Al Ashira Mall complex in Mangaf

The new mall strip in Mangaf has opened, filled with coffee and pastry shops. Al Ashira Mall is a nice open air place with a drive-thru Starbucks, Tiger Cookies and Koobs along with random restaurants still being opened.

There's also some outside seating along the road with heaters now for winter time.

Central Blood Bank artwork by Monstarium is Gone

 In June 2015, Monstarium added some of his characters to the wall of the Central Blood Bank in Jabriya. I always thought it was cool and added some color. Recently as I drove by I noticed it had been painted over and is no longer there.

Before

After

I wish there was more color in Kuwait and they kept art work around the country.

McDonald's in Salmiya has Moved

Another landmark type restaurant location has closed and moved. The McDonald's in Salmiya on top of Johnny Rocket's has closed and moved down the street to Sahab Tower and it now includes a drive thru.

At this time Johnny Rocket's seems to still be open

I don't know what's coming next for the old location, it's a source of traffic congestion on the weekends and the new drive thru option is a bonus.

Ehsan fire in Shuwaikh, what's Left

 Everyone knows about the fire in Shuwaikh that took a long time to put out, it destroyed the famous upholstery shop, Ehsan and several cars that were inside at the time being worked on. One of them being a Honda NSX which belonged to the owner. 

This picture was taken during my visit to the Old Amiri hospital many years ago which shows how the shop looked before it was destroyed.

What's left of the cars that were inside

This one looks like a 70's Cadillac Eldorado

  Example picture   

Looks like a Viper rim

Nissan Patrol

They've been clearing out the location, I don't know if they will re-open there, that area is a giant fire hazard.

Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed has passed Away

 Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed, ruler of Kuwait from 2006-2020 has passed away after being sent to the US for treatment. May he rest in piece, إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ‎

I was here in 2006 when Sheikh Jaber passed and now Sheikh Sabah, may Allah haver mercy on them.

Old Kuwaiti pigeon Tower

 This is the first time in my exploring that I found an old Kuwaiti pigeon tower and it was cool. Standing alone surrounded by garbage and piles of sand lies this piece of history. I'm glad I got to take some pictures before it will probably be demolished like most historical buildings and houses in Kuwait.

I couldn't find too much information on Kuwait pigeon towers in English but according to other articles pigeons were once bred and used for sending messages and their droppings used for many different things back in the day, from fertilizer to being used in making ammunition. There are still breeders today and some going for thousands of dollars or you might see the flying rats gathered around water and rice people have left out for them around Kuwait.

Ushk Coffee

Late nights on IG show you all kinds of tempting desserts and foods and on of which caught my eye. The saffron milk ice cream, I love everything saffron and had to try it. Located in Mall 30 in Abu Hassani which is a really nice complex, more so in the winter for outside gathering. I love the industrial feel of the place, which has a neat study area in the back, bar seating and some couches to relax on. 

The staff were so nice and helpful with all of my crazy requests for my pictures.

I had of course, the milk saffron ice cream sitting on a slice of saffron cake. The ice cream was just amazing but the cake was dry and needed to be soaked in milk which would be complete.

I think I paid 2.500 KD for the dessert, I would go back again for the ice cream alone! For more information visit their IG @ushkcoffee

Darah Restaurant Complex - Abu Hassani

On one of my exploring Kuwait days I came across this new complex in Abu Hassani called Darah. It isn't complete yet and there are only a couple of restaurants and a café open. You can find future images of it complete on their IG @darahkw which remind me of Al Kout.

 

One of the restaurants that is open is Abu Hassani Market restaurant (which is followed by Safa Al Hashem) a cute little restaurant serving a variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

On the the other side there is a Turkish restaurant named Izmir which according to their IG claim to be 'the first of its kind in Kuwait'. After looking over their account I saw there is another location in the Boulevard Salmiya. Located on the second floor is View Café with a real nice 'view' of the sea. It looks like they opened in September 2019, not sure if it was a sheesha type place or not. 

Casa Gym is for ladies and looks like it's currently open for business, from their IG they have a ladies salon inside as well. Some of their classes include belly dancing, spinning and HIIT.

The location over looks the beach where many people gather to swim and tan along the shoreline. 

Some IG accounts for more info: @casagymkw @darahkw @abuhassani.market @izmir_restaurant @viewcafekw