Where We Are Going Today: Pattis France

• It is very French, with mint-blue striped walls, a massive chandelier and a Cinderella-inspired stairway leading to a second floor where a piano sat unoccupied

During a recent visit to the Eastern Province, while rediscovering a Saudi city I had not visited since I was nine, a colleague introduced me to a grandiose French cafe by Alkhobar waterfront, on Prince Turki Corniche Road.
I was rendered breathless the moment I stepped through the door of Pattis France and was greeted by an assortment of colorful and mouthwatering cakes and sweets on display. Too distracted to notice the kind waiter leading us to our table, I absent-mindedly followed, still eyeing every type of dessert imaginable.
When we reached our table I finally noticed the cafe’s interior design.
It is very French, with mint-blue striped walls, a massive chandelier and a Cinderella-inspired stairway leading to a second floor where a piano sat unoccupied.
I ordered an iced Spanish latte and a chicken wrap, and my companion and I later shared a saffron pancake adorned with caramelized pistachios and pismaniye, a Turkish delight akin to cotton candy.
You might think dessert sounds like a bad decision after such a meal, but the pancakes were the perfect mix of subtle sweetness and rich flavor, and were not too heavy — unlike the sea salt waffle dish I would have ordered had I followed my initial whims. All in all, Pattis France definitely served up an unforgettable treat.