Conflict over halal compliance in Mediterranean restaurants
In the vibrant culinary scene of London, two restaurants have made a name for themselves by merging Greek and Italian cuisines to cater to a halal dining audience. Zephyr, located in Notting Hill, and Nina, situated in Marylebone, have both achieved recognition for their specialised halal edible dishes.
Zephyr, with its short but sweet menu, offers a standout dish in the form of grilled boneless chicken marinated in a citrus-infused olive oil sauce. This dish, a delightful blend of flavours, is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to delivering authentic Greek cuisine.
On the other hand, Nina, famous for its lamb chops with burnt lime and chicken Milanese, has a unique offering - a beef shin ragu pasta dish cooked in red wine. However, this dish poses a challenge for halal diners as it contains beef.
Unfortunately, the lamb chops at Nina's were found to be disappointing, lacking depth and seasoning, and priced rather expensively at £38 for three. The chicken Milanese, too, fell short, being overly thick, dry, and unremarkable.
But fear not, for the seafood options in these restaurants are plentiful and worth exploring. The shrimp saganaki, grilled octopus, prawn linguine, and fried sardines are all notable seafood options in Greek and Italian restaurants.
In the UK, Greek menus often feature pork-heavy dishes, leaving halal diners with limited options. However, the growing number of restaurants and takeaways serving halal food on UK high streets is a promising trend.
A recent experience at Blu Kouzina, a Greek restaurant in Singapore, served as a reminder of the culinary delights that await halal diners. Zaynab Asaadi, on a work trip, had a memorable team dinner at this upmarket Dempsey area restaurant, where everything was fully halal.
Back in London, Zephyr's soutzoukakia - spiced minced beef with cumin yoghurt and spicy tomato harissa - is another standout dish that showcases the fusion of Greek and Italian flavours.
The debacle at Nina's has made one author appreciate the seafood options in Greek and Italian restaurants more. The stracciatella burnt cheesecake at Nina's, priced at £14, is a memorable dessert that is worth a try for those who enjoy seafood or non-halal options.
As the landscape of halal dining continues to evolve, it's exciting to see restaurants like Zephyr and Nina leading the way in London, offering authentic and halal-certified Greek and Italian cuisine.
