Qedreh W Mansaf is an al-Quoz catering kitchen specialising in Levantine cuisine. There is NO SEATING AVAILABLE for dine-in, it is a strictly take away or home delivery establishment. I am not the biggest fan of catering kitchens, preferring restaurants instead BUT my son, visiting from the UK, was insistent we try this place out. He has grown up with a tightknit group of Jordanian boys whose homes are like his second home. As a consequence, he knows a thing or two about real, homecooked Jordanian food. So, when he says, ‘Baba, the mansaf at this place is REALLY good’, I pay particular attention.
In addition to Tabbouleh and Fattoush, we only ordered mansaf, meat and chicken. There are two ways of ordering their mansaf, by the portion, and by weight. The latter comes conveniently served on a steel platter, ready to be put straight on the table. Their rice is the traditional short grain rice, which may raise a few eyebrows among Basmati lovers and those not accustomed to authentic Levantine cuisine. So will the meaty, tangy yoghurt sauce made from Jameed, a hard-dry yoghurt that is prepared by the boiling of sheep or goat’s milk, which is then left to dry and ferment. It is this indispensable sauce which gives mansaf its distinct taste and flavour. And the boys at Qedreh W Mansaf have it nailed. The slow cooked, bone-in lamb, centrepiece of mansaf, was also near perfection. If I have a quib, it’s that portions of the meat, rice and sauce were not proportionate; our collective opinion was that the meat was less (certainly less than one would get at a mandi restaurant for example). This observation could be because it was so good, so in demand. That said, I will remember to tick the extra meat section when I next order.
Reviewing a catering kitchen is different to a restaurant as there are different parameters to consider. The only direct interaction one has with the proprietor/staff is via phone. So, let’s start with…was the operator polite? Yes. Did the operator explain the menu and options in a clear, non-rushed matter? Yes. Was food delivered within the time specified? Yes. Did the food arrive well packaged? Yes. Qedreh W Mansaf ticks all the boxes and earns a hearty recommendation from our entire household.
Waste NOT. Want NOT.
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