Open sesame! That is what the invitation to the Simsim opening party said, and it came in a cute small envelope filled with sesame seeds. Who doesn’t like a real printed invite and even better, one that is as cute as this?
The Levantine cuisine trend had come to wow us and to stay. Berlin is a melting pot of cultures and every time a new culture comes to stay, the Berlin cuisine transforms and gives place to the new influences.
Since a couple of years, Germany has been a refuge for people since the whole Syrian trouble got out of control, and this brought their culture and food and you can see some many new restaurants and places coming up like Simsim, Kreuzberger Himmel and Prism.
The Levantine cuisine trend had come to wow us and to stay. Berlin is a melting pot of cultures and every time a new culture comes to stay, the Berlin cuisine transforms and gives place to the new influences.
Since a couple of years, Germany has been a refuge for people since the whole Syrian trouble got out of control, and this brought their culture and food and you can see some many new restaurants and places coming up like Simsim, Kreuzberger Himmel and Prism.
The Levantine kitchen is the traditional cuisine of the Levant, known in Arabic as the Bilad ash-Sham and Mashriq, which covers a large area of the Eastern Mediterranean.
We already knew many dishes like hummus and baba ganoush but some many delicious dishes like Muhamara Aleppo hasn’t been featured that much in gastronomical Berlin.
We already knew many dishes like hummus and baba ganoush but some many delicious dishes like Muhamara Aleppo hasn’t been featured that much in gastronomical Berlin.
Simsim is a homey Levantine eatery serving authentic dishes, both traditional and modern, in a contemporary setting. Simsim draws inspiration from the regions rich and luscious cuisine along with its hospitable nature with dishes typifying the ancient Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese kitchens which date back multi-millennia. A key virtue of the Levant is its food and hospitality. At Simsim you can experience this culture the right way, through their food and ambiance. Simsim bridges the gap between authenticity and modernity; preserving ancient traditions while pursuing innovative techniques. Something you can see on their food and the beautifully designed space.
One of the most used sayings in the Levant says “the guest is always king“. What is not to love about that??
I arrived at Simsim 2 days prior their opening as I was already at their awesome opening a week before and I just wanted to share this with you guys (#notanAD) I met the owner Marwan that is part of a culinary family. His parents actually have a restaurant in Jordana where his brother works as well. So he isn’t a stranger on “the” restaurant life. Super babe Sophia was on her way to help me eating and enjoying this food.
I arrived at Simsim 2 days prior their opening as I was already at their awesome opening a week before and I just wanted to share this with you guys (#notanAD) I met the owner Marwan that is part of a culinary family. His parents actually have a restaurant in Jordana where his brother works as well. So he isn’t a stranger on “the” restaurant life. Super babe Sophia was on her way to help me eating and enjoying this food.
We started our meal with a Turkish coffee first. It was a stronger version of a French press with a full aroma and taste of cardamon seeds.
Marwan told us their food is meant to be shared, hence their “tapas-like” menu, he said that with their food they aim to make patrons experience typical Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian traditions, by epitomizing the essence of the region which is embedded in sociability and culture. The cuisines history stretches back to the cradle of civilization; inspired by a lot of cultures from the Turks to Greeks and to some extent the European colonialists, the cuisine nevertheless knows no borders.
Their goal here in Prenzlauer Berg is to enrich the guests and unify their spirits with theirs. They strive to employ modern adaptations to traditional methods and continue to synergize their food with the people... a very important thing to do in this ever-changing culinary Berlin.
We order a bunch of things, as the restaurant wasn’t officially open, we just went for cold servings like Arnabeet Mekle a fried cauliflower with cumin lemon and garlic, The Raheb salad: grilled eggplant slices tomato Paprika and pomegranate molasses, Muhammara Aleppo a hat pepper, and walnut spread pomegranate molasses cumin served with ka’ak bread, Wara’enab vine leaves stuffed with rice parsley onion and olive oil... And last but not least, their mouth-watering hummus.
Have you ever tried Levantine cusine? I am so happy this restaurant opened on my hood! and cannot wait to come by and try the whole menu... including the chicken liver! And to remember Johnny Quest: Sim Sim Salabim!
