Inspired by the elusive brown tomato or kumato, which arrives as a mix of brown, green and red, the fusion Italian establishment located in Al Hamra Luxury Center compels us to try something different. While a brown tomato might not sound appealing, this special breed has the distinction of being a variety of fruit that retains an inimitable flavor when utilized in the preparation of many different cuisines. The restaurant, named after this unique tomato, practices an ethos of serving customers dishes that are perfectly balanced in flavor, and our experience proved ‘fruitful’ to say the least as we witnessed how the tomato is celebrated in all of its glory.

We loved the décor of this restaurant. With its chic, sleek and geometric inspired aesthetic, all of the tables’ edges are angled and sharply tailored in a sophisticated manner. With trapezoidal cut tables and tapered glasses, the atmosphere is almost futuristic, yet the greetings by the expertly trained staff provided for a warm and cozy welcome. Think: a hearty Italian cucina streamlined to suit a modern Kuwait.

At Brown Tomato, you can opt for a classic Italian menu, contemporary takes on classics, or even fusion style ‘tapas’ inspired by Italian flavors that are perfect for sharing when dining amongst a group of friends and family. We started off with a classic Burrata, drizzled in a nutty pesto sauce. The incredible flavor of the cheese was beautifully complemented with the oven roasted grape tomatoes and fresh basil. If you’re also a Caprese fan, then the Brown Tomato rendition will surely never disappoint. We also relished the tangy textures of the Italian Fattoush Salad. The Lebanese classic is given an Italian twist with Mozzarella cheese and a pomegranate-balsamic sauce that speaks miles of the chef’s creativity when crafting this smart salad. Fans of classic chicken liver can equally enjoy the Brown Tomato version with grated Parmesan cheese and pomegranate sauce, as the tart cheese expertly cuts through the sweetness of the sauce and peppery rockets leaves that arrive with this dish. Next to all of these wonderful starters, we were served with their homemade focaccia and a selection of infused oils. From basil, chili to aromatic oregano and garlic, we knew that these oils were going to come in handy when our pizza would later arrive.

After our mozzarella-filled foray, we couldn’t wait to try their pasta and pizzas. Then, a trilogy of perfectly prepared al dente pasta swiftly arrived in the form of Ravioli Ai Funghi, a spice-infused Penne Al L’arrabbiata and the creamiest Pumpkin Rigatoni. While each dish was wildly different, each was definitely memorable. The mushroom-filled ravioli was beautiful and nutty, while the spicier Penne and creamy Rigatoni offered different and refreshing flavor profiles. After the pasta, our pizzas promptly arrived. The signature Buhamad Pizza is every pizza lover’s dream; it is ideally thick and crispy, arrives in an extra large size, and is topped with delicious pepperoni, salami, caramelized onions, rocket leaves and finished with a healthy drizzle of balsamic sauce. Every bite into this pizza will deliver an amazing balance of flavors, and it’s great when shared with friends! Fans of classic pizza can never go wrong with the Margherita, which can be ordered in different sizes.

Desserts at Brown Tomato are awesomely given the headline ‘Happy Ending’ on their menu, and we couldn’t agree more! Your meal comes to a sinuously delicious end with a variety of desserts, and the Salted Chocolate Fondant and the Tiramisu exemplified ours.  The fondant was baked to perfection, where the cake stood proud and sturdy, and when poked oozed with creamy and sinful salted caramel sauce. We devoured this dessert, as the fondant also arrived with yummy vanilla ice cream. The Tiramisu was thickly layered with fresh mascarpone, and delivered an equally delightful spoonful of flavors with every bite. After our desserts, we were also served with a righteous bold Italian double espresso, which came with a delicate yet powerfully flavored salted caramel macaron, ending our meal in pure cosmopolitan fashion.

Brought to your by the culinary experts at Creative Eye, we expected nothing short of perfection when it came to Brown Tomato. Our experience took us on a journey of flavors across classic and modern Italian flavors, and we can’t wait until our next visit to this special establishment.

Brown Tomato is located on the lower level of Al Hamra Luxury Center and is open from 12 p.m. until 11 p.m. Delivery is also available from 5 p.m. onwards. For more information, please call 2227 0214 and follow them on Instagram @Brown_Tomato.