The owner of Imad’s Syrian Kitchen will launch his newest venture this autumn.
Aram, a new concept from Imad Al Arnab, the man behind Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, will open at Somerset House later this year. The new café, will be a continued celebration of his homeland’s flavours, and will be unveiled in Somerset House’s 25th anniversary this year.
Open from 8.30am to 6pm seven days a week, the deli will serve breakfast and lunch with a counter full of traditional bites such as za’atar pastries, salads, mint tea, and coffee.
The two restaurant dining rooms will feature more filling menu options, with savoury dishes like hummus and zahrra salata topped with toasted nuts and herbs and sweet delights such as maarouk doughnuts stuffed with pistachios and dates.
Set over four rooms, the highly anticipated café will overlook the venue’s river terrace and will be directly importing Syrian produce for the first time since the war started twelve years ago.
The fourth and final room will host charity events, supper clubs and cooking classes for refugee chefs. Such initiatives are incredibly important to Imad, as these events helped him regain his confidence and start his own business when he came to the UK as a refugee. Giving back to the community is a vital aspect of Imad’s life and business ethos.
Imad said: “I feel hopeful for Syria after many years as it starts to open again, and opening Aram reflects that hope. The name ‘Aram’ derives from a historical part of Syria, and Aram was the son of Sam, and grandson to Noah; the Aramaic period was named after him and set foundations in our Middle Eastern history. Through opening Aram, I hope to introduce people to Syria and its cuisine in a way they haven’t yet had the chance to see. We will have regional recipes and dishes that I would have made at home in my restaurants there before the war, but this time they will be set within the special location of London’s Somerset House as part of a new era in a new home.”
GO: Visit arambyimad.co.uk for more information.