After attending a music launch that made me cry, I was hungry. “Take me somewhere I’ve never been before,” I told my friend Shruti, who like The Doctor, whisked me off to lands unseen, food as yet not tasted and parking lots never traversed. Only she doesn’t have a blue TARDIS. Just an orange Focus. And I have a red Italian man (my car. He’s called Guido but isn’t actually Italian; it’s a Skoda).
Moving on from facts that have no relevance to the food whatsoever (I can only explain it away by the last few days having been dedicated solely to watching Doctor Who)…
We end up in the Al Barsha area near Mall of the Emirates and I find myself inside Harput restaurant.
We decided to order two items and then see if we were still hungry. First up: Tavuk sis/skewered tender chicken cubes.
And…Beyti Sarma/minced meat kabab roll served with yoghrut and tomato sauce.
What did I think? For me and for Shruti, the meat won hands down. The chicken was good, don’t get me wrong, but personally the meat dish had more juice in it and I was thoroughly enjoying getting down and dirty with it. Dip the tomato sauce-drowning meat and khubz into the deliciously cool yoghurt, swirl it a bit, and then pop it into your mouth and I guarantee the juices will just make your taste buds tickle and heave a sigh of relief.
With the chicken, I decided to combine everything on the plate. Placed the chicken in the khubz, dolloped some yoghurt, then stuck in the spiced chopped onions, coriander and the radish, rolled it up, and went nom nom om nom.
With indoor and outdoor seating and no frills interior, you get what you ask for. Good food at extremely reasonable prices, why wouldn’t you try this place out?
Allonsy!
Helpful tips: It’s between the Ibis Hotel and Holiday Inn in Al Barsha, so very close to Mall of the Emirates. You generally do get parking in the area and parking tickets are Dhs 2 per hour. If you want to try public transport, it’s smack in the middle of the MOE station and the Sharaf DG station, although I’d recommend this walk only in the winter.
Update: Here’s a map.
FooDee 
1. Dr. Who rocks! :-)2. That looks very very yummy and I love Turkish food so if I get the chance. Will have to try it. 🙂
Hey where exactly in Al Barsha is this? Looks too yummy to miss
Looove turkish food, this goes on my list of places to try!
Smruti…yup Doctor Who is awesome! Definitely give Harput a go and let me know what you think.@sophiaahmed Have updated a map on the website now! Also, as a result of that map pin-pointing, I spent the whole morning creating a collection on Google Maps of all the restaurants I’ve reviewed on my blog and locations. Wish I’d gotten this inspiration before 😀 Check it out when free :)Arva…yup, try it out. It’s one of those small joints that does a good job. I was soooo sad – the day I went they didn’t have any desserts, so I went home not on a sugar high 😦
Hey… Im hungry! Ur pics do that to be..Im ashamed tht the only place Ive tried for turkish is kosebasi! 😦 Must have an FIA meet here!!!
Dina – Yay I’m glad my pics do that. It’s a great compliment! I haven’t tried Kosebasi…I did try a while ago but the day I went there, they were closed 😦 Ooooh yeah this place will be totally surprised if the FiA contingent just plopped down there 😀 Would be fun for sure.
WOW those are lovely photos and they are making me so hungry. Only Turkish food I have had is Kosebasi ( Bahrain) and I do like their food. Wanted to review but with a hyper active toddler running all over the place, just gobbling up the food is all that I can hope for.
Anita – thanks for the compliment! Much appreciated 🙂 I’ve been wanting to try the Kosebasi in Dubai for a while now, but it’s never worked out. Hoping to get there soon!And yeah I totally understand not being able to take pics with a hyperactive kid with you. When I go out with my brother, I’m just happy if I get to eat and he gets to eat and enjoy himself without too much fuss.Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Next time you embark on culinary adventures in barsha please give me a shout; i am literally a hop skip and jump away. nice review; I have a new found love for turkish food after eating at the ottoman and the istanbul flower shop. i saw this restaurant open up and was curious to say the least… not anymore however
Oh awesome, will definitely do that. I’ve a few things planned out (for whenever I get time haha) so will drop you a line when they come to fruition. Same goes…I’m about 10 mins away from Barsha so buzz me… if I’m free, I’m up for some food fun.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t think I’ve ever had Turkish food. Since I’ve gone without it for 26 years, maybe I should just wait to try it when I visit Turkey! Not that I’m planning a trip, but Simon’s mom has a flat there so there’s some motivation! Have you been? What’s a good starter Turkish dish for a newbie?
Sheryn – don’t be! I’d gone for over 24 years without any ;)Based on my meagre experience…try some kind of kofte rather than chicken dishes. I’ve had Turkish ice cream which I rather like – dondurma. Oh and Iskendar kababs are always a safe bet. Also, Yasmin (from Red Panda Bakes) has a great post on her Turkish food favourites: http://redpandabakes.blogspot.com/2011/08/red-pandas-favorites-from-turkey.html
Thanks for the advice! Maybe I’ll try to go this week! 🙂
Thanks for the advice! Maybe I’ll try to go this week! 🙂
hello, do you remember me? I am Aram from Korea who before left a message to you regarding the delicious looking falatel! I am now in Dubai for holidays for 12 days and been to arabic restarant today, was awesome. I would like to go this place, really-would you let me know how can I be there? the address =)
Hey Aram, yes I do remember you! Welcome to Dubai 🙂 Till when are you here? Which Arabic restaurant did you go to? If you’re interested in food, the local group of UAE food blogs is going on a food trek in a few days…drop me an email at contact[at]devinadivecha[dot]com if you’d like :)There’s a map in the post on top for Harput. Plus if you’re travelling by taxi, tell the driver to take you near the Ibis Hotel – Mall of the Emirates in Al Barsha. It’s near that hotel, on the ground floor of Abdullah Saeed Building.
hello devina! good to read your comment, thanks! The restaurant I visited yeaterday was called ‘Arz Lebanon’ It was awesome but couldn’t finish upso packed up somethings to home but it was still tastes good! price was reasonalbe and service was a bit scary though, the waiterness was quitetough. haha!!! sure sure, my e-mail is aram1435@hotmail.com If you would like to meet, that would be great! I am today going to souk!!! keep in touch! hehe
Aram – sent you an email! Yeah Arz Lebanon has good food. I’m hoping you had the arayes and sheesh tawook? 🙂