A taste of paradise

An air of mystery has always pervaded notions of the Middle East. From the region's intractable politics to its rich and diverse cultures, the area has long been a source of fascination to outsiders. And this is true of its many cuisines, which are as varied as the people and languages of this part of the world commonly referred to as the "cradle of civilization." The Global Times visited several restaurants in the city that all boast a distinctive Middle Eastern flavor.

A Thousand and One Nights

A Thousand and One Nights Restaurant, also called the Arabian Night Restaurant, is located on Hengshan Road in Xuhui district. The décor is typically Arabic and includes stone carvings and murals. Candles adorn the tables, next to colorful shishas or hookah pipes laid on for patrons to enjoy a smoke.

Li Baoxin, general manager of the restaurant told the Global Times that the ingredients used in the shisha are 70 percent fruit and molasses, and 30 percent tobacco. "We have different fruit flavors, such as strawberry, orange and banana," said Li.

"After a meal, many of our customers - especially those from the Middle East - like to relax and smoke the hookah pipe for a while."

Li believes that the most typical and authentic Arabic food is to be found in Lebanon and Syria. "And because both the owner and the chef here are from Syria, you can regard this business as an orthodox school Arab restaurant," Li said.

While enjoying a typical kebab (with chicken, mutton, beef or vegetables), Li recommends pairing the dish up with a portion of hummus bi tahini. "It is a soybean paste made with pine nut-scented olive oil and salt. And our green wheat berries and the fresh pieces of warm pita bread are also very popular."

Every night, the restaurant lays on a belly dancing show.

Add: 4 Hengshan Road 衡山路4號

Price: 150 to 200 yuan per person

Tel: 6473-1178