GO TO http://ansam518.com/

Keep checking every now and then for new questions… I have prepared quite a few and I wish you all good luck Lets give a shout out to all of my AMAZING sponsors – I felt loved and overjoyed -

Here they are in alphabetical order

Bayan Dental – Facebook – @bayandentalkw – Tel:  23824000

The Burger Hub – Facebook - @TheBurgerHub – Tel: 22464818

Chocolate & Macaroon – Facebook - Tel: 22997919 / 22597504 / 60062669

Dolce Antico – Tel: 22650828

Enjoy! Restaurant – Facebook - Tel: 25737573 / 25739573

F2o - Faceboook - @F2oDesigns  – Tel: 97866522

Gelato Italiano – Facebook – Tel: 22434434

KARKOOSHA – Facebook – @KARKOOSHA – Tel: 22251110

Klue – Facebook - @Kluekuwait- Tel: 99982286

KWTMobile – Contact - @Kwtmobile

Lamercato – Facebook

Lofat - Facebook - @LofatGroup – Tel: 22250666

Little Treats – Facebook - Tel: 25757292

M’earmisha - Tel: 99189890

The Manhattan – Facebook - @TheManhattan – Tel: 99573363

Nail It – Facebook - @nailitspa – Tel: 22658869

Napket – Facebook – @napketKW – Tel: 22597754

Oleana Boutique – Facebook – @Oleana - Tel: 60606707

PANACHEOUS - Facebook - @panacheous – Tel: 97745583

Pizzetta – Facebook - @Pizzetta_ – Tel: 22458292 (Seif) / 22253310 (Spoons)

The Powder Room Salon – Facebook – @ThePowder_Room - Tel: 22649646

SAMSUNG ALBABTAIN – @babtaincsp - Tel: 22498135 – 22445341 – 22430761

Taw9eel – Facebook – @Taw9eel – Tel: 1821010

TONI & GUY AlCorniche – Facebook - @TONIGUYkuwait  - Tel: 25663286 – 66178889

Victus Food – Facebook - @VictusFood – Tel: 180404

WALESS Carwash, Detailing, & Expert Cleaners – Facebook – @Walesskw – Tel: 90010110

Zero Degrees – Facebook - @ZDyogurt – Tel: 55540404

*You can use this is background if you like *

Later today, I will be announcing all my sponsors, my very generous sponsors

For now I will leave you with the rules and regulations!

1. First and most importantly, you have to be a resident of the State of Kuwait.
2. I will be asking different questions without announcing the time of each question! It will be just random and easy questions that can -mostly- be navigated through my blog or by things you know about me or stuff I talked about on facebook (link) and Twitter @Ansam518
3. Each participant can win ONE prize only. This means if you win a prize you cannot win another… its all about luck! There are different prizes but you can only win ONE per person
4. First correct answer will get the prize. If the question (sponsor) has more than one gift, then the second prize will go to the second correct answer and so on
5. When you answer the question you are to leave your real email address, that way when I contact you for the prize I can reach the right person.
6. When contacted by email, provide me with your full name, address, and phone number – yes, we will be keeping a track of winners and their contact details to deliver the prizes – you have to respond within 48 hrs otherwise, you will be dismissed
7. Your real name will be posted on my blog along with the prize you won
8. Answers on my Twitter account wont be accepted – even if correct – You have to leave your answer as a comment on my blog post
9. Family… sorry, I cannot let you participate I know you understand
10. Same goes to you my sponsors, and your immediate family members, you are not eligible to win prizes of related sponsor questions…
11. If you fail to follow those guidelines then the prize will go to the second runner up

MUST leave your phone number with the comment left – I wont publish it, its just easier for me to get a hold of you  

REMEMBER TO RESPOND WITHIN 48 HRS – otherwise you will be dismissed

Until then, I wish you all good luck  

My aunt sent us Girs Egaili (قرص عقيلي) the other day – a traditional Kuwaiti cake… It was the trigger to prepare such breakfast actually, what goes well with it… and I went from there So I added Darabeel (درابيل) or what I call, Kuwaiti dry cinnamon rolls and I sliced a multi-grain French bread….

Darabeel goes well with hot milk and tea – Lipton Chai Latte to the rescue I said I “PREPARED” breakfast, I did not say “COOKED”

And I went creative with the bread spreads; honey, peanut butter, thick cream (قيمر), and three kinds of jam flavors I got from a friend from India (strawberry, orange, and chili)

I was setting everything on the table and taking pictures… our housekeepers are pretty used to me doing so by now LOL

It was simple -almost- effortless breakfast, yet we enjoyed it so much Now what would I cook/prepare for breakfast today?

I went with my sister Anfal at around 7:00PM! Yes, I picked a time where I can have the freedom of taking pictures.. the place was kind of empty, but was getting more crowded by the time we left, so good

As we got seated… the staff were expecting us, and one by one came by to wish me an early birthday -how sweet

The menu was set for us… I thought we were gonna have the burger, try it and leave! BOY I WAS WRONG

They started us off with SO MANY appetizers.. I begged them for smaller portions, but they assured me even if I dont finish, the food inshallah wont go to waste

Here is bullet potatoes and breaded sweet corns! Loved both and they went very well with their unique guacamole, it was kinda spiced!

Potato Balls – crispy on the outside and soft and mushy and yummy inside

Hotdog and Cheese sambosa! It was okay, I did not like that one much

Something was off with the hotdog… and it was a bit heavy for my taste

Stuffed mushrooms… I tried it one bite breaded, and another without the breadcrumbs I think I liked it more minus the crumbs!

As you can clearly see… each dish came hand-in-hand with its special sauce!

Cheese balls… liked’em They are also crispy out with warm melted cheese inside

It was really good and I was enjoying it but I really had one bite of each because I wanted to save room for my burger! This is another dish that I would order as a main course… veal strips with almond shavings! I had one bite, and one bite only! It was tender and I loved the almond addition to it!

I was talking to the Chef… I told him how much I love beetroot and he quickly, without me asking, prepared beetroot chips! They tasted kinda different than I expected, I liked them… Anfal didnt! So I munched on a couple

Still… it wasn’t what I was looking for to go with my Swiss Mushroom burger!

And there it was… with some minor modifications and suggestion, almost a classic Swiss Mushroom burger the “ANSAM BURGER”

As I was talking to the chef, we decided to make a coleslaw salad with thin shreds of beetroot, I called it The Beetslow Salad

That is what I was looking for! Nice side salad to go with my burger Love the name, Beetslaw

We were full… the chef was like I wont take no for an answer, this is an early birthday for me and he wanted to treat me to a homestyle kinda of brownie… they call it the Blondie Brownie

It was delish! I was full, yet I had few bites!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the whole team of Burger Hub I really had a wonderful night with your super sweet and super friendly staff and chef! My sister and I had a feast Thanks again

Ansam Burger will be launched TOMORROW on May 18th

The Burger Hub (link)

Facebook (link)

Twitter @TheBurgerHub 

Tel: 22464818

UPDATE:

Check out 360Dewan’s review here

Kuwait Textile Arts Association (KTAA), Under the auspices of Al-Sadu House , Patron Sheikha Altaf Al-Sabah, Cordially invite you to the Opening Reception for The Annual Textile Arts Exhibition - A showcase of our member’s creativity, completed over the past year.

Wednesday 18 May
7:00 – 9:00PM

Majeeb Al Dosori Hall, Mishrief – Block 4 (Co-operative Area)

The exhibition continues daily until Saturday, 21 May 2011

Opening Hours: 10:00am – 1:00 pm & 5:00pm – 9:00 pm

For more information Tel: 99368147 , e-mail: wovenpieces@yahoo.com
Event on Facebook (link)

Anyways… I passed by a restaurant called Naranj, which translates to (نارنج) – some sort of orange specie -bitter one- in Syria.

I entered the restaurants, it was still day time… I looked into their menu and took a couple of pictures

I know the place is kind of newly opened in Kuwait, so I really wanted to try this one in Syria and then the one in Kuwait so I can compare the two.. I marked it as a must visit at a later time when my other sisters and nephew join in from Kuwait

A couple of days later, after their arrival, we passed by again… this time to have lunch

While browsing the menus, we were given raw almonds on ice with spiced bread triangles and two dipping sauces; a spicy one and an olive one! LOVED the almonds

The place was crowded! I loved the atmosphere and the classical fountain (بحرة) in the middle that you find in almost all Syrian restaurants. The colors chosen are very calm and relaxing…. the high ceiling gave it a spacious feeling although it was very crowded

It was very inviting…. and the staff were very welcoming and full of smiles! They helped us with the menu, suggesting items and talking to us in general!

We did the usual when in Lebanese and Syrian restaurants… Focus on the appetizers and get a couple of main courses to share!

This one is called Yalanji (يالنجي)… Stuffed vine leaves, which I did not like

Fattouch Salad (فتوش)- Superb! Loved everything about it, the fresh veggies, the dressing, the crispy bread…. it was perfect

Garlic mashed potatoes… I did not like nor hate that dish! It was just okay I guess, nothing special about it! I would of loved it more if the mashed potatoes were creamier in texture maybe!!

Raw meat with spices and walnuts (لحمة نية)… it was different than the ones I am used to, nevertheless I did not mind the experience. It taste really well if you scoop in a bit of everything on the plate in one bite

Those Cheese Arayes were FABULOUS (عرايس بالجبنة) – forgot what they’re called – yes, they have a special name!!! I loved everything about them! I’m craving some right now as I’m typing this post! Its like an Arabian style cheeseburger LOL!!

Chicken Liver (سودة) with pomegranate molases! Amazing! Loved the dish as a whole! The tangy sauce was made really well

And my favorite dish at the restaurant was Fattet Dawoud Pasha (فتة داود باشا)! I have never tried anything like it! It is basically the classical Dawoud Pasha, which is meatballs cooked in tomato sauce… only this dish is with Fatteh; which is pieces of flat Arabic bread and yogurt based sauce! Delicious!

And a dish of mixed grills (مشاوي)… L0ved the kebabs the most! They seem to make good grill kebabs in all Syrian restaurants

The bread serving was a bit slow, but it was fresh out of the oven and the smell of it was such a tease! Oh how I wish I dined there more than once and how I am praying that the branch in Kuwait is as good as the one in Syria *sigh*

When we asked for the check, they brought in a BIG tray of Arabic sweets and another tray of fresh fruit – complimentary

And here is my nephew, well… his hands! He wanted to be in the picture

And another one without his hands

All in all, this was one of the best restaurants in Damascus! I loved their food and their service and I highly recommend the place

Let me see if I can describe the location… for that I was almost on my feet the whole time while in Syria…. when you enter Med’hat Pasha St. (شارع مدحت باشا) keep going straight, the street name will change to Straight St. (شارع المستقيم). When you reach The Roman Arch turn left and Naranj will be to the left side

This is their exact address and contact details

Straight Street, Damascus, Syria. Tel # +963 11 541 3444

After all those dusty days and sand storms, who does not need a professional car wash? Right? And whats better than doing it the “green” way! Well, a couple of weeks ago my friend was telling me about this new waterless car wash service (+ detailing +protection) called WALESS. She arranged for it and I got a call from the owners about it… they wanted to treat me for an early birthday gift I guess

Yesterday, two gentlemen came in a mini van for my waterless carwash and detailing

They are eco-friendly company, they use high-end products to clean cars without the need of water… a sight I hate seeing, specially when I pass by some houses early in the morning and see water wasted badly!

The staff/cleaners were friendly, I kind of checked on many things and asked them to concentrate on some areas! Like for example my car doors! When we get in and out we tend to brush our shoes against’em and make’em look dirty – here is a before and after picture

My engine! LOL – check that one out!!!

And my one day old stain – FROZEN YOGURT of course I tried to clean it but it wont just work, so I was blessed to have them booked a day later to clean it.. Voila

And some spots too! Nicely done WALESS

Clean tires and rims too!

And mini tissue box + flyers + loyalty card…. and a very clean car

What I liked?

• They were prompt and on time! I called the management 15 mins prior to my scheduled time, and they told me not to worry… I was concerned about the dust! Oh and the management have tracking system! They told me where the car was at exactly at the time when I called
• I did have the car wash, which I LOVED! I wonder how the car detailing will be
• My car is black… which is something really unfavorable for carwashing companies LOL! It did not seem to be a problem with Waless!
• I like the fact that they are going green and saving water
• The staff were friendly, not very talkative, and patient
• I got two email messages (automated) one informing me of the start time, and another of the end time!
• The fact that they have loyalty card

What I didn’t like?

Well… are you kidding me? Whats not to like? I highly recommend this company! Anything for the environment Right?

WALESS Waterless Carwash, Detailing & Cleaning Experts (link)

Facebook (link)

Twitter @Walesskw 

Tel: 90010110

A day or two after I posted about Lazurd on my blog, I came home to find this goody bag waiting for me from Lazurd

Inside of which were three boxes of different flavors of Macarres! I guess they know how much I liked them

Whats so special about them? They are chewier than macaroons and all of their flavor contains a hint of za’atar – which, to me, made it so special and so different

My two favorite flavors are rose and saffron <3

Thank you Lazurd – so so so much I considered it an early birthday gift – very much appreciated <3

I remember I read about it on the Internet… there is (still to-date) a “Hakawati” (حكواتي) storyteller that comes to this coffee shop at night named Abu Shady (أبو شادي)! I was determined to pass by the cafe during my stay!

I came at different times and asked the staff… they informed me that he comes around 5:00-5:30PM

The cafe is located behind theeastern wall of Umayyad Mosque right there at the steps in a very cluttered and busy street.

The cafe offers both; outside and inside seating areas… however, if you wanna catch the Hakawati you have to make sure to get a seat inside because that where he tells his stories… the cafe is decorated in a way that the wall is covered by paintings and art pieces! Some framed newspaper articles… including Abu Shady’s picture

I went ahead with my sister Mimmi and we both ordered tea with mint and waited for him

When Abu Shady entered the cafe, we saw the staff pointing at our table and talking to him… they must have told him that I came on different times and several occasions asking about him LOL… and guess what? He approached us! An old man with grey hair… in his tarbouche and shirwal… a loose fitted vest! He smiled and said hello, then he asked us if he can join us for a cup of tea before he starts – we welcomed him of course

A very nice old man with lots of things to talk about – he smokes a lot too – He talked to us about his different activities, his daily routine, his life, his job as a Hakawati, and also about his daughter who lives in Kuwait with her husband

He then goes to his stage… he climbs up there, rubbing his head and looking in his story/book for the page to start!

He then hits the ground with his stick very hard that everyone turns to him to start his story! He told us the story is like never ending and that we have to come daily to know the story line… he was telling -at the time- the story of AlMalik AlThahir (الملك الظاهر)

The cafe was full of people… and I am telling you, not all of them were Arabs! I saw Persians and Americans, but they did not seem to worry about the language to understand what he was talking about! Okay okay…. he throws a word of different language or say an expression here and there, but still everyone was listening to him and seemed to be enjoying their time

He would stop every now and then to take a sip from his tea cup, or just to scream a word out loud after a moment of silence… or uses his stick to hit the ground! He is hilarious! I LOVED him!

As the place was getting crowded, staff would bring in chairs and place them at any empty space! We kinda shared our table towards the end with two young American ladies!

His expressions, his winks, his charisma…. people were just laughing and having a great time! I really highly recommend you make a stop at this cafe when you get the chance to visit Damascus – Syria!