Delectable Lebanese fare at a winter-worthy location – Bait Misk
Lebanese food is not a rarity in this city, which is why sifting and sorting through the numerous options at hand to find some hidden gems makes the whole experience all the more rewarding. Last night we stumbled upon one such gem – Bait Misk.
Located at one of the most beautiful (and rare) waterfronts in the city – Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, Bait Misk offers everything you would expect from a Lebanese restaurant, albeit with their own little flavor added to it.
The restaurant’s interiors reflect the insides of a tent – think textured walls, sail cloth ceilings, pretty lanterns and various artifacts lining the shelves. But don’t make your decision yet, until you have seen the outdoor seating. Unparalleled views of the harbour that fade into the horizon, coupled with a chilly breeze create the perfect setting for al fresco dining during these cooler months.
Read on as I highlight the dishes we tried and loved at Bait Misk.
Cold Mezzeh – Hummus & Mouhamara
Since hummus is an integral part of Lebanese cuisine and a staple at every Lebanese restaurant, there is always an unspoken need to add a subtle twist to this classic to set it apart from the crowd.
Bait Misk does that in a very unconventional style.
Titled Hummus Bait Misk, their version comes topped with pistachio slivers and cumin spices in addition to the chickpea and tahina basics. This nutty garnish lends a crunch in every bite, which beautifully balances the creaminess of the hummus.
Not far behind is another Lebanese fare staple – Mouhamara. Famed as the spicier dip, although not so much for my subcontinental taste buds, this one’s made with crumbs spiced with hot and sweet peppers which kind of give it the red hue. The Mouhamara too is garnished with pistachios, however it’s not these nuts, nor the spice, but instead the walnuts that fascinated me in this dip.
These dips are served alongside freshly baked warm pita bread, which if you believe me, are one of the best I’ve had. They were so good, if it hadn’t been for the hummus and mouhamara, I would’ve eaten the bread just plain by itself. Tip: Eat the bread while it’s hot.
Fattoush
Isn’t that the most pretty looking Fattoush ever?
I’ve always been the kind of girl who prefers Fattoush over Tabouleh and I am glad I stuck to my preference at Bait Misk or else I would have missed out on this gorgeous presentation.
While I was expecting the usual fried khubz pieces tossed with a fresh mix of red & green veggies, what was brought up to the table was a lovely crispy khubz bowl filled with the salad, garnished with fried khubz strips and pomegranate seeds, and drizzled with balsamic. And then they put a bow on it! How do you like your salads? Tell me in the comments below👇🏻
Deep Fried Shrimps
Remember when I said I always make it a point to try different versions of shrimps at different restaurants? Well, Bait Misk made it to the list too.
These classic breaded deep fried shrimps were as crispy as it could get on the outside, and really juicy within. They came with a side of fries and cocktail sauce. Honestly, they would make a great choice as a sharing appetizer, but the quantity was good enough as a main dish for one. Try these if you are a shrimp lover. You won’t regret it.
Mixed Grill
You can never go wrong with mixed grills at a Lebanese restaurant. This one at Bait Misk came with lamb kebab, kofta kebab, shish taouk and kabab halabi.
I’m not a very big fan of the lamb cubes, but what I loved the most in this platter was the kabab halabi (extreme right). That combined with hot bread straight from the oven made it just right. And don’t miss the garlic sauce. Its strong flavor and pungency balance the meat really well. Next time I might order an entire portion of just these.
Umm Ali
A much loved dessert among Lebanese fare, Umm Ali is something you will find at all restaurants and buffets. But this one at Bait Misk was something different.
This creamy almond, raisin and milk porridge came with a caramelized top, garnished with almond slivers, grated coconut and pistachio; it’s warmth exuding the comfort of home cooked food. Although it’s cinnamon spices gave it a strong flavor, I found it a little too sweet for my liking. I would recommend they tone down the sweetness a bit, after which this Umm Ali would be a perfect ending to the meal.
Kunafa
What do you do when you crave a Kunafa? You head over to Bait Misk and devour this beauty.
Filled with sweet cheese and garnished with pistachios, this piece is worth every calorie. In fact, I wouldn’t mind having it with some cream on top. Just make sure you eat it while it’s hot.
Bait Misk
Location: Jumeirah Fishing Habour, Jumeirah Road, Jumeirah 2, Dubai
Contact: 0565456002
