Al Shaheed Park is truly a gem of a location in Kuwait. Large and lush, filled with greenery, vast spaces for jovial strolling, and quite a few luxurious dining options! What’s lovely about these dining options is that they’re widespread and nestled around different parts of the park, providing ample space for patrons to enjoy their visits as they see fit. When you’re hungry, be sure to pop over to Terazzo for a gorgeous meal to top off your gorgeous stay at the park.
Nestled directly across from the amphitheater where shows and concerts are hosted, this crisp eatery is the perfect spot to grab an intimate meal. It serves a modern and welcoming vibe, with minimalist chicness and beauty from the moment you walk in. Consisting of natural hues with wood elements as well as full glass windows and a black mosaic wall alongside the bar of the restaurant, light is invited into the restaurant during the daytime to create a playful movement along the pixelated walls. Gold-toned chain curtains are also placed at the windows, allowing a beautiful shimmer and let’s face it, offers temptation to play around a little while you wait for your food, but mostly shows off the restaurant’s contemporary touches.
But let’s talk about the food served at Terazzo. The menu seems small, but it is far from simple! It touches on classic comforting traditions with Mediterranean undertones such as creamy Burrata platters accompanied by crostini and a trio of different styled Bruschetta: Ratatouille topped with a fried quail egg, pistachio pesto Caprese, and sweet brie with almonds and cinnamon. And lest we forget, the chicken wings. Let me start off by saying that this bazaarite isn’t a poultry person, and has barely touched the protein in 15 years. However, co-partner, architect and dining companion extraordinaire Yousef Al Qaoud persisted that I should try possibly the best chicken wings of my life and promised that if I didn’t like them I would never have to bother with chicken again. I think, this was when I officially converted: these wings were perfectly fried with a lemon-garlic glaze and a spicy kick, encasing tender, tender chicken. Served alongside a sour cream and chive dip, this appetizer is described as ‘a basket full of goodness’ for a reason! For the record, I had not one, not two, but three of those bad boys – they were seriously addictive.
Next came an array of mains to enjoy. Glittering the table was a beautifully constructed plate of colors making up the indulgent Paella Risotto, Funghi Fettuccine, and the pizza to end all pizzas, Bresaola.
The Paella Risotto consisted of saffron spiced risotto, giving the rice a beautifully rich golden color and mildly creamy texture, with artfully placed mussels, shrimp and squid throughout. And the crème de la crème of the dish? A gorgeously roasted chicken drumstick topping off the masterpiece, with skin so crisp, that I, as a newfound chicken lover, was able to appreciate.
The Funghi Fettuccine offered a lovely combination of three different types of mushrooms, arriving as a medley that deliciously enhanced the creaminess of goat’s cheese mixed throughout the fresh ribbons of pasta. Each bite emoted comfort and complete satisfaction, promising you warmth and pleasure on even the dreariest of days.
But nothing could prepare me for the Bresaola Pizza: a pizza so good, that although the size is perfect for two, I wanted to hog the whole thing for myself. Let’s start out with the way the crust is prepared: The base of the thin, bubbly crust had the telltale signs of a wood-fired oven, but Yousef swore that Terazzo houses no such fixture! In my book, if someone can trick you into believing it was made in a real-deal pizza oven, then you know that this is going to live happily ever after in your tummy. The beautiful combination of mozzarella with bresaola and a heap of crisp, green arugula did the trick, but the showstopper was the generous drizzle of truffle oil, bringing out the playfulness of flavors.
“You think this is good?” Yousef asked me as I helped myself to a second slice (don’t judge me, he didn’t!) “Then you should try our Brie and Berries pizza!” Described as a blueberry compote base, brie, blackberries, arugula, honey and bacon bits, it sounded intriguing, but it would have to wait until the next visit, because dessert caught my eye.
While their dessert menu is small, it delivers maximum taste and indulgence to end your Terazzo experience on a sweet note. The Alaska wowed me in its presentation, as well as taste. Reminiscent of the classic vintage dessert, Baked Alaska, this version was deconstructed. Featuring a cake ‘biscuit’, vanilla ice cream and pistachio-chocolate blend, complemented by a pool of homemade raspberry coulis and topped with a torched-at-the-table, generous pile of creamy meringue. This resulted in one of the most unforgettable desserts to ever grace my palate. Then I met the Tiramisu Donut, and I knew I was in trouble. A decadent double coffee-glazed donut fit for sharing is cut in half to sandwich whipped vanilla, mascarpone and cocoa powder. Pair this with a steaming cup of hot coffee, and you’re in heaven.
The inspiration behind Terazzo’s inception is to invoke happy memories, be it from your childhood, time spent abroad or any other happy thoughts that may be triggered by the taste of glorious food. My experience definitely sparked lots of happy memories: from having moms moonlighting as Michelin-worthy chefs cooking fettuccine for me, the urban vibe of the Bresaola Pizza taking me back to my time spent abroad at university, to the general ambiance of the restaurant, which took me back to the intimate eateries of NYC’s Nolita district in Manhattan – something I noticed promptly upon walking into the restaurant. Yousef Al Qaoud and his four partners know how to convey this nostalgia, comfort and satisfaction, which is why I urge you all to pay a visit to Terazzo soon – I know it won’t take me long to return with a goal to try a different pizza each time.
Terazzo is located in Al Shaheed Park. Follow them on Instagram @terazzo.kw for more information.
