A restaurant recommended by the famous travel guide Lonely Planet has been ordered to shut down because of hygiene issues.
Popular for its Arabic food, the Al Mallah restaurant on Al Wahda Street in Sharjah has been fined Dh100,000 and sealed by the Sharjah Economic Development Department following a letter from the Public Health Department of Sharjah Municipality.
Owner Raheem said the closure was related to food past its sell-by date. There's been a lock on the main door since February 18 and notices plastered over its glass frontage warn of a Dh5,000 fine on anyone removing them.
Salal, who handles the restaurant's accounts, said the shut- down was for one month and the place will reopen on March 18.
The sudden closure of the popular restaurant has rattled regular food buffs in the area. “I am shocked. Al Mallah has been around for as long as I can remember.
“To learn that it has been shut down over hygiene issues is unnerving,'' said frequent diner Mohammad Hussaini, a 39-year-old Lebanese expatriate who lives in the nearby Majaz area.
Similar views were expressed by another regular, Buheirah Corniche resident Zubair. “It was the most affordable Arabic food restaurant in the city. I work late night shifts and because the place used to remain open till late evening, it suited me perfectly. I would often go there for a quick bite,'' said the 28-year-old Indian.
Al Mallah has four branches in the UAE, but only the Sharjah unit has been affected. “It's business as usual at our Satwa, Mamzar and Deira outlets in Dubai,'' said Salah. Authorities at the Economic Development Department were not available for comment.
