Al Saray’s Silom branch offers the best of two worlds – Lebanese and Indian.

By Bhoomi Wadhwa

It’s always a perfect time to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and step into a culinary wonderland at Al Saray’s new Silom branch. Whether you are going for a family dinner or business luncheon, this restaurant provides the best combination of moreish Lebanese cuisine served alongside spicy Indian varieties. Those wanting to hold separate parties or small get-togethers can book the private dining space with an outdoor seating area.

The entire establishment exudes a rustic Middle Eastern vibe, with multicoloured copper lamps dangling from the arched ceilings. The dim lighting and soft music helps set the mood for a relaxed meal ahead, carefully curated by their leading chefs from Lebanon and India.

Food and Drink

At Al Saray, you can mix and match with ease between the Lebanese and Indian menus. So be ready to enter a food paradise that will leave you satisfied for weeks.

A typical Middle Eastern meal begins with fine Hummus (B140) served alongside a Hot mezza (B350) to share. The hearty platter includes meat kebbe and sambouseks, cheese rolls, spinach fatayer and vegetable samosas paired with a sour and spicy coriander sauce. For a lighter appetiser, opt for Mutable bathenjan (B160), where the good old chick pea paste gains a new lease on life as it is prepared with grilled eggplants. Another equally satisfying alternative is the Fattouch (B140), a crunchy sweet and sour salad of mixed salad greens, fried bread, sumac, lemon dressing and pomegranate molasses.

Moving on to the mains, the Extra mixed grill platter (B550) could feed a small family. The tempting variety of tender kababs, include kofta, shish taouk, lamb skewers, chicken koftas and Lebanese grilled chicken, served alongside a sour white sauce and sweet curd. All meats are perfectly prepared with just the right amount of aromatic spices.

Afterwards, dive into the Indian options by starting with a large platter of the Al Saray tandoor kabab (B650). A delightful combination of succulent lamb and chicken with Indian spices should get you in the mood for some heavier fare. Lamb rogan josh (B350) is a scrumptious dish, and full of flavours, burning with spices. This curry goes well with Naan (B25), an oven-baked flatbread, where you can choose its toppings from a wonderful array of plain, butter, garlic or cheese. Meanwhile, biryani lovers can relish the Al Saray biryani with lamb (B280), where the moist meat is well marinated and cooked into rice.

Sweet lovers should end their meal with the classic Gulab jamun (B150), a popular Indian delicacy that is served hot. The soft texture of the dessert melts away with each bite, leaving you wanting more. One cannot leave without trying the signature dessert, Aish Al Saray (B150), a combination of caramelised bread with cream pudding tastefully decorated with strawberries, cashew nuts and ground pistachios.

Complementing the meal was the mocktail Passion Fruit Sour (B195), a combination of fresh passion fruit, with lychee, lime juice and Sprite. This sweet and sour drink tantalises your taste buds with every flavourful sip. An equally refreshing option is the Lemon Mint (B195), made of fresh lemon juice, mint leaves and sugar syrup. Al Saray also offers traditional Lebanese coffee and spiced Indian tea which are perfect choices to end your hearty meal.

AL SARAY

2 Silom 2/1, Suriya Wong, Khet Bang Rak, 10500

Tel: 02 234 4988

Open daily from 9am to midnight

www.alsarayrestaurant.com