BY ALYAA MALIK
The name “Soho Club” is enough to intrigue you, but the chic food and upbeat atmosphere will invite you to stay. A t the beating heart of the city center is an intriguing façade filled with enormous light bulbs, powerfully glowing inside big letters that spell “Soho Club.” It’s hard to miss it if you’re passing by Tahlia Street, especially at night. The name itself was enough to strike my interest and while we all know there’s no real “club” in Saudi Arabia, it warranted my curiosity enough to enter and see what it’s all about.
In Manhattan, Soho is a neighborhood known as the inner sanctum for artistic minds. In Riyadh, the Soho Club seem to inspire the same as its namesake – eccentric, creative and somewhat flamboyant. Inside, there’s a decorative scaffolding by the beverage bar adorned with more brightly-lit bulbs. A large wooden table in the middle holds a number of candelabras, each with melting red candles, its wax deliberately dripping below for a dramatic effect. The ceiling provides a subtle centerpiece to the dining area, showcasing a hand-painted artwork that combines calligraphy and color. While the whole space would appear slightly dim, a small corner on one the side hosts a chandelier and some musical instruments. It is where invited musicians would perform at Soho Club at least once a week.
Meanwhile, a mural of a renaissance dog overlooks it from a distance (everyone who comes to Soho Club takes a photo of it). The creative vibe makes it way to the food presentation with appetizers like Cappuccino Soup and Buffalo Chicken Cone, with the first being a tomato soup sipped in a coffee mug and the latter being a large waffle cone stuffed with chicken cutlets.
Their menu is generally casual with appetizers, burgers, salads and a few main courses. The Mushroom Poppers, Chicken Wings and Soho Fries in particular come as highly recommended with its savory flavors and food for all qualities. Their bestselling salads include the Berry Quinoa Salad and the Kale, Date and Truffle Salad, which were as attractive as they were delicious. For the craving carnivores, their Smoked Brisket and smoked ribs have got you covered. Their burgers and sliders are also a huge hit. The patties, whether beef or chicken, are juicy and flavorful. The bread is soft yet firm enough to hold the components. It’s no wonder their burgers and sandwiches are considered as the restaurant’s bestsellers.
If you are a sweet tooth, then the Soho Shakes will definitely get you excited. The Rumma Mia and the Charlie & The Chocolate Factory shakes were both deliberately designed with candies, chocolates, jelly beans and even cotton candy! The best thing about them were despite their cloying looks, the milkshake itself weren’t overwhelmingly sweet. We bet kids (and kids at heart) will enjoy these drinks. The restaurants’ cool and cozy atmosphere makes it conducive for lounging and chilling in the middle of a busy city. On some evenings, they would have musicians over for a little entertainment. It’s a place where you can laugh out loud, have a good time and be surrounded by art. Upcoming performers are announced on their social media two days before.
For bookings
Soho Club Tahlia St., Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Opening hours: 1:00 PM – 12:00 AM daily
Tel: 92002690
Website: http://www.mira-foods.com/booking/
Instagram: @soho_club_ksa
