Did you know Dubai’s police force boasts some pretty cool supercars? Visit this Middle Eastern destination and you’ll see officers driving around in rides such as a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti Veyron and an Aston Martin?
As we celebrate everything Middle Eastern this week, here are some more fun facts and five restaurants to get your falafel on:
•The Saudi Arabian Royal family is considered to be the richest royalty in the world with more than $2 trillion Australian – however, with 15,000 family members, this wealth is well spread out.
•The Dead Sea at 420 metres below sea level is the lowest point on Earth.
•Camel racing is a popular spectator sport in Kuwait, with the Kuwait Camel Club using robotic jockeys instead of humans.
An Israeli-style menu aligning with the owners’ Jewish heritage is what awaits Sydney foodies at four ate five café on Crown Street in Surry Hills. Funky wall tiles and great artwork from local artists set the mood for casual dining in an open floor plan design while pondering dishes matching a Jewish Grandmother’s cooking.
Must-try breaky plates include slow-cooked lamb shoulder, chickpeas, burnt eggplant yoghurt, mint oil, poached egg, zhoug and pita; while weekend specials like Moroccan meatball and egg tagine with saffron, tomatoes and peppers are also sure to entice.
Locally-loved Café Boker on River Street is the place to head in Ballina for the tantalising taste of Middle Eastern fare with flair. Located in the CBD with an inviting alfresco area streetside for people-watching while enjoying a coffee catch-up with friends, this rustic café exudes a warm and welcoming vibe ideal for lingering over a lazy brunch.
Expect beautifully plated dishes which taste as good as they look, think shakshuka, with tomato ragu, baked eggs, Danish feta, sourdough toast and aromatic herbs; or devour tender and fragrant slow-cooked lamb, creamy hummus, tahini, za’atar and pita on the side.
A unique dining experience with Middle Eastern inspiration awaits diners at Miss Arda on Terralong Street in Kiama. Located in the heart of town, this restaurant is the perfect spot to dine when visiting the South Coast, with a menu designed to be shared, along with cocktails reflecting the flavours of the dishes, beer, wine and spirits.
Start with sumac-crusted calamari, aioli and grilled lemon, paired with an icy glass of Pinot Grigio, moving onto mains such as pomegranate lamb backstrap, baba ghanoush and ezme, or rose harissa chicken, smoked yoghurt and burnt lime.
Find some of the best Lebanese food in Sydney as well as good times at Bahsa Mezza and Bar on Footbridge Boulevard in Wentworth Point. Nestled in the Marina Square Complex, expect a casual rooftop setting with a great view of the bay where you can hang out listening to tunes and sink a bevvy, along with grazing on a share-plate menu.
Eating with your hands is encouraged as you enjoy a long lunch or slow dinner, perhaps delving into beef shawarma, tahini, onion and parsley, or devour a succulent marinated chicken tawouk wrap with lettuce, pickles and garlic.
Indulge in Middle Eastern-inspired fare and specialty coffee at Fez & Co on Booth Street in Annandale. Nestled in a transformed cottage and serving food from the heart, this light and airy eatery brings the outside in through floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking parkland, while polished wood floors and cosy table settings set a chilled-out vibe.
A charming alfresco area is the place to be on balmy days as you devour a Beirut sharing plate for two, with kibbes, sambousik, kofta skewers, lamb skewers, pickles, olives, hummus, tahini, minted yoghurt sauce and fattoush salad.
