Italian
Ciao
- The Italian Restaurant (P7) Tel 665 1537
Off
Andalus Street, next to Gulf Royal Seafood
Staking its claim as the most
authentic and traditional Italian restaurant in Jeddah, it offers a huge menu
of soups, pastas, meat and fish dishes with a great array of desserts.
Open daily from 1.00pm to 1.00 am, reservations are recommended at the
weekend.
Il
Castello
(P5) Tel: 665 2281
Off
Khalid bin Waleed St (from Palestine Street, turn right at Al Dewan Décor)
Overflowing with atmosphere,
this warren of a restaurant has been in business for 24 years - the maitré d
for considerably longer! The
extensive menu is consistently delicious.
Popular for business lunches as well as in the evenings.
La
Fontana
(P7) Tel: 661 1800
Inter-continental
Hotel, Corniche
This used to be a wonderful Italian restaurant but sadly, it didn't survive the refurb!
Al
Fredo
(O5) Tel: 669 6444
Al
Bustan, Palestine Street at junction with Madinah Road
Located on the mezzanine
floor, this gourmet venue serves authentic Italian food a la carte and is open
for lunch and dinner. Watch your
pasta being prepared by the chef at the pasta station.
The
Italian Club (Q6)
Italian
Consulate
Quite tricky to find, you need
to get someone to lead you there as it is definitely worth a visit.
By its very nature it has to be the most authentic around and you don't
have to be an Italian passport holder to dine here!
Delicious dishes, excellent value, wrought iron furniture and glass top
tables in cool spacious surroundings - might not be conducive to children
eating as well but they are more than welcome and are ably entertained by the
waiters!
Polcaris
(M7) Tel: 661 2880
Tahlia
Street, west of El Khayyat Centre
Opened in October 2000, this
restaurant brings the cooking of the Polcari family of Boston, USA. famous
since 1954 to Jeddah. Remniscent
of a converted warehouse with stone flagged floor and brick walls, the tables
are large and sturdy with solid wooden-backed benches.
The portions are nothing less than enormous and it's not surprising
that the black and white family photographs that line walls show a sturdy
family that clearly enjoyed their cuisine.
The menu with 69 items on it excluding
desserts can make choosing a bit difficult.
Polcari's Garlic Bread is extra special with added pesto and cheese,
SR10. The 'small' Caesar Salad at
SR16.00 was overflowing its bowl as was Ma's Penne - tender white chicken, sun
dried tomatoes, smoked mozzarella and a sundried tomato and garlic sauce
tossed with fresh basil and penne pasta for SR42.00
All of this left no room for dessert so you will have to discover those
for yourself!
La
Villa
(M6) Tel: 667 3434
Abdul
Majeed Shabukshi Street, Near Bugshan Centre, behind Tahlia Street
There are two sides to this
restaurant - the casual pizza and pasta takeaway from the 'hole in the wall'
outside and the cool sophisticated interior offering a full a la carte menu.
The comprehensive menu offers traditional dishes that are beautifully
presented and the service is efficient but discreet.
For your first course choose from a range of antipasti at around SR25,
soups at SR15 or salads from SR20. The
wide selection of fresh pastas are made daily and can be enjoyed as a starter
or main course. Main course
options include six risotti and chicken, lamb, beef, veal and seafood dishes
with fresh seasonal vegetables. The
pizzas are first class and can be enjoyed inhouse as well as takeaway - a
choice of twelve from SR30 to SR45. The
dessert list is topped of course by Tiramisu and followed by other classical
Italian dolce. Enjoy!
Villa
D'Aosta
(O6) Tel: 660 2000
Hotel
Sofitel, Palestine Street
An a la carte menu offers
authentic Italian cuisine in an Alpine chalet setting, tucked away inside the
hotel.
Try also Da Pino at the Red Sea Palace Hotel, Balad (R6) Tel: 642 8555