Set within the grounds of the luxurious Le Méridien Jakarta, Al Nafoura restaurant is a melting pot of Lebanese design, ambience and cuisine. Here you will find not only an intimate setting redolent of Eastern culture, but authentic music married with rich flavors and top-notch service. Enjoying an after-meal shisha out on the terrace brings you to a level of relaxation enjoyed by the sultans of old.
The restaurant occupies two spacious levels with textured sandstone walls and arches, wrought ironwork and terracotta floors, which contrast vividly with the rich hand-spun floor rugs, cushions and handcrafted artifacts.
For special occasions or important gatherings, two private dining rooms are available to book, along with an outdoor terrace which is especially charming for those who want to indulge in shisha and traditional goodies.
Al Nafoura’s professional F&B team is led by Chef Hussein Sleiman, whose preferred approach to his trade is to bring out the flavor of each dish by achieving the perfect balance between natural spices and ingredients. According to Chef Sleiman, Lebanese cuisine is close to Southeast Asian food, which also features a diversity of spices and herbs. It is fortunate that Indonesia is just the right setting to put this policy in effect, with fundamental ingredients such as eggplant, chickpeas and parsley available by the boatload.
The tantalizing menu includes lamb or chicken shawarma seasoned with exotic spices, yoghurt, olive oil and lemon juice. The shawarma are processed in an open kitchen with a vertical rotating spit roast that enables them to be cooked to perfection. The kitchen also has a large wood-fired oven which is used to bake an assortment of breads.
If you opt for the full meal set, your Middle Eastern culinary journey will begin with the favorite cold mezzeh, or appetizers, with a choice of either puréed chickpeas with sesame paste, flat parsley salad with tomato and cracked wheat, grilled eggplant salad with tomato and capsicum or halome meshwe or charcoal grill of haloumi cheese with lettuce croquette, tomato, cucumber and olive oil.
One of the house’s favorite main courses, the haruf ouzi, comes highly recommended at Al Nafoura, comprising braised lamb shank ouzy-style served with oriental rice, assorted nuts and yoghurt sauce. Another must-try is the couscous ma dalah huruf, which is lamb chop grilled with Lebanese pistachio sauce served with couscous and steamed vegetables. Each of these dishes makes for a nice main course coupled with the appetizer of your preference.
Last but not least, you don’t want to miss the Lebanese dessert, baklawa, which are small pieces of pastry baked to the point where its buttery crust melts in the mouth. This comes with cashew, pistachio and a selection of honey or strawberry sauce and fresh mint to end your fine meal with a fresh touch.
One of the special signature beverages at Al Nafoura is jallab juice, fresh dates mixed with pomegranate and rose water. Jallab juice is the perfect beverage to have while you enjoy shisha on one of the romantic terraces.
If you happen to visit on a Friday or Saturday, you will have the chance to enjoy Chef Hussein Sleiman’s specially prepared cuisines from several different countries in the Middle East.
Al Nafoura’s opening hours:
Monday to Thursday
Lunch : 11.30 to 14.30
Dinner : 18.30 to 22.30
Friday
11.30 to 22.30 (Open from lunch until dinner)
Saturday
Dinner only : 18.30 to 22.30
Sunday
Closed
Belly Dancing performance
Friday – Saturday : 20.30 and 21.30
