Six years after fleeing Syria as a refugee, Alarnab now owns a successful London restaurant. Once focused on finding employment and providing for his family, Alarnab's passion for food led him to collaborate with charities like UNICEF's Next Generation Program and Choose Love to open pop-up restaurants, supper clubs, and Falafel bars. Imad's Syrian Kitchen, with its inviting interior, has become a popular destination for Londoners seeking an authentic Middle Eastern dining experience.
After a crowdfunding campaign raised 50,000 pounds, Imad's Syrian Kitchen opened in Soho, London, in 2021. With a warm and cozy atmosphere, it offers delicious Middle Eastern dishes like Kabab Hindi and Hummus. The restaurant's dedication to charity is also evident in its support to Choose Love, a British charity that helps refugees.
Despite the challenges of opening a restaurant during the pandemic, Imad is grateful for the opportunity to share his love for food with others. He also enjoys the creative process of adapting recipes to accommodate dietary preferences, such as gluten-free or vegan options.
Alanab's love for food connects him to people from all walks of life. He's proud of his family, now living in London, and shares their stories through photos displayed in the restaurant. Rising tensions around immigration reveal that some people still view refugees as foreign, but Alanab believes that at our core, we're all just people with different backgrounds. He acknowledges that becoming a refugee was not a choice but a necessity, a reality more refugees share.
Imad's Syrian Kitchen draws crowd during the summer, with locals and visitors appreciating the varied menu and friendly atmosphere. But the opening of a restaurant during a pandemic presents risks, and Imad knows the challenges that await him. Regardless, he grabs the opportunity and has run the Soho branch of his restaurant with the same spirit as he ran his Damascus eateries, balancing tradition with innovation.
Today, Alanab's passionate commitment to food and community in London is celebrated, despite tensions around immigration. His restaurant has become a testament to the power of good food and shared humanity, connecting people in a place they call home. His journey from Syria is a journey of survival, creativity, and the pursuit of shared experiences – a story that continues to resonate in London's vibrant food scene.
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Imad's Syrian Kitchen in London, established by Imad Alarnab, is a successful restaurant that serves authentic Middle Eastern dishes. Alarnab fled Syria due to the war before moving to London in 2015. In Damascus, he owned several restaurants, juice bars, and cafes, honing his culinary skills. Now, he shares his passion for food with the London community through pop-up restaurants, supper clubs, and Falafel bars.
The restaurant, situated on Carnaby Street in Soho, is praised for its delicious lamb options, hummus, and pita bread. Imad's Syrian Kitchen has also earned recognition from the MICHELIN Guide for its high-quality, reasonably priced food[1].
With a warm and welcoming atmosphere, the restaurant has become a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. Alarnab's personal story and commitment to his craft have garnered him a loyal customer base. However, some reviews note that the service can sometimes be less than welcoming, causing dissatisfaction among some customers.
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Imad Alarnab is an accomplished Syrian chef who fled his war-torn homeland and refocused his culinary skills on providing for his family when he arrived as a refugee in London. After finding employment in the food industry, Alarnab's passion for food exploded, spurring collaborations with UNICEF's Next Generation Program and Choose Love to open pop-up restaurants, supper clubs, and Falafel bars for refugees and London residents.
Imad's dedication to sharing his love of food won him the Bib Gourmand award in 2021, recognized by the MICHELIN Guide for excellent quality, value cooking. Despite operating in one of London's touristy areas, the restaurant continuously maintains high standards by avoiding serving mediocre food to attract passing business[1].
Imad's Syrian Kitchen has become a beloved dining destination in London, drawing crowds eager to taste authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. The restaurant's success is not only a testament to Alarnab's culinary skills, but also his ability to connect people through shared experiences, which has helped him build a strong and loyal customer base.
Unfortunately, some reviews express dissatisfaction with the service, marring the otherwise positive opinion of Imad's Syrian Kitchen. However, Alarnab's dedication to the craft, his openness, and his commitment to the community continue to attract people seeking an authentic Middle Eastern culinary experience in London.
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