Imad Alarnab to open Syrian café in Somerset House

Syrian chef Imad Alarnab will open Aram, a Syrian café, deli and restaurant, in London’s Somerset House this autumn.

 

Alarnab, the owner of Imad’s Syrian Kitchen off London’s Carnaby Street, will serve bakes, salads, lunches and breakfasts drawing on flavours from across Syria’s 14 provinces, using Syrian produce directly imported for the first time since war broke out there 12 years ago.

 

Aram will overlook Somerset House’s River Terrace and the Thames and feature four rooms open for breakfast and lunch.

 

The chef will continue to support charities close to his heart, and Aram opening up in the evenings as a space for charity events, supper clubs, emerging new talent and refugee chefs.

 

Syrian pastries, dips, salads, wraps and breads will be served in the on-site deli alongside coffee and Syrian mint tea.

 

The two dining rooms in the café and restaurant section will offer dishes including hummus salata with red onion, sumac, tomato, parsley and rocket; Zahrra salata, a cauliflower and grape vinegar salad with toasted nuts and herbs; and Maarouk doughnuts filled with savoury or sweet options such as cheese, chocolate, pistachio, dates and nuts.

 

Alarnab 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.

 

“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.”

 

Jenny Freestone, commercial director at Somerset House, said: “Imad will find an inspiring culinary community here on-site, as Aram will arrive after the spring opening of Setlist, our new riverside bar with a monthly guest edit of innovative chefs, artists and musicians."

 

Aram will join Somerset House’s other hospitality offerings, which include WatchHouse coffee, Rishim Sachdeva’s vegan Café Petiole and Skye Gyngell’s Spring restaurant.

 

Somerset House is also home to African and Caribbean chef collective, Future Plate.

 

Imagery by Tonic Studio