By Alyaa Malik
There’s a new restaurant in the neighborhood, and it will seriously interest your senses. The scents of their freshly-baked bread and freshly-grilled meats are coupled with eye-catching outdoor dining. Fresh Grills in the DQ makes dining out a worthwhile moment.
The bustling of the cooks in the kitchen was palpable from where we stood. The sight of ovens and grills were as visible as their restaurant name suggests. Fresh Grills is the newly-opened restaurant in Al Fazari Square and it promises authentic Moroccan and Middle Eastern cuisine. Looking around, it is not your common Middle Eastern restaurant. The interiors and exteriors have been decorated to give the best experience for the DQ diners, with an elaborate outdoor seating that is reminiscent of a garden. If you walk further to the back of the restaurant, they have a very charming set up of tables with a flowing fountain in the middle. It is a sight to behold at night, making it a lovely dinner spot for married couples to meet.
We were ushered to our tables and given the menu. They have a breakfast menu that’s made up of classic Arab dishes like the Shakshouka, Manquoshes and Grilled Halloumi Cheese. However, these are only served from 7-11am. We made our selections from the regular menu starting with Hommous and Moutabbal, which are staple appetizers in this part of the world. They were creamy and matched perfectly with the warm khubbus, highlighting the simplicity of good bread. For our main dishes, we ordered the classic Moroccan dish of Lamb Tagine with Prunes, Grilled Tenderloin Steak, Mixed Grill, Lamb Chops and Chicken Shawerma Plate.
The Lamb Tagine with Prunes was a nod to the traditional Moroccan method of cooking a stew dish in an earthenware pot with a distinct protruded cover. The meal is served sizzling hot and the lamb slowly melts in your mouth followed by the sweet and tangy juice of the cooked prunes. It is best eaten with a bowl of rice for a complete experience.
Meanwhile the Mixed Grill and Lamb Chops were the manifestations of their namesake. Fresh, tender and flavorful. By the end of our evening there was no piece of meat left behind from these plates, showing how much we enjoyed them.
The flavors of the Chicken Shawerma were on point and having it served on a plate makes it good for sharing. If there is anything I would wish to improve on that dish, it would have to be the garlic sauce, which was a bit on the mild side.
They also have food items that are not strictly Moroccan or Middle Eastern in origin, such as the Grilled Tenderloin Steak, Grilled Grouper Fillet, Grilled Salmon and the Lobster Tagine. Our order of the Tenderloin Steak was cooked to medium and came with a tasty pepper sauce and a side of mashed potatoes.
Our refreshments included sparkling water, lemon with mint juice and a jug of Saudi Cocktail. However, they also have an extensive selection of tea and coffee, carrying the popular Illy brand selections. Their Moroccan Tea, Cappuccino and Mocha Frappe are their best sellers.
Fresh Grills is an endearing new restaurant eager to serve the DQ community with excellent grilled food in honor of Moroccan and Arabic dishes. You can expect good ambiance, attentive service and a reason to come back for more.
FRESH GRILLS
Moroccan and Middle Eastern Cusine
Al Fazari Square
For Reservations, Delivery and Catering Services:
011-482-2215 / 011-812-9000 / 0530004312
Also available via Hunger Station.
OPENING HOURS
Sunday- Wednesday:
7:00 AM-12:00 AM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Friday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
