Ketchup
Abdullah Al Hamdan Street, Olaya
Info & mapWrite a Review
Tel: 01 2192428
visit website
For me, the defining moment of my meal in Ketchup is not the ketchup. It’s the sweet fries, a simple side dish of fried thinly-sliced sweet potatoes sprinkled with sugar and tinged with a hint of cinnamon. I cannot get enough of it and eating in Ketchup for two consecutive nights is a testament to that.
Of course it’s not just the sweet fries that I like in Ketchup. Almost all their chicken meals are heavenly. Peanut Chicken, Hawaiian Chicken, BBQ Chicken, Parmesan Chicken… yes, my friends and I tried ‘em all and each one left an indelible mark in our palate. It’s the chicken breast they use that really made a difference. It’s always succulent and generously-proportioned. No matter how the salty, peanut butter-laden Peanut Chicken nor the pineapple-topped Hawaiian Chicken captivated us, it’s the Shake n’ Bake that deserved a round of applause. The pistachio-crusted chicken breast with light gravy served with mashed potatoes and crisp, vibrant veggies takes the center table. The Parmesan Chicken, partnered with marinara pasta, is a winner too. I like the huge prawns in their Summer Scampi but the pasta was a little bit too sour; probably someone got too excited in squeezing the lemon. For some reason, we find the truffle fries boring and just plain; a disappointment since where will we use our ketchup now?
The desserts are a hit and miss too. We like the gooey chocolate fondant and the chunky cookies in the ice cream sandwich but they’re not exceptionally good. A friend lauded the banana pudding though. And I like the Oreo cheesecake; its thick and creamy and sweet. My teeth are aching from the assault of unadulterated sweetness. That’s good, right?
Ketchup Restaurant is hard to miss so don’t tell me you haven’t seen it. It’s a red, boxy beacon just off Tahlia Street. The vibe inside is upscale, and youthful; sometimes punctured with cries from children. The redness of it all gets in the eyes after a while. I couldn’t concentrate on my food! But it’s an enjoyable atmospehere when chatting with friends with a glass of Ketchup’s refreshing soda and juices.
Ketchup promises a menu of childhood favorites recreated with a gourmet twist, a sexy and sophisticated ambiance, and on-hand, reliable service… they deliver on all aspects. And like their namesake condiment, Ketchup is a good, timeless accompaniment to lunch and dinner plans.
Ketchup,
I had a friend visiting Riyadh and wanted to go to a different restaurant on the same street but we were refused entry as it was getting near to prayer time, however Ketchup let us in. The place was nice and clean with plain decor, but completely empty. The staff were attentive without being “in your face”.
The food was quite good. I had the Hawaiian chicken which had a bit of a ‘sweet n sour’ thing going on but was tasty nonetheless. My friend had the rack of lamb in a cabernet reduction which he said was very good. The portion size was just about right and we both left contented. We’d certainly go back there again.
The idea of it being red is unique and attractive, but it becomes very bothersome after sitting inside for a bit. I feel bad for the employees.
In anycase, went with a group of 5 people. None of us were very satisfied with the quality of food. I even ordered the most simple dish, Mac n Cheese. How you can screw that up is a mystery to me.