‘Arjwan’ is a vibrantly blue flower that blooms against all odds in the harsh heat of a Mediterranean desert. This rare, beautiful bloom has been a part of Emirati culture for centuries, and has even been used for topical medicine.
Inspired by this desert beauty is an authentically Emirati restaurant by the same name, located inside the very pristine property of Sheraton Sharjah. I was in awe with the place as soon as I stepped in. From deep, dark woods to the aqua-blue upholstery befitting the Arjwan bloom, the ambiance here is delightfully astute and Arabesque.
The menu pays tribute to the traditional heritage of the UAE, yet they manage to do this with subtle, modern twists. The presentation for one is so Insta-worthy! Here’s a look at our platter of appetizers…
This delightful platter for one includes generous dollops of freshly made hummus (decadently creamy and stark white with extra tahini) and moutabel (you can taste the enticing flavor of smoked aubergine in every bite), a meat pastry with a decadently deep-fried golden outer casing, a traditional spinach pastry, and the much-loved Arabic Kebbe. However my favorite of the lot was the deliciously flavorful Harira soup. Loaded with meaty goodness, this warm Arabic soup is like a warm hug in a cup.
For drinks, I would highly recommend their Mojito Bil Bourtukal (aka non-alcoholic fresh orange mojito). Fizzy yet scented with the freshness of freshly squeezed orange, this icy-cold glassful is the perfect accompaniment for a meaty feast.
For our mains, we had Arjwan’s mixed grills platter. Once again, each platter is served for one. The portion size here is huge! You really ought to share this between two (or even three).
The platter includes succulently grilled kebabs, shish tawook, lamb chops and traditional Arayes (Arabic pita bread stuffed with minced meat). It is served with a bed of green and a creamy garlic paste.
My favorites included the shish tawook and the Arayes, and we were also served sesame-splatted pita bread, fresh out of the traditional clay oven.
Ending on a sweet note, we indulged in a mixed platter of desserts including Blueberry Cheesecake, Tiramisu and a very tangy-sweet Berry Compote.
To digest it all and call it a night, we had wee cups of dark roasted Turkish coffee.
Overall, we had a wonderful experience at Arjwan. The service here is topnotch, the interiors and overall ambiance is absolutely spectacular, and the food deserves a top-rated 5 on Zomato. Who would have thought we had such a gem in the heart of Sharjah? Arjwan is as exquisitely rare and delightful as the flower it is named after.
The Tezzy Files 