Beautiful Beirut architecture. Beirut is known as the ‘Paris of the Middle East’ |
My Arabic calligraphy handwriting at a workshop in Dubai |
Candle light at Embers Mezze Bar in Darlinghurst, soft and romantic |
For those interstate and not visiting Sydney anytime soon, you may wish to try combining some familiar ingredients mentioned below when cooking to see how it tastes.
Location and Ambience
Embers Mezze Bar is located in the grand Rococo style building on 52 Oxford Street, in the heart of the hustle bustle of Darlinghurst in Sydney. There is an inviting warmth when you step into the dimly lit, rustic establishment with a touch of Rococo style elegance.
Look around and you will notice two giant quirky paintings of a man and a woman. Both pictures show a man and woman smoking with a beer hose in traditional Middle Eastern outfits, in contemporary style.
We weren’t overly hungry but could eat. These are the 3 dishes we had and I would definitely have again.
#1 Haloumi with honey and za’atar crumbs ($13)
If your tastebuds were asleep then this will wake them up. The salty rubbery texture of haloumi combined with the sweetness of honey and za’atar, which essentially is a generic name in Arabic for a family of related Middle Eastern herbs including thyme, sesame, and oregano, were delicious. Why didn’t I think of that combination before when grilling haloumi?
Haloumi with honey and za’atar crumbs |
#2 Cauliflower chickpea and pomegranate salad ($16)
This is a vegetarian dish comprising of chargrilled cauliflower, chickpeas, pine nuts, parsley and pomegranate molasses (or syrup). The smoky flavour of the cauliflower and the sweet and sour pomegranate molasses were a good combination. An appetising dish that make you feel like you want more when you get to the end.
Cauliflower chickpea and pomegranate salad |
#3 Scallop nayeh with chilli baba ganoush and crisby Lebanese bread ($19)
A picture I took when I travelled the Middle East |
Where? 52 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Phone: (02) 8354 1100
Website: www.embersmezzebar.com.au