAH - “Yes, I know what you think now … summer, isn’t it the same all over the world?,” this is the opening remarks of Joerg M. Wickihalder, general manager of Il Villaggio Restaurants & Lounges in Jeddah, while musing on summer holidays.
The kids finish school, having their exams, plans are being made on how to spend some quality time with your loved ones and all the families are eagerly looking forward to what is called all over the globe “the most joyful time of the year - summer holiday”.
And yes, I would agree but then there is something different to my eyes about summer in Jeddah. Maybe, you’re kind enough to listen to my experience as a foreigner, living in Jeddah for only two years.
I am well aware of the facts that a growing number of Saudi families is spending at least partially their summer holidays abroad but then again, having seen how many of them come to Jeddah to spend the summer here with all its attractions, the beach and of course the Jeddah Festival is really amazing.
Coming from Western Europe, it is no longer that usual for people like me to see, how families here in Saudi Arabia are eagerly looking forward to spend time together, regardless how big the family is.
The “WE” is program - in general activities chosen so that all family can participate.”
A connoisseur in Italian food himself, Wickihalder said “together with our team, we merely are here to make a small part of the holidays a little better, a little more relaxing a little more holidays.”
Our authentic & traditional Italian restaurant complex “Il Villaggio Restaurants & Lounges, Jeddah” is for many locals as well as tourists all year long “a little journey to Italy, without leaving Jeddah.”
Taking pride in what you’re doing is something extremely important not only for the hospitality industry but rather in each and everyone’s profession.
“Try it once, greet your customer or client with a friendly face, a smile, try to make him happy and you will experience the same. Moreover, it gives you energy.”
During these summer nights, Il Villaggio Restaurants & Lounges works overtime for additional ingredients to make the customers’ holidays a real worthy and relaxing summer break,
This early, Il Villaggio is already preparing for the holy month of Ramadan. – SG



Arab News

Nashwa Taher: Cashes in on early exposure
Hassna’a Mokhtar |





Nashwa Taher... claims being a member of the JCCI management board is her biggest achievement.



Early exposure to the world and the desire to follow her father’s steps earned Saudi businesswoman Nashwa Taher, 47, a leading position in the business community.
Today, she heads the Real Estate Hasco Company, is vice-chairman of Aal Taher Group, head of the Commercial Committee in the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and one of the two Saudi women to win elections to the JCCI board in 2005.
“When we were young, my father exposed my siblings and I to the world. We met so many people. We’ve been into different situations…and that broadened our horizons and helped us develop certain ideas, visions and aspirations,” said Taher.
When she was old enough to enroll into King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Taher knew exactly what she wanted to be. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and then studied three years of business administration in the US.
The Aal Taher Group of Companies — founded by Dr. Abdulhadi Taher in 1975 — and the Radwa Food Production encouraged Nashwa Taher to become part of this empire. Its activities involved high-tech maintenance, food processing, construction, hotels and property management.
“I got married when I was still a university student. After graduation and after I had my baby boy, my father got me involved in the business little by little. I joined the real estate company Hasco as an administrative assistant. I wanted to see how the real estate business works, how and where to invest, to know my father’s vision regarding different locations in the Kingdom until I became the chairperson of the board of directors,” said Taher.
Taher then joined forces with her husband and started the International Company for Food and Trade from scratch.
“There was a drop at one point in the company because of critical personal circumstances,” said Taher. “We overcame the situation, brought the company back to life and opened IL Villaggio Restaurants and Lounges in Jeddah — six Italian restaurants and one gourmet shop,” she added.
Taher started importing high-quality food products from Italy when she realized that “the Saudi market is full of American products.” She chose Italy specifically because Venice, she said, is unique for its taste and packaging. Also their products lack preservatives and food coloring, she added.
“The only preservatives Italians use is olive oil. It’s a natural product that even the Prophet (peace be upon him) ate and advised people to use…we attended many exhibitions in Italy and started importing coffee and olive oil,” said Taher.
Variety offered
IL Villaggio offers today a variety of 75 Italian natural and organic products.
“It wasn’t an easy project. We had to deal with the customs department and the port. Many decisions and people were constantly changing…it was endless. But that was the challenging part of the business. That one is always moving forward regardless of the difficulties or the hurdles,” said Taher.
Through her interactions with the governmental sectors, Taher was encouraged to play a bigger role in the JCCI.
“I worked with the chamber for long periods of time. I wished to play a bigger role, but the chances were limited. When we were given the opportunity, I gave it my best shot. Being a member of the JCCI management board is my biggest achievement,” she said.
Taher appreciates the faith and trust of her colleagues in the JCCI. They elected her as the head of the Commercial Committee two years in a row. The committee deals with the problems businessmen and businesswomen face with the customs, the port, the quality assurance laboratory, the labor office. “Nothing is easy. There are always problems. But we find solutions to these problems and present them to governmental bodies. We negotiate to make things easier for business owners,” said Taher.
Taher believes that it is no longer a luxury for a woman to work. Women are half of society. Only 13.5 percent of women work and 75 percent of them work in the educational field. “It’s a necessity for women to work and support their families financially. There are divorcees and widows who are in desperate need to work. Do we want them to beg for money? Why not make them effective members of society?” asked Taher. “Women should also be given the opportunity to serve their country the way men are given the chance.”
Lots of development
In the eyes of Taher, there has been a lot of development to the benefit of Saudi workingwoman. She said that there are large numbers of educated Saudi women for whom she wants to prepare a suitable working environment.
“I want them to work in suitable clean environments. I also want them to work hand in hand with Saudi men,” said Taher.
Despite her long list of duties, Taher emphasized the importance of taking one’s work seriously without forgetting one’s role as a mother and a wife. The secret is time management.
“I organize appointments and working hours a week earlier. I know what I’m supposed to do during the day and night. I never squeeze the schedule beyond my capacity. It’s all about time management. I know I have obligations to my family and relatives,” said Taher.
The support of her husband and son has also helped her in maintaining balance between her work and social life. She shares tasks with her husband and continuously talks to him about work related issues. For instance, Nashwa Taher and her husband meet with the IL Villaggio steering committee every week.
“We meet once a week. We talk to the general manager, the executive chief and the accountant. By the end of the month we have already made all decisions, closed all accounts and the budget is ready. My husband and I are constantly talking about work issues,” said Taher.
She believes that to become a successful businesswoman, women should have a commercial sense. They should also be aware of the business world and be constantly reading and researching about business related topics locally or internationally.
“It’s really important for a businesswoman to have the foresight to plan for the future. She must have a goal to attain in 10 years. She shouldn’t live day by day. There must be a future plan and a limited annual budget,” she said.
The presence of Nashwa Taher along with three other Saudi businesswomen in the JCCI management board, which is the only chamber to have women in the Kingdom, has made a huge difference.
“It has proved Saudi woman’s existence in all JCCI departments and committees as an inseparable part of the Saudi community,” said Taher. “Men and women have different visions and views, so together they make comprehensive and efficient decisions.”