Saudi Arabian authorities first in the world to receive ISO certification for new AI management systems

AI News


JEDDAH: Tucked away amongst Madinah's historic buildings are culinary gems that embody the city's rich cultural heritage.

Taqmeera takes its name from the Arabic word for the golden crust of freshly baked bread.

The building that houses Taqmeera is a treasure trove built over 80 years ago.

The building originally belonged to Ghazi Al Magzawi, son of Saleh Al Magzawi, who served in the Prophet's Chambers in Medina, and has been lovingly restored to its former glory.

Although the restaurant owners don't own the building, they have invested in renovating it, carefully maintaining its traditional features while incorporating contemporary touches.

The restaurant's founders believe that by sharing the city's rich cultural traditions, they can inspire a new appreciation for Medina's history and people.

Saleh Shahini is the mastermind behind converting the building into a restaurant to attract international tourists and showcase traditional Madini cuisine with a modern twist.

Shahini told Arab News that he sees Takhmira as “a revival of the urban symbolism of Madinah.”

He added: “The inspiration behind Takmeera was to revive Madinah's traditional urban symbols and style from the past while simultaneously incorporating the present. We aimed to create a space that would transport visitors back in time and immerse them in the city's rich cultural heritage.”

The historic building that houses Taqmeera is spread over three floors, with three rooms on each floor including a kitchen and two traditional reception areas known as Al-Tarbi'a. Spacious areas on each floor are designed to receive guests, exuding an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality.

Traditional floor seating and classic chairs welcome guests and add to the restaurant's nostalgic charm.

“The cuisine will be a mix of imported and local products, each with its own historical significance,” Shahini said.

The menu offers a variety of urban Hijazi dishes, highlighting the unique culinary traditions of the region. One traditional dish is Medina's fatout, known for its distinctive preparation and flavour. This type of unleavened bread is made primarily from flour, water and salt and is usually baked on a hot griddle or sajji. It is served with cream cheese and mango pickle.

They also serve ta'atima, a breakfast treat enjoyed by the Hijazi people on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, and Aish belaham, a delicious, juicy beef pie made with tahini and spring onions and garnished with sesame and black seeds.

For hot drinks, the menu includes the famous Madini Tea, made with fresh mint leaves, habak (basil leaves) and Madini roses, served with mammoul, a traditional shortbread cookie made with special spices and filled with date paste.

“We are extremely proud that through Takmela, our local specialities have gained a loyal following among our regular customers and clients from all over the world,” Shahini said.

Taqmeera offers a range of speciality products including homemade jams, pickles, different varieties of mammoul, grabes and more, all of which have garnered a loyal clientele.

The restaurant also welcomes visitors from outside Saudi Arabia, including pilgrims from Turkey, the United States and Kuwait, who unanimously praise the hospitality, traditions and unique character of Madinah's residents as highlights of their experience.



Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *