 
Contact Address Details:
Alamir Restaurant Gambia Ltd.
Kololi, near Senegambia
Hotel
Banjul area
Kanifing Municipality, Ksmd
The Gambia, West Africa
Tel no: +220 446 3446 (reservations)
990 0590
Directions: Senegambia
Tourist Strip
Menu Overview: Lebanese
cuisine |
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Review:
"Your arrival at the front door of the rotunda which
is Al Amir is observed by a gilded mermaid and a cheeky dolphin
of similar hue, who peer provocatively from behind Doric columns
which herald the splendid daring of the bold interior. The
sheer white ceiling ascends to a point supported by a rough
cast central pillar down which cascades a waterfall, and round
which is arranged a circular buffet table.
The crescent shaped bar
is formed by imitation wine barrels, the walls are decorated
with framed colour photographs of scenes of Lebanon and the
whole is lit by crystal style lamps. The drapes are predominantly
a deep shade of red and tied with silvery cord. The wall is
punctuated by a conglomeration of gilt chains and plastic
ivy.
In imitation this would be kitch, but Al Amir is a glorious
original!
Your host is Chef Ali, ably assisted by his most attractive wife and
several members of the family.
The welcome is BIG! You will be greeted graciously, served
willingly, fed adequately, and never rushed. It will be
impossible to cause inconvenience by your demands or your
questions. A party of two will be treated with the same
egality as a party of twenty two.
The spacious tables and the comfortably upholstered chairs
can be moved ad hoc.
It is an oft expounded fallacy that Lebanese food is boring.
It is not. Certainly some Arabic countries produce dishes
with hotter spices and with more sauce. But the food is
well cooked, beautifully presented and incredibly nutritious.
And so the experience of a visit to Al Amir will always
ultimately represent good value for money in Gambia.
Start with some humous, (chic-pea dip) and a few pieces
of pitta bread. Chef Ali’s humous glistens with virgin olive
oil, is flavoured with a hint of garlic and is embellished
with parsley.
If you are a stranger to the nutty flavour and unique texture
of this dish, do not rely on your first impression. There
is a delightful after-taste which suddenly urges you to
crave more.
And the quaffing of a Lebanese red wine, Les Breteches du
Chateau Kefraya will enhance the dips, and any other course
which follows.
Take your time with the steak or the chicken kebabs. Accompany
them with chopped salad with croutons. Leave space for the
prawns with cous or rice and do not forget to try the chicken
breast, roasted with just a hint of garlic and a squeeze
of lime.
Very easy to replicate at home. "Taste this" you
can say to guests, "It is a chicken dish I learned
last week." And nobody can argue with you!
I remarked that Lebanese cuisine can tend towards a simple
wholesomeness, and salubrious, moustachioed Chef Ali’s buffet
is supportive of that concept.
But do try.
It is a safe and reliable introduction to a broader spectrum
of stylish and interesting food available in Kololi.
In the breathing space between courses ask a member of staff
to bring you the a la carte menu for your perusal. Read
carefully. Ask questions. And when it is revealed to you
just how much further Chef Ali can accompany you into his
dream I will guarantee that you will start planning your
next visit to one of The Gambia's finest restaurants."
Food writer: Harmattan
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