<strong>Imad's Syrian Kitchen: </strong>Imad Alarnab had to leave Syria in 2015 during the civil war. Six years later, he's got his own restaurant in London's buzzy Soho district.
Imad's Syrian Kitchen: Imad Alarnab had to leave Syria in 2015 during the civil war. Six years later, he's got his own restaurant in London's buzzy Soho district.
Issy Croker
<strong>Inviting interior</strong>: The interior of Imad's Syrian Kitchen is designed to be welcoming and relaxed. "I didn't want to create another typical Middle Eastern restaurant. Instead, I always wanted to create something more homey, more cosy," Alarnab tells CNN Travel.
Inviting interior: The interior of Imad's Syrian Kitchen is designed to be welcoming and relaxed. "I didn't want to create another typical Middle Eastern restaurant. Instead, I always wanted to create something more homey, more cosy," Alarnab tells CNN Travel.
Issy Croker
<strong>On the menu:</strong> Alarnab's delicious offerings include Kabab Hindi, pictured right, a lamb and tomato dish.
On the menu: Alarnab's delicious offerings include Kabab Hindi, pictured right, a lamb and tomato dish.
Issy Croker
<strong>Sharing menu:</strong> Alarnab's menu -- which also includes hummus, pictured -- is designed for sharing.
Sharing menu: Alarnab's menu -- which also includes hummus, pictured -- is designed for sharing.
Issy Croker
<strong>Personal touches:</strong> On the walls of Imad's Syrian Kitchen are photos of Alarnab, his family, and his life so far.
Personal touches: On the walls of Imad's Syrian Kitchen are photos of Alarnab, his family, and his life so far.
Issy Croker
<strong>Giving back: </strong>Alarnab crowdfunded £50,000 in the fall of 2020 to help secure the lease. He plans to donate this money back to Choose Love -- £1 from each bill goes to the UK refugee charity. Pictured here: Jaj Barghol (chicken thigh with bulgur wheat) and Fattoush Baitinjan (aubergine, cucumber and avocado).
Giving back: Alarnab crowdfunded £50,000 in the fall of 2020 to help secure the lease. He plans to donate this money back to Choose Love -- £1 from each bill goes to the UK refugee charity. Pictured here: Jaj Barghol (chicken thigh with bulgur wheat) and Fattoush Baitinjan (aubergine, cucumber and avocado).
Issy Croker
<strong>Signature dish:</strong> Alarnab is known for his amazing falafel. He tells CNN Travel the key is its simplicity. "People try to play with traditional recipes where it's good enough like it is -- and you don't really have to add too much to it, to make it," he says.
Signature dish: Alarnab is known for his amazing falafel. He tells CNN Travel the key is its simplicity. "People try to play with traditional recipes where it's good enough like it is -- and you don't really have to add too much to it, to make it," he says.
Issy Croker