Mashawi, a restaurant with a presence in Anna Nagar East and Park Town, has a peculiar menu. There is only one dish on the main menu — Ouzi, a traditional Arab dish.
When you consider the work experience of the restaurant’s two promoters, this seems an extremely logical thing to do.
Parvez Ahmed and Tanveer Ahmed, who have started Mashawi, were in the catering business in Dubai, where they would cook Ouzi for Arabian customers.
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This traditional Arab dish comprises slow-cooked meat that is served with steamed rice, boiled eggs and potatoes. The restaurant offers Chicken Ouzi and mutton Ouzi.
In Arabic, ‘mashawi’ means traditional method of cooking. Ouzis are served at special occasions such as a wedding, where eight people can partake of one plate with one a full lamb.
“Customers in United Arab Emirates prefer their Ouzis less spicy. Here, we give our Ouzis an Indian flavour, using more spices,” says Parvez.
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They explain that the meat in Ouzi is marinated for many hours before it is cooked.
“We also customise the meat pieces according to the customer’s choice,” says Parvez.
For dessert lovers, Mashawi offers Baklava, an Arab sweet made from walnuts, pistachios, almonds and cashews.
“We import the main ingredients for the Baklava from the Middle East to maintain the quality and authenticity of the sweet,” he adds.
The restaurant will soon introduce Lamb Ribs Ouzi. They are also planning to open a branch on Old Mahabalipuram Road.
Mashawi takes bulk orders and delivers across Chennai. Pre-booked orders will be delivered at any time that is preferred by the customers.
The restaurant opens from 11a.m. to 11 p.m.
Contact: 7550021919, 7550031919