Jun22596 20 | LUXlife Magazine - Restaurant & Bar Awards 2023 You might not expect one of New York’s leading restaurants to have been forged in the heart of war, yet Assad Almajid has managed to transform an experience of immense challenge into one where he feeds the nation that took him in. Having come to the USA as a result of the Syrian War, he started Sinbad Restaurant. This living embodiment of the American dream has seen him achieve tremendous success, beyond the awards given by LUXlife Magazine. Assad’s dream first came to him when he worked in his father’s ice cream and sweets shop in Damascus, Syria. His brothers also had their own restaurants in Dubai where he was able to learn and develop the tools which would define his trade moving forward. New York has provided Assad with the fresh start he has needed since the Syrian Civil War began. Just two years after moving to Syracuse, a city in the state, he founded Sinbad Restaurant in order to carry on what is very clearly a family affair. Sinbad Restaurant has gone from strength to strength since opening its doors, providing a wide range of cuisine that showcases the very best that the Middle East has to offer in the thriving cultural hub that is New York. To stand out on those crowded streets demands an approach which not only commits to the highest possible quality, but offers an authenticity that is second to none at all times. Assad has made sure that Sinbad Restaurant always pushes the boundaries when it comes to providing meals that can be remembered. When we caught up with Assad, he was keen to tell us precisely what factors into the standards of excellence his team have managed to produce. “We keep the restaurant super clean,” he says. “As well as that, we are always looking for the best and finest ingredients. Every meal is prepared fresh upon request.” Having to make delicious dishes in good time to a high standard would challenge anyone in the hospitality sector. In a world where frozen goods and microwaved meals are more common than ever, this care and attention to detail really does stand out. The challenges of running a restaurant have never been clearer than since Assad opened its doors in 2019. Since then, he has faced a pandemic, cost-of-living crisis and a major labour shortage. The three employees he had been able to train were unable to return, and he was the only one able to prepare the delights that many in the area had come to expect from his business. Mar23127 Best Kofta Kebab 2023 When looking for a place to eat, it pays to find somewhere that you can clearly see a passion for cookery. Since opening the doors of Sinbad Restaurant, Assad Almajid has built a reputation for food which comes with a difference. Using old family recipes and a lifetime of expertise, he has managed to bring Syrian hospitality to the heart of New York. We take a closer look to find out more. The solution was one which has allowed Sinbad Restaurant to continue operating and return once again to its former glory. A new sort of rotary grill, made using high-quality chrome steel, was custom-designed to meet the unique needs of Assad’s restaurant requirements. With nothing like it anywhere else in the world, Assad has been able to offer char-grilled delights for customers with no need for anyone to man the grill constantly. Production of the restaurant’s renowned and awardwinning Kofta Kebabs has doubled! Moving forward, Assad has been able to revitalise his business, with the restaurant drawing in not only many new customers but staff who are as committed to serving them as he is. “The restaurant selects university graduates as much as possible, in order to understand the needs of customers and serve them in the best way,” Assad tells us. “For example, the current waitress has a master's degree in arts.” To know that when you are being served, you’re being served by people
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