Category: Gossip & Rumors

Back in November I posted about how Quiznos is coming back to Kuwait and that their first branch was going to open up in January. January came and went and I had completely forgotten to check if it had opened or not. Tonight though while walking in Salmiya I spotted their new branch but it still hadn’t opened yet. But it looks like its going to be opening up pretty soon.

Update: Forgot to mention the location is right behind Olympia Mall

Ok so maybe it’s not such a slow day after all. I just found out a few minutes ago that the UK giant supermarket chain Tesco is coming to Kuwait. Can you figure out who’s bringing them? If you guessed Alshaya then you’re right! No location or launch date set or at least my source isn’t aware of them as of now. Will post more information when I find out. Last time I posted about Tesco was back in 2007. I was in London and got to experience their self checkout machines which I thought were pretty cool. You could read about my experience [Here]

I just heard that there was a fire at Al Corniche Club. I am calling them to confirm but no one is picking up. Anyone have any information or pictures? [Contact Me]

Update: No one is still picking up but I found out it was a fire in the electricity room and it wasn’t that big but it temporary shutdown their electricity.

Update2: Found the picture below on twitter

Update3: Al Corniche sent out the following message to their members

Dear members we apologise to inform you that the Club is closed today due to a small fire damage. We hope to open tomorrow with limited facilities. Thank you for your cooperation!

Update4: The blog q8iblender has more pictures and information [Here]

Update5: I just heard from an Al Corniche employee that the fire wasn’t small with sections like the Men’s Spa being completely ruined.

I found out today that Hermès will be opening up their first store in Kuwait this September. The store is going to be huge and will be located at the Al Hamra Tower. I guess you should get your wish list ready come this fall…

Yesterday I was checking twitter when I read that Sylvester Stallone is going to be coming to Kuwait for the launch of Planet Hollywood. This sounded a bit déjà vu for me since back in December 2009 I posted the exact same thing but that it would open March 2010. That obviously never happened and now it seems they’re opening up this month on the 24th. If its true that Sylvester Stallone is going to be here then I really really REALLY need to meet him. First I need to get my picture taken with him for facebook, and secondly I need him to sign my Cobra DVD for me. Wish I had a Cobra poster for him to sign but I guess there is always time to order one online.

Awtar at Marina Mall got shot down by the ministry of trade and commerce which is I guess not a big deal with all the recent places that were shutdown at the free trade zone.

But one thing did grab my attention and that is the fact the closure sign says they were shut down due to cheating (if I translated it right). I wonder what they were caught doing…

Thanks Alain

Update: I got an email from the owners of Awtar explaining the reason behind the closure, turns out it’s just a technicality, here is what they had to say:

Hi mark,
Regarding your Awtar post i would like to clear it out if possible. since we as part owners were extremely surprised by the closing down of the restaurant (it will open up again any day now as soon as the paper work is done).

Turns out back in November the purchasing manager decided to purchase Sadia chicken (not kuwaiti) instead of the Kuwaiti chicken which was declared on the certificate for the ministry. A representative showed up and gave the restaurant a warning regarding this matter. Awtar took care of the issue and informed the purchaser to stick to the Kuwaiti brand of chicken as declared in the certificate. Management thought the issue was over. The right thing to do (we had to learn the hard way) was to not only switch back to the declared chicken but also go back and follow up with the ministry and get a representative to inspect this change again and clear the restaurant from any penalties. Because we didn’t do that the ministry acts only on paper work and based on their paper work Awtar didnt switch back (which is our fault we should have followed up with them) and in that case they had to shut down the store for cheating in the kind of chicken we use.
The lawyers are sorting it out i hope this was helpful

Thanks

A reader sent me an email saying that the baladia just shut down Cafe Supreme, Saso Lounge and Starbucks in the free trade zone. According to one of the restaurant managers they closed them down due to license issues. Supposedly Harbor Cafe was also closed down.

I hadn’t heard of Cookie Time until around 15 minutes ago. It seems they’re a very popular cookie chain from New Zealand who had previously held the record for the largest cookie in the world. According to an article I just read, it looks like they’re currently in negotiations to open up four stores here in Kuwait. Sounds good to me. [Link]

Just found out Alshaya are bringing IHOP to Kuwait. IHOP stands for International House of Pancakes and is an American breakfast chain. I don’t think they’re open anywhere outside of North America.

In non-food related news, Harvey Nichols will be opening their first store in Kuwait in Avenues Phase III. Originally Harvey Nichols said they were opening the store in the summer of 2011 but not sure if that’s still the case since I thought Phase III still needed more time then that to be completed.

Thanks damdy

This news hasn’t been confirmed yet but according to a reader and a contact at Alshaya, there are currently rumors circulating that Caribou Coffee (Alsayer) no longer have the rights to The Cheesecake Factory and that Alshaya are now looking to open the actual Cheesecake Factory restaurant (not just cheesecakes) and are shopping around for a location on the Gulf Road. Although its currently just a rumor it would make sense since Alshaya have been on a roll acquiring all these American chains recently (Bath & Body Works, Victorias Secret, Pottery Barn, PF Chang, Shake Shack etc..).

Speaking of Caribou Coffee, I got this in the email today which is related to [This] previous post:

Happy Thursday Kuwait! Free coffee, donuts & goodies for the first 1000 BlackBerry users today at Caribou Coffee. You can take advantage from 10am – 4pm at CBK and Al Raya AND between 4pm – 10pm at Avenues, 360, Salhiya and Al Kout. You’ll also have a chance to win a new BlackBerry, but make sure you get in early.

The beautiful new McLaren is currently being exhibited privately somewhere in Kuwait. The price starts at KD60,000 and goes up depending on the options. If anyone can get me an invite to check the car out please email me!

Update: Turns out the McLaren dealer will be Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company who are also the dealers for BMW, Land Rover and the Mini. The car is also currently being displayed in private at Marriott Al Raya. iLSuL6ana was lucky enough to get an invite!

Update2: Here is a video of the McLaren from todays event via iLSuL6ana

[YouTube]

Update3: And here is a picture taken by a reader

I was excited when I first found out Obika was opening and then even more excited when they did but for some reason I never ended up going there. I guess not many people did either since I heard they’re closing down. Too bad since it seemed like a healthy place to eat.

A reader emailed me asking if it’s true that if Kuwait wins in tonight’s game that tomorrow will be a day off. I hadn’t heard about this and was wondering if it’s true?

I just found out that Shake Shack is opening in Dubai in March while Kuwait still doesn’t have a launch date! This absolutely sucks. It’s the worst food related news I’ve heard this year even surpassing the mechanically separated chicken post.

Last month I posted about how Americana is bringing Red Lobster to Kuwait. Well I just found out the first location is scheduled to open up in April 2011. No word on when Oliver Garden will be opening up yet.