Category: Gossip & Rumors

I got an email from a tipster (which was confirmed by another source of mine) telling me that Alshaya have acquired two new food chains to bring into Kuwait. The first chain is called Potbelly Sandwich Works which sells submarine sandwiches similar in style to Subway except supposedly better. The second chain is called Texas Roadhouse which specializes in steaks and has a western theme. I hadn’t heard of these two places until a few moments ago but I guess most of you will be glad the two chains are not burger joints. On the other hand I am still trying to find out some kind of information regarding the status of Shake Shack.

I was also told by another source that Pinkberry will not be opening in the Casamaroc location at Avenues like I had previously mentioned since the owner has refused to sell the place. But, they will still be opening a second branch of Pinkberry in that area.

I found out Gucci recently closed down their store at Villa Moda. What I heard is that Gucci is now back with Sheikh Majed who is relaunching them at 360 Mall. Sheikh Majed founded Villa Moda back in 1992 which became so successful that it was taken over by Dubai around 2 years ago. Sheikh Majed was then outed from Villa Moda or he left not sure but in any case it seems he’s now taken hold of the Gucci brand.

I also heard Prada will be leaving Villa Moda and heading with Chalhoub Group who currently have Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Nina Ricci.

I just found out Pinkberry will be opening two new locations. They’re opening a second smaller location in Avenues in place were CasaMaroc is, near Pottery Barn Kids. This should help reduce the long lines at their main location opposite Dean & Deluca. The second location is going to make Nat happy since it’s near our house. They’re opening a new location in Marina Mall, in place of the recently closed down Waterlemon branch. That should turn out to be a pretty big location.

Personally, I’m still waiting till they introduce biscuit cones.

Remember my post on the Embassy of Sound party? Well I found another video of another one of their parties. A DJ that came to Kuwait filmed his stay here and then posted the video on YouTube for all of us to enjoy. He stayed at the Hilton, had a fridge full of booze, ate some shawerma and then partied. Enjoy it before they take the video down. [YouTube]

Back in December when Shake Shack announced they was were opening up in Kuwait I had been told they were going to open up at the Avenues in the first half of the year. Well the first half of the year is nearly over and there still isn’t any sign of Shake Shack. According to my insider, Shake Shack was originally planned to open in the Benihana location but that plan was scrapped and now it still hasn’t been decided where in the Avenues Shake Shack will be opening. My guess is they’re looking for a prime location like PF Chang and Pinkberry. On a different note Pottery Barn Kids is going to open near The One and X-Cite.

Update: Ok a friend of mine told me that he heard that they are planning to open up in front of PF Chang. The restaurant will be built where the elevator is and the elevator shaft will be used for the ventilation (kinda like a chimney). The seating will be in the open in front of the restaurant. Although its hard to believe this actually makes a lot of sense since it would end up looking a lot like the Shake Shack in NY (picture above).

The international sushi chain Benihana is going to be opening soon at the Avenues. I tried it once in Thailand and liked it a lot so I’m curious to see how it turns out here.

A friend of mine was having lunch at TGIF at the Avenues when he spotted Sopranos star, James Gandolfini. When he asked him what he was doing in Kuwait James replied that he was just visiting and that he loves Kuwait. According to the Washington Post it seems he’s in the Gulf as part of the USO to support the American troops. Damn I would have loved to have met him…

Thanks Jerry!

Note: This is not an April Fools post.

Update: This photo was taken yesterday at a US Army camp in Kuwait [Link]

Tony Sirico and James Gandolfini from HBO’s “The Sopranos” pose for photos with service members stationed in Kuwait on March 31, 2010. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is accompanying a USO tour in the region with New Orleans Saint Jon Stinchcomb and actress Rose McGowen. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist Chad J. McNeeley/Released)

I was dropping my Beemer off at the dealer today for a service when I spotted a closed booth that contained a car inside. Turned out to be the new BMW 5 series and it looked really good, much better than the new BMW Gran Turismo. I spotted one when I was in Lebanon and it looked really ugly, like if you took the already awkwardly looking X6 and had King Kong step on it and squash it. Seriously don’t know what they were thinking with the GT. Anyway the 5-series I saw today was the 535 and it was already reserved for someone.

I just found out from a friend that Blimpie is opening up in Kuwait. Blimpie is a American submarine sandwich chain just like Subway and Quiznos. Since Quiznos has closed down their only store in Kuwait, Blimpie will now be our alternative to Subway. First Blimpie branch will open in June, location still undisclosed.

I got an email from a reader saying that he heard that In-N-Out were opening in Kuwait. Of course I was skeptical and contacted In-N-Out right away and asked them about this. Here is their response:

Dear Mr. Mark:

Thank you for your e-mail. It’s always nice to hear from our customers, and we appreciate your interest.

As plans for new locations are always subject to change, we are unable to confirm any site in as a future In-N-Out Burger® until it is under construction. However, we can affirm that we plan on expanding as far as we can, and particularly into areas in which our customers have expressed interest. As such, we are happy to let our Real Estate Department know that you are anxious to have an In-N-Out Burger® location in your area!

For the latest information regarding new store openings, please call our toll-free Customer Service line at (800) 786-1000. Our representatives are available 7 days a week, from 8am – 1am (PST).

Thank you again for contacting us.

Notice the part I highlighted in bold? In-N-Out are only located in the Western United States, I think they’re actually only located in California. Previously when contacted their response would be along the lines that they would not open outside the US but now their response is they’re willing to open wherever their customers need them. In-N-Out are notorious for not wanting to expand or franchise so this new tone of voice I think is evidence that it might be possible they are considering expanding outside the US in the same way Shake Shack did. Hopefully we get someone more evidence soon.

I heard rumors ages ago that they would be introducing wide license plates and it seems the rumors came true because Mrs F over at Tidbit Du Jour spotted one and took a picture. It’s about time! [Link]

I read about this incident a few days ago. Seems the married British ambassador at the local embassy got one of his employees pregnant and that employee was also married. Lots of soap opera drama but it seems now its over since they’ve moved the British ambassador out of Kuwait and the employee moved back to England. Here is a link to the news article [Link]

How is the title related? You know, Tiger Woods.. cheated on his wife, the British ambassador cheated on his wife… get it? Ok maybe the title is a bit lame…

Thanks Reem!

A friend of mine told me that the Japanese show Takeshi’s Castle will be coming to Kuwait and they’re looking for contestants. Supposedly they have a stand at Marina Mall and they want at least 3,000 people to sign up. If it’s true than I’m in! [YouTube]

Update: It’s true! Here is a link that contains the flyer [Link]

Back in October there was a press release in the papers by a company which stated that they were opening Fatburger in Kuwait. Today there was another press release by another company stating that they are also opening Fatburger in Kuwait. So what gives?

Well this is what I found out. A local company got the Fatburger franchise rights 2 years back for Kuwait but never opened up a store. So, Fatburger decided to take the franchise rights from them and pass it to another local company. Fatburger will now be finally opening in Kuwait before June.

I am still holding my breath for Arby’s and Wendy’s.

Update: Turns out yesterday’s press release was actually placed in the newspaper by Fatburger North America themselves to clarify that there is a new Fatburger owner in Kuwait.

I previously posted about how Planet Hollywood was going to open at Olympia Towers this past summer but they never did. Now it seems they will be opening in March 2010 according to a reader who also sent me a picture of the exterior. I also previously mentioned that I had heard Sylvester Stallone was coming for the launch and I will say this again. If he comes I am going to be there with my Cobra DVD for him to autograph. I will not let him leave Kuwait before he does!

Thanks Farah