I’m the type that likes to try cuisines from the globe. One thing about London is the multi-cultural atmosphere. You’ll find restaurants from many nationalities, and many are really good.

When I speak of foreign restaurants in Kuwait, since it is an Arabic country, I don’t consider other arab restaurants as foreign, so I won’t talk about Arabic restaurants that I visit in London (that doesn’t mean that I despise them, quite the contrary, I would do anything to have a falalfel sandwich from Canary restaurant!). Instead, Kuwait  is dominated by the American cuisine and fast food restaurants and culture generally (with my utmost respect to my American friends, I mean no offense). Rarely you’ll find other cuisines such as African, Eastern European, Asian (with the exception of Indian food which is abundant here….and tasty).

I have like an archive of pics of restaurants I tried in London (this year and in the past). I never got to post them in the blog, and I’ll try to as much as possible. Here is one of the restaurants which is called Arianna. It is an Afghani restaurant and offers really delicious food.

First how to get there:

• By Underground: Central (Red) line, OR, District (Green) line to the station called “Mile End” in “Zone 2″. When you exit, turn left and walk straight ahead till you reach Burdett Road. Cross the street and you’ll see the sign “Mile End Park” slightly to your left. Walk that path for 2-3 minutes and you’ll see the restaurant.

NOTE: My apologies to everyone, but I do not use the bus often, so I’m unsure which number takes you there. I’m an underground, elusive person

Now the pics:

I believe the language here is Urdu or Persian, although I managed to read it. At this point, I convey my apologies to my fellow Arabs, since the name Arianna is an explicit word for us (no, I shall not write the meaning…..find out on your own!). I wonder what it means in their language? If you haven’t noticed, then it’s my mind that’s messed up )

Below are images from inside…very exotic and appealing:

And now…the best part…….FOOOD!!

Appetizers

Shabzi: Soup consisting of noodles, kidney beans, chickpeas, and other types of beans. I know where I’ll go for Ramadan!

 

Barun Banjan: Aubergine (egg plant) mixed with tomatoes and onions, with yoghurt and sprinkled with mint.

Main meal:

Bantoo: Minced meat wrapped in dough and smothered with what I think is a bean sauce

 

 Ashak: Similar to bantoo, but vegetarian, dough stuffed with cabbage and other wholesome veggies, with yoghurt and red peppers, and onions.

 

 

Qibali Pilau: Very simply…..machboos la7am

 

The food was absolutely delicious, the atmosphere was cozy and I was lucky to have been there when it wasn’t so crowded. I recommend this restaurant, try it.

Finally, I just want to say that, although this restaurant is situated in an area not in the “oxford street or knitsbridge or bayswater or queensway vicinity”, doesn’t mean you can’t venture out and see new places. That’s right, I’m talking to my Kuwaiti peers! (I can’t speak about other nationalities). Most Kuwaitis don’t, and sometimes refuse to go out of the radar of those areas. But there is potential; I’m seeing a lot of the Kuwaiti youth (and adults) with their back packs, and exploring London. Mashallah, it’s great to see them out there, and not just shopping or hanging out at cafés smoking shisha (ugh! ) on Edgware road (double ugh ), watching the people pass by and fending off the beggars who claim they are Muslims (I could be wrong about that, but the fact they’re just in Edgware road targetting other women with hijabs and arab men who look khaleeji (like myself )?….hmmmm). Yes, some places take time to reach (if 30 min. is a lot!), but in the end, it’s worth it, especially with friends and family.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 at 11:07 PM and is filed under Food, General, Restaurants.
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