I admit, as an Arab, I can be a snob about Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines — especially when they stray from the traditional formula I grew up around. It’s just one of those things: if you can do it, my mum has probably done it better.
But Qbara’s brunch menu, which can be described as Middle Eastern with a twist, hit the nail on the head with all its pleasant surprises.
The brunch is open between 12.30pm and 4pm every Friday and is more-or-less split into three heaping courses with dessert to boot — so come plenty hungry. The presentation was modern but rustic — an Instagram abuser’s dream come true — and the portions were small enough to sample every dish without winding up in stomach-gurgling agony.
The first offerings came in the form of truffle-infused labneh dip, marinated olives, a selection of breads, zaatar dip and crudities on ice. They were refreshing and brimming with flavour, which provided a great starting point for the palate.
From there, a range of hot and cold miniature dishes are available, including Turkish beef tartare, lobster kibbeh and crispy soft shell crab “saj”. For two people, the full menu might be overwhelming, so my brunch buddy and I settled on the fried calamari (spicy but irresistible), pumpkin soup (sweet and creamy); cherry tomato, watermelon and shanklish (light and delicious) as well as a fairly classic fattoush salad. It was satisfying to be able to switch between a variety of different flavours and textures as desired, with the yellow melon cubes serving as a particular highlight.
Main courses
By the time we were ready for our main courses, we had almost already had our fill. I went for the grilled Australian rib eye, well-done, but the side of fried potatoes covered in thyme and a zesty pesto dip advertised as “herbs and cumin” stole the show. My eating buddy had the mushroom risotto, and with its frekah, labneh and wild za’atar, it proved to be a successful new take on an old favourite.
Word of advice: don’t skip the dessert. After some convincing, we had the Arabic coffee “pick-me-up” plate. Its description on the menu doesn’t do it justice, but our server informed us it was akin to a Middle Eastern tiramisu. The “soft chocolate torte, Turkish coffee ice cream and coffee meringue” created a distinctive, mouth-watering mix that melted on the tongue.
To add to the overall pleasant experience, Qbara’s staff were helpful and service was quick. Entertainment was an unexpected bonus, including two performers behind the bar serenading us with intermittent flute-and-violin performances. A magician — part-time banker, part-time mind-blower — even stopped by our table with delightful illusions and trickery up his sleeve.
Verdict: Brunch is on the pricier end, with three different packages to cater to different needs, but it’s worth it for the occasional treat-yourself splurge. The beautifully warm hues, soft lighting (courtesy a looming chandelier) and relaxing atmosphere make you feel like you’ve gone on a couple of hours of vacation.
