Urban Bites: Editor’s Pick Lebanese Restaurant

Lebanese restaurant Urban Bites has just changed up their menu so if you know this spot well, it’s time to check out their new dishes

If you have never been to Urban Bites can we just say – you are missing out on the best hummus in town! In the kitchen, is new Lebanese Executive Chef Ara alongside Chef Christine Khanashat daughter of the late Chef Ghazi Khanashat (nicknamed the ‘Godfather’ of Lebanese cooking in Singapore).
Forget Arab quarter – if you are looking for authentic Middle Eastern and Lebanese fare, this is it! While dishes are traditional Lebanese (like the slow cooked hummus $13 – the smoothest tastiest hummus you’ll ever try) what impressed us was the modernising of certain dishes (reducing sugar and even making some dishes gluten free on request!).

Try the thirst quencher Jallab ($6) this signature drink served in a copper mug made with dates, grape molasses and rose water. And surprisingly it’s not as sweet as it sounds – instead it’s an interesting thirst quencher. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the Samke Harra ($29) this new item shows the chefs contemporary take on Lebanese flavours. Seabass is served crispy skinned on creamy smoky baba ghanoush, sprinkled with pops of sweet pomegranate, drizzled with tahini sauce alongside baked potato slices and a crispy citrussy salad. Old favourites remain: the Sampler Platter ($28); of hummus, labneh, two warek enab, incredible crispy falafels, tabouleh, lamb kibbeh, veggie sticks and flatbreads and the Mixed Grill ($33) of four charcoal grilled kebabs of chicken cubes, beef cubes, minced lamb and minced chicken) with fries and salad.

For dessert –balaklava and other delicacies line the counter for you to lust over as you watch the chef at work shoving pita breads in the open oven but for something a bit different, try the Osmaliyeh ($12) this pretty new dish is a bed of crispy filo strings layered with home made clotted cream and strawberries.

Lunch is a steal here, available Mondays to Fridays, the set is priced at $19.90++ for three courses. Brunch on a Saturday is new too with interesting dishes like Lebanese Big Breakfast ($20) with hummus, labneh sunny side up egg and veggies or the Eggs and Lamb Shashouka ($20) with a Lebanese coffee!

Tip: Plus if you are gluten or dairy free – call a day ahead and Urban Bites are amazingly accommodating.

Urban Bites, 161 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068615, Tel: (+65) 6327 9460, www.urbanbites.com.sg