Satisfy your carnivore cravings at Chef Nicolas Isnard’s new restaurant.
Riyadh’s restaurant scene is heating up. House of Grill has opened in Fairmont Riyadh, offering a sophisticated steakhouse experience for lovers of flame-licked meat.
Fairmont Riyadh is one of the most desirable accommodation options in the Kingdom. The hotel is also home to international dining destination The 365, The Plaza for coffee and cakes, and Italian restaurant Pesto.
House of Grill is all about meat, glorious meat. Here, the competent culinary team showcase fresh meat and prime cuts, alongside a charming chef’s table experience. If you love to share your supper on social media, live cooking is present and correct – so, expect to see flames.
The décor boasts Art Deco touches that add old-school glamour. We loved the old gramophones and radios dotted around the sultry space. Elsewhere, framed photos line the pillars, while mirrors, dark woods, teal furnishings, and a statement bar add to the intimacy of the Gatsby-esque space.
Chef Nicolas Isnard has created the menu at House of Grill. Hailing from the South of France, he was inspired by his Italian grandmother and made a name for himself with Mediterranean food. He previously worked at the MICHELIN-starred restaurants La Prieure and Le Vieux Logis. Plus, he worked at the two MICHELIN-starred restaurant, La Rotonde.
Pressed white tablecloths and glittering gold cutlery add an air of formality. However, the upbeat soundtrack, ranging from Jazz to Motown, enlivens the space with a conviviality that is further enhanced by slick service from the front-of-house team.
House of Grill’s menu features prime meat cuts, fresh ocean delicacies, and reinvented steakhouse classics, resulting in a sophisticated take on the classic steakhouse. The beverage list includes signature mocktails such as the Cherry Negroni (SAR 65), a compelling concoction of Lyre’s Italian Orange Aperitif Rosso, Sour Cherry Cordial and Espresso Foam, and the Smokey Penicillin (SAR 65), comprising of Lapsang Souchong Tea, Apple Juice, Ginger, Runny Honey and Lemon, in addition to selection of zero-alcohol wines and spirits.
Broken down into soups, salads, starters, main courses, sauces, and sides, the compact menu at House of Grill prioritises quality over quantity. The appetisers range from Oscietra Caviar (SAR 890) to an Asian-style Lobster Salad (SAR 165); however, we stick to the classics. The Carpaccio (SAR 120) offers thin slices of beef mixed with burrata, mini mushrooms and a healthy drizzle of balsamic. The result: an elevated take on a steakhouse staple.
Chef Nicolas Isnard states: “As the chef, my vision is to elevate the steak experience to an art form, infusing each cut with distinct flavours, textures, and a touch of magic, where every steak is a canvas for creativity and expertise.”
This certainly appears to be the case across a selection that includes Beef Tournedos Rossini (SAR 320), Confit Lamb Shoulder (SAR 185), and Slow Cooked Black Angus Short Ribs (SAR 190). Prime cuts include Australian BLACK Onyx 3+, Milk Fed Veal Center Cut Filet (SAR 195) and Rangers Valley Wagyu 5+. We opt for the latter in the form of a 220g tenderloin (SAR 385) and pair it with a basket of thick-cut Homemade Truffled French Fries (SAR 45). A selection of sides and sauces can accompany steaks, and although we’re partial to a Béarnaise, the Chocolate and Chilli Sauce enhanced the flavours of the exceptional meat with a hint of fieriness undercut by an undeniable sweetness.
Desserts maintain the same level of quality. If you have room, the Tiramisu Praline (SAR 70), is unbelievably light and creamy, with a pleasant textural grittiness from the chunks of praline immersed within. A selection of Nakhati Ice Cream ranging from Piemonte Hazelnut to Roasted Pistachio also comes highly recommended.
House of Grill has some strong competition in Riyadh, but with a loyal following of hotel guests, regular diners, an intimate and inviting environment, this feels like a second home.
Feel the heat.
GO: Visit www.fairmont.com for more information.
