Last Weekend I Fell in Love With Nespresso During My Stay At The Missoni Hotel in Kuwait

My Suite overlooking the Arabian Gulf.

Each suite at the Missoni Hotel in Kuwait has a Nespresso Machine.

There is also a tea kettle and abundant supplies for my guests.

My first request ~ for the Bellhop to make me an espresso.

The Bellhop called for backup when he found out I had visitors coming, "The Girls". :)

I haven't had the time to download the photographs and post about my weekend at the Missoni Hotel.  (Inshallah, I will very soon.)

I spent two nights there last weekend and tried all of their restaurants and the Six Senses spa.  I stayed in the two room suite which was simply amazing.  The view of the Arabian Gulf was beyond spectacular.  The one thing I had to have after my stay at the Missoni was my own Nespresso Machine. 

The night I arrived home (Saturday) this was waiting for me.

I also received a lifetime supply of espresso sleeves, brown sugar and limited edition Nespresso cups.

All I wanted was the simplest machine (espresso for blondes) but what I received instead was this all in one, spectacular model.

I need a closet just for my Nespresso sleeves!

Thank you to my Kuwaiti Santa for making my Nespresso dreams come true way before Christmas. ;)

Click here for where to purchase a Nespresso in Kuwait

Mi Piace il Cioccolato at Dolce Antico

Al Plaza Mall in Hawalli, Kuwait

He heard about this place from friends and told me he wanted to try their chocolate.  He took photographs to send and tease me while I was stuck at work.

They fixed him coffee and gave him samples of chocolates to try.

He is very romantic and has an obsession with the world's best chocolates.

I shared with my friends and everyone loved them.

Dolce Antico

Al Plaza Mall

Kuwait

Tel: (965) 2265-0828

www.dolceantico.com

It's Always a Healthy Bite from Edible Arrangements in Kuwait

I can't say enough good things about Edible Arrangements in Kuwait.  I just love receiving fruit bouquets from their amazing store.  I wasn't crazy about their kiwi or mango this time.  Some of the mango wasn't ripe enough and the kiwi tasted too bitter.  Everything else was delicious and I adore their strawberries.

I recommend my favorite which is their pineapple, grapes and chocolate dipped strawberries bouquet.  The mixed dipped strawberries in a box are really nice as well.  Check out their Ramadan specials ~ Yummy!

Nestlé Toll House Café in Kuwait Reminds Me of Home

Nestlé Toll House Café located in Abu Al Hasaniya’s The Village

Pictures above taken by my sweetheart to show me how cute the cafe looks.

If you read my post, Death Threats to Hayati, you will know that I forced my sweetheart to drive in the Ramadan traffic last weekend to get me my cookie fix.  I barked orders over the telephone while I chilled on the sofa. ;)

When he arrived at the Cafe he called me so he could tell me what was available.  He seemed a little impatient because he is Kuwaiti ;P and the place was packed.  I could tell he wasn't really listening to my order so I said let me text you my order. We hung up and I sent him my request via text.  I knew he might screw up my order (men :P) but I was just happy lying on the sofa waiting for my cookies to arrive. 

Here is the yummy part...

He did really well and brought me exactly what I wanted.  3 chocolate chip cookies, 3 peanut butter cookies, 3 chocolate chip cookies with nuts and one brownie.  They were all delicious and I'm really happy that Nestle Toll House Cafe has opened in Kuwait.  Now I can have a huge Nestle cookie for our wedding cake. ;)

This is what he brought me from the Nestle Toll House Cafe and I enjoyed every mouthwatering bite.  Nestle Toll House cookies remind me of home.

Nestlé Toll House Café Opens in Kuwait

On Saturday, July 30, Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip, a premiere bakery and dessert bar, opened the doors of the first Kuwait restaurant located in Abu Al Hasaniya’s The Village. This is the second café opening in a six-week period for Royal Food Services Company, the master developer of this location as well as a location in Dubai. Royal Food Services Company is slated to establish a presence in the countries of Kuwait, UAE, and Jordan with a minimum of 48 cafes throughout the three countries. 

Crowds flocked around the spacious freestanding restaurant on opening day in anticipation of sampling the selection of fresh-baked desserts, NESCAFE premium dessert coffees, and more. The Village cafe will hold grand opening celebrations beginning on September 15 with free cookies, dessert tastings, contests, and more for all shoppers visiting the location.

“We are very happy about the first café opening in Kuwait and the second opening for our company,” says Sulaiman Al Wazzan, chairman of Royal Food Services, franchisee of Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip. “Our customers in Kuwait can now enjoy a new dessert experience. The second café in Kuwait is planned to open in late December 2011. Our development plan for Kuwait, Dubai, and Jordan is very aggressive and will position the brand in the marketplace for years to come.”

The new lifestyle café in The Village, the first of its kind for the Richardson, Texas-based chain, is well suited to customers in the shopping venue. This café profile allows the brand to customize the dessert experience based on the style of the shopping mall and the geographical location.  

Ziad Dalal, founder and CEO of Crest Foods, franchisor of Nestlé Toll House® Café by Chip, has positioned the company for explosive growth in the Middle East. “We are excited about our partnership with Royal Food Services Company and this new café design which enables us to further meet the needs of our guests,” Dalal says. “Kuwait is the ideal market to introduce this new freestanding café design internationally and Royal Food Services is the perfect developer to continue to expand the concept in the region.”

For those dining in, dessert lovers are invited to indulge in the sweet aroma of chocolate, fresh-baked confections, and premium dessert coffees at the bakery and dessert bar. A selection of sandwiches, salads, and smoothies accompany the simple fare done well. The open floor plan offers several seating options available including café-style chairs and tables along with soft seating conversation zones. Customers can place orders online for cookies and cookie cakes wrapped and ready for giving by visiting http://www.nestlecafe.com/.

Launched with one location in 2000, Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip now has 96 locations in 24 U.S. States and four new international locations in the Middle East.

Article Link from QSR Magazine

Who is Amanda Staveley? The Girl From Doncaster Who Became the Toast of Abu Dhabi

The daring takeover of Manchester City was masterminded by a financier who once turned down a marriage proposal from Prince Andrew.  (Read link below for full story.)

Independent ~ Interesting Article from 2008

Once touted as a future wife for the Duke of York, Amanda Staveley, who helped bring huge investments in Barclays and Manchester City from Gulf sheikhs, seems a shade desperate to make up the numbers at her wedding to Mehrdad Ghodoussi at West Wycombe Park in Bucks on Oct 29.  (Fact or fiction? Sounds like author of below link is a hater.)

Telegraph Article ~ August 2011



Death Threats to Hayati

Ever since I read about the opening of the Nestle Toll House Cafe in Kuwait on Danderma's Blog I've had some wicked cookie cravings.  I just gotta have them and tonight's the night.  I can't wait to have one in my mouth with a cold glass of milk to chase it down.   

Minutes later I found myself calling him...

Hinting and hinting that I wanted him to drive in the crazy Ramadan traffic to go and get them tonight after Fotoor.  He wouldn't budge and said we can go tomorrow.  WTH??? Excuse me? Do you mean NO? Damn, I"m losing my touch.  I'm not used to the word no in English or Kuwaiti.  *Sulking*

He said he didn't sleep well so he wants to nap after Fotoor and go tomorrow.  His entire family is in Europe for the summer so we are pretty much on our own except for a few family members and the staff.  No, no, no, no I said I have to have them tonight!  He started laughing and said tomorrow princess.  So I lovingly threatened his life and it worked. Seriously! He's afraid of me and you would be too if you stood between me and my Nestle Toll House Cookies. 

Dear Nestle: I have a confession to make on my Mother's behalf.  My Mom uses your store bought cookie dough and mashes it in a bowl.  She adds fresh pecans, spice and spoons it on a cooking sheet to give the illusion that they are homemade.  Then she tells everyone that they are her secret family recipe from scratch. Basically, my Mother is a big fat liar when it comes to her cookies so I thought I would let you know the truth.  It's embarrassing and now my cookie conscience is clear.

Photo credit ~ Nestle.com