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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.

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

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.

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

Over the summer, Lush released a watermelon soap with 100% of the profits going toward childhood mental health services in Palestine, and it has recently become available at Lush in Kuwait.

The “Watermelon Slice” feels right at home on their shelves, which is why I love this simple idea so much. Right next to the watermelon slices, they have the following message written:

You can’t wash away the trauma children experience during conflicts – but when you buy this soap, 100% of the profits will be donated solely to projects providing urgently needed professional mental health support and trauma counselling for children in Gaza and the West Bank.

Lush sells the watermelon slices by weight, so the thicker the slice, the more it costs and the more you donate. I love it.

Back in 2018 I picked up a 12.9″ iPad Pro and I’ve been using it daily ever since. It’s my watch YouTube while in bed display and when I travel it’s my watch my shows and movies on the plane display. I also use it for my Apple News+ magazine subscriptions, and I think that’s about it.

A couple of days ago I made an impulse buy, I ended up buying the new M4 iPad Pro 13″. I wasn’t planning to, my wife didn’t want her 12.9″ iPad Pro and instead wanted to take my iPad Mini, so I figured I could sell both her iPad Pro and mine and get a new one instead. It was just a thought and I started price browsing when I spotted the 11″ iPad Pro on WiBi for KD275 and it was a lot cheaper than I was expecting it to cost. I then checked the price of the 13 Pro and it was KD335 so I was like I’m just going to get it now and then sell my other 2 iPads later.

Now I’m kinda regretting it. There really isn’t anything different between the two based on my very basic requirements. I thought maybe the screen would be a huge difference since the new iPad Pro’s have OLED displays but unless I have the two iPad’s side by side I barely could notice the difference. Then I figured the new iPad would be much lighter, but again unless you’ve got two in each hand, you’re not going to notice.

One thing I do notice, but also requires my other iPad next to me is the thickness. Holding the iPad without the case does feel substantially nicer on the new iPad because it’s thinner and slightly lighter. So one benefit but I don’t use my iPad enough in that position for it to make any difference for me.

A second positive with the new iPad is the Smart Folio case, the regular thin Apple case that covers the back and front. The case now allows you to adjust the viewing angle to one that works best for you while the previous case on my older iPad just had one position.

So basically what I want to say is if you already have an older iPad Pro, the newest one isn’t that different. In my case it’s not different at all since I just watch YouTube on it 99% of the time. So I definitely regret buying it.

If you’re interested in picking up a used iPad Pro 12.9″, check the classifieds section in the next couple of days since I’ll be listing both there.

I never got the chance to see Michael Jackson live, but this might be the next best thing. Michael Lives Forever is a mega tribute concert, with faithful reproductions of his iconic costumes and choreography. This isn’t just a random tribute show, this is the longest-running and most successful Michael Jackson tribute show in the world. Like properly legit.

After watching a couple of videos of the show, it looks like from where I’ll be sitting, I wouldn’t be able to tell it wasn’t the real Michael Jackson performing. The show was actually conceived, choreographed, and brought to life by Lavelle Smith Jr., the renowned choreographer who worked directly with Michael Jackson for over 25 years. The show has toured around the world and has been seen by over a millions fans to date.

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Blast Off Events are the ones bringing Michael Lives Forever to Kuwait and the show is taking place on October 25 at the JACC National Theater. Tickets start from just 5KD and are available on jacc-kw.com. For more information head over to @blastoff.events

Qudra is a Kuwait-based freelance marketplace that links freelancers with clients. Their platform is designed to easily connect talent in Kuwait and the MENA region with clients in need of various services, such as graphic design, digital marketing, interior design and more. The app offers tools like secure payments, direct communication, and comprehensive freelancer profiles, making it easier for clients to find the right match for their projects.

For freelancers, Qudra offers you a space to showcase your skills to a relevant audience. I’ve also heard too many stories of freelancers completing work only to have clients take it without paying. With Qudra, your payment is secured before you start, and once the project is completed, the funds get released to you.

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Qudra offers numerous benefits to clients seeking freelance services. It simplifies the hiring process by providing you access to a diverse pool of local talent with a wide range of skills. Alternatively, you can post a job listing with a specific budget and have freelancers reach out to you.

Whether you’re looking to hire or showcase your skills, Qudra makes the process seamless and efficient, revolutionizing the growth of Kuwait’s freelance economy.

To find out more or to download the app, head over to Qudra.app

Pinkfong and Baby Shark are coming to Kuwait for a one of a kind concert experience.

The Baby Shark live shows offer a unique musical experience and are ideal for fans of all ages. Pinkfong have performed in over 200 countries and engaged over 1.5 millions around the world. Children can sing along to the songs and meet the characters.

The show, organized by Blue Panda Production, will take place from October 3 to 5 at the Gulf Cooperation Council Joint Program Production Institution Theater in Salmiya (Google Maps).

Here’s some exclusive information: you can book a meet-and-greet with the band after every show, directly at the venue.

So join Pinkfong and Baby Shark as they take you on a musical adventure. Tickets start at 10KD and are available on Eventat. For more information, check @bluepandaproduction

Auto World Show is a car show that’s more than just a car show. Last year was their first year and they had a bunch of different things happening during the week including talks, sim and RC racing, stunt shows, a 4×4 proving ground and more. This year they’re back again for the second year running and the show starts from today and will last till September 28th.

All the major car brands will be there including the major European ones as well as most of the Chinese brands. I went to it last year and I didn’t find it interesting at all since there wasn’t any car I hadn’t seen before, but I’ll be going to it again this year just for fun.

The show is being held at the Mishref Fair Grounds and is from 10AM to 10PM. For more info, here is a link to their website.

Yesterday the Ministry of Interior announced they’ll be installing new intelligent AI-powered traffic cameras. The new cameras are meant to automatically detect seat belt violations, and drivers using their phones while driving. This isn’t the first time the MOI announced automated monitoring. Back in January 2023, the MOI announced they were installing new smart cameras that could detect both those violations, but that never materialized for some reason.

Although not much information was shared yesterday regarding the new cameras, based on some research I did there are a couple of companies that provide these traffic cameras, including Acusensus and VITRONIC. VITRONIC recently installed AI cameras in the UAE and have a Middle East office so it’s very probable those are the ones we are getting.

No matter which brand we are getting, they all work similarly:

• The traffic cameras capture high-resolution images of approaching vehicles.

• Artificial intelligence (AI) software filters the images to detect possible mobile phone use, or failure to wear a seatbelt by the driver and front seat passenger.

• If AI does not see a potential violation, it will reject the image.

• If AI detects a driver who may be using a phone or not wearing their seatbelt, it flags the image for further review.

• Images which are flagged for potential violations are then checked and verified by an officer.

So AI won’t be issuing tickets automatically, violations will still be double checked by a real person which is good news. These new AI cameras are also really effective. In Australia they trialed a similar AI traffic camera and in the first month alone, 1,500 drivers and 225 passengers were caught not wearing seatbelts, and almost 1,200 drivers were caught using their mobile phones.

Not sure how bad seatbelt violations are, but I’m really hoping this will stop people using their phones while driving since they’re the most annoying drivers.

The Arts & Crafts shop that used to be located off Canada Dry street have moved to a new location. Their new shop is located in the Design District in Shuwaikh, the same complex that has the restaurants Cure and Ovo (Google Maps).

The store is much smaller than their previous location but they’re still a good place to visit if you’re looking for specific art supplies from any of the following brands:

Art Rangers
Canson
Daler-Rowney
Gelli
Lyra
Maimeri
Mogart
Rotring
Sennelier
Speedball

They used to have an online store but seems to be down. Also not sure what their relationship with Mogahwi is since they have a joint store in Shuwaikh as well (Google Maps).

Their Instagram isn’t updated frequently but if you want to check it out it’s @artsandcrafts_kw

Marks & Spencer recently opened their new location in The Avenues. It’s located in Phase II in place of where Baroue used to be located. The new store also has their food range and an M&S Cafe.

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