2:48AM - Entertaining Kuwait since 2003

You’ve probably never heard of Dr Bloom, I hadn’t until I came across his account after he left a comment under one of my posts. He’s a florist mostly in a dark hoodie, has nearly a million followers, and his reels have over 100 million views. So, I was surprised to learn he was living in Kuwait, which is why I reached out to him for his story, and we arranged to meet.

Dr Bloom is a duo made up of Maciej and Wiktoria, both Polish, who moved to Kuwait nearly a year ago after being approached by Pino Flowers, a local flower shop, to help launch their new store in Shuwaikh Market.

Maciej’s story is actually pretty random. He started out as a firefighter before transitioning to a desk job at an IT firm, which he hated. After being laid off during job cuts, he needed a new career. His daughter loved flowers so he decided to open a flower shop. Just like that, he didn’t have any previous experience or anything.

Since I always prefer using unique content, I asked if he’d be willing to create a video specifically for me. My wife runs the ceramic design studio From Mud, and she was working on a sculptural vase design that I thought might interest him, as it didn’t look like anything he’d used before. I brought the vase over and left it with him for a couple of weeks to experiment with, and then he invited us to watch him make the video.

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A post shared by DR BLOOM (@drbloom_floraldesign)

The behind-the-scenes video-making process was fascinating to watch, as he mostly wings it. I could tell he has a basic structure in his head, but since every vase and floral arrangement is different, he has to adapt on the fly.

He’s extremely talented and tasteful, which is why I find it pretty unreal that I could just pop into his shop and have him put together a floral arrangement for me. I love that and also how his videos which capture the interested of millions of people around the world are produced right out of Shuwaikh.

You can check out some behind-the-scenes shots and the video he made above. If you ever need a flower arrangement, you can find him at @pinoflowers, and definitely check out all his videos on his account @drbloom_floraldesign

EDO, one of my favorite sushi spots in Kuwait (Kei and Tatami being the other two), just reopened after closing down for renovations. They’re still in Al Khalid Complex in Salmiya, but they took over the location next door and completely revamped the interior.

Since leaving their villa location in Shaab back in 2014, they’ve moved a few times, but I think this latest version is their best since the original. The previous space before the redesign was tiny but cozy. The new, expanded space still feels cozy, but can now fit more people and has a much more upscale vibe. They also have an upstairs area with even more seating as well as a new private room.

If you’re a previous EDO customer I’d be curious to know what you think of the new place, I personally like it. They’re open daily from 1PM to 11PM and are located in the Al Khalid Complex, the same complex that has Gia and Anaar in Salmiya. @edo_restaurant

Yesterday, True Value declared bankruptcy in the US. For the time being their stores will stay open, but I’m curious to what will happen to the Kuwait store if they do end up closing down. Although I prefer Ace Hardware since they carry more of the things I need day to day, I’m still a big fan of True Value and like having them as an option. I especially like that they have a location in Salmiya since it’s very convenient for me. Actually, I feel lucky that I have 2 Ace Hardwares and a True Value near my place, only thing missing really is Binnisf and I’ll be set. Anyway, hopefully the bankruptcy doesn’t affect us here in Kuwait.

When I first saw the TopBrewer a while back at an office I was visiting, I was intrigued. I didn’t know what it was back then, I just noticed there was an iPad with a bunch of drinks on it right next to a tap. I later found out that it was the office coffee machine, the whole unit was hidden under the counter with just the tap and iPad showing.

The TopBrewer is a Danish designed coffee machine for home and commercial use that can be built into any tabletop. The main unit is hidden under the counter or behind a wall with just their patented stainless steel tap visible. This allows you to have a very clean minimal looking space without having a large and usually ugly coffee machine taking up precious real estate. You can then choose to have a tablet near it with your drink options, or you can just run the coffee machine app from your phone or even Apple Watch. Place a cup under the tap and just select the drink you want and that’s it.

The TopBrewer can be used to make both hot and cold coffee drinks, hot chocolate, and it can even be used as a water tap providing you with either cold, hot or even sparkling water. The unit has a built-in grinder that will grind your coffee beans fresh and serve you the perfect cup of espresso in just 25 seconds. The unit also has a number of cool features like recognizing you when you come close, and asking you if you want your usual drink, it also self cleans so you don’t have to.

Some of TopBrewer local customers include Asnan Towers, Boubyan, Kuwait Airways, Porsche and Zain, but internationally TopBrewer customers also include Adobe, Visa, Microsoft, and Apple. If you want to check out TopBrewer in person and get a demo, you can reach out to the dealer by visiting their instagram account @topbrewerkw or website scanomat.com

Beefbar, the renowned Monte-Carlo meat-focused restaurant, is opening in Kuwait next week, and I got an exclusive sneak peek. Known for its global accolades, including a Michelin star for its Hong Kong location, Beefbar offers a diverse menu with street food, main courses, and sides, categorized into three sections: Beef, Reef, and Leaf.

Beefbar is opening at JACC in Kuwait where they’ve taken a large location near the breakfast spot, Cocoa Room. When I visited, workers were still busy getting the space in shipshape for next week’s opening. Most of the furniture was covered to protect it from dust, but I managed to uncover a few pieces to try and capture the vibe of the place accurately.

When they open next week, they’ll start with dinner service only, with lunch service to follow later. The seating looked incredibly comfortable, with soft, and luxurious feeling materials. There’s also a private room that accommodates up to 14 people.

The owners of Beefbar in Kuwait are the same group behind other high-end international concepts, including Ferdi, Philippe by Philippe Chow, and the upcoming Novikov, set to open early next year.

If you’re looking to book dinner, reservations for Beefbar will open this weekend, with the announcement to be made on their Instagram account @beefbar.kuwaitcity

update: Here is the bookings link

One of the oldest Korean restaurants in Kuwait, Korea Gwan (previously called Koryokwan), has opened a second location in Kuwait City, inside Al-Tijaria Tower.

I haven’t passed by the new location, but based off the photos, I feel like the original location (pictured on top) looks cozier and has a bit more soul. The original location inside Carlton Hotel is not closing btw, they just opened a second location although not sure why still in the city. @koreagwan_kuwait

Today is the grand opening of Wimpy’s brand-new location at Sky Mall. The new store is Wimpy’s first dine-in location in Kuwait, and features a sleek, modern design with an open kitchen so you can watch the chefs prepare fresh meals right in front of you.

They’re going to have an exciting event where you’ll be able to indulge in Wimpy’s legendary burgers and wraps. But, it’s not just about the food, there will also be live music, a thrilling magic show, and incredible giveaways, including a chance to win 33 grams of gold.

Wimpy pioneered Kuwait’s love for burgers when they launched the original Cheeseburger in 1969 – the very first in Kuwait! A few years ago they went through a full rebrand and they’ve now taken their classic burgers and remastered them and made them even better.

Wimpy’s vision is to offer better-for-you choices, with everything made to order. Wimpy uses clean ingredients, with beef free from additives and colorants. The chicken contains no preservatives or antibiotic growth hormones, and all vegetables are delivered fresh daily. The potato buns are additionally produced locally in Kuwait.

I also discovered that the Wimpy (GCC and Egypt) is locally owned by investors from Saudi Arabia and UAE.

This event is your chance to taste the new remastered burgers yourself, and enjoy great entertainment. Sky Mall is located in Dajeej and the event is taking place from 5PM to 7PM.

Also for the next 45 days they have a buy one get one free offer, so if you don’t pass by today you can still take advantage of their offer. @wimpykwt

Allbirds, the popular sustainable footwear brand, opened its first location in Kuwait today.

Allbirds is known for creating some of the world’s most comfortable shoes, flats, and clothing using natural materials like merino wool and eucalyptus. The brand is dedicated to sustainability, working to reduce its carbon footprint to near zero. They replace petroleum-based synthetics with natural alternatives, such as wool, tree fiber, and sugar cane. The result? Soft, breathable products that are better for the planet.

Their shoes are lightweight, bouncy, and comfortable, with no flashy logos or unnecessary details. Made from natural materials, they’re designed for practicality.

If you want to see what the hype is about, visit their first Kuwait store at Assima Mall in Kuwait City. You can also check them out on Instagram at @allbirdsme

I recently picked up a Benq GV50 portable laser projector and I’ve now been using it for nearly two weeks. I have a cozy living room with a tv, but I also have my main living area that has a large empty wall and no TV by choice, and figured a projector might be fun there. I originally wanted the JMGO N1S projector but it costs around $999 and wasn’t sure I wanted to invest so much in something I won’t use that often. The JMGO also didn’t have a built in battery and isn’t capable of running easily off an external power bank. Then Benq released the GV50 a few weeks ago and it has built in Google TV (so Netflix, HBO, Hulu, AppleTV+ and Amazon Video), built in battery, 1080p and was priced at $599. It also had come out on top in The Hookup’s “2024 Ultimate Portable Projector Comparison“.

So far I’m liking it. Due to the size it’s not that bright but still bright enough to watch on a beige colored wall with ambient lighting on. I have the projector on the coffee table but I can basically put it anywhere and point it at anything and it will automatically adjust the framing so that the screen is the correct shape. My biggest gripe with it is that I wish it was louder. I tend to watch everything really loud and so I find the highest volume on the GV50 not that high to my liking.

Anyway, I got it for the full price of $599 from Benq.com with a free carrying case since it had just come out, but if you wait a bit I’m sure it will drop in price. Here is the Link.

Let me know in the comments what you recently watched or planning to watch.

Movies at the Cinemas
The movies below are now showing at the local cinemas:

New This Week:
Big Trip 3: Race Around the World (N/A)
Daddy’s Head (N/A)
Hellboy: The Crooked Man (4.6)
Wrong Place (3.4)

Other Movies Showing:
Alien Romulus (7.4)
Bagman (6.0)
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (7.0)
Blue Light (3.6)
Joker: Folie à Deux (5.7)
Never Let Go (5.7)
Speak No Evil (6.6)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (classic) (7.9)
The Wild Robot (8.2)
Transformers One (7.8)
Weekend in Taipei (5.9)

The numbers in brackets refer to the IMDB rating at the time of publishing.

Not sure how many people remember this, but the Italian restaurant Lorenzo was originally located on the corner opposite Sheraton Hotel in a now-demolished building in Kuwait City. I didn’t know much about the place back then, but I always noticed the cool cars parked outside—red and yellow Ferrari 355s, or a purple Lamborghini Diablo. It definitely intrigued me.

Eventually, in the mid-2000s, a friend invited me to lunch there, and it was my first time seeing the place from the inside. I remember it felt very fancy, and I felt out of place. It was also my first time trying their famous chocolate cheesecake. That location closed when the building was set to be demolished, so they relocated across the street from Salhiya.

Lorenzo originally opened in 1993 under a different name—’Salumaio di Montenapoleone.’ In 1997, the name was changed to Lorenzo. Both the first and second locations were designed by American architect Richard Davidson from Alamosa Design. However, my favorite Lorenzo was in Al Khalid Complex, designed by Atelier Aziz Alqatami.

In 2019, Lorenzo finally closed after 23 years in business.

I had a tough time finding photos of the original Lorenzo, but eventually, I reached out to the family that owned it, and they graciously searched for and shared what they had. The photo of the Salhiya location is from the Almosa Design website, while the Al Khalid Complex location photos are from Aziz Alqatami’s website. To check out all the photos, click here.

“My Belongings,” or “Moqtanayaty” (مقتنياتي) in Arabic, is a store in Kuwait City specializing in vintage electronics, including radios, boomboxes, record players, TVs, cameras, as well as records and cassettes.

Unlike most places that sell vintage items, nearly everything in this store is in working condition. They also repair vintage electronics in their in-house workshop. So, if you have an old record player that stopped working, you can bring it in, and they’ll try to fix it for you.

The store isn’t new—I first discovered it and posted about it in 2016 when it was located beneath JOA in the city. Since then, they’ve relocated several times and now have two locations in a building across the street from Souk Al Mubarakiya.

Their corner store on the ground floor serves as the repair shop, while the main showroom is located on the first floor of the same building. To access the showroom, you’ll need an employee from the repair shop to take you upstairs.

The showroom is like a mini museum where everything on display is for sale.

If you want to stop by to browse or get something, the shop is open daily except for Fridays from 8:30 AM to 1 PM and again from 4:30 PM to 9 PM. It’s located on Ahmad Al Jaber Street, opposite the Ahli Bank of Kuwait tower. Here is their location on Google Maps and here is their Instagram account @vintage_radio_

Video is in Arabic but shows you the step by step guide on how to do it. They don’t seem to mention how to get a printed copy of the registration though, only that once you update it you can then refresh the registration in your Kuwait Mobile ID app and it will be updated there. YouTube

If you’ve renewed your car this way, I’d be interested to hear about the experience or if you ran into any issues.

If you’re a fan of cars you’re going to appreciate this video. It was shot in 1982 and is of a car meetup in Blajat Street, Salmiya. YouTube

WK is a popular local burger concept, known for their viral ads as much as for their delicious burgers.

They’re always trying to up their game which is why they just launched their new cheeseburger priced at just 649 fils while still managing to retain their high-quality ingredients. If you love the cheeseburgers of the other brand which can’t be mentioned, then you’re going to love these because they taste pretty much the same, cost 1 fils less, and have the advantage of being local.

WK is available for delivery on all the popular platforms, but the cheeseburger is only available for pick-up. However, WK has multiple locations across Kuwait, including:

Ardiya
Fahaheel
Jahra
Khiran
Sabah Alsalem

So check them out at @wkwk.965

Here’s some good news to start the week. The Kuwait Society for Animal Welfare (KSAW) is a newly established animal rescue nonprofit organization, recently approved by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour.

KSAW is the latest animal rescue organization to receive official status, and despite being newly launched, it has already outlined its goals, which include:

⁠- Organizing vaccination, spay, neuter, and health care campaigns for stray animals to limit the spread of diseases and epidemics that can be transmitted to humans.

• ⁠Rehabilitating stray animals and pets abandoned by their owners and putting them up for adoption. This will play a role in reducing the number of neglected animals suffering on the street and the resulting environmental and health risks.

• Holding free educational events and courses on a wide range of animal-related topics, including responsible pet ownership; the benefit of the relationship between people and animals, especially children; and the phenomenon of cruelty to animals developing into violence against people.

Although there are already animal rescue groups in Kuwait doing an incredible job saving and caring for animals, being an official nonprofit organization comes with several advantages like the ability to partner with international NGOs, collaborate with the local government on animal rescue campaigns, and to legally request support.

This is wonderful news for the welfare of animals in Kuwait. To stay updated on the activities of the Kuwait Society for Animal Welfare, follow them at @ksaw_q8