Arabesque Family Restaurant
| Arabesque Family Restaurant | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Owner(s) |
|
| Food type | Lebanese |
| City | Kitchener |
| State | Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 43°27′47″N 80°27′59″W / 43.4630°N 80.4664°W |
| Website | www |
Arabesque Family Restaurant, also known as Arabesque Café, is a Lebanese[1] restaurant in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, located at 869 Victoria St N.
Menu
[edit]Arabesque is known for its hummus and freshly baked pita bread.[2] Some appetizers include baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, lentil soup, and kebbah.[3] Meat entrees, such as chicken tekka, shawarma plates, or falafel, are served along dips, pita bread, salad, rice, and fries.[3] All of the meats are halal.[3] The restaurant also serves a number of Arabic sweets made daily, including baklava, nammoura, and kunafa.[4][5] For drinks, non-alcoholic beer, juices, and smoothies are served.[3] According to a 2013 Record article, the portions are large.[3]
History
[edit]The co-owners of Arabesque, Mohamad Yanes, Mamoun Yanes and Bassam Chaban, were born and raised in Syria with Palestinian descent.[2][4] An engineer by trade, Yanes immigrated to Canada in 2009.[2] The owners had little experience with restauranteering before opening Arabesque, and so "learned by doing".[2]
The location of Arabesque was previously a fast food restaurant.[3] In 2011, the restaurant opened a second location, Arabesque Express, for takeout only in Waterloo at 465 Phillip St;[6] it later closed. In 2018, part of Victoria St. N was closed for construction, causing a significant decrease in Arabesque's business as customers needed to take a 15-minute detour.
Due to the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, the restaurant temporarily switched to being takeout and delivery only.[7] As well the restaurant experienced a drop in business and laid off about fifty staff members.[7] As part of the 2021 Canadian federal elections, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh held a rally outside the restaurant.[8]
Reception
[edit]Dwight Storring of the Waterloo Region Record reviewed the restaurant in 2013, praising the food and atmosphere.[3] Storring concluded by saying Arabesque "is restaurant that should be on everyone's list. The food is delicious, abundant and it caters to a wide range of palettes".[3] In the Record's best of 2018 summary, Sandra Walneck recommended Arabesque's baba ghanoush appetizer "which makes any store-bought version pale by comparison".[9] Writing for CBC News, Andrew Coppolino has recommended the restaurant a number of times, including on his 2017 local shawarma list,[10] his 2021 halal recommendations,[4] and a 2022 article about the Region's food.[11] According to a 2018 Record article, the restaurant has a "loyal following".[2]
References
[edit]- ^ Coppolino, Andrew (December 24, 2022). "These Waterloo region restaurants will serve up warm meals this holiday weekend". CBC News.
- ^ a b c d e D'Amato, Luisa (February 13, 2018). "Don't forget businesses marooned on Victoria Street". Waterloo Region Record. B1.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Storring, Dwight (December 6, 2013). "Affectionately appreciating Arabesque". The Record. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c Coppolino, Andrew (October 23, 2021). "Sweet and savoury halal dishes you can find around Waterloo region". CBC News.
- ^ Coppolino, Andrew (April 3, 2021). "Spring brings fresh take on menus, writes Andrew Coppolino". CBC News.
- ^ "Arabesque Express". Waterloo Region Record. September 28, 2011. E2.
- ^ a b Monteiro, Liz (March 19, 2020). "Kitchener restaurant turns to delivering food to keep afloat". The Record. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Williams, Robert (September 15, 2021). "NDP leader rallies in battleground riding: Kitchener Centre NDP candidate says she 'knows we can win this' after Jagmeet Singh visits riding". Waterloo Region Record. A1.
- ^ Bielak, Alex; Walneck, Sandra; Mangalaseril, Jasmine (December 28, 2018). "Dining out: The best of 2018". The Record. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Coppolino, Andrew (April 29, 2017). "Andrew Coppolino's shawarma selections in Waterloo region". CBC News.
- ^ Coppolino, Andrew (September 3, 2022). "Waterloo region benefits from 'world class' food". CBC News.