The food and service at newly opened Makarem are outstanding, portion sizes are mammoth. Located on the service road near the Emirates ID Centre on Hessa in al-Barsha, Makarem is a two-story affair with the ground floor dedicated to reception, order taking and (I’m assuming) the kitchen, and the top floor a dining area, complete with traditional floor seating, table-chair seating and private dining cubicles for both.
Everything is sparkling new as befitting a two-week-old restaurant, which made the near seamless service of the two Filipino boys (with the most infectious smiles and good manner) all the more impressive. What I cannot understand, however, is why such a well thought-out interior design (and décor) couldn’t incorporate a more efficient kitchen to table delivery, because, as things stand, the poor waiters have to run down (something like) forty to fifty stairs, and then back up again…for everything…even a single bottle of water. My wife insisted I made mention of this point at the beginning of my review.
I ordered something I have never tried before, Zurbian (Surbiyaan) زربيان Adani Meat. Zurbian is the Yemeni version of the Indian Biryani. Although the spices are slightly different, it is no less delicious and offers an interesting alternative to the classic Mandi we by default associate with Yemeni food. I highly recommend you try this gorgeous dish. Well done to Makarem for incorporating something so traditional and authentic in their menu.
My son ordered a Haneeth Meat which came on a platter big enough to feed three (easily). On my request, the kitchen served the Haneeth on a sampler, two-tone bed of rice, half Kabsah and the other, Makarem’s own concoction – both fluffy fantastic. The meat, however, as fall-off-the-bone tender as it was, seemed to have a tad more turmeric than it should have, spoiling the experience for him.
The amazing Madfoon Meat his mother (my dearest of dears) ordered however saved the day, as she shared her meat with her darling boy. Disappointed and angry as he was with the Haneeth, he found the Madfoon excellent. I concur. Portions are enormous, even by mandi restaurant standards. Unless you’re a young buck or a glutton like me, one portion is easily good for two…or even three if you’re ordering the Haneeth.
Service was exemplary, and half the reason I will go back to Makarem. The other half, of course, is the excellent food and attention to detail.
I hope that by the time I get around to my next visit the teething problems (like the lukewarm soup and the over spiced lamb) will have been resolved. In addition, I sincerely hope the Jordanian owners of Makarem will have devised a less strenuous way for their staff to get food from the kitchen to table. The silver lining to that problem is that those Filipino boys will soon have footballer’s leg muscles.
All in all, Makarem is a welcome addition to the Barsha mandi scene and well worth a visit, take away or home delivery.
Waste NOT. Want NOT.
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