Aram, a new Syrian cafe, deli and restaurant from Imad Alarnab, will open in London’s Somerset House in autumn, as part of Somerset House’s expansion of its food and beverage offerings to mark its 25th birthday as a leading cultural destination. After the success of his first restaurant, Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, Imad’s new concept will celebrate bakes, salads, lunch and breakfasts which draw on flavours from across the fourteen provinces of Syria, using authentic Syrian produce directly imported for the first time since the war broke out twelve years ago. Imad will continue to support charities close to his heart at Aram, being home to a dining room which will open up in the evenings as a space for charity events, supper clubs, emerging new talent and refugee chefs.
Situated inside one of London’s best-loved cultural spaces, Aram will overlook Somerset House’s River Terrace and London Thames, and become home to four beautifully designed rooms, while maintaining the historic building’s original features. Open for breakfast and lunch, guests will enter via the deli, a relaxed and welcoming setting where they will be greeted by a counter generously piled high with Syrian pastries, dips, salads, wraps and breads, with soon to be signatures like Zaatar croissants, along with a coffee counter serving hot drinks including Syrian mint tea.
Moving through to the two dining rooms, diners will enjoy river views through the large sash windows, flooding the room with light and making the perfect backdrop for breakfasts and lunches inspired by Imad’s home town in Syria. Dishes will include Hummus salata, featuring red onion, sumac, tomato, parsley and rocket; Zahrra salata, a cauliflower and grape vinegar salad finished with toasted nuts and herbs; Maarouk donuts, inspired by the Middle Eastern sweet bread and adorned with savoury or sweet fillings such as cheese, chocolate and pistachio, or dates and nuts; and to finish, sweet treats such as 1001 Nights Chocolates which combine Syrian coffee infused chocolate piped with cardamom infused caramel.
Finally, the fourth room is home to what will become a space to celebrate community and collaboration, an ethos incredibly important to both Imad and Somerset House, with its resident community of artists, makers and creative enterprises. When Imad became a refugee, it was through charity events and supperclubs that he was able to do what he loved again, so in the evenings, he plans to host friends, emerging talent and chef refugees for similar events and cooking classes. Set within an elegant dining room accented by dark wooden panels, the space will be used as a platform for those needing a way to showcase their talents to new audiences and looking to join a community in London with the support of Imad and a network of charities.
Imad says, “I feel hopeful for Syria after many years as it starts to open again, and opening Aram reflects that hope. The name ‘Aram’ derives from a historical part of Syria, and Aram was the son of Sam, and grandson to Noah; the Aramaic period was named after him and set foundations in our Middle Eastern history. Through opening Aram, I hope to introduce people to Syria and its cuisine in a way they haven’t yet had the chance to see. We will have regional recipes and dishes that I would have made at home in my restaurants there before the war, but this time they will be set within the special location of London’s Somerset House as part of a new era in a new home”.
Jenny Freestone, Commercial Director at Somerset House, says: "We are delighted that Imad and his team will be joining our growing, new food and beverage family here at Somerset House in our 25th birthday year. Culture and cuisine are inextricably connected - and we feel that experiencing a breadth of new culinary gems from global talent is just as important as exploring our genre-defying events and exhibitions when visiting our centre of cultural innovation. Imad will find an inspiring culinary community here on-site, as Aram will arrive after the spring opening of Setlist, our new riverside bar with a monthly guest edit of innovative chefs, artists and musicians. Aram also joins the much-loved café-bar WatchHouse, the recently opened (mostly) vegan Café Petiole from acclaimed chef Rishim Sachdeva, and the award-winning Spring restaurant, renowned for its seasonal British menu, crafted by Skye Gyngell. The addition of Aram this autumn will round off a special 25th birthday year, marking Somerset House as an exciting new destination for both culinary and cultural excellence."
Aram will open its doors in autumn at Somerset House. The café and restaurant will be open 7 days a week, for breakfast, lunch, coffees and snacks.
