One can be forgiven to think Jalapeno is a Mexican restaurant, despite the confusion, the food here is solidly Lebanese and delicious to boot.
Three years ago, Jalapeno welcomed the public into its authentic Lebanese restaurant in Uttara and since then, it has become a cherished spot in Dhaka, celebrated for its delectable offerings such as hummus, falafel, and an array of grilled platters. Locals, as well as Lebanese and Arab patrons, have all embraced the flavours of Lebanon served at this establishment.
Jalapeno Director Emad Salman, the visionary behind Jalapeno, proudly emphasizes the commitment to authenticity. "I've exclusively employed original Lebanese spices, remaining steadfast in presenting genuine Lebanese cuisine. While honouring Bangladeshi preferences, I've incorporated Lebanese rice into the menu—a testament to our dedication to meeting the diverse tastes of our patrons," explained Salman.
"It's a delicate balance between catering to local interests and upholding the rich traditions of Lebanese cuisine," he added.
Food
Their impeccably crafted fattoush salad stands as a quintessential Lebanese delight, featuring a medley of ingredients like pomegranate molasses, cherry tomatoes, honey, lemon juice, garlic, mint, sumac, cucumber, parsley, fresh herbs, and a zesty lime vinaigrette. The distinctive allure of the salad lies in the harmonious combination of fresh herbs and veggies, complemented by the presence of pita bread croutons. Notably, the infusion of fresh tomatoes and lively lemon zest brings a noticeable shift to the flavour profile.
Transitioning to the next course, we delved into their hummus accompanied by pita bread. Crafted with fresh chickpeas, garlic, tahini, and olive oil, the hummus, unfortunately, fell short in flavour, warranting a touch of lemon to elevate its taste.
The culinary journey continued with falafel, a renowned Middle Eastern dish featuring deep-fried balls of mashed chickpeas served alongside a tahini sauce with sesame seeds, tahini paste, lemon juice, and garlic. While we yearned for a more pronounced chickpea flavour in the falafel, the redeeming quality lay in the delectable tahini sauce, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the dish.
The climax arrived with their mixed platter, a symphony of grilled meats artfully arranged on a single plate: grilled chicken wings, half chicken, Lebanese beef tao, chicken tao, toasted breads, Lebanese fried rice, and two sauces—garlic and chilli.
The half grilled chicken, marinated with curd, cumin powder, and black pepper, showcased a perfect char, delivering a flawlessly cooked piece with an irresistible smoky essence. A drizzle of garlic sauce and a dollop of chilli sauce transformed this dish into a harmonious union, ideally paired with Lebanese rice for a satiating and flavoursome dining experience.
The chicken wings on the other hand, worked their charm even without the toasted bread or rice, these wings are an incredible triumph. The chicken wings also had the perfect char.
The toasted bread pairs wonderfully with the meats, and it's perfect toasting will be appreciated.
However, as previously mentioned, we really enjoy rice as a carb, therefore we opted for the Lebanese rice as an accompaniment quite a bit.
Their beef and chicken tawook, made with a yoghurt base spiced with garlic and lemon, came next. I thought the beef tawook was slightly drier than the chicken tawook, assuming the yoghurt hadn't penetrated the flesh thoroughly enough to make it soft, although they were both yoghurt based.
The price range for a meal at Jalapeno cost between Tk290 and Tk2,200 excluding VAT.
Ambience
Situated in Uttara, Jalapeno boasts three distinct dining spaces and an effortlessly chic, minimalist design. Contrary to initial impressions, the restaurant unfolds into a surprisingly spacious venue, adorned with hardwood tables and chairs adorned with refined accents.
Challenges
Opened in 2021, Jalapeno Cafe has undergone some ingredient adjustments due to the limited availability of certain components in Bangladesh that are required to prepare authentic Lebanese cuisine.
"We use 80–90% of the same ingredients; however, not every ingredient is in stock, so we make a few adjustments based on availability," said Salman.
Initially, upon establishing the restaurant, they encountered difficulties due to the lack of spice in their authentic Lebanese flare. Since Bangladeshis are more acclimated to spicy meals, they were compelled to include spicy options on the menu.
"Since Lebanese and Arabic cuisine are not particularly spicy in flavour, we added spicy dishes to our menu and imported all of our spices from Lebanon," he continued.
Salman states that although the restaurant's prices have increased slightly due to the inflation, the adjustment has not been significant.
"We have increased the price in response to market conditions; however, this is a marginal adjustment that will not significantly impact customers negatively or cause them to perceive a difference," he added
The restaurant experienced a prosperous business year in 2023, and their customer base continues to grow annually. However, the start of 2024 has been sluggish.
"Business-wise, 2023 and prior years were successful, but in the first fifteen days of 2024, sales have decreased by 50%, and we're awaiting an improvement," he added.
Verdict
Don't miss out on the must-try offerings at Jalapeno—the fattoush salad and the mixed grilled platter are absolute culinary delights. Our top picks from the platter include the succulent chicken wings and the perfectly grilled half-chicken. Not only are these dishes a treat for your taste buds, but the generous portions also offer excellent value for money.
For a truly satisfying Lebanese lunch experience, the journey to Uttara is well worth it.
