Category: Gossip & Rumors

There’s currently a mega project that’s currently under way in Maidan Hawalli. Just over a month ago they demolished the Al-Maidan Cultural Centre and the Abdullah Al-Salem School that were both located there and since then they’ve been working day and night (literally) at the construction site.

My guess is its one of the projects that is being led by Al-Diwan Al-Amiri, the people who are also leading the Kuwait Cultural Center project. The reason I am assuming they’re behind it is because when I last met with them they hinted there were 5 projects in the pipeline and they mentioned one of them was going to be in Hawalli. The fact that this project is also moving really fast with work taking place around the clock is another sign that this could be them.

I was pretty upset at first when I found out they had demolished the Al-Maidan Cultural Centre but if the Al-Diwan Al-Amiri is behind this project then I know whats going to come up in its place is going to be something much better. If it’s anything like the Kuwait Culture Center I’ll be more than pleased.

If I find out what the project is I’ll post an update. The exact location of this site is near Shaab Park on the Gulf Road. Here it is on [Google Maps]

The Cube is a new plaza that’s opening up next to Ibis Hotel in Salmiya near Sultan Center. I originally posted about it back in 2012 but it looks like it’s nearly done now and there are a bunch of places set to open there. From what I could see Xcite will be opening there and my favorite Lebanese restaurant Leila. BGR The Burger Joint, Health Stop and Caffe Vergnano 1882 will also be opening there. If anyone knows what else is opening leave a comment below.

Instead of separate posts I figured I would combine all these into one. First up is Alfredo’s Gallery Restaurant which is opening soon in Avenues Phase III. According to their Facebook page they were originally supposed to open back in April but I guess they ran into some issues. According to a sticker on their store front as well as their homepage, Alfredo’s Gallery is the birthplace of the Fettuccine Alfredo.

The second restaurant thats opening is Wok Hay located outside the main entrance to Green Island right next to the new Egyptian restaurant that opened Abou El Sid. Wok Hay is an Asian dining restaurant and according to an employee I saw there it should be opening up any day now. Wok Hay is owned by Ruby Tuesday Inc. and last year they shut down all their US locations after running into financial difficulties.

Last month I mentioned that Edo was opening a new branch at Sahara Country Club and it turns that they are not the only restaurant thats opening there. A new “village” is being built right next to the resort and it’s going to be called the Sahara Restaurant Village. I was able to obtain some names of the restaurants and shops that will be opening there but this list is unconfirmed. The places I’ve been told that will open there are:

Slider Station
Burger Boutique
Villa Fayrouz
Tatami Japanese Restaurant
Edo Japanese Restaurant
52 Degrees
Caribou Coffee
Costa Coffee
Inspire Fitness
Athletes Foot

Construction recently started but all the restaurants and shops are expected to open at the same time on November 1st.

There’s a new instagram account called @selfiekw with main purpose of posting selfies of people from Kuwait. Its become Kuwait’s version of the old hot or not website where you ranked people on looks and in this case, the hotter the person is the more likes they get. Lots of fun although there isn’t an option to view just the girls or just the guys. [Link]

Edo, the popular Japanese restaurant located in Shaab is opening a new second location at the Sahara Kuwait Resort. The new location is nearly complete and is expected to open in the next couple of months.

I also heard that the Inspire gym will be opening there as well although don’t have much details on this.

I don’t really have that much information on this other than a friend of mine accidentally revealing to me in a conversation that a friend of theirs is getting Chipotle to Kuwait. I couldn’t dig out any more information so take this news with a grain of salt. Chipotle if you aren’t aware is a chain of restaurants specializing in burritos and tacos. I’ve personally never tried it before but everyone who has says they’re ridiculously good. If I find out anything more I’ll let you know.

The second mezzanine floor at Salhiya Complex is getting a makeover. The floor which has the Maki Restaurant is getting the ceiling height raised and a lot of clothing stores were closed down and instead restaurants will be opening up in their place.

Earlier tonight (Thursday) I got a message from a friend that there was a stabbing at Marina Mall. I confirmed that with a Marina Mall security guard an hour ago and a few minutes ago I got photos of the victim lying on the stairs that lead to the food court all bloodied and still. Based on the photos it looks like the victim died. I don’t have any other information on why the stabbing took place.

Update: A reader who was there when the incident took place had the following to say;

I was there last night when it happened and it wasn’t at food court but near Johnny rockets at crescent on the stairs, there had been a fight between two guys who were friends over this girl and one guy went and got his friends and they stabbed the man to death, I’m a 16 year old girl and all the guys got involved and rushed us out of the area as it happened, marina went on lockdown and police were everywhere! – Lola

According to a friend of mine a fire started in Chili’s in Avenues Phase 1 resulting in the closure of the cinema and the Xcite store. I don’t have any more details or photos yet but will update this post when I do.

Update: According to another contact, it wasn’t a fire. One of the AC compressors for Chili’s broke down causing smoke which ended up reaching Xcite and the movie theaters.

Update2: Below is a video shot by @faiha_city

Sports Direct, UK’s largest and #1 number one sports retailer is opening right across the street from Avenues. Looks like it’s going to be huge.

Update: Sports Direct also have a branch in Hawali – Tunis street and they had their grand opening yesterday. They’re owned by Al Homaizi Group, the same people who also own GoSport.

I previously posted that Linda who hosts the morning show on 99.7 had left Kuwait permanently but I got word from a friend who works at 99.7 that Linda will be coming back soon. Not sure if this is good or bad news for people who listen to the morning show, I know no one liked her when she was on but I also know that people prefer her over the new replacements. For now I’m filing this under gossip & rumors.

Joe’s Cafe is opening up at The Prestige in Avenues right next to Joseph on the mezzanine floor. I generally don’t care about cafe’s much but this place looks extremely cool.

According to a reader, Tim Hortons at the Avenues will be opening this coming Saturday, August 24th.

Classic Burger Joint, the most popular Lebanese burger joint is opening in Kuwait right next to The Village. They’re also opening right next to another new burger place called Big Smoke Burger. I’m not a big fan of CBJ and I have no idea why they’re so popular in Lebanon since I didn’t think their burgers were any good. You can check out my review on CBJ [Here]