Diwan Kitchen brings Saudi soul to North London

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Updated 08 May 2025
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Diwan Kitchen brings Saudi soul to North London

Diwan Kitchen brings Saudi soul to North London
  • The UK capital’s latest Saudi restaurant drew the crowds for its opening night

LONDON: North London just got a little warmer. On May 1, at 510 Holloway Rd, the heart of the Kingdom found a new home in the UK capital. With oud music drifting through the air and the scent of spiced lamb and simmering wheat pulling people in from the street, Diwan Kitchen opened its doors to the public.

The new Saudi restaurant isn't just serving food. It’s telling stories.

The interiors are a soft, glowing tribute to the Kingdom’s past. From carved wood panels evoking the mudbrick homes of Najd, to vibrant fabrics and lanterns echoing the coastal souqs of Hijaz, every corner of Diwan Kitchen feels like a page from a living history book.




Guests on the restaurant's opening night. (AN Photo)

Those traditional mudbrick homes of Najd, designed to keep cool in scorching summers and warm in desert winters, weren’t just shelters; they were social spaces, built around courtyards, where family, memory, and hospitality were the foundation of daily life.

“We wanted to show people what traditional Saudi dining is like” Adem Nasraddin, co-founder of the restaurant, told Arab News. “There’s a rhythm to Saudi life. A scent, a pace, a flavor. We bottled that feeling and served it on a plate.”

And what a plate it is. The tasting menu is a culinary journey across the Kingdom. You can start in Hijaz, with motabag — pan-fried pastries that are light and crisp and deeply comforting. Whether filled with spiced vegetables, gooey cheese, or minced beef, each bite transports you to a Jeddah street corner at sunset.

There’s foul medammas, a creamy mash of fava beans seasoned the Hijazi way: with garlic, lemon, and cumin. And tamees bread; hot and soft, made for tearing and sharing — just as it should be.




The restaurant serves authentic Saudi cuisine. (AN Photo)

The main courses venture into the windswept heartlands of Najd, with jareesh, a dish made from crushed wheat, simmered with tomatoes and onion, that tastes like something a Bedouin grandmother would proudly serve you under an open sky. Alongside it is marqooq, a rich, flat-dough stew that has nourished generations through long desert nights.

Of course, no Saudi table would be complete without rice. Diners can choose between kabsa — the fragrant national treasure of the central regions — and mandi, with its delicate smoke, hailing from the misty mountains of Asir and the southern valleys.

Then comes saleeg, a creamy rice dish from Taif, cooked in milk and broth and topped with tender chicken. It's the kind of meal that slows you down, insisting you stay a little longer.

“My experience has been that it’s completely authentic,” one Saudi guest, Fahad Habib, told Arab News. “It feels like I’m back home.”

Beyond the menu, Diwan Kitchen is a space built on memory and modernity. Saudi music played at the launch, and as guests chatted over cardamom coffee and dates, the atmosphere was part-family gathering, part-culinary pilgrimage.

The opening night drew a mixed crowd — Saudis living in London, curious neighbors from Holloway Road, and food lovers eager to explore a cuisine that’s still underrepresented in the UK. For many, it was more than just a meal; it was a chance to connect with a culture through flavor, memory, and setting.


Hungary bans Kneecap from performing at Sziget festival

Hungary bans Kneecap from performing at Sziget festival
Updated 24 July 2025
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Hungary bans Kneecap from performing at Sziget festival

Hungary bans Kneecap from performing at Sziget festival

BUDAPEST: The Hungarian government on Thursday barred provocative Irish rap group Kneecap from entering the country for three years and performing at the upcoming Sziget festival, accusing the band of "antisemitic hate speech".

The Belfast group has made headlines in recent months after it sharply criticised Israel and its military campaign against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

Known for their confrontational style and Irish nationalist messaging, the band has denied supporting violence or banned groups. But their anti-Israel comments on stage at the Glastonbury Festival in June drew global condemnation. While Kneecap has denied any terrorism connection, singer Liam O'Hanna, known by his stage name Mo Chara, has been charged with a "terror" offence over alleged support for Hamas and Hezbollah in connection with a performance last year. He is due to appear in a London court in August.

The rappers have been taken off the bill for festivals in Scotland and Germany this year because of the controversy. However, they are scheduled to appear at France's Rock en Seine on August 24.

"Hungary's government has moved to ban @KneecapCEOL from entering the country and performing at @szigetofficial -- citing antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah as justification," government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs wrote on X.

"Granting them a stage normalizes hate and terror, and puts democratic values on the line," Kovacs wrote, citing Hungary's "duty to protect" its Jewish community.

The travel ban can be challenged within 30 days.

Kneecap was scheduled to perform on August 11 at the Sziget festival in Budapest, which ranks among Europe's largest outdoor music bonanzas, drawing about 400,000 people each year.

Kneecap did not immediately respond to a request for comment by AFP.

Almost 300 Hungarian artists, including Oscar-winning film director Laszlo Nemes, joined a petition protesting the trio's planned Sziget performance.

Facing growing pressure, festival organiser Tamas Kadar said there was no "good answer" to the issue.

"We do not tolerate hate speech in any form -- and that includes antisemitism," but "we remain committed to the spirit of free expression" and "will not act as censors", Kadar wrote in an op-ed published last week by a Hungarian newspaper.

Hungary is one of Israel's closest allies in the European Union, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban directing police to ban pro-Palestinian rallies following Hamas attack against Israel on October 7, 2023.


The best movies of the year so far 

The best movies of the year so far 
Updated 24 July 2025
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The best movies of the year so far 

The best movies of the year so far 
  • From awesome animation to devastating documentary, here are our top films of 2025 to date 

DUBAI: From awesome animation to devastating documentary, here are our top films of 2025 to date.

‘A Complete Unknown’ 

Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro 

Director: James Mangold 

Chalamet gained deserved plaudits for his portrayal of arguably the greatest singer-songwriter in the history of modern Western music, Bob Dylan, in Mangold’s biopic — and he does a fine job, capturing the star’s fragile ego and magnetic charisma. But the true star of “A Complete Unknown” may be Barbaro as Dylan’s fellow folk-music star Joan Baez, she embodies Baez’s fiery nature, intelligence and talent brilliantly. Mangold navigates the many myths (often self-generated) surrounding Dylan to create an utterly convincing look at his early career, up to the infamous furor created when he turned his back on folk purism by using electric instruments. Biopics of musicians have a checkered past, but “A Complete Unknown” is definitely one of the good ones. 

 

‘Ocean with David Attenborough’ 

Directors: Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey, Colin Butfield 

Starring: David Attenborough 

Perhaps the year’s most vital movie so far is a documentary fronted by a 99-year-old. In “Ocean,” the venerable English biologist and broadcaster presents a gorgeously shot, awe-inspiring and immersive film that examines the damage done in the depths of Earth’s oceans by the thousands of super-sized fishing trawlers operating around our planet constantly. With his trademark authority and passion, Attenborough lays out just what is at risk if they continue their destruction. But crucially, he also offers hope: the oceans, scientists have discovered, can recover at remarkable rates. “As nature documentaries go, it’s hard to imagine “Ocean” being bettered,” our reviewer wrote. 

 

‘Flow’ 

Director: Gints Zilbalodis 

Writers/producers: Gints Zilbalodis, Matiss Kaza 

Quite how a film with no dialogue manages to be so engaging, thought-provoking and moving is a mystery. But this Latvian animation about a black cat struggling to survive alongside a small group of other animals in a post-apocalyptic world in which water levels are rising dramatically is all of that and much more. It’s a slow-burner, meditative at points, but with moments of great peril and small heroics. From the beautifully rendered landscapes to the astonishing attention to small details in the animals’ movements, noises and behavior, “Flow” is clearly a labor of love, and deservedly picked up Best Animated Feature at both the Oscars and the Golden Globes.  

 

‘The Phoenician Scheme’ 

Starring: Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed 

Director: Wes Anderson 

This 1950s-set story of an arms dealer whose near-death experience leads him to try and fix his relationship with his estranged daughter, a nun, is not the best Wes Anderson movie, but it’s still a Wes Anderson movie, and so delivers typically stunning cinematography, great (and heavily stylized) performances from a stellar ensemble cast (including those mentioned above plus Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Willem Dafoe, Bill Murray, and many more), plenty of dark humor, and a singular world view. If only every director’s “not their best” work could match up. 

 

‘Black Bag’ 

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Marisa Abela 

Director: Steven Soderbergh 

The conceit at the heart of “Black Bag” — a husband-wife spy duo — is nothing new; nor is its ‘twist’ of one being assigned to investigate the other when they are suspected of being a traitor. But with Soderbergh at the helm, and actors as accomplished as Blanchett and Fassbender as the leads, this super-stylish thriller sets itself apart. Fassbender plays British intelligence officer George Woodhouse, whose wife Kathryn (Blanchett) is just one of five people suspected of leaking some top-secret software, but she quickly climbs to the top of that list when George discovers her secret Swiss bank account. 

 

‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ 

Voice cast: Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel, Reece Shearsmith 

Directors: Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham 

There is so much to admire about Aardman Animations’ sixth installment in this action-comedy series about a provincial English inventor and his long-suffering dog. Not least that it proves to certain film studios (hey Marvel) that it’s still possible to tell an entertaining yarn in 90 minutes or less. With Aardman’s usual jaw-dropping stop-motion skills providing the arresting visuals, and Park and co-writer Mark Burton’s knack for creating storylines that produce giggles and feels for all ages as strong as ever, this was a very welcome return for our two unlikely heroes and their arch enemy Feathers McGraw, out to frame Wallace in revenge for his imprisonment back in 1993’s “The Wrong Trousers.” 

 

‘Sinners’ 

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Canton 

Director: Ryan Coogler 

One of the most entertaining vampire films we’ve seen for a while. Jordan is excellent in dual roles as Elijah and Elias Smoke — twin brothers returning to their hometown and trying to outrun their criminal past. Set in the Mississippi Delta in 1932, it’s partially inspired by the legend of the blues musician Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil. The blues plays a major role in the movie too (with some not-so-subtle digs at the fact that some of the blues’ biggest fans would also likely be adversaries of the Black musicians making it), as the twins’ cousin Sammie is a hugely talented musician. The brothers set up their own juke joint, at which Sammie’s the resident star. Then the joint becomes a target for undead forces of evil. “Sinners” is brash, bold, and a lot of fun. 


Review: A luxurious Riyadh staycation at the Mansard Hotel 

Review: A luxurious Riyadh staycation at the Mansard Hotel 
Updated 24 July 2025
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Review: A luxurious Riyadh staycation at the Mansard Hotel 

Review: A luxurious Riyadh staycation at the Mansard Hotel 
  • Radisson Collection property offers a relaxing, indulgent experience for guests 

RIYADH: The Mansard Hotel in Riyadh has established itself as a top choice among those looking for a luxury staycation in the Kingdom’s capital. This exquisite establishment offers a plethora of facilities, including a top-tier restaurant and a renowned spa by L’Occitane that promises a rejuvenating experience catering to both relaxation and indulgence.  

The Mansard is a Radisson Collection Hotel and was recently nominated for the Favorite Luxury Hotel in Riyadh award by What’s On Saudi Arabia. The hotel marries classic European architecture with the warmth of Arabian hospitality, and its location in the heart of the city — in the vibrant Hittin neighborhood — ensures convenient access to key destinations including King Khalid International Airport and the King Abdullah Financial District.  

In Hittin, guests can explore an array of trendy shops and cafés, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in local culture. However, you could also simply remain in the hotel; it really does have everything you need — the inviting outdoor spaces and stunning European architecture created a serene atmosphere that enhanced our experience — including some great dining options.  

We began our culinary journey at L’Ami Dave, billed as “a contemporary homage to the legendary restaurants of Paris.” The grand interior features high ceilings and lush textures that give the place an elegant old-world atmosphere.  

We indulged in escargots de Bourgogne, a classic French dish of snails prepared in garlic-herb butter, which was delightful. The green salad of baby romaine lettuce, fine herbs, and Dijon vinaigrette complemented the dish perfectly. The quiche Lorraine, filled with spinach, shallots, and bacon, was another standout, paired beautifully with a petite spinach salad.   

We also dined at Carbone — an Italian-American restaurant known for its vibrant atmosphere. We tried the octopus pizzaiolo, which was flavorful and well-prepared. The New York strip was also well executed, though the carpaccio could have benefited from additional arugula.  

Unfortunately, the Dover sole fish was a disappointment, lacking the seasoning and flavor that one would expect from a fine-dining establishment. And despite its reputation, the most famous pasta dish was mediocre, with a presentation that left much to be desired.   

On a positive note, Carbone’s Wagyu NY strip was satisfying, and we enjoyed a refreshing lemon cheesecake for dessert — a perfect way to conclude our meal.    

Breakfast the following morning at Sadelle’s was another success. I savored the avocado Benedict on sourdough, as well as the fluffy Belgian waffles, all of which was delicious and set a positive tone for the day.  

No stay at Mansard would be complete without a visit to the Spa by L’Occitane. It features a massive heated pool, where we enjoyed a refreshing dip, followed by the jacuzzi, which proved a perfect way to unwind. We were particularly enamored with the salt room, designed to “cleanse negative energy.” I also treated myself to a Moroccan bath, a deeply relaxing experience.  

The Mansard offers a luxurious escape that combines modern amenities with traditional charm. From the exceptional dining experiences to the relaxing spa treatments, every aspect of the stay was designed for our comfort and indulgence. I left feeling refreshed and keen to return, convinced that this hotel really does provide a perfect staycation. If you’re searching for a place to unwind and enjoy the best that Riyadh has to offer, look no further.  


Where We Are Going Today: Amazonia Nursery Farm

Where We Are Going Today: Amazonia Nursery Farm
Updated 24 July 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: Amazonia Nursery Farm

Where We Are Going Today: Amazonia Nursery Farm

RIYADH:  A few kilometers outside the Kingdom’s capital, between the hills of Al-Amaaria village, one can explore and learn about various plants while spending time with loved ones at Amazonia Nursery Farm.

Plant lovers can explore and shop a variety of herbal plants, vegetables, fruits and flowers, including roses and Japanese houseplants. 

Several seating areas are available where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and pastries.

Along with a coffee house nearby, there is a bakery that serves Lebanese pastries such as manakish and stuffed flatbread, as well as other options such as burgers and fried items.

During my visit with my family, I liked how the place was spacious and relaxing. The food options were also not bad or too oily.

There is a coffee house in the middle of the farm that also provides an ice cream corner and unique house plants, including Japanese indoor plants. (AN photo by Haifa Alshammari)

However, although Amazonia Nursery Farm is a family-friendly location, it might not be ideal for larger groups.

We cut our visit short because the seating area was not the best; we couldn’t find a suitable table except for one, especially since there were elderly people in the group, and it was difficult for them to sit on the ground for too long.

Another disadvantage was that the food took from 15 to 20 minutes to prepare so we had to wait a while for our order.

Regardless, the place is worth a visit at least once, and is suitable for families with children who enjoy nature and a good overall atmosphere.

It opens daily from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m.

 


Amira Al-Zuhair highlights summer campaigns

Amira Al-Zuhair highlights summer campaigns
Updated 23 July 2025
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Amira Al-Zuhair highlights summer campaigns

Amira Al-Zuhair highlights summer campaigns

DUBAI: Saudi French model Amira Al-Zuhair is having a whirlwind summer, having recently walked the runway at Paris Men’s Fashion Week, and taking to Instagram this week to share behind-the-scenes photos from a social media campaign for Oscar de la Renta.

In one image, she puts on jewelry while wearing a look from the luxury brand’s Fall 2025 collection. The black velvet gown featured elegantly placed clusters of crystals on the bodice.

Days before sharing the photo, she took part in Italian brand Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda show in Rome, wearing a golden bustier.

In June, Al-Zuhair hit the runway at the AWGE show as a part of Paris Men’s Fashion Week.

The model showed off an ensemble featuring a trench coat  layered over a white vest and tartan-style miniskirt by A$AP Rocky’s label.

Earlier last month, birthday tributes poured in for the model as she celebrated her 24th birthday.

From producer Kawther Alrimawi to lifestyle publication Hia Magazine, fashion and entertainment industry insiders took to social media to wish the star a happy birthday.

The model wrapped up shooting a campaign for an unnamed brand in Milan when the clock struck midnight. She marked the beginning of her birthday with a candle-topped dessert at a restaurant in the Italian city.

Al-Zuhair, born in Paris to a French mother and Saudi father, has made her mark on the fashion world and appeared on the runway for an array of renowned fashion houses.

She has walked for Missoni, Maison Alaia, Brunello Cucinelli, Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Giambattista Valli, Giorgio Armani, Elie Saab and many more.

In addition to her runway appearances, Al-Zuhair has featured in campaigns for high-profile brands including Prada, Chanel and Carolina Herrera.

Al-Zuhair also made a runway appearance in May when she walked in Louis Vuitton’s high jewelry collection show, held at Bellver Castle on the island of Majorca, Spain.

In late May, Al-Zuhair also reflected on her recent campaign with Balmain, sharing photos from the Resort 2025 collection shoot. “Had so much fun shooting inside the Eiffel Tower herself!” she wrote in the caption.

It was not Al-Zuhair’s first collaboration with Balmain. She previously walked for the brand during Paris Fashion Week in September.