Arrows & Sparrows Café and More…looks and feels inconspicuously like a leaf out of the Tom&Serg book. And like T&G, the two BFF owners have named their second outlet something completely different to the first, the popular Friend’s Avenue in JLT. Fans of grey epoxy floor, blacken exposed ceilings and modern-retro, minimalist furniture (again, similar to T&G, Pantry, Lime Tree, etc.) will feel right at home here – it’s a literal copy/paste. Not at all a bad thing; why reinvent the wheel, right?
Their diverse menu shows that a concerted effort has been put into creating new dishes, into individualism. I had a tough time choosing a main, the entire list was tempting, especially the Korean Bulghogi Chicken (all the Bulghogi I have had till now has been beef…or pork, never chicken). I eventually settled on their beautifully crispy (on the skin side) pan-seared salmon; I never thought walnuts would complement salmon this well. It’s a little oily but worth a try. Also interesting is their stir-fried rice; offered as a side it has corn and edamame mixed in – brilliant, but also a little on the oily side. I will go back (for sure) to try the Bulghogi…and also the Porcini Mushroom Risotto. But note this, although I myself have not tried it as yet, I hear Arrows also serves an excellent breakfast.
Service was friendly, suggestive and fast. I’m going out on a limb here but I’d say Arrows & Sparrows is the best of what is available in The Greens…Barsha Heights AND Emirates Hills. Most definitely worth a detour.
Waste NOT. Want NOT.