(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Want a real home cooked taste of Syria and the Levant Head to Yamo in Al Sufouh for some of the best regional cuisine
Living in Dubai for more years than I care to remember yet in that time being fortunate enough to sample some of the city’s eclectic culinary establishments one thing has always had me troubled - why can’t I find simple Arabic food I really enjoy It shouldn’t be too difficult. Here we are slap bang in the middle of the Middle East. However shawarma aside nothing has ever consistently delivered.
I have delved through many permutations of Arabic recipes that are available in the UAE. There have been dishes hailing from Yemen to Morocco Oman to Lebanon though most (not all) have eventually left me disappointed. It’s not that they’re particularly bad – some are very pleasant - but on a second or third visit the ones that were appetising rapidly fail to live up to expectation.
Let it be noted I am not talking about the food available in those respective countries. On travels abroad there have been some amazing gastronomic experiences. It is just when the meals are recreated here elements can often not sit right.
That was until I visited Yamo located in the Sidra Tower (Fraser Suites Hotel) in Al Sufouh Dubai. The restaurant’s name which simply means ‘mum’ in the Syrian dialect perfectly sums up its atmosphere. This intimate venue and the hearty Syrian fare it produces not only evoke images of a typical ‘mother’s kitchen’ but owner Taha Arnous along with his siblings also created the eatery for his parents to enjoy during their retirement. You’ll often see them around in the evening if you happen to pop in.
And you absolutely should. The kitchen cooks up some wonderful items that are tantalising for your tongue and kind on your wallet. To begin with you must try the kibbeh sajjiyeh – lamb-stuffed kibbeh with pomegranate molasses.
Kibbeh in my opinion has a bad rep. Most of the time people only try it at a buffet when it has been left out and gone hard and dry. Yamo’s is completely different - moist on the inside crunchy on the outside. Perfect. Another good sharing starter and one that will stay with you the whole meal given its size is the batata harrara or spicy potatoes.
For the main a speciality of the house is a chicken and potato dish roasted in a metallic pot with lemon juice garlic thyme and rosemary. It is again a triumph – simple tasty and elegant. If you fancy something a bit more solid the kebabs such as the intabli are also delicious.
To round off proceedings there is only one choice you have to go for… the kunafa om narain. This Turkish treat served up the Syrian way is one of the best incarnations of this dessert I have ever had. All in all and bearing in mind I don’t usually give out marks Yamo is five-star. I don’t have room to pay due compliments to the serving staff suffice to say they are utterly charming and meal for two won’t set you back more than Dhs100 either.
Call: 04 454 8595