Categories
Food & Drinks

Kuwait Based Rock House Sliders Opening in L.A.

The 7950 Sunset block in WeHo is ready for a new tenant in 2018, the Kuwaiti burger chain, Rock House Sliders. With six locations throughout Kuwait, the restaurant is owned by the Kuwaiti-based Marafie Works Group.

Though former Luca On Sunset space has been empty since 2014, Marafie Works Group will commence the build-out in October. Management at 7950 Sunset had trouble finding a tenant to fill the large retail space after Luca’s closed because of irreconcilable landlord differences. Once complete, the newcomer will keep sit next to 9021 Pho and EVO Kitchen on a very busy stretch of Sunset Blvd near Hayworth.

The team at Marafie Works Group adopted American culture into the growing Rock House brand, with images of attractive urbanites enjoying the burgers. The mini burgers start on a potato bun with a choice of fried chicken or beef. The toppings include items like jalapeño and bacon, or truffle mushroom, and diners choose an accompanying sauce such as barbecue, chipotle mayo, buffalo mayo, chipotle barbecue, along with their own mystery sauce. They offer milkshakes, too.

Rock House Sliders’ U.S. entry is a curious choice. It will be even more interesting to see the response to this popular Kuwaiti brand bringing American-styled food to Los Angeles. [Source]

This actually makes a lot of sense to me since I keep telling people that L.A. has similar taste in food to Kuwait. But, they’re opening down the street from The Comedy Store, the same street that has In-N-Out and Chick-fil-A so they’ve got tough competition in the neighborhood. If they can make it there, then they’ll probably do really well opening up anywhere else.




Categories
Animals & Wildlife Videos

Kuwait – The Call Of Nature

Hard to believe but this video was shot in Kuwait.

Thanks Cake




Categories
Events Things to do

Things to do in Kuwait this Weekend

A lot of events are taking place this weekend including a few interesting food ones like Alice & Co’s Brunch and Burrata Notte. Also the first market of the season is here with the Shuwaikh Market this coming Saturday. Check all of this weekends events below:

Thursday
Private Dinner: Burrata Notte
A Night of Musicals
The Peace Festival: Ibn Arabi

Friday
Good Game: Magic – The Gathering
KIN’s Vegan Pop-Up
Alice & Co’s Brunch

Saturday
Discover America 5K Fun Run/Walk
Yoga with the 3
Guided Tour: Habitat Museum
Alta Fitness Fun Day
KIN’s Vegan Pop-Up
Shuwaikh Market
The Peace Festival: Voices of Peace led by Salman Al Ammari

If you’d like to share an event on the blog [Email Me]
For a full list of upcoming events click [Here]

Sometimes events get canceled or have details changed so always double check with the organizers.




Categories
Movies

Movies Showing in Kuwait this Weekend

The movies below are now showing at either Cinescape, Grand Cinemas or Sky Cinemas:

New This Week:
Geostorm (6.9)
Human Flow (5.6)
Monster Family (5.2)
Mother! (7.1)

Other Movies Showing:
6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain (N/A) ♦
Amityville: The Awakening (5.0)
Blade Runner 2049 (8.5)
Flatliners (5.7) ♦
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (7.6)
Leatherface (5.3) ♦
Loving Vincent (8.0) ♦
My Little Pony: The Movie (6.3)
My Pet Dinosaur (4.1)
Open Water 3: Cage Dive (4.2)
Renegades (5.7) ♦
The Foreigner (7.5) ♦
The LEGO Ninjago Movie (6.8)
The Snowman (7.1) ♦
The Son of Bigfoot (6.2)
Victoria and Abdul (6.1)

The movies below are also now showing at the Scientific Center IMAX theater:

A Beautiful Planet 3D (7.9)
Dream Big 3D (7.9)
Humpback Whales 3D (7.2)
Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Secret Ocean 3D (N/A)
Tiny Giants 3D (8.0)
Watermelon Magic 3D (7.4)

Numbers in brackets refer to the IMDB rating at time of publishing.
★ is for movies I’m interested in. ♦ implies movie might contain censorship.

Update: Looks like the movie Mother! got banned




Categories
Sports

UFC Gym Opening in Kuwait

MMA fans will be excited to know that an official UFC Gym will be opening up in Kuwait. According to a tweet by @UFCGYMME, the UFC Gym in Kuwait will be 4,000sqm and is expected to open in the new under construction Assima Mall by 2019.

UFC Gym’s are located all around the world and in addition to offering MMA classes, they’re also a regular fitness gym. For more information on them, you can visit their website [Here]

Thanks lovelykuwait




Categories
Travel

Renderings of the New Kuwait Airways Terminal

Not to be confused with the new and huge Terminal 2 airport thats being constructed, and also not to be confused with the new Jazeera Airways terminal thats also under construction, this third terminal that’s also under construction is meant to alleviate the pressure from our current airport until the new main terminal 2 is completed sometime in 2020.

This terminal will be exclusive to Kuwait Airways and is being built adjacent to the cargo terminal. It’s expected to be completed and in operation by Q1 of next year. And yes we currently have three new terminals under construction.

For more photos and information, click [Here]

Thanks ChaoticTranquility




Categories
Promoted

Sponsored Post: Run for a Cause with #RunKuwait

WHAT CAUSE AM I SUPPORTING THROUGH RUNKUWAIT?
RunKuwait, the annual charity run by Fawzia Sultan Healthcare Network is back this year with an intensified goal of raising awareness and funds for the treatment of children with disabilities.

Registration fees are channeled directly towards the non-profit Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC), founded by FSHN which provides comprehensive therapy programmes for babies, children and young adults across a number of areas that include physical therapy, hydrotherapy, speech pathology, counselling/behavior therapy and occupational therapy. Last year’s event successfully contributed towards free treatment of 20% of the children at CERC, while 60% of the children were able to receive subsidized treatment and FSHN aims to help more children this year.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE – REGISTER NOW AT RUNKUWAIT.ORG
RunKuwait is for everyone – the serious runner or athlete and for those who prefer walking or jogging and are keen on supporting a charitable cause. Interested individuals will be able to do so by participating in a 5KM or 10KM fun run or walk. All you need to do is register on runkuwait.org prior to November 4th in order to receive your timing chip and join the race.

Early bird registration at a discounted fee is currently available until October 31st. The event is scheduled to take place on 11th November 2017 where participants will gather at The Scientific Center marking the beginning of the run.

FREE REGISTRATION – LIMITED!
The first 20 readers of 248AM to click the following [Link] will be entitled to one free registration ticket! Follow @RunKuwait for more updates on how to collect your numbered bibs for the race.

It’s that time of the year when the weather in Kuwait is absolutely breathtaking and the outdoors is simply inviting. So, register today at runkuwait.org to support the cause or simply participate to promote a healthier lifestyle or get your family, friends, and acquaintances to enjoy a fun-filled day.

We would also like to thank 248AM for being the social media sponsor of RunKuwait this year.




Categories
Travel

Wataniya Airways to Launch Beirut Flights Next Month

Kuwait Wataniya Airways announced launching flights to Beirut, Lebanon, as of November 9, with four flights weekly to and from Kuwait International Airport.[Source]

Has anyone flown with Wataniya Airways? If yes then how was your experience? They’re currently running a buy one get one free offer on all their destinations. [Link]




Categories
Mags & Books

The 360 Mall Bookshop

So there is this small bookshop in the basement of 360 Mall that has been open for I don’t know how long. I never thought about going in since it didn’t really look enticing. But, this past weekend while waiting for a friend, I decided to kill time by checking out what the bookshop had to offer and to my surprise, turns out quite a bit.

One of my favorite publishers is Phaidon Press and I’ve never been able to find any of their books in Kuwait until now. For some odd reason, this tiny bookshop in the basement of 360 Mall carries Phaidon books along with books by the publishers Taschen and Thames & Hudson. So basically the three publishers that have the best design, architect, photography and food related books. They don’t really have a large selection, but at least they carry these quality publishers. For those of you looking for a Moleskin notebooks, they also carry them.

If you want to pass by, the bookshop is called Al Asriya International Publishing & Distribution Co. W.L.L. and they are located inside the Jashanmal shop in the basement of 360 Mall. Near the entrance/exit to the parking lot and opposite the Zain branch.




Categories
Television

Must Watch: Curb Your Enthusiasm – Season 9

After a 6 year hiatus, Curb Your Enthusiasm is back on TV again with season 9. This used to be one of my favorite and funniest shows on TV back when it was airing, so I had really high expectations going into this latest season. Only two episodes are out but so far it looks like this could be the funniest season yet. If you used to like this show then start watching it again, the storyline for this season is absurd. [Link]




Categories
Kuwait

Hijab Discrimination at a School in Kuwait

Yesterday I was tagged on instagram under an image where a British teacher wanting to work in Kuwait was complaining about a school she applied to that wanted her to take her hijab off. The recruiter told the teacher that parents wanted their kids taught by teachers that didn’t wear hijab, and so if she was interested in joining, she would have to remove her hijab. I thought it was pretty bizarre that a school in Kuwait would discriminate against the hijab so I contacted the original poster who forwarded me all the emails and turns out its true. Below are the conversations between the teacher and the recruiter which I copy pasted from the emails. I’ve removed the name of the school and also replaced the names of the teacher and recruiter with fake ones. I’ve also forwarded the emails to Fajer the lawyer to get her opinion on the legality of this situation as well as contacted the school for their statement.

I’m curious if this is a widespread problem in Kuwait or just an isolated incident. How many teachers at this specific school ended up removing their hijab so they could get the job?

———-

Good morning Carla,
I emailed you about keeping me in mind for any other positions that may be available in the future but have not received any reply from you. Please will you destroy my passport documents if you are completely not interested anymore. In all honesty I feel gutted as I feel like I was not given a chance to show you that I would be ideal for the job. Surely I am entitled to an interview and then you can make decisions upon that.

Regardless of the situation, I am still interested and it would be very much appreciated if you could get back to me. Have a wonderful day.

Kind regards,
Faiza.

———-

Good Morning Faiza

Thank you for your emails.

I am so sorry I didn’t reply as I have been out of the office. I am happy to interview you as we may well need teachers for January 2018.

I do need to ask you if it would be possible to remove your hijab whilst teaching in the XXXX XXXXX Nursery school as our Kuwaiti parents like British Teachers but not wearing hijab. I know this is a delicate area and hope you do not feel offended in any way.

Please have a think about it and let me know if you would like to proceed to interview.

I look forward to hearing back.
Kind Regards

Carla
Recruitment
HR Department

———-

Afternoon Carla,
I have read your email and just wanted some clarification. I am extremely interested in this role but just wanted to know if it is necessary for me to remove my hijab in order to be successful for the job. Also Is it imperative for me to remove the hijab in order for me to go head with the interview process? Please could you let me know as soon as possible.

Kind regards
Faiza

———-

Hi Faiza
Thanks for your email.
It wouldn’t be necessary for you to remove your hijab to have a first interview with me but probably for second interview and we would need to have a photo of you without your hijab for Management purposes if you were successful, as your passport photo is of you covered.

Just for your your reference, in the XXXX XXXXX Schools, there are only female staff.
I look forward to hearing back.
Kind Regards.

———-

Hi Carla,
I partly understand what you are saying but still have a few questions. If I was to be successful would I have to teach with no hijab on or even meet parents with no hijab. Am I able to wear my hijab in my own time or is this an issue as well. As you can imagine I am a little bit confused as I felt the hijab would be preferred and encouraged in Kuwait more than anything as it is a predominately Muslim country- one of the main factors that reeled me into the job. I can understand for security and management purposes a non hijab picture may be necessary but I am finding it difficult to understand that Kuwaiti Muslim parents may be against the Muslim head wear. Please clarify when and where I will be able to observe the hijab or not. Thankyou for your time.

Kind regards Faiza

———-

Dear Faiza

The customer (the parents) do not want their children taught by covered teachers. It is an English School. You can wear the hijab whilst not on the school premises but not in the school.
If this isn’t acceptable to you I wish you every success.
This is non negotiable.
Kind Regards




Categories
Events Things to do

Things to do in Kuwait this Weekend

A bunch of things are taking place this weekend, check them all out below:

Thursday
The Divan’s Movie Night: The Lunchbox
Ragheb Alama’s Concert

Friday
Community Table: Bahārāt
Pilates for Beginners with Ana Mattos
Urban Culture Week Finale
Good Game: Magic – The Gathering
Rugby: Kuwait Scorpions vs Muscat

Saturday
Community Table: Bahārāt
Guided Tour: Grand Mosque
Q8 Readers Book Club Meeting
The Peace Festival: Hind Hamed

If you’d like to share an event on the blog [Email Me]
For a full list of upcoming events click [Here]

Sometimes events get canceled or have details changed so always double check with the organizers.

Update: Links fixed!




Categories
Movies

Movies Showing in Kuwait this Weekend

The movies below are now showing at either Cinescape, Grand Cinemas or Sky Cinemas:

New This Week:
6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain (N/A) ♦
Amityville: The Awakening (5.0)
Leatherface (5.3) ♦
Loving Vincent (8.0) ♦
My Pet Dinosaur (4.1)
Renegades (5.7) ♦
The Snowman (7.1) ♦

Other Movies Showing:
Blade Runner 2049 (8.5)
Flatliners (5.7) ♦
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (7.6)
My Little Pony: The Movie (6.3)
Nick Off Duty (4.1)
Open Water 3: Cage Dive (4.2)
The Foreigner (7.5) ♦
The LEGO Ninjago Movie (6.8)
The Son of Bigfoot (6.2)
Victoria and Abdul (6.1)

The movies below are also now showing at the Scientific Center IMAX theater:

A Beautiful Planet 3D (7.9)
Dream Big 3D (7.9)
Humpback Whales 3D (7.2)
Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Secret Ocean 3D (N/A)
Tiny Giants 3D (8.0)
Watermelon Magic 3D (7.4)

Numbers in brackets refer to the IMDB rating at time of publishing.
★ is for movies I’m interested in. ♦ implies movie might contain censorship.




Categories
News

Tap Payments Makes Forbes Top 100 Startup List

Forbes released their annual “Top 100 Startups In The Arab World” list and Tap Payments was the only startup from Kuwait that made the list coming in at #66. The majority of the startups on the list are based out of UAE, Lebanon and Egypt.

It’s pretty impressive that Tap made the list, but pretty disappointing overall for Kuwait that we don’t have more successful startups (also why isn’t Carriage on that list?). For the full top 100 list, click [Here]




Categories
Travel

Travel Essential: Amazon Fire Stick

One the most essential items I now pack when traveling is my little Amazon Fire Stick. The Fire Stick is a tiny streaming media device thats a bit larger than a USB memory stick and has NetFlix, Hulu, Amazon Video, HBO GO and more all installed on it. Unlike my Apple TV, the Fire Stick is a lot more portable and easier to connect since you just plug the stick directly into an empty HDMI and USB port behind the TV. Whenever I check into a hotel or airbnb, one of the first things I do after unpacking is just plugging my Stick into the TV and connecting it to the wifi so I can have access to all my TV shows.

The only reason I don’t use my Fire Stick instead of the Apple TV at home is because it’s a bit sluggish compared to the Apple TV and I tend to AirPlay a lot of things from my phone or MacBook onto the Apple TV which I can’t do with the Fire Stick. Well actually that’s not accurate, I did get an app that enables AirPlay on the Fire Stick but its pretty buggy and doesn’t work the way it should every time. But anyway, one of the best things about the Fire Stick is the price, it costs just KD12 on Amazon so it’s not that big of an investment. Also if you have Amazon Prime then you already have access to Amazon Video (and music) so you don’t really need Netflix or Hulu if you don’t want them.

If you’re interested in picking one up, here is the link for it on [Amazon]