Sunday, February 07, 2010
Mondo Cafe in Alkhobar: Comforting
A simple joy: Comfort food in a most comfortable place.
Mondo. That's the cafe's name. Unfrequented because it's situated in an area hidden from public roads. The cafe's facade is affluently designed, hence, most people would assume that they are high-priced. The truth is: their price is fair.It's actually a meeting place among Saudis and Mideastern expats for a late night tea or coffee. I see a few Filipino customers at times, but not often.
It's in Mondo where I tasted a very delicious girgir (rocket) salad in balsamic vinegar with thinly sliced mozarella cheese.
Downside: All their pasta are cream and cheese-based (a friend once told me to always go for the natural pasta sauces like pesto or marinara). Old age, it appears, limits your options for pasta sauces. Hehe.
Mondo is not new. They've been in operation for more than four years now. In fact, only when I revisited the place the other night did I find out that most of their Pinoy service crewmembers have gone back home, and are now replaced by Indian Nationals.
I was hoping I could order their pesto chicken and replace the mashed potato with pasta strips, but my Pinoy friend opted for the cheesy Pasta Alfredo. As expected, it was too cheesy.
We matched it with a Mondo pizza which they served in thin crust pan topped with mozarella, tomato paste, black olives, and melted feta cheese. A bit sour because of the tomato paste.
The tab? SAR 80. We didn't even consume the full serving because the pasta alone was so filling.
Did I enjoy it? Yes. Although the food is not to die for, Mondo remains as a good place to unwind with friends. Its ambiance is cool, it's not crowded and you can even sit beside the fountain so you could listen to a lulling sound of running water while exchanging stories with friends.
I had a grand time. In fact, the food, the place, the short chat with a friend comforted me. I'll be back for sure.
Looks like the ambiance is so relaxing, but this would be a better place for you and your "significant other" (nasan ba siya??) hehehe....the Cheesy Pasta Alredo really looks cheesy nga from your photo palang e hehehe..naks naman food critic ka ngayon ah hehehe...galing talaga idol ;-) by the way, do they serve big serving?
PIZZA?!!!Paborito ko yan! lolzz Oo nga pareng nebz, nasan ba si "significant other"? kailan mo sya pakikilala? :D
Nebz ang aga ko tuloy ginutom dito sa pasta mo :)
Saan ito kuya?
Sards: Hala...intriga yan. Kapatid ko sa paniniwala ung kasama ko. Sa paniniwalang 'hunting can also be done at night'. Hehe. Yes, they have family-sized servings. Na-try namin minsan ung big serving ng pasta, parang plangganita ang laki ng pinggan. As in. Matatawa ka.
Charlie: Hay naku, significant other ka jan. Ung kasama ko e syang tagahanap ko ng significant others. Ay other lang pala. Haha.
Jess: Minsan nga kain tayo dun. Libre mo ko. (Kapal ko ba talaga?)
Braggart: Do you know where the Dhow Restaurant is? O kaya e ung Diet Center? Malapit sa tulay ng Corniche. Banda doon. Hindi masyadong kita dahil nakatago. May fountain sa labas. Gusto mo samahan kita? Libre mo rin ako. (Hehe).
It's interesting to "see" you're doing a food review. There's also a cafe/resto here named Belle Mondo.
I'm reading this early in the morning, so it's almost breakfast. I'm getting hungry already! I wish we could go there these coming days and try the restaurant.
Hello Kuya!
Ay oo nga! tago nga yang lugar na iyan.. dinadaan daanan lang namin kasi akala din namin kasi for family lang iyan.. ha ha ha ha.. thanks for the info..hahaha as for the treat.. pag lumabas na ang increase ..inshallah ..kung lalabas nga!
If the opportunity comes to visit Alkhobar, I will take note of this place. Dining out once in a while is relaxing... The last time I had was on my bday (Dec) with my two Irish friends. We had a wonderful food in TGIF (Friday's), Belfast. I was surprised that my Irish friends did not bother to order wine!
Wow, a food post! The pasta looks so cheesy and yummy! There's a Mondo Cafe in Riyadh too. I better tell the girls about this. Thanks for the review. :)
- S of The Pink Tarha
Ginutom naman ako sa post mo, Nebz... Mayaya nga si Keith doon for dinner bukas :) Thanks for sharing!
BTW, tinatanong ng asawa ko kung bakit parang nawala daw ang ilang mga comment niya sa posts mo... tampururut tuloy - hahaha!
yeeeeee!!!! ang sarap ng PASTA!!!!
nakakapaglaway naman yan...
haha!
:P
Mukhang maliit lang ang Pasta Alfredo pero nakakabusog agad?!
...looks so relaxing to be at Mondo Cafe!
Anong drinks niyo Kuya Nebz?
Just came across your blog (originally via Susie's Big Adventure...) and love it.
I particularly would love to hear more on your visits to the local food places.
I will definitely be watching from now on.
Just came across your blog (originally via Susie's Big Adventure...) and love it.
I particularly would love to hear more on your visits to the local food places.
I will definitely be watching from now on.