Kebab Konner: Mediterranean in the highlands
IF YOU want authentic, slow cooked Mediterranean, Persian and Indian meals, visit Kebab Konner, a quaint restaurant along Session road.
The restaurant opened in 2015 and the only place serving authentic meals with the interiors to prove it.
"The interiors of the restaurant is like an Indian palace," operations manager Charito Sacayanan said
Kebab Konner offers a diverse menu which boasts of ingredients shipped direct from India to offer an authentic dining experience. All dishes are prepared and served fresh daily with a Halal certification.
Frequent diners include locals, tourists and expatriates.
“Many frequent the restaurants because their food is certified as halal. The prices are reasonable considering serving portions are for sharing of two or more people,” Sacayanan added.
To start a meal, appetizers include freshlycooked pita bread with Hummus, a middle-eastern dip made from pureed chickpeas with tahini, garlic and lemon juice (120) and Moutabal - a dip made from pureed smoked eggplant with tahini, yoghurt, herbs and olive oil (P120) and Falafel flat patties made from ground vegetables, chickpeas and seasonings (P200) which can be paired with a Greek Salad topped with feta cheese.
"The chef is an Indian national from Punjabi who worked for seven years in a 5-star hotel in India," Sacayanan said adding the food is made to order peppered with herbs and spices ensuring freshness and quality of dishes served.
Slow cooked meals are best enjoyed at Kebab Konner with best sellers that include Tandoori Chicken, a dish cooked in a traditional clay oven and seasoned with over 15 herbs and spices (Half P280/ Whole P560) and the Shrimp or Chicken Masala; and, Chicken, Beef or Lamb Shish Kebab and Biryani rice cooked with a mix of spices. (P210-325) eaten with chicken, beef or lamb.
“Customers may request that the spiciness of the food may be adjusted to their taste. We have customers requesting for 'Filipino' taste, which means that the food will not be very spicy," advised Sacayanan.
Drinks include their selection of fresh Lassi which can be served iced, sweetened or salty.
Sacayanan says their signature Shawama is the best in town with variations of beef, chicken and lamb) served with original sauces.
"There are students who come in the afternoon just to order shawarma," Sacayanan added.
For the end of the meal, try the Gulab Jamun (P120) deep-fried Khoya dumplings soaked in sugar syrup and Rasgulla - creamy Mawa balls (P150) both served warm and will definitely end your meal with a bang!
Kebab Konner is at the Ground Floor, Porta Vaga Mall, Session Road, Baguio City, operating hours is from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and can be seen through their social media page at https://www.facebook.com/ KebabKonnerBaguio/. With Maria Elena Catajan