this thread is for everyone to discuss the growing hospitality industry of Iraq including new restaurants, malls and cinemas etc :)

Al Reef Pizzeria in Baghdad's 'Italian' neighbourhood:

3L2YWeY2AR0&feature

A new turkish restaurant/cafe in Baghdad:

N1QjoNK0K24

^^ brilliant, like the pizza restaurant :)

That turkish resturant looks soooo nice !

:drool: mmm.. I wanna eat there...

^^ brilliant, like the pizza restaurant :)

same, i want to go there haha

Old pics from last year of a new small mall in Baghdad:

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss341/simonSays84/Iraq/220520091036.jpg

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss341/simonSays84/Iraq/220520091030.jpg

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss341/simonSays84/Iraq/220520091033.jpg

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss341/simonSays84/Iraq/220520091032.jpg

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss341/simonSays84/Iraq/220520091034.jpg

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss341/simonSays84/Iraq/220520091035.jpg

:banana:like the pizza restaurant:banana:

well, these little "malls" if we may call them that, exist everywhere in Iraq. there are no real malls anywhere except the one in Erbil.

in terms of hotels, There are 8 high rise hotels being built (actual structures complete) in Karbala alone. There are more in Najaf and Arbil. But I didn't see much outside these locations. In baghdad there's one that I noticed. (10 storeys only).

In terms of restaurants, things have improved considerably, and in Baghdad you can actually eat out in relatively clean restaurants without getting food poisoned, and the local Iraqis are beginning to understand what western cuisine is supposed to look like (at least).

well, these little "malls" if we may call them that, exist everywhere in Iraq. there are no real malls anywhere except the one in Erbil.

in terms of hotels, There are 8 high rise hotels being built (actual structures complete) in Karbala alone. There are more in Najaf and Arbil. But I didn't see much outside these locations. In baghdad there's one that I noticed. (10 storeys only).

In terms of restaurants, things have improved considerably, and in Baghdad you can actually eat out in relatively clean restaurants without getting food poisoned, and the local Iraqis are beginning to understand what western cuisine is supposed to look like (at least).

you seem to have extensive knowledge in hospitality industry and the situation in iraq as a whole...i'd like to ask how you know all of this? are you living there atm or something

I left Iraq a couple of weeks ago and worked extensively around Iraq (but mostly Baghdad / Karbala / Muthanna).

Pizza joint rocks !! :banana::banana::lol::lol:

that's an old pizza restaurant in arasat from saddam's days,

it was one of the main haunts for Oday and his entourage

they used to abuse the fat waiter a lot. as he told us.

food is OK, there's a pianist in the corner and OK wine. prices are not too high either.

I stopped going there when all the foreigners started going there with their "mercenaries" standing guard outside... I am shocked it hasn't been blown up to be honest.

as always, when in baghdad, avoid the "westies"!!! and the 8-10am rush hour. and you're all safe.

Tours of Iraq's ancient wonders open up as violence ebbs
By Sammy Ketz (AFP)

NASIRIYAH, Iraq — Foreign tourists will soon be tramping around Mesopotamia again after a French company on Sunday opened an office offering visits to ancient sites in war-ravaged southern Iraq.

"We have organised our inaugural journey between 6-14 June to the region of Nasiriyah and we will do it regularly, every three weeks from September," said Hubert Debbash, boss of Terre Entiere, a cultural and religious tours operator.

With the road from Baghdad not yet secure, the visitors will arrive in Kuwait and cross the border to reach Nasiriyah about 370 kilometres (230 miles) away. The nine-day tour will cost 2,500 euros (3,375 dollars).

The company hopes to secure 100 clients this year, rising to 500 in 2011, Debbash said at the opening of an office for Babil Tours, a subsidiary company, in a Nasiriyah hotel.

The tourists -- in groups of 20 -- will be accompanied by an archaeologist to Ur, the Biblical birthplace of Abraham, and one of the cradles of civilisation.

Ur of the Chaldees, as it is called in the Bible, was one of the great urban centres of the Sumerian civilisation of southern Iraq and remained an important city until its conquest by Alexander the Great in the fourth century BC.

Among its glories is a well-preserved stepped platform, or ziggurat, which dates back to the third millennium BC, when it was part of a temple complex that was the administrative centre of the Sumerian capital.

With Iraq ravaged by conflict and strife in the wake of the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, there has been a lack of large-scale digs at Ur, and only small teams have been working since 2005.

The tourists will also visit other historic sites in the area, including Babylon and the region's marshes, one of the world's ancient ecosystems which is undergoing rehabilitation after being drained by Saddam to punish his Shiite enemies.

"After a long time of war in Iraq we wanted to organise tours to this area, where civilisation started," said Debbash, who was joined at the office opening by the French ambassador to Baghdad, Boris Boillon, and his family.

Although tourism is acknowledged by the Iraqi government as a valuable source of income, the industry has yet to take off despite considerable security improvements across the country in the past two years.

Iraqi officials held an event last November in London, where Babylon and the Garden of Eden, which according to some historians is located 80 kilometres north of the southern city of Basra, were touted as premier attractions.

The officials, who were seeking investment to help restore many of Iraq's hotels that have been left in a poor state by the war, as well as expertise to help promote the country as an up-and-coming tourist destination, said "very few pockets" of the country remain dangerous.

Iraq is already a well-known destination for religious travel for Muslims from near neighbours such as Iran, Pakistan and Bahrain, and in 2008 received almost one million tourists, mostly from the Middle East.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gxhN-XScc9ZPJ9ftfgatQBJsZyiw

i wish the best for Iraq, its nice to see people getting on with their lives but there is still a lot more to do. can we have more pictures like these from Iraq showing ordinary people/families please. thanks

Nice pictures
I hope the Iraqi government would fix the damages of the war soon
wish the bests for Iraqis

from Iran/Tehran.

a gold-souk in Baghdad
http://www.cbsnews.com/images/2007/12/28/image3653275.jpg

some workers painting the new flag
http://www.cbsnews.com/images/2008/01/25/image3751417.jpg

new city of Nasiriyah games
http://nahrain.com/i/news/0812/081217h1.jpg

families enjoying the park in Erbil
http://www.iraqspirit.net/images/iraq-rec/21.jpg

the pool at Baghdad social club
http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2007/WORLD/meast/08/29/baghdad.socialclub/art.iraqgirl.cnn.jpg

http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2007/WORLD/meast/08/29/baghdad.socialclub/art.iraqswimmer.cnn.jpg

floating restaurant in Basra
http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/aug2008/1/5/7F151600-D749-2976-6EC64A7D4A1AF1D3.jpg

I am not to sure on how to embed non-youtube videos on here, but here is the link of a video on Iraq's first bowling alley in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan. :)

http://current.com/news-and-politics/84861411_bowling-for-kurdistan.htm

It looks like a wonderful place for the locals to relax and enjoy themselves, i hope to see more of such leisure activities developing for the people.

It cannot be Iraq's first bowling alley since there have been bowling alleys in Baghdad and Basra for at least 3 decades now.

perhaps its the first one in Kurdistan (I've seen it once actually).

It cannot be Iraq's first bowling alley since there have been bowling alleys in Baghdad and Basra for at least 3 decades now.

perhaps its the first one in Kurdistan (I've seen it once actually).

i was gonna say the same thing...

It cannot be Iraq's first bowling alley since there have been bowling alleys in Baghdad and Basra for at least 3 decades now.

perhaps its the first one in Kurdistan (I've seen it once actually).

I have never been to Iraq before so i really would not know, i'm only repeating the director's information told in the video and description box. Maybe i should have researched it beforehand.

My apologies :(

^^ that's okay! it was still a very interesting video :) thanks again

a small random mall in baghdad:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-10.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-1-2.png

Al Reef Pizzeria in Baghdad's 'Italian' neighbourhood:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xci3gz_elections-baghdad-pizzeria-thrives_news

A new turkish restaurant/cafe in Baghdad:
sorry about the video its in arabic, however it shows the interiors etc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF6URdufcgg

nice restaurant, i never thought there would be a pizza restaurant WITH customers :nuts: in iraq... youtube video has been removed...

well, these little "malls" if we may call them that, exist everywhere in Iraq. there are no real malls anywhere except the one in Erbil.

in terms of hotels, There are 8 high rise hotels being built (actual structures complete) in Karbala alone. There are more in Najaf and Arbil. But I didn't see much outside these locations. In baghdad there's one that I noticed. (10 storeys only).

In terms of restaurants, things have improved considerably, and in Baghdad you can actually eat out in relatively clean restaurants without getting food poisoned, and the local Iraqis are beginning to understand what western cuisine is supposed to look like (at least).

why would they need to "understand" what western cuisine is abt when iraqi food is awesome, i prefer it over the western cuisine:cheers:

why would they need to "understand" what western cuisine is abt when iraqi food is awesome, i prefer it over the western cuisine:cheers:

i agree! its amazing :)

why would they need to "understand" what western cuisine is abt when iraqi food is awesome, i prefer it over the western cuisine:cheers:

because its a restaurant with a "western" menu perhaps?

because its a restaurant with a "western" menu perhaps?

well i was saying more why would they need (iraqis) to understand what western cuisine is abt when iraqi food is awesome, i don't see the necessity of a pizza restaurant in irq, whtever...(and i like and eat much pizza BUT i honestly appreciate iraqi food).

well i was saying more why would they need (iraqis) to understand what western cuisine is abt when iraqi food is awesome, i don't see the necessity of a pizza restaurant in irq, whtever...(and i like and eat much pizza BUT i honestly appreciate iraqi food).

perhaps some of us in iraq would like the opportunity for a change of cuisine on occasion... I do hope we have permission.

^^ :lol:

well i was saying more why would they need (iraqis) to understand what western cuisine is abt when iraqi food is awesome, i don't see the necessity of a pizza restaurant in irq, whtever...(and i like and eat much pizza BUT i honestly appreciate iraqi food).

Hayat, maybe you don't live in iraq, and you live in the west, so western food is normal for you and you find iraqi food interesting becuase well, you don't live in iraq. In the same way for iraqis, iraqi food is normal, and western food is a change every now and then, its not to say they don't like iraqi food, its just a change every now and then, nothing bad intented :lol:

perhaps some of us in iraq would like the opportunity for a change of cuisine on occasion... I do hope we have permission.
^^^ :lol:well, let's exchange...
Hayat, maybe you don't live in iraq, and you live in the west, so western food is normal for you and you find iraqi food interesting becuase well, you don't live in iraq. In the same way for iraqis, iraqi food is normal, and western food is a change every now and then, its not to say they don't like iraqi food, its just a change every now and then, nothing bad intented :lol:

right. compared to food here it is very tasty and looks :banana:

Baghdad selected as capital of Arab culture 2013

August 12, 2010 - 02:43:37
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Baghdad Mayor Sabir al-Issawi expected a sum of $3 billion would be appropriated for development projects as part of celebrations marking the selection of Baghdad as a capital of Arab culture for the year 2013.
“Issawi gave the statements during a meeting of the ministerial committee formed to discuss preparations for occasion with the ministers of culture and tourism as well as representatives of other ministries,” according to a press release by the Baghdad Mayoralty as received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The meeting tackled preparations by the ministries and organizations concerned and the new projects they will be carrying out,” said Issawi.

AmR (P)

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-3-4.png

new mall in mansour area, Baghdad:
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-5-1.png

traditional style cafe in Baghdad:
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-4-2.png

I like that new mall in Mansour :D . Inshallah they'll make much bigger ones

The mall looks nice mash'allah,

Here is a video on the Baghdad Hunting Club (Nadi Al-Sayd).

Tc00uLbR2_8

Baghdad's Happy House Mall

TvRBA9MKR-k

cool videos! thank you baghdad_sara i like the hunting club!

That's prety cool !

Basra Sheraton to be reopened

August 23, 2010 - 11:25:33
BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: The building of the Basra Sheraton, which has been in rehabilitation since six months, will be opened in mid Sept. 2010.
“The rehabilitation project has been executed by a local firm at a total cost of $55 million,” a local media source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
He noted that the hotel will activate tourism in Basra.
The Basra Sheraton’s building was heavily damaged during the military operations in 2003 and the looting that followed in the aftermath .
The oil-rich city of Basra lies 590 km south of Baghdad.
MH (P)/SR

http://www.aknews.com/images/cms-image-000048081.jpg

http://www.sfari.com/photo/data/32/medium/untitled98.jpg

Thats great news, seems Basra is really prospering these days :) :banana:

$55M to "rehabilitate" a 6 floor hotel???

^^ dinars maybe?

Thats great news, seems Basra is really prospering these days :) :banana:

i know :) the people of basra really deserve it, the hotel should boost tourism

$55M to "rehabilitate" a 6 floor hotel???

$5M for the rehabilitation + $50M for the grand opening ceremony = $55M :cheers:

the hotel developments in basra are mainly for all the tens of thousands of oil and gas people from around the world converging on basra which will become in the next 6 years the biggest oil producing region ON EARTH.

^^ lol well they've got to stay somewhere.

Well if the locals benefit, then why not.

some restaurants + cafes in baghdad:

mansour's newest restaurant chain:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-19.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-1-5.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-3-7.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-2-4.png

ice-cream shop:
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-4-3.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-7-2.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-5-2.png

Nice pics, but is this in Turkey or Baghdad? lol the sign and the flag is a little confusing. Maybe it is owned by a Turk?


http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-1-5.png

Nice pics, but is this in Turkey or Baghdad? lol the sign and the flag is a little confusing. Maybe it is owned by a Turk?


Pizza Pizza ? isn't that a canadian restaurant chain ? lol there's like one on every corner in canada

some restaurants + cafes in baghdad:
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-7-2.png

They make the best ice cream ever. You guys should try it if you are going to Baghdad :)

Nice pics, but is this in Turkey or Baghdad? lol the sign and the flag is a little confusing. Maybe it is owned by a Turk?

its in baghdad...its a turkish pizza restaurant :)

Pizza Pizza ? isn't that a canadian restaurant chain ? lol there's like one on every corner in canada

im sure there is more than one "pizza pizza" brand in the world, this one which recently opened up in baghdad i believe is turkish.

some recent photos of the Basra Sheraton Hotel which is set to re-open after renovations:

http://mlfati.net/upfiles/EU123461.jpg

http://mlfati.net/upfiles/Vmw23461.jpg

http://mlfati.net/upfiles/9tf23461.jpg

http://mlfati.net/upfiles/KEu23461.jpg

http://mlfati.net/upfiles/7Vp23461.jpg

before and afters:

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/394891.jpg http://www.aknews.com/images/cms-image-000048081.jpg

http://www.corbisimages.com/images/67/6E324EAB-0C34-4919-A0FD-BDF03454503A/42-21911737.jpg http://mlfati.net/upfiles/9tf23461.jpg

im glad they got rid of those ugly wooden window things

^^ hmmm, I think wooden balconies fit the "traditional design" of the hotel more than the glass cladding.

^^ hmmm, I think wooden balconies fit the "traditional design" of the hotel more than the glass cladding.

Yea that's true, but the new design does look modern. It looks good IMO

NOOO! those tinted windows look horrible and cheap! like an apartment block for indians in Sharjah! they ruined it! idiots.

its looks better than rotting wood.

so change the rotting wood to new wood! not this CHEAP AND NASTY blue tinted windows! ugh! so nasty. and they paid $55M for this???

oh lord. there is one born every minute.

lol take a look at the photos i posted, all the interiors have been renovated plus the 400 rooms, the courtyard, exterior, new escalators, new furniture...i believe it all adds up

Yes, I know it incudes the rest of the renovation in the price.

but if they got the exterior so wrong using the cheapest blue tinted windows from china... I think it sets up the set for what to expect on the inside...

all for $55M... jesus christ. works out to a renovation cost of $137,500 per room with no noticable structural work!

that is a bargain and a half!

its probably 55 million dinars since it was undertaken by a local firm after all although $42K is hardly enough to renovate a whole hotel?

NOOO! those tinted windows look horrible and cheap! like an apartment block for indians in Sharjah! they ruined it! idiots.

:rofl:

al right.

so lets take the economic aspect of a $55M renovation.

at $137.5k per room, over an amortisation of 5 years, and lets assume no debt so no interest (i am being generous!), and I will be even more generous and say that the "cost" of the building and land is valued at $0! yes lets value the existing infrastructure as $0!

then, being generous again, give it an occupancy rate of 80% THROUGHOUT the year! wow! very very optimistic of me.

and then the Operational Expenditure per lent room at $30/night. once again being generous and optimistic!


occupancy 350 days * 80% = 280 days of occupancy per room.

over 5 years. that gives = 280*5 = 1400 occupancy days over 5 years.

so for every night you need to charge customers = 137500 / 1400 = for the renovation cost!

that's $100 per night just for the renovation cost per average room.

add $30 for opex.

$130 per night per room... before even beginning to think about any "safety margin" or profit.

this means you won't turn a profit until you charge $200 / room.

all of the above assuming the price of the building is $0, no interst to pay on any loans.

they'll charge much more than 200/room. (you're assuming all room types are the same).

Also they would probably earn revenue from conferences, banquet hall (weddings), gym memberships, etc like a typical 5 star hotel I'd assume.. but if anyone actually been there, feel free to correct me

and we're also assuming 80% occupancy average, and included no cost for the building itself... etc...

if the renovation was "normal" i.e. cost about $20M, then suddenly their profit point would be $130... much more achievable aim.

but i guess if they're too expensive, it will give other hoteliers a chance to come into the market ;) so we see more hotels built in basra (of course they don't have the luxury of free land and building).

amusement park in Zawraa in Baghdad:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-7-5.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-8-4.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-5-5.png

http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/2927616.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921F7C3FC3F69D929FD55392E20F75704A10568DDA441D47F9B8B63F35650E6B0EDA7CFF610D5B4FC25

Baghdad zoo:
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-3-10.png

http://iraq.usembassy.gov/uploads/cZ/8c/cZ8cbHXPw_RyvcJFCFneHQ/Tigers_016.JPG

http://www.france24.com/en/files/imagecache/aef_ct_wire_image/images/afp/photo_1256191715951-1-0.jpg

new restaurants in Baghdad:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-2-7.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-6-5.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-4-6.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-4-7.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-1-9.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-3-12.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-2-8.png

^^ Loving the exterior of the first two restuarants

more restaurants

MAZAYA in mansour:
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-2-11.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-3-15.png

khan murjan after it became a restaurant:

http://www.gideonbodden.nl/irakfotos/khanmurjan1.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/45/131977162_7040f08c84.jpg

http://cache.virtualtourist.com/1/20876-in_Baghdad_is_with_no_doubt-Iraq.jpg

http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/1991866.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921F7C3FC3F69D929FDF945DD690C5AA863F4C3C3AAF214A7F9E28CAD7EA5DC376CA7CFF610D5B4FC25

http://c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000Ibd2an.wfzQ/s

banquet at the iraqi hunting club:

http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xc/2017419.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921F7C3FC3F69D929FD44559D3C880F513F229C6D3A89446A135D2B3CAF46B3190EE30A760B0D811297

awesome pics elusive

The restaurant scene sure is growing pretty fast in Baghdad.. some of them look to be high quality :) I love that last pic, very authentic place to dine in

^^ well they provide safe havens for families to enjoy themselves so im not surprised that the restaurant businesses are flourishing!

Sheraton Hotel inaugurated in Basra

Sunday, September 19th 2010 2:31 PM

Basra, Sept. 19 (AKnews) – Basra Sheraton Hotel was opened on Saturday in the southern Iraqi province amid a large presence of people.

But the company in charge of building the hotel has run into problems with the tourism board in Basra because the project was not completed on time on Aug. 15.

The general supervisor of Summar Company, Sara Ahmed told AKnews "in spite of the difficulties that have faced the construction of the hotel, it was done on time and will start from tomorrow to receive guests. The final cost of the project has amounted to $55.8 million and as is the case with the huge projects, it had faced some legal problems."

On his part, the director of the Investment Board of Basra, Ali Fadhil confirmed “that opening the Sheraton Hotel is one of the most important factors in attracting investors to the province. It covers the hotel services that are lacking in the province and shows the city's heritage through the renovation of the hotel."

Basra’s governor, Sheltag Abboud, praised "the big role and effort by the companies from Kurdistan such as Summar Company.”

He said he will work to resolve the legal issues between Summar and the tourism board. , which has become a reality because of that masterpiece presented to us today and we promise to end the legal issue related to the hotel quickly. "

Summar started renovating the hotel in early 2010.

The hotel has more than 200 rooms and a large conference hall that can accommodate up to 1,000 people and a number of restaurants. It is the biggest and most luxurious hotel in Basra, 550 kilometers south of Baghdad.

Basra province is the major center of oil production in Iraq.

Reported by Noor Tamemi

(Source AKnews)

The Rotana Hotel, Erbil which is set to open early next month:

http://www.hightech-trading.com/images/stories/articles/executed-projects/photos/rotana-erbil.jpg

http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2010/5/state3894.jpg

this is the first time i visit this section of the website, really interesting. Sheytan were are you dude, we wnt more news from you

this is the first time i visit this section of the website, really interesting. Sheytan were are you dude, we wnt more news from you

thanks wasta...hope you can contribute with some more hospitality pics :)

i will be going to Iraq next yr, trust me i will be taking loads of pics inshalla

Here is a video on Zawraa park

EzGbBVjixKA

Elusive do you have any pictures of the Basra Sheraton hotel?

PuTcE7Vvp9o

Elusive do you have any pictures of the Basra Sheraton hotel?

no unfortunately i couldn't find any...hopefully someone else may post some

I tried too, is it a new hotel or just refurbishments of the one existing? Because i can only find this, http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Basra-Sheraton1.jpg , which is an old image.

the zawra park has changed a lot since I was there.. they added lots of new rides, but i wonder what happened to the old ones that i went on when i was a kid ?!

I remember that it was much greener back when I was a kid, I hope they'll continue their rehabilitation effort.

I tried too, is it a new hotel or just refurbishments of the one existing? Because i can only find this, http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Basra-Sheraton1.jpg , which is an old image.

renovation of the existing building, i had some on before but they were removed by the website...it looks much better despite what other people said lol

the zawra park has changed a lot since I was there.. they added lots of new rides, but i wonder what happened to the old ones that i went on when i was a kid ?!

I remember that it was much greener back when I was a kid, I hope they'll continue their rehabilitation effort.

its in a bad state but yeah i hope it'll get renovated....baghdad zoo has great potential to be the leading/biggest zoo in the middle east once again :)

the zawra park has changed a lot since I was there.. they added lots of new rides, but i wonder what happened to the old ones that i went on when i was a kid ?!



Chances are they most probably had been damaged :ohno:

renovation of the existing building, i had some on before but they were removed by the website...it looks much better despite what other people said lol

Thats good in a way because not much money would have been spent on the project so it can be used elsewhere.

Also, opinions over Iraqi buildings will always be disputed since the style of architecture used varies so much. It's either traditional historic looking or weird eccentric looking buildings, very rarely do we have normal glass buildings lol (Iraqi Kurdistan is most probably an exception to this rule)

Sahara Cafe:
http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/41238973.jpg

view from a restaurant:
http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/41238943.jpg

random cafe:
http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/41238909.jpg

Iraqi sweets:

VGoMvq1Ir4c&feature

National Theatre of Iraq:

Y7KGeT_y0TE&feature

the iraqi house of fashions:

3KXMGTqKhMo&NR

Great videos, so is the theatre more popular than cinema in Iraq?

Great videos, so is the theatre more popular than cinema in Iraq?

well as far as I know there's no open commercial cinema in Iraq right now... sad I know.

Yes i gathered because i have never really heard about the movies in Iraq, well hopefully with so many television channels opening, audiences may be gripped to foreign as well as local movies that may kick start the film industry in Iraq and so demand in cinemas may be on the rise, who knows.

well satellite TV and internet has actually reduced any chance of cinemas operating in iraq for the forseeable future. The old cinemas are completely dillapidated single-screen 1930s-1970s type cinemas.

Once large shopping malls are built, there may be a cinema revival in Iraq in modern multiplex-type cinemas. But that is a fair few years away still.

well satellite TV and internet has actually reduced any chance of cinemas operating in iraq for the forseeable future. The old cinemas are completely dillapidated single-screen 1930s-1970s type cinemas.

Once large shopping malls are built, there may be a cinema revival in Iraq in modern multiplex-type cinemas. But that is a fair few years away still.

Hmm thats interesting i would have thought otherwise but i do hope some start cropping up since it can provide as an enjoyable getaway for many of the locals.

the new mall in mansour will have modern cinemas but that's like 3-4 years away, i think there are out-door cinemas in baghdad?

91f2Hh3JXiE

the new mall in mansour will have modern cinemas but that's like 3-4 years away, i think there are out-door cinemas in baghdad?

Which new mall in mansour?

Which new mall in mansour?

the one at the baghdad gates complex.

Baghdad's 4D cinema:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11463963

this is a good story about a new 4D cinema in baghdad, it also talks about the decline of cinemas in baghdad due to pirated DVDs and satellite TV.

why did they call it 4d :lol:

but good to see this in baghdad, I wonder where it is..

Guys, if you couldnt find proper pictures for the Basrah Sheraton Hotel check out this new report. Al Fayhaa TV just uploaded it:

AWe2wOa4mTc

If we can find few more pictures in addition to the video maybe we can open a thread for it and title it as a completed project.

^^ wow !! looks really nice on the inside.. i love the interior !

yes we should open a new thread for it !!

^^ looks amazing! thanks for that great video...i hope we get some photos soon

The exterior of the hotel looks hideous but the interior, well, im impressed they did a good job!

The exterior of the hotel looks hideous but the interior, well, im impressed they did a good job!

hideous is a harsh word, its not too bad...the decaying wood before was not appealing!

the glass doesnt look right with the rest of the building, they could have made it look a lot better. i dont know i guess its just my personal opinion.

the glass doesnt look right with the rest of the building, they could have made it look a lot better. i dont know i guess its just my personal opinion.

Not only you mate, i was pissed off big time and shocked when i first saw the blue glass coming out of no where to replace 'shanasheel' ... it just doesnt fit !!

Not only you mate, i was pissed off big time and shocked when i first saw the blue glass coming out of no where to replace 'shanasheel' ... it just doesnt fit !!

I think it was an effort to try and modernise the building but it flopped.

no it was an effort to do it the cheapest possible way.

that "blue tinted" window is about the cheapest double-glazed glass panel you can buy in bulk in Dubai. It is used there only for labourers housing and some cheap flats in sharjah.

but in Iraq... they use it for a 5 star hotel. I already mentioned this in a previous thread on the topic!

however, saying that, the interior seemed nice and tasteful (except the bed in the bedroom!). I am impressed.

no it was an effort to do it the cheapest possible way.

that "blue tinted" window is about the cheapest double-glazed glass panel you can buy in bulk in Dubai. It is used there only for labourers housing and some cheap flats in sharjah.

but in Iraq... they use it for a 5 star hotel. I already mentioned this in a previous thread on the topic!

however, saying that, the interior seemed nice and tasteful (except the bed in the bedroom!). I am impressed.

How do you know all this ? lol

i used to live in dubai

Okay that explains it lol

no it was an effort to do it the cheapest possible way.

that "blue tinted" window is about the cheapest double-glazed glass panel you can buy in bulk in Dubai. It is used there only for labourers housing and some cheap flats in sharjah.

but in Iraq... they use it for a 5 star hotel. I already mentioned this in a previous thread on the topic!

however, saying that, the interior seemed nice and tasteful (except the bed in the bedroom!). I am impressed.

haha i don't like the big red 'murano' fountain sculpture thing, looks like a christmas tree.

^^ I thought it was a giant strawberry :lol:

^^ I thought it was a giant strawberry :lol:

if you think that's bad... you haven't seen the "light trees" on the roads of Karbala!

see one example below...
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tbenT0EcIeM/S7vMULxoScI/AAAAAAAAAWA/XOZANxuX6KY/s640/DSC_0511.JPG

^^ It looks like cheap Christmas decorations

small mall in baghdad:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-3-16.png

restaurant in mansour:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-1-14.png

restaurant in karrada, baghdad:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-25.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-1-15.png

king food is bad and expensive (its the former awa'el restaurant) in tahariyat sq. avoid.

king food is bad and expensive (its the former awa'el restaurant) in tahariyat sq. avoid.

thanks for the tip, what are some good ones you recommend?

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-4-10.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-1-16.png

Al-Mansour Hotel, Baghdad:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-10-2.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-7-7.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-8-6.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-6-7.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-11-2.png

lobby of Basra Sheraton Hotel:

http://towelheadradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Basra-International-hotel-006-460x250.jpg

lobby of Basra Sheraton Hotel:

http://towelheadradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Basra-International-hotel-006-460x250.jpg

Nice!

thanks for the tip, what are some good ones you recommend?

Crispy in Wathiq square (if you're near the above mentioned area).

^^ thanks i'll be sure to try it next time :)

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0bCRafn4f0bZP/610x.jpg
A worker carries out repairs to the Ishtar Sheraton Hotel in Baghdad October 16, 2010. The hotel is one of six undergoing restoration to give Baghdad's dusty skyline a bit of a facelift ahead of the Arab League summit in 2011, the first major event Iraq is to host since the invasion. Picture taken October 16, 2010.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0cRVbua3u18Mm/610x.jpg
A general view shows the Babylon Hotel which is currently undergoing restoration in Baghdad October 16, 2010. The hotel is one of six undergoing restoration to give Baghdad's dusty skyline a bit of a facelift ahead of the Arab League summit in 2011, the first major event Iraq is to host since the invasion. Picture taken October 16, 2010.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/08mx8gjap11It/x610.jpg

when I was little, we used to go to a burger restaurant called "مطعم الساعة" Does anyone know what happened to it? is it still there?

when I was little, we used to go to a burger restaurant called "مطعم الساعة" Does anyone know what happened to it? is it still there?

omg me too! that was one my favourite restaurants as a child! it got bombed in 2003-2004 but it re-opened and its still there...! i came across a photo not long ago, maybe i can find it

^^ oh LOOOOL That's great !! I used LOVE this restaurant ! I have so many happy memories there, if you are in Baghdad anytime soon can you please take pics ?

still there.

you mean the one in 14th ramadan?

I didn't realise it was bombed though. I remember eating there in 2003 or early 2004? Saw it whilst driving in 14th ramadan a few months ago, but I personally prefer crispy in wathiq square (hay al wahda).

^^ yes, that's the one :) it's on 14th ramadan. good to know it's still there !

^^ oh LOOOOL That's great !! I used LOVE this restaurant ! I have so many happy memories there, if you are in Baghdad anytime soon can you please take pics ?

will do :D

al mansour:
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-5-11.png

iraqi hunting club:
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-9-7.png

iraqi hunting club:
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-9-7.png

How funky, i love it.

presenting the rotana erbil:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-11-3.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-13-2.png

the kempinski erbil:
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-12-3.png

Khanzad Hotel in Erbil

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/7834/khanzadhotel.jpg

King Food in Al-Karrada, Baghdad

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs459.ash2/73262_462349422667_70081687667_5412656_4545914_n.jpg

Mazaya restaurant in Al-Mansor, Baghdad

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs361.ash2/63923_480024872667_70081687667_5636343_6769125_n.jpg

^^ Very nice, things are improving thankfully!!

Ice Pack branch in baghdad:

http://www.icepackco.com/contents/branches/iraq/gallery/normal/1.jpg

http://www.icepackco.com/contents/branches/iraq/gallery/normal/6.jpg

http://www.icepackco.com/contents/branches/iraq/gallery/normal/9.jpg

http://www.icepackco.com/contents/branches/iraq/gallery/normal/5.jpg

http://www.icepackco.com/contents/branches/iraq/gallery/normal/8.jpg

http://www.icepackco.com

^^Good pics elusive, I am planning to open a Fast Food restaurant in coming years in baghdad :)

^^Good pics elusive, I am planning to open a Fast Food restaurant in coming years in baghdad :)

really? what kind? i would love to open hotel in iraq in the future if i have enough money :P

^^yaa , italian fast food, just say Inshalah :)

an entertaining vid about a Baghdad restaurant, King Food
03RVOLyZN9w

Thanks for the video elusive, i forgot about this thread..

Chinese restaurant in Baghdad:

http://cache4.asset-cache.net/xc/79278620.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF87892155F29F61288AC1CAAF5725776753976BFC8A964F10662BBDB5142317D066754B

http://cache2.asset-cache.net/xc/79278700.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF87892155F29F61288AC1CA78C72A6B7BDB6EF1D3B2DC420717014442BF5722B7DCC6A6

[IMG]http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/51588129.jpg[/IMG

Al-Faqma Ice-creamery

http://img.ezinemark.com/imagemanager2/files/30004252/2010/10/2010-10-25-12-17-22-3-the-faqma-ice-cream-shop-in-karrafa-district-destr.jpeg

Restaurants in Karrada, Baghdad:
YZRgT2YAuzY&feature

Restaurants in Karrada, Baghdad:
YZRgT2YAuzY&feature

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/41277_146477695372145_146475075372407_360429_5596461_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/41277_146477698705478_146475075372407_360430_3454233_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/41277_146477702038811_146475075372407_360431_5236870_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/41277_146477705372144_146475075372407_360432_6266760_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/40170_146478378705410_146475075372407_360435_293331_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/40170_146478382038743_146475075372407_360436_3575568_n.jpg

thats the four story restraunt, and according to thoes guys, its not nice (depends which story u eat on actually_ ..hehehehe)

^^ LOL that bit cracked me up

4 floors rest .. interesting ! i wounder who owns it ;)

4 story restaurant !! wow, that must be the biggest restaurant I've seen .. I'm interested to see their menu.

BTW if you watch the Video you can see a range rover in the beginning :D

Lebanese Club, Baghdad

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-3-25.png

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_USq-3t-mS1s/TCiDHzkWnPI/AAAAAAAACfQ/1U3Ag4Setvg/s640/bnightlife04.JPG

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/06/20/world/20baghdad-span/20baghdad-span-articleLarge.jpg

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/06/20/world/20baghdad3/20baghdad3-popup.jpg

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-4-16.png

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=159778667375070#!/photo.php?fbid=160060460687957&set=o.159778667375070&type=1&theater
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/06/20/world/20baghdad2/20baghdad2-popup.jpg

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http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/06/20/world/20baghdad4/20baghdad4-popup.jpg

BurgerFuel Enters Iraq


BurgerFuel Worldwide, the New Zealand-based fast food company, has sold the Master License agreement for the rights to BurgerFuel Iraq.
BurgerFuel chief executive for international markets, Chris Mason, who is based in Dubai, said:
“We’re moving forward in our plans to establish BurgerFuel in the Middle East by adding Iraq to our other territories in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Whilst Iraq poses new challenges, it’s another important region and we think early establishment will allow time for us to eventually open a number of restaurants there.”
The first BurgerFuel in Iraq will open in Sulaymaniyah. The Iraqi consortium that has bought the rights for BurgerFuel Iraq also own 50% of Iraq’s North Bank financial institution as well as 50% of Pepsi Iraq.
With Pepsi being the dominant soft drink in Iraq, the consortium is looking forward to adding BurgerFuel to their stable of successful brands.
One of the new principals, Raad Braich, is already very familiar with the BurgerFuel brand and adds the Master Franchise agreement for BurgerFuel in Iraq to his interests as a board member of the Iraqi National Business Council.
“We’ve found the Iraq partnership an interesting prospect, with strong and established business partners who approached us already having a good understanding of the BurgerFuel brand as well as the local Iraqi market”, said BurgerFuel Worldwide chief executive, Josef Roberts.
“We are interested in all global territories and we seek to take advantage of our non-American, pure New Zealand positioning, wherever we can.”

http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/BurgerFuel-logo.gif

^^ awesome news...i love burgerfuel :) hopefully they'll be in baghdad soon after

Iraqi Hunting Club, Baghdad:

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-27-1.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-26-1.png

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http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-1-25.png

A minimum of 500 hotels need to be developed in Iraq to meet tourism demand, according to the elected chairman of the Iraqi National Businessmen Council, Ibrahim al Baghdadi.

“According to the strategic investment plan, we need at least 500 hotels just for the four main cities,” al Baghdadi asserted.

Speaking at the Investment in Iraq Summit 2011, organised by Range Hospitality and held at DIFC on Monday, al Baghdadi, who is also Board Member of the National Investment Council of Iraq, said the new hotels needed to address the five-, four- and three-star markets.

They would be required to meet the growing numbers of religious tourists visiting Iraq, which Range Hospitality estimated to amount to more than 12 million people annually.

“According to our statistics, CNN reported 18 million, others reported 6 million, we say there’s 12 million people paying homage in the holy city of Karbala [alone],” said Range Hospitality vice chairman Mohammed Asaria at the Summit.

“When you look at tourism figures, that ranks pretty highly and it’s not that far away from Dubai,” he said.

“Karbala has no five-star hotels, room rates for a studio in a two-star hotel are between US $200 and $400 but expansion is under way,” said Asaria, who is developing the Al Rawdatain Gardens hotel in Karbala, which will be managed by Shaza Hotels.

Al Baghdadi said that even higher rates were currently being charged for sub-standard accommodation.

“What’s available now is less than 200 hotels, and none of them are five-star,” he said.

As a result, “this gives the opportunity for the local citizen to rent their houses for $500-1000 per night,” al Baghdadi added.

The growth of the tourism industry in Iraq would be supported by the country’s growing oil exports, explained al Baghdadi.

“Iraq is exporting 2,350,000 barrels of oil daily,” he said. “Over the past one and half years, Iraq has signed 12 deals for oil drillings with big giants…this will enable the produce of three million barrels of oil a day.

“In 2014 the agreements with these 12 companies will lead to the production of 12 million barrels a day. In 2014 all of these contracts will enable Iraq to have an income budgeted of $250 billion. In 2016, it will reach $450 billion. This is based on $90-100 per barrel,” said al Baghdadi.

“All of this money will be utilised to rebuild Iraq,” he said.

Asari added that the global religious tourism statistics also reflected the potential in Iraq.

“The religious hospitality market is currently worth over US $18 million with over 2300 million travellers [worldwide]. If you divide the two figures, that’s quite a large spend per capita,” he commented.

“According to World Travel Market, religious tourism is the fastest growing sector within the travel and tourism industry,” Asari said.

Iraq has long been off the radar for global hotel chains, as war has raged across the country.

But now, following the declared end of combat, the big international operators, which are rapidly expanding throughout the Middle East, are starting to examine opportunities in the country.

"Yes, we are looking at Iraq," said Kirk Kinsell, the president of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

InterContinental, based in the UK and the world's largest hotel company by room numbers, hopes to be among the first brands to establish itself in Iraq.

"We're at the early stage in terms of our research," Mr Kinsell said. "But we'll do exhaustive research around issues in Iraq that go anywhere from the right kind of brand to what customers are looking for, what do we think the growth prospects are for hotel product? Also, what we can do to make sure we can bring confidence to that marketplace in terms of both guest safety as well as our employee safety and welfare?"

Although the US has officially declared an end to its combat operations in Iraq, there are still frequent reports of fatal bombings by extremists.

But in anticipation of stability improving, IHG is considering various parts of the country for its hotels.


"There are areas of Iraq that are more safe, and there are areas of Iraq that have constantly had a huge demand profile, like religious and pilgrimage, so those are the first parts," Mr Kinsell said. "But you cannot look at Iraq without thinking about Baghdad as the capital market and having a presence there."

Rotana, the hotel chain based in Abu Dhabi, has already moved into the Iraq market, opening a five-star property in Erbil in December. It also has a property under development in Baghdad.

"For these multinational companies Iraq was not so significant, because they have opportunities all over the world," said Selim el Zyr, the president and chief executive of Rotana. He said the company's move into Iraq was part of its strategy to have a presence in all the Middle East's major destinations. Mr el Zyr said Rotana was also in talks for other Iraq projects.

Millennium and Copthorne also have agreements to manage hotels there.

"We are now operating the Erbil International, which will undergo a US$12 million [Dh44m] refurbishment programme, and then it will be re-branded into the Millennium Hotel," said Michael Marshall, the vice president of sales and marketing at Millennium & Copthorne Middle East. The company is also planning Millennium hotels in Basra and Baghdad, as well as three hotels in Sulaymaniyah.

Some of the owners of IHG's Middle East properties are of Iraqi descent or already have investments in Iraq and are showing interest in further development opportunities.

"We're in discussions with people we're very familiar with," Mr Kinsell said. "Both of us are trying to understand the market." Marriott is another global chain contemplating development in Iraq.

"Iraq and Erbil are very much on our list which we are reviewing and studying with a view to potential development of hotels," said Jeff Strachan, the vice president of sales and marketing for Marriott in the Middle East and Africa.

Other operators looking at opportunities in Erbil in particular include Moevenpick.

Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan region, has become something of a safe haven and attracted international companies that are using it as a gateway to the oil-rich country. Air traffic is also rapidly increasing, with Etihad and flydubai now offering flights into Erbil. Swiss-Belhotel International, the hotel chain based in Hong Kong, last month announced plans to open a four-star hotel in Erbil early next year. Accor, which has brands including Ibis and Novotel, says it is not in discussions for projects in Iraq, but is monitoring the market.

"We are much more in a position of watching what is happening in Iraq," said Christophe Landais, the managing director of Accor, Middle East.

"The main areas that we would like to develop if we go there would be Erbil, which is to be the commercial hub, and Baghdad. We need to get to know the market."

great news! thanks, can't wait to see the new proposals

http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/gallery/090605/GAL-09Jun05-2145/media/PHO-09Jun05-164778.jpg
Pizza Hat LOL
http://prashantsrao.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pizza-hat-2.jpg

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-4-18.png

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/elusive2009/screen-capture-1-26.png

Pizza reef used to be one of Oday's haunts in the past. Not too bad.... It's in Arasat.

[QUOTE=elusive;78210902]
http://prashantsrao.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pizza-hat-2.jpg

I dont get it lol they have im sure already broken some copyright laws why not just push it a little bit further and actually call it pizza hut :P ?

^^ because pizza hat is so much better :P hahaha p.s notice the shawarma

notice no customers :D this place was always a flop. btw all these places are from saddam's time.

Ishtar hotel after renovations :)

http://altaiegroup.com/uploads/ishtar-sheraton/20110613239.jpg

http://altaiegroup.com/uploads/ishtar-sheraton/20110613240.jpg

http://altaiegroup.com/uploads/ishtar-sheraton/20110613241.jpg

http://altaiegroup.com/uploads/ishtar-sheraton/20110613242.jpg

http://altaiegroup.com/uploads/ishtar-sheraton/20110613243.jpg

http://altaiegroup.com/uploads/ishtar-sheraton/20110613244.jpg

http://altaiegroup.com/uploads/ishtar-sheraton/20110613245.jpg

will try to get more photos :)

^^ It seems more like a 4 star hotel! :(

those are renders btw!

I thought i should post the hotels here too.

Najaf

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/naj2-1.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/naj5-1.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/naj6-1.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/naj7-1.jpg

Karbala

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/kar.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/kar1.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/kar2.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/kar3.jpg

Cyber Cafe in the Iraqi Hunting Club

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/252000_215761905111816_171504916204182_694784_2500297_n.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/252121_215762011778472_171504916204182_694787_7849076_n.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/252121_215762011778472_171504916204182_694787_7849076_n.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/253836_215762428445097_171504916204182_694801_2295893_n.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/252682_215762048445135_171504916204182_694788_161624_n.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/251453_215761978445142_171504916204182_694786_797228_n.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/250918_215762078445132_171504916204182_694789_2630653_n.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/250353_215761938445146_171504916204182_694785_6065058_n.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/247458_215762135111793_171504916204182_694791_6913414_n.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/247346_215762378445102_171504916204182_694799_1310800_n.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/246947_215762098445130_171504916204182_694790_4059533_n.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/246727_216152965072710_171504916204182_697494_4887872_n.jpg

Karbala (NINA) - Abbasi Shrine management in Karbala province announced it agreed with Australian Concrete Tech Company to build five-star hotel north of the city of Karbala.

The Deputy Secretary General of the Shrine's management Basheer Al Rubae told NINA today "the contract was signed with the Australian company when its designs submitted in a competition, earlier, won."

"The hotel, which will be held on an area of 6 acres will consist of 30 stories and contains 750 rooms in addition to offices, suites, lounges, conference rooms, parking garage, and many other facilities," noting "this hotel will be a quality leap in tourism at Iraq's level as a whole." /End/

http://www.ninanews.com/English/News_Details.asp?ar95_VQ=FJIFLF

افتتاح مجمع تجاري واقتصادي في النجف

العراق - النجف الأشرف (بلاد نيوز) نبراس عباس

افتتح محافظ النجف الاشرف عدنان الزرفي المركز التجاري لمعرض مجموعة المستقبل التجارية والتي تتكون من خمس شركات استثمارية .
الزرفي اكد " ان" ,افتتاح هكذا مولات تجارية كبيرة داخل المحافظة يشير الى وجود استقرار سياسي وامني , ووجود قوة شرائية كبيرة داخل المحافظة "مؤكدا ان" محافظة النجف الاشرف مدينة جاذبة للاستثمار وجاذبة للهجرة وهنالك نمو اقتصاد الفرد في المحافظة وايضا هنالك رغبة كبيرة لدى المستثمرين وخاصة اليوم نحن نشاهد مجموعة المستقبل التجارية تنشا هذا المول الكبير والذي يعتبر احد واهم المولات التجارية داخل المحافظة .
واوضح الزرفي " ان الاستقرار الامني والسياسي داخل المحافظة حفز الكثير من المستثمرين بوضع رؤوس اموالهم من خلال افتتاح مولات وانشاء مجمعات تجارية وانشاء فنادق ومصانع مختلفة الاستعمالات وهذا ناتج عن ثقة المستثمرين بالوضع داخل المحافظة بالإضافة الى وجود قوة شرائية ورغبة كبيرة لدى المواطن النجفي للتسوق داخل الاسواق ونامل من هذه المولات والمجمعات التجارية ان تكثر في محافظة النجف لتزيد من قدرة المواطن الشرائية .
وبين الزرفي " هذه المجمعات التجارية تساعد على توفير فرص عمل خارج الاطار الحكومي وضمن القطاع الخاص وهذا ما نسعى له دائما وهو ايجاد فرص عمل للمواطنين في محافظة النجف الاشرف .
رياض السماوي مدير مجموعة المستقبل التجارية قال " هذه المجموعة عبارة عن خمس شركات وهي شركات تختص بكل ما يرعى الاعمار ومسيرته وهي شركات مختصة بالأثاث والسيراميك والانارة "مؤكدا ان" هدف المجموعة ان يكون لها دور فاعل في عملية الاعمار في البلد .
واضاف السماوي " اتخذت المجموعة ان يكون لها المقر الاول في محافظة النجف الاشرف لما شهدته النجف من تطور على مستوى الاقتصاد وثورة اقتصادية كبيرة وكانت البادرة الاولى ان يكون الموقع الاول لمجموعة المستقبل في النجف .
واكد السماوي" ان مجموعة المستقبل عددها خمس شركات وكلها عراقية وداعمة لها شركات عالمية مثل فيلبس الهولندية وغيرها من الشركات العالمية وبرؤوس اموال عراقية "مبينا" سيكون هنالك للمجموعة فرع ثاني في كربلاء والبصرة وفي المستقبل سيكون التوجه نحو اقليم كردستان ونحن نبحث عن مواقع استثمارية امنة تشهد حركة عمرانية جيدة .
المدير المفوض لمجموعة المستقبل حيدر هادي من جهته قال " كونت هذه المجموعة من خمس شركات وهي تحرص على جلب البضاعة الجيدة ومن احدث المواصفات العالمية وافضل البضائع الموجودة في العالم ونطمح ان يستمر عطاء المجموعة بالارتقاء بالواقع التجاري النجفي لخدمة ابناء مدينة الامام علي بن ابي طالب عليه السلام .
سامي القرة غولي تاجر وصاحب محلات اثاث بين " ان محافظة النجف هي من اول المحافظات التي تشهد تطورا في الوقت الحاضر من خلال المشاريع الجديدة التي تنفذ داخل المحافظة من خلال وجود المحال التجارية والصناعية والان يوجد في النجف افتاح محال اثاث وكافة الاعمال الاخرى اضافة الى الشركات الاستثمارية ولكون محافظة النجف مركز ديني ياتيها الكثير من الزائرين والوافدين لزيارة المراقد المقدسة وهذا يعني ان النجف تشهد تطور كبير من خلال النهضة العمرانية التيس استقطبت المستثمرين من داخل العراق ومن خارجه .





http://biladnews.net/files.php?file=DSC_0003_488456890.jpg

http://biladnews.net/files.php?file=DSC_0029_898757503.jpg

http://najafmc.com/thumbnail.php?file=DSC_0003_479376204.jpg&size=article_large

http://biladnews.net/files.php?file=DSC_0081_442004504.jpg

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http://biladnews.net/files.php?file=DSC_0113_359352240.jpg

http://biladnews.net/files.php?file=DSC_0119_111435202.jpg

http://biladnews.net/files.php?file=DSC_0128_222378209.jpg

^ very nice, where is it?

^^ looks nice :)

^ very nice, where is it?

Najaf

Havana Café Restaurant
Location, Arbataash Ramadan Street, Baghdad

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/havcaf.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/havcaf1.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/havcaf2.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/havcaf3.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/havcaf4.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/havcaf5.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/havcaf6.jpg

Mazaya Restaurant
Location, Al Mansur Street, Baghdad

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/maz.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/maz1.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/maz2.jpg

Pizza Pizza franchise is expanding in Baghdad

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/380190_10150857386612295_823052294_9290122_1279738588_n.jpg

Chilli House franchise in jadriya, baghdad

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/1920x1280/74051695.jpg

http://www.chilihouse.com/images/newbaghdad/IMG_1570.jpg

http://www.chilihouse.com/images/newbaghdad/IMG_2082.jpg

http://www.chilihouse.com/images/newbaghdad/IMG_2067.jpg

Ice pack baghdad

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/465502_2872214010060_1840949291_o.jpg

Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken - Iraq
in Jaderyia
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/486442_467462003272974_783624096_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/540392_467464206606087_1229471345_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/482042_467467859939055_1032181152_n.jpg

Source: https://www.facebook.com/LeesIraq

i havent heard of Lees

just looked it up, it's american...la3ad shboka 3ala KFC?

just looked it up, it's american...la3ad shboka 3ala KFC?

According to wiki the founder of Lee's is Colonel Sanders's "founder of KFC" nephew so مو الاصلي بس ابن اخو

so just open a proper KFC lol...maybe in the new malls like baghdad mall

Burger Joint, Baghdad
http://www.burgerjointiraq.com/index.html

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/557927_474490749229308_370288873_n.jpg

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https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/295351_3191887210717_1829638030_n.jpg

Lux Gallery, Karrada

http://www.aqqadfashion.com/docs/branchs/2_542389_236969946417255_932259437_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/540392_467464206606087_1229471345_n.jpg



Chili House is good, much better than Na3Na3 which looks like a gahwa...

ICE Pack has about 15 branches in Baghdad. I saw it on their menu card, will upload a pic

There are more branches

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/IMG-20120801-00250.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/IMG-20120801-00251.jpg

Ice pack branch Zeyouna, Baghdad.

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepackzeyoune.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepackzeyoune1.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepackzeyoune2.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepackzeyoune3.jpg

Ice Pack Karbala

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepackkarbala.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepackkarbala1.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepackkarbala2.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepackkarbala3.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepackkarbala4.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepackkarbala5.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepackkarbala6.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepackkarbala7.jpg

Ice Pack branch Shara 62, Baghdad

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepack62.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepack621.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepack622.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepack623.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepack624.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepack625.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepack626.jpg

Ice Pack Green Zone, Baghdad

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepackgreenzone.jpg

Ice Pack Saydiya, Baghdad

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepacksaydiya.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepacksaydiya1.png

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepacksaydiya2.png

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepacksaydiya3.png

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepacksaydiya4.png

the nicest ice pack in baghdad so far :)

shame that their produce is vile.

Lee's

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/610x.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/610x2.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/610x1.jpg

Beeza Beeza

Second branch has opened in Karrada

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/610x3.jpg

Almost real

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31-2/610x4.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xMArGCV-0k/Tw4J7365QWI/AAAAAAAAAHU/6WJXCd4JrCg/s1600/picard-facepalm.jpg

thats cute, cause processed, greasy, cholesterol infested food is your friend. If you friend the shit outta that burger, it wont kill you. yallah, i guess its a step up from Madonnald, or Pizza hat.

LOL at burger friends!!

Ice Pack Najaf

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepacknaj.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepacknaj1.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepacknaj2.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/makaay31%20-%202/icepacknaj3.jpg

city center Harthiya-Baghdadhttps://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/303728_184794498262946_799710573_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/291805_184794431596286_325137786_n.jpghttps://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/294167_184794394929623_74643120_n.jpghttps://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300029_184794351596294_967745224_n.jpghttps://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/317829_184794311596298_878902484_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/314496_184794278262968_1482062427_n.jpghttps://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/319696_184794218262974_761464163_n.jpghttps://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/320781_184794534929609_2054779973_n.jpg

city center Harthiya-Baghdad

Beymen department store in Erbil, hopefully it'll come to baghdad soon :)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/577870_320106858057737_1654273088_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/523712_320116184723471_1063729470_n.jpg

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https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/523978_320106841391072_995013722_n.jpg

Useless materialistic goods, I hope investment in education, entertainment and health will be more stronger.

alamiya furniture showroom baghdad

http://www.alamiyaco.com/media/rokgallery/5/554138fc-2f3f-47df-ee39-b2ae5468b4c2/d0dd36cc-5b64-42e5-8b04-1cd86fa89628.jpg

http://www.alamiyaco.com/media/rokgallery/e/e983e088-0cd6-4ff4-bfea-ddd4ca3199c8/5d4799ab-d3da-45db-a2ad-b6bac8aed140.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393671_363009723776162_917924590_n.jpg

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https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/422694_363009200442881_855406009_n.jpg

http://www.alamiyaco.com/media/rokgallery/e/ec10031b-4b69-4c30-daa4-78449dd46262/695da058-9950-4178-cfe0-5fcb4fa47ea9.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/282127_363009773776157_926317551_n.jpg

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https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/485397_363008767109591_373771057_n.jpg

^^ very nice

Indeed very nice; great interior finishing. 2nd building much better design of course..

Rixos Al Rasheed Hotel renovation: (yes that's the official name)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/556702_188642811264932_1882258102_n.jpg

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https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208865_205102706285609_739668812_n.jpg
1001 nights night club :D lol
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/292299_200526026743277_1695143585_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/396837_199185470210666_34805313_n.jpg

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Looking very good. It's an Turkish hospitality chain, right? Looks like that was taken during the Arab League summit.

I wonder if non-Iraqis are working in this hotel.

rixos is a hotel company, i think they're running the hotel now along with VIP villas etc

dno who said it was run by Kempinski?

All right, thanks.

Looks really good nevertheless.

fat burger in Erbil

http://www.fatburger.com/IntImageGallery/images/i_Erbil_Iraq_3.jpg

http://www.fatburger.com/IntImageGallery/images/i_Erbil_Iraq.jpg

Ketil. :D

i love fatburger, hope it opens in baghdad :D

I hate fatburger...... very overrated and over priced.

It's just really not that good.

Johnny Rockets = x1000 better.


But I would like to see either open in Baghdad...

Lux Gallery, Mansour Street Baghdad

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/305031_280368298744086_310618497_n.jpg

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https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/546194_280365578744358_1387834631_n.jpg

more Lux Gallery (diff baghdad store)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/428539_236975366416713_1515806448_n.jpg

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https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/545633_236971106417139_1899024873_n.jpg

only reason i like it is because i can have halal bacon for once in a burger (the fat burger in the middle east anyway :D)

I hate fatburger...... very overrated and over priced.

It's just really not that good.

Johnny Rockets = x1000 better.


But I would like to see either open in Baghdad...

+1

i think all burger chains are overrated except for burger fuel !! maybe i'm just biased cause I'm from NZ

too bad you guys don't have in the UK.. seriously best burgers

BD, pretty sure there's a burger fuel in sulaimaniyah :D

Burger fuel, sulaimaniyah:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/409219_334439336594773_1902947630_n.jpg

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^^ yes i know.. i think they opend one in baghdad too (or about to).. some one emailed me few months back..

but TBH.. i tried in Dubai.. and it tastes different from back home.. i think they changed the ingredients :S

+1

i think all burger chains are overrated except for burger fuel !! maybe i'm just biased cause I'm from NZ

too bad you guys don't have in the UK.. seriously best burgers

Yes you are. :D I've tried Burger Fuel in Dubai... they opened one in JBR like 2 years ago..... it's good but I think the best burger chains are Johnny Rockets and GBK (Gourmet Burger Kitchen) (Not really a fast food place/burger chain... more of a restaurant.... but still)

^^ yes i know.. i think they opend one in baghdad too (or about to).. some one emailed me few months back..

but TBH.. i tried in Dubai.. and it tastes different from back home.. i think they changed the ingredients :S

where did you hear that?

^^ sorry i think it was by an email few months ago .. don't really have soild info otherwise i would post it here

anyway, johnny rockets is awesome...so is new york fries

Yes you are. :D I've tried Burger Fuel in Dubai... they opened one in JBR like 2 years ago..... it's good but I think the best burger chains are Johnny Rockets and GBK (Gourmet Burger Kitchen) (Not really a fast food place/burger chain... more of a restaurant.... but still)

BF is gourmet it's not fast food ! HOW DARE YOU !!!

dammit, this thread is making me homesick

edit: i never tried the in JBR, only in Dubai Mall.. and i was a little disappointed there

have you tried Grill'd big d? it's in sydney and melbourne

anyway, johnny rockets is awesome...so is new york fries

I LOVE NYF.. best fries ever.. cant find them anywhere i've been to other than dubai.. =(

have you tried Grill'd big d? it's in sydney and melbourne

umm.. sorry it doesnt ring a bell ... what is it ?

BF is gourmet it's not fast food ! HOW DARE YOU !!!

dammit, this thread is making me homesick

edit: i never tried the in JBR, only in Dubai Mall.. and i was a little disappointed there

Sure it is. :D Keep on telling yourself that.


Oh yeah and DQ isn't bad either! Pretty good.... I've had it a few times at Mall of the Emirates.

Guys please we must end this convo nowwwww..

http://static4.orstatic.com/UserPhoto/photo/0/LW/004BQGC0113BA687D34B3Dm.jpg

The works... I'd die for this! :drool:

Best thing bout Johnny Rockets is the milkshakes! Heavenly... and how they give you an extra long silver cup!

Smokehouse burger.. the best..... I always get that.

Guys please we must end this convo nowwwww..

http://static4.orstatic.com/UserPhoto/photo/0/LW/004BQGC0113BA687D34B3Dm.jpg

The works... I'd die for this! :drool:

+ 1 :drool:


btw, did you know that there is no NYF in NY, or anywhere in the USA for that matter.. it's 100% canadian :lol:

source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Fries

+ 1 :drool:


btw, did you know that there is no NYF in NY, or anywhere in the USA for that matter.. it's 100% canadian :lol:

source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Fries

No way! I always thought NYF was from New York itself :D ....or at least American! Can't believe they don't have any branches in America.

But I'm more shocked that they have one in Iraq?! I never knew... Majidi Mall Erbil apparently!

They HAVE TO open in Baghdad!

That bald guy is that American man from preemptive love coalition with his family. Hes an amazing human! Saving thousands with heart problems.

That bald guy is that American man from preemptive love coalition with his family. Hes an amazing human! Saving thousands with heart problems.

wrong thread? lol

wrong thread? lol

maybe he was talking about this pic:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/409219_334439336594773_1902947630_n.jpg