Latest news with #EmSherif
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Meet The Art Foundation Celebrating Lebanese Creativity Through Its Rich Cuisine
The new Em Sherif Art Foundation is celebrating Lebanese art and creativity abroad through the country's rich cuisine Bringing together both outstanding cuisine and inspiring art, Em Sherif is now expanding its celebration of Lebanon's culture beyond the dining table, offering Lebanese creators a platform to showcase their creative talents worldwide with the newly formed Em Sherif Art Foundation. Created by Em Sherif founder and chef Mireille Hayek – along with brother and CEO Dani Chakour, and son and curator Sherif Hayek – the Em Sherif Art Foundation is a non-profit organisation with a mission to nurture and promote Lebanese artists through Em Sherif restaurants around the world. Within these collaborations, this ambitious initiative aims to provide increased visibility for artists, raising awareness for Lebanese art and culture on the international stage. Meaning 'The Mother of Sherif' in Arabic, Mireille Hayek opened her first Em Sherif restaurant in Beirut in 2011, as a contemporary take on traditional Lebanese food and familial hospitality, passed down from generation to generation. The brand has since exploded in popularity, with 24 venues across 12 cities around the world, including Doha, Monaco, London and Dubai. 'The Art Foundation is another meaningful way for us to give back to our beloved Lebanese community,' Mireille Hayek told Bazaar. 'Our passion and mission remain the same; to offer our guests an invigorating and wholesome experience that sparks curiosity and nourishes the heart and soul.' 'Art has always been part of my life,' adds Sherif Hayek. 'I studied it, worked in galleries and began collecting early on. At the same time, I've always been inspired by what my family built with Em Sherif. [This is] the perfect opportunity to bring these two worlds together.' This venture transforms Em Sherif restaurants into cultural hubs where food, design and art blend together. Upon entering, diners are presented with an 'art menu', highlighting the artists on display and their works, allowing both audiences and artists to engage with one another. This strengthens the position of Lebanese creatives within the worldwide art scene, providing much needed exposure. Currently showing at Em Sherif Café in Paris, Ziad Antar is a Beirut-based artist and photographer; the Em Sherif Art Foundation's first exhibitor. Born in 1978, his practice focuses on the material complexity of photography, pushing it beyond its traditionally documentary nature, and interrogating the unpredictability of the image creation process. 'We are steadfast in our commitment to supporting local talent and deeply believe in the extraordinary creativity of our people,' said Mireille Hayek. 'To the wider Em Sherif community, the Art Foundation stands as our enduring promise to celebrate and share the very best of our city and its people. We can't imagine a more beautiful or powerful way to do so.'
Time Out Abu Dhabi
02-05-2025
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Em Sherif Sea Café in Abu Dhabi
If you know anything about Lebanese food, then you'll surely have heard of Em Sherif – a fine dining multi-course experience in Beirut with plenty of casual iterations all around the region. And luckily for us, the excellent Em Sherif Café has a home on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, with its popular sub-brand is a seafood-focused concept called, well, Em Sherif Sea Café. This seaside spot inside the Rosewood Abu Dhabi on Al Mariyah Island, which overlooks the capital's bright turquoise sea. Expect sun-bathed during the day and dimly lit at night in its spacious dining room. The space, although lacking a bit of atmosphere (the Arabic elevator music doesn't exactly elevate the vibe either), is prettily decorated with cerulean blue tiles depicting waves while little fish, crab and seashell motifs are found all over the place. (Credit: Em Sherif Sea Café) The bar, in particular, is striking, with hundreds of pots and pans suspended above the marble countertops. While an impressive cellar, which lines the entire left wall of the restaurant, offers up an interesting selection of grape from the region and beyond. The menu is packed with Lebanese dishes you'll know and love – cheesy saj, silky hummus, zingy tabbuleh and much more. However, the majority of the menu features classic Lebanese seafood dishes, as well as a couple of popular European plates (think carpaccios and lobster linguine, to name a few). Highlights include the samak rass asfour, a bright and tangy Middle Eastern fish stew with the tiniest herbiest pieces of fish. For something a little heartier, moghrabiyet el bahr is a twist on the traditional Lebanese dish made with round semolina pearls and packed with calamari, shrimp and sea bass. A dish that easily transports you straight to Lebanon. The sayadieh, in particular, is a must-try at the sea cafe. It offers an aromatic dish that's exceptionally well-flavoured. Fish is sautéed until golden brown, then layered over a fragrant bed of spiced rice. That rice is infused with a mixture of caramelised onions, garlic and a blend of cinnamon, allspice and cumin. It brings an added layer of depth and warmth to the dish, which is topped with toasted pine nuts for a little extra crunch. (Credit: Em Sherif Sea Café) If you fancy something lighter, the delicate raw red sea bream offers a refreshing and clean bite, while the more Med-leaning shrimp Provencal, rich with garlic and herbs, showcases Em Sherif's skillset at stepping out of their Lebanese speciality and tackling the European stuff with gusto. Finish with a warm em Ali that's baked in vanilla-infused milk. It's rich, creamy and wonderfully bready. Whether you're in the OG Beirut restaurant, the café at the Corniche or right here on Maryah Island, Em Sherif never misses the mark when it comes to the food.
Egypt Today
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
The Ultimate Guide to Dining Out in Ramadan: Top Spots for Iftar and Suhoor
Ramadan is all about fasting, reflection, and spending quality time with your family and loved ones, but let's not forget the joy of sharing an amazing meal together. With so many amazing options to choose from, deciding where to go for Iftar or Suhoor in Cairo can feel like a challenge. We get it—you want the perfect spot with delicious food, a cozy atmosphere, and that special Ramadan vibe that is unmatched. So, to make things easier, we've rounded up some of the best places to dine out this Ramadan: Bosco A fan-favorite each season, Bosco has definitely secured its place as a go-to spot for delicious, high-quality food without breaking the bank. With locations all over Cairo, Bosco serves a variety of international dishes that actually live up to its hype. Don't forget to try the infamous Chicken Colorado. Brisk & Brew = Brisk and Brew is the perfect place to enjoy a cozy and delicious Iftar or Suhoor experience. With a vast menu that caters to every taste and big portions to satisfy your hunger after the long fast of Ramadan, it's a must-visit spot for those looking for comfort food. Em Sherif Craving Lebanese food for Iftar? Well, Em Sherif is definitely the right place. From juicy grills to authentic Fattoush and tabbouleh, this spot offers a true taste of Lebanon. Not only is the food rich in flavors, but the ambiance also transports you straight to the heart of Beirut, so it's perfect for your Ramadan gatherings. Garten Garten is back with all your favorite dishes! Located in New Cairo, this restaurant offers a splendid variety of food from their open buffet Iftar, both international dishes and Oriental, but with a special twist. They also serve your favorite desserts, so you better not miss it this Ramadan. Om Abdo The new talk of the town, Om Abdo is taking Suhoor in Ramadan by storm. Known for its authentic flavors and vibrant atmosphere, this spot has quickly become a favorite for those seeking a delicious and memorable Suhoor experience. Taghmisa Taghmisa is back for its tenth year, and if you haven't had Suhoor there, then you're definitely missing out. With its cozy vibes, nostalgic flavors, and the kind of food that hits just right before fasting, it's the ultimate spot to gather, eat, and soak in the Ramadan spirit.
FACT
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
MENA's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 have been revealed
It's a great year for Dubai's dining scene. MENA's 50 Best Restaurants have been unveiled, and Dubai dominates the list once again. Homegrown hotspot Orfali Bros Bistro claims the number-one spot for the third consecutive year. Created in 2021, Orfali Bros Bistro is a homegrown success story with a loyal fan base. Local and international visitors, from the FACT team to Ed Sheeran, love the restaurant. The concept, created by three brothers, pays homage to their Syrian roots. The restaurant also ranked 64th in The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2024 list. The United Arab Emirates dominates the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 awards. The fine-dining Indian restaurant Trèsind Studio is at number two, Kinoya is at number three, Ossiano is at number five (and also took home the Art of Hospitality Award), Chef Kelvin Cheung's Jun's is at number seven, and Moonrise is at number ten. Dubai restaurants dominating the list also include BOCA at No. 12, 3Fils at No. 14, Bait Maryam at No. 15, Row on 45 at No. 17 (the highest climber on the list), Zuma Dubai at No. 19, La Petite Maison Dubai at No. 23, GAIA at No. 25, 21grams Urban Balkan Bistro at No. 26, 11 Woodfire at No. 29, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at No. 33, Mimi Kakushi at No. 37, TakaHisa at No. 41, and Smoked Room at No. 45. In Abu Dhabi, the restaurants include Marmellata Bakery at No. 29, La Petite Maison Abu Dhabi at No. 38 , and NIRI Restaurant & Bar at No. 50. In Saudi Arabia, the highest-ranked restaurant is Marble Steakhouse at No.16, followed by Kuruu Jeddah at No. 30, Lunch Room at No. 31, Aseeb at No. 39, and MYAZŪ at No. 49. In Egypt, the highest-ranked restaurant is Khufu's at No. 4, followed by Zooba at No. 21, Kazoku at No. 24, Sachi Cairo at No. 27, Izakaya at No. 34, Sachi Giza at No. 40, and Reif Kushiyaki Cairo at No. 47. In Bahrain, the highest-ranked restaurant is Fusions by Tala at No. 6, followed by Cut by Wolfgang Puck at No. 43. In Jordan, the highest-ranked restaurant is Shams El Balad at No. 8, followed by Fakhreldin Restaurant at No. 11, Alee at No. 13, Dara Dining by Sara Aqel at No. 18 (the highest new entry on the list this year), Sufra at No. 20 and 13C Bar In The Back at No. 36. In Lebanon, the highest-ranked restaurant is Em Sherif at No. 9. In Morocco, the highest-ranked restaurant is La Grande Table Marocaine at No. 22. In Tunisia, the highest-ranked restaurant is Le Golfe at No. 44. For the first time since the inception of MENA's 50 Best Restaurants, Kuwait and Qatar did not appear on the list. Chef Carmen Rueda Hernandez of BRIX in Dubai won the Middle East and North Africa's Best Pastry Chef Award, Yasmina Hayek of Em Sherif in Lebanon won the Middle East and North Africa's Best Female Chef Award, Omar Shihab of BOCA Dubai received the Icon Award, and Bahraini Tala Bashmi received the Chef's Choice Award 2025. The World's 50 Best has been compiled by 250 judges who have eaten their way around the region. The judges are made up of industry leaders, including chefs, restauranteurs, food writers and well-travelled gourmets. Now in its fourth edition, the MENA's 50 Best Restaurants ceremony was held at Erth Hotel Abu Dhabi, the same location as our very own FACT Dining Awards Abu Dhabi 2024. Check in with FACT for the latest restaurant news. GO: Visit for more information.
