BAHAA, SYRIA

 

“War is such a small part of our history – our bigger history is about science, food, love and poetry. We make the best out of everything.”

 
 
 
 

As a kid, Bahaa spent hours as his mother’s unofficial sous chef, and would play the role of ‘taste consultant’ whenever required. It was from his mother that Bahaa learned the recipes, techniques and patience required to cook with love.

Bahaa’s mother left Syria for Dubai when he was in his 20s, but not before cramming a freezer full of his favourite home-cooked meals. “It was her way of taking care of me,” he says. Once those meals were finished, Bahaa began cooking for himself – messaging his mother overseas for tips and advice. “It was a beautiful bonding activity,” says Bahaa, who lost the chance to see his mother after she moved to Dubai. “The closer I get to cooking the meals I tasted at home…the more I feel like me.”

 
 

  • Bahaa’s menu is an invitation into these memories and flavours. There’s his crunchy Fattoush, a sweet-and-sour salad, soaked in copious amounts of pomegranate molasses. There’s Bahaa’s Ful, (pronounced “fool”), a fava bean-based dish eaten in Aleppo only on Fridays, generously drenched in tahini, lemon juice and garlic, and topped with a lavish drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Then there’s his favourite, Mnazalt al zahra, a decadent lamb stew passed on from Bahaa’s mother, brimming with ‘heavenly descended cauliflower’ that tastes so good it’ll make you fall in love with the vegetable all over again! And for the sweet tooths, there’s Bahaa’s Luqmet el kadi, bite-sized doughnut balls served with rich date molasses, tahini and a sprinkle of cinnamon - the perfect way to end a feast.

    Bahaa’s cooking is truly a labour of love.

  • Okruk Ajam | Black tea w/ cinnamom & cardamom (vegan, GF, NF)
    Balila (vegan, GF, NF)
    Mnazalt al Zahra | Cauliflower & lamb stew (GF, NF, DF (can be veganised))
    Mujaddara | Rice & lentil side dish (vegan, GF, NF)
    Ful | Fava bean dip (vegan, GF, NF)
    Fattoush Salad (vegan, NF) (can be made GF)
    Luqmet el Kadi | Mini doughnut balls (vegan, NF)

    *Please note; our menus are subject to change without notice.

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