Categories
50s to 90s Personal

Random Find: Hunt Room Plate

I’m still trying to find anything I can about the Hunt Room, a restaurant that used to be located in the Sheraton Hotel before the 1990 Gulf War. Not sure why I’m so obsessed with it, I never ate there.

My family used to have lunch every Friday at the Al Hambra which was located on the other side of the hotel on the same floor. Once we were done with lunch I’d wander around the hotel as a kid would do, but I mostly spent my time at the telex counter reading the latest news headlines and that was located near the Hunt Room. So I’d always take a peek inside and I remember they had a huge lobster aquarium outside. But thats as far as my interaction with the place was which is why its confusion for me why I’m fascinated by it. Maybe because I never experienced it?

Not sure but whatever the reason, I’m constantly looking for anything I can find about the restaurant, Sheraton themselves don’t seem to have anything either. But I recently found this cute little plate on eBay. It’s such a great find because it has the Hunt Room Logo and the colors which I now remember clearly.

If you have anything related to the Hunt Room, memories, photos, whatever, just let me know in the comments.




Categories
Design People

Local Designer Wins Best Book Design of the Year

When I was studying design in college, one of the yearly annual competitions we’d look forward to was the “50 Books | 50 Covers” competition by AIGA (The American Institute of Graphic Arts). This competition started in 1923 and became an annual staple in the design community so we were always pretty excited to see what covers and books they selected. A couple of days ago, AIGA announced the latest winners for their 50/50 awards, and this year a Kuwaiti designer was one of the winners.

Fahad Al Hunaif won Best Book Design of the Year for his exhibition catalog, “Going Dark: The Contemporary Figure at the Edge of Visibility” designed for the Guggenheim Museum. Fahad describes the 256-page book as capturing the concept of duality to align with the exhibition. The stark, black exterior contrasts an interior filled with generous white space and subtle material changes, highlighting the tension between invisibility and hypervisibility.

I’ve been a huge fan of Fahad’s work since back in 2013 when he was still in New York studying at Parsons School of Design. He got his first 15 seconds of fame after @caradelevingne was photographed wearing his profane Cartier parody cap, “Cuntier”. Cara was backstage at a Jeremy Scott Runway Show when the ultra-famous fashion photographer @terryrichardson snapped some pictures of her wearing the cap. The photo went viral and eventually landed Fahad in a bit of trouble after Cartier slapped him with a cease and desist letter. I posted about him back then and you can check that old post out here.

Today, Fahad is a partner at TB.D, a multidisciplinary design studio that has worked on branding projects like Boost, ODE, and RA. You can check them out at tbd.studio or visit AIGA Design to see more winners.




Categories
Automotive Gossip & Rumors

No Track Days at KMT this Season

This is pretty disappointing news but it doesn’t look like there will be track days this year at Kuwait Motor Town. Supposedly the contract with the company that was running KMT expired and it wasn’t renewed and neither does anyone else seem to want to run it. So all events that were scheduled to take place at the race track were canceled and there won’t be any open track days until a new company takes over. Sucks.




Categories
Information Sports Things to do

Camel Racing is Back for a New Season

Camel Racing is back for the 2024/2025 season, running from October to March, with races every Saturday at the Kuwait Camel Racing Club. The races start at different times each week but this Saturday they’ll kick off at 1:00 PM with a total of eight races.

There is no entrance fee and you can either watch the races from the sidelines, drive up to the starting lines and watch the start of the race, or just drive around the track in your car following the race (it can get chaotic).

It’s really fun, especially if you’ve never been before and it’s never that busy and everyone is pretty friendly. I tend to drop by anytime I feel like having a photoshoot for one of my cars, or if I just feel like driving somewhere far.

Here is the link to the location and entrance on Google Maps.




Categories
Events Information

World’s Biggest Bounce House Comes to Kuwait

The Big Bounce Arabia, the Middle East version of The Big Bounce America, is bringing the world’s largest touring inflatable theme park to Kuwait. Starting November 21st at The Green Island, the park will stay there for 17 days before moving to another location within Kuwait (possibly Khiran). After Kuwait, the park will kick off a regional tour that will span 10 countries.

The park will feature the world’s biggest bounce house, obstacle courses, interactive zones, and themed areas like the Sport Slam and Airspace as well as a thrilling 275-meter-long obstacle course.

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A post shared by The Big Bounce America (@thebigbounceamerica)

The Big Bounce is for anyone aged two and above, making it perfect for the whole family or a group of friends. Tickets go on sale November 1st on the official website, thebigbouncearabia.com, with three ticket options available:

Juniors (under 100cm height) KD8
Guardians (can accompany juniors) KD5
Standard (100cm height and above) KD13

The price is for a session which lasts 2.5 hours. There will be 3 sessions a day during the middle of the week, and 4 sessions a day on weekends. Oh and The Big Bounce can hold up to 1,300 people which is insane.

To stay updated, follow @BigBounceArabia or head over to thebigbouncearabia.com




Categories
Kuwait Video Games

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is Out

Yesterday I downloaded the new COD on the Xbox Game Pass and started playing it. I really wouldn’t have been as interested in the game if it wasn’t for the fact it was banned in Kuwait due to some of the action taking place during the 1991 Gulf War.

You don’t even have to play through the game to get to the hot stuff, the first mission of the game places you right in the middle of the Kuwaiti desert, I love it. I didn’t get beyond the first mission yet since I had to stop playing to watch UFC, but can’t way to keep at it later today so I can see what part of story exactly caused the ban, because it couldn’t have been banned just because it took place during the Gulf War.




Categories
Movies Now Showing Television

Movies & TV Shows to Watch this Weekend

Last week I mentioned I wanted to watch Sweetpea and I ended up watching two episodes after signing up to the streaming service STARZ. Only two episodes are out yet and third one coming out tomorrow and it’s so good. If you’re a fan of Ella Purnell (Fallout, Yellowjackets, Sweetbitter) then you’re gonna really like her in Sweetpea.

Other than that I rewatched 28 Weeks Later in preparation for the upcoming 28 Years Later. My wife hadn’t watched either 28 Days Later nor 28 Weeks Later so wanted her to watch them. 28 Days Later isn’t available to buy or stream digitally anywhere, at least I couldn’t find it but 28 Weeks Later was on Hulu. For those of you too young to know this but 28 Days Later was pretty much the first to invent zombies that run fast. A super scary idea at that time. Also, 28 Days Later was directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, The Beach, Slumdog Millionaire).

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:
Die Alone (5.7)
Latency (4.1)
The Wasp (5.9)
Venom: The Last Dance (6.3)

Other Movies Showing:
Cash Out (4.7)
Edward Scissorhands (classic) (7.9)
Hellboy: The Crooked Man (4.6)
Joker: Folie à Deux (5.7)
Little Emma (6.5)
Never Let Go (5.7)
Smile 2 (7.1)
The Wild Robot (8.2)
Transformers One (7.8)
Wrong Place (3.4)

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




Categories
Events Things to do

Kuwait Int Outdoor Expo

The Kuwait Int Outdoor Expo is taking place at the Mishref Fairgrounds. I passed by yesterday to check it out and didn’t really see or find anything interesting. I wanted to possibly pickup a Solo Stove but nobody had it for sale. Most of the shops were selling fishing gear which I didn’t care for.

I couldn’t take a decent photo mostly cuz it was pretty busy but also because it’s mostly just tight aisles of stores so you wouldn’t be able to see much in a single shot.

If you want to pass by and check it out yourself, it’s taking place until October 26 and it’s open from 10AM to 10PM. They’re located in hall 4A.

The expo’s instagram account is @kuwaitoutdoorexpo




Categories
Design Food & Drinks

Design Highlight: Select, The Avenues

The restaurant Select just opened its new location at The Avenues, designed by the Turkish-based studio Gulmen Interiors.

Gulmen wanted to evoke the charm of classic theater stages with their design. From the moment you walk in, you’re transported, forgetting the time and place. They blended Art Nouveau lines, plush velvet fabrics, distressed wood panels, and bold colors, to create a cinematic dining experience.

The style isn’t what I typically go for, but that’s what I love about it—it’s different. If you want to check it out in person, the new Select is located in the Grand Avenues, right next to the Cheesecake Factory. To check out more interior shots, click here.




Categories
Food & Drinks Reviews

Farida – Persian food that feels like home

Farida is a new Persian restaurant that opened a few weeks ago in Salmiya. It’s a small, cozy spot with just seven tables and a homey atmosphere. The restaurant is named after its owner, Farida (@faridah88), a Kuwaiti nutritionist with Persian roots.

The interior feels like a childhood memory of an old family home to me. From the nostalgic diamond-shaped ceiling moldings and chandeliers, to the crochet tablecloths and grandma-style dinnerware, the space is charming and welcoming. It really didn’t take any effort from my end to find beautiful interior moments to capture for this post.

The menu is small and filled with dishes you wouldn’t typically find at most Persian restaurants in Kuwait. Farida wanted to share unique and interesting recipes from Iran, which I appreciate since it encourages people to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.

I went there with a friend and we ordered the classic Shirazi Salad along with the Zucchini Shallot Yogurt to start with, followed by Farida’s Ghaymen Pollow which we shared for the main course. The Ghaymen is a tomato based lamb stew mixed with orange zest and nuts served with saffron rice. Everything was delicious and very flavorful including the two desserts we ordered when done, the Persian saffron ice cream and the Rollet Khamaaei, a moist cake filled with fluffy rose water whipped cream.

The next day, I was already planning my second visit with the same friend, deciding what we’d order when we went back. The experience was that good. The only downside is that the place is small, and their opening hours are short, so you’ll likely have to wait a while to be seated. They don’t take reservations, only walk-ins. The first time I went a couple of weeks ago, I thought I was being clever by arriving just as they opened, but the place filled up before I managed to get a table. The second time, I arrived early, put my name on the list, and waited for them to open. It’s inconvenient, but at least there’s Gia and Boost cafe next door to hang out at until they call you up.

Prices of the food we ordered was as follows:
Shirazi Salad KD1.80
Zucchini Shallot Yogurt KD2.00
Farida’s Ghaymeh Polow KD7.75
Saffron Bastani KD2.75
Rollet Khamaei KD2.25

Farida is currently in their soft opening phase so they’re only open from 3PM to 7PM in the middle of the week, and 2PM to 7PM on weekends. They’re located in Al Khalid Complex in Salmiya (Google Maps) and their Instagram is @farida.kwt




Categories
Food & Drinks Promoted

This is Not a Truffle Burger!

Patti & More has been around long before smashed burgers became a TikTok trend, and they’ve now launched a new burger that pokes fun at the whole truffle burger craze.

The new burger is funnily enough called ‘Not Truffle’, and it’s their new limited release burger featuring their exclusive home-made sweet and tangy sauce. What else is inside? You’re going to have to discover it for yourself (although the pictures might spoil the surprise).

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A post shared by Patti (@pattiandmore)

The new ‘Not Truffle Burger’ is available via delivery, pick-up & V-thru. Check them out @pattiandmore




Categories
50s to 90s Design Photography

Documenting Kuwait’s Post-Oil Houses

Muneera is an independent cultural researcher and documentary photographer who for the past 4 years has been going around Kuwait documenting post-oil houses. Her account is filled with beautiful but decaying homes, that even in their current state still look better than a lot of the newer generic buildings that have been popping up over the past few decades.

When Muneera first started documenting these houses she didn’t have any preconceived ideas of them. Their odd structure compared to buildings around them stood out to her, and their futuristic design contrasted with their deteriorating condition raised a lot of questions about the past and present:

  • What happened back then?
  • Why do we decide to build our homes the way we do?
  • What contributes to shaping our homes, neighborhoods, streets, and cities?
  • What impact does that have on our environment and lived experience in those spaces?

She’s documenting and researching these houses as a way to answer some of these questions, and understand the value of these buildings while considering the wider issues related to land use in Kuwait.

I’m always fascinated with Kuwait’s past and its stories, so I really appreciate Muneera’s effort in capturing these beautiful homes before they disappear forever.

Muneera was also initially documenting baqalas so she could look into their disappearance and the culture around it. She had to stop though since it was taking too much time and decided to focus on the house for now. I actually didn’t really notice baqalas disappearing until she brought it up. My two favorite baqalas in my neighborhood closed down years ago, one turned into a bubble tea shop, the other into a Filipino bakery. They really might be disappearing.

Check out Muneera’s account @th9neighborhood for more photos—she’s captured many beautiful buildings.




Categories
Movies Now Showing Television

Movies & TV Shows to Watch this Weekend

I started watching the series The Old Man. I had it on my to do list for sometime but didn’t start it until now. I really like it so far and disappointed that I put it off for such a long time that they are now in season 2. The series stars Jeff Bridges, John Lithgow (3rd Rock from the Sun), and Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development).

I have another new series I’m planning to start watching as well, Sweetpea which stars Ella Purnell from Fall Out and Yellowjackets. It’s also from the producers of Slow Horses so I’ve got high expectations. But I checked and it’s streaming on Starz or something, so gotta subscribe to yet another streaming platform. As of today I’m current subscribed to the following:

Amazon Prime Video
AMC+
AppleTV+
Hulu
Netlflix
MAX
Paramount+

Depending if there is a new Starwars series or not you can include Disney to the list as well.

Finally, last night I rented and watched Alien Romulus. It was surprisingly pretty good, like you keep wondering what else can they do different with the franchise after I don’t know, 6 or 7 movies already? Turns out they can still do quite a bit! There is also an Alien TV series coming out so that should be cool too.

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:
Cash Out (4.7)
Edward Scissorhands (classic) (7.9)
Imaginary (4.7)
Little Emma (6.5)
Smile 2 (7.1)

Other Movies Showing:
Bagman (6.0)
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (7.0)
Big Trip 3: Race Around the World (N/A)
Daddy’s Head (N/A)
Hellboy: The Crooked Man (4.6)
Joker: Folie à Deux (5.7)
Never Let Go (5.7)
The Wild Robot (8.2)
Transformers One (7.8)
Weekend in Taipei (5.9)
Wrong Place (3.4)

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




Categories
Activities Fun Promoted Things to do

Elevating Family Fun at Al Khiran Mall

Khiran is booming, with more people living there and commuting to the city. Life has also become much more convenient with the addition of Al Khiran Mall, which has brought various brands and services to the area. Beyond shopping, they’ve introduced family entertainment with four key concepts: Fun Tiki, The Court, Jump, and Wonder Zone.

Fun Tiki is an indoor family entertainment center with a curated selection of rides, attractions, and arcade games. Exclusive to Al Khiran Mall are the Mega Mix, a high-adrenaline ride with rapid spins and twists, and Party Dance, a family-friendly, lively experience. Other standout rides include their unique bumper cars that move forward, twist, or pivot instantly for a more dynamic and thrilling ride. Lastly, the Zero Gravity ride, offering the thrill of weightlessness with 360-degree spins at super-high speeds.

The Court is a new experience in Kuwait, designed for sports lovers of all ages. This multi-activity space lets you play basketball, handball, and football simultaneously, with a bouncy twist. Featuring an innovative target system on a safe, padded court, it’s perfect for both individual and group play. The Court fosters active competition in a fun, inclusive environment for families and friends.

Jump is a cutting-edge indoor inflatable park designed to spark imagination and fuel fun for children, with towering slides, obstacle courses, and bouncing adventures.

Lastly, Wonder Zone is a whimsical soft-play area offering a safe, fun environment for little ones. With attractions like slides, trampolines, cannonball games, rainbow jumping nets, and an interactive AR experience, it provides a stimulating adventure that helps develop motor skills.

Together, these four unique concepts create an entertainment experience that makes the trip to Khiran well worth it. For more info, head over to @funtiki.kw and @wonderzone.kw




Categories
People Videos

A Viral Florist in Kuwait Engages Millions Online

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