Hidden in plain sight in the middle of Barrington suburbia is a quaint neighborhood eatery that will make you feel like you’ve been transported overseas. Prince Ali’s Kebab is the creation of Iraqi-American immigrants Muhanad Al-Chalabi and his wife Aseel Al-Sinayyid. The couple opened the restaurant on Christmas Eve of 2019, and ever since, the duo has been graciously sharing their culture and expanding the palates of their neighbors with deliciously unique Iraqi dishes ranging from homemade spreads to rice dishes like biryani, and of course, kebabs. They offer in-house dining with a full beer and wine list, as well as take-out and even catering.
I headed to Prince Ali’s Kebab after work for a late lunch. The dining room is thoughtfully decorated with authentic decor and heirlooms that the family brought over from their home in the Middle East. Ornate copper and gold dishware cover the mantlepiece while colorful stained glass light fixtures hang from corner to corner, creating an inviting calm. There’s even a small convenience store connected to the restaurant that’s stocked with rare goods and ingredients you’ll only find at Prince Ali’s.
To experience the full spectrum of flavors, I started with the Combination Platter, which is a quartet of homemade dips including hummus, tzatziki, baba ghanoush, and cucumber salad, served with mixed pickles and a pile of warm pita bread for optimal scooping. For my main course, I enjoyed the Falafel Wrap, which was fully loaded with the trademark vegetarian fritters, tahini sauce, mango pickles, tomato, onion, parsley, and tahini. The condiments packed loads of flavor with just the right amount of spice. The owners insisted on sending out a plate of the Lamb Chops, which were cooked to perfection and served with mixed rice and vegetables.
The unexpected star of the show was the Kunafa dessert, which I admittedly hadn’t heard of before. It came highly recommended by Aseel, so I knew it must be good – simply put, I was blown away. It’s a traditional Iraqi dessert made with shredded filo dough, butter ghee, lemon juice, sugar, and sweet cheese, covered in a crispy layer of orange dough and topped with pistachios and rose water. It’s truly something you must experience for yourself in order to appreciate the flavor. I somehow found the willpower to save some to bring home for my fiancé and he was equally impressed.
It was lovely meeting the husband-and-wife duo and experiencing their culture through stories and food. It won’t be long before I find myself back in Barrington for Kunafa and maybe a few more culinary firsts.
305 Sowams Road, Barrington
401-246-4096
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here