Identity Crisis

by Raphael Seghin
on Friday, September 16, 2011 12:00 AM

Sinan road is quite the dining hotspot these days. Sinan Mansions aside, several little restaurants have popped up, replacing shops to give the street an updated look. Located a stone's throw from HuaHai road, directly above Shoga, is Firdows. The name allegedly comes from a combination of French and Persian words, and is meant to represent "the highest level of heaven".

An eclectic mix of styles welcomes the diner as he walks the short flight of stairs leading up to the main dining room. Dark wide purple couches line each table, and modern chandeliers hang under large oil paintings, hung facing down. Leopard skins, intersected by tall hookahs enclosed along the walls, make up the rest of the space. Three distinct outdoor terrace contribute to the overall size, and are probably Firdows' top selling points. Besides two large patios complete with wicker couches located on either side of the entrance, a long balcony wraps around most of the restaurant. The venue is most popular at night, when the lounge vibe and outdoor seating attract most of the customers.

Firdows is currently testing their menu, with a varied mix of Western, Indian and Arabic dishes on offer, to see which ones will make the final cut. Besides generic bland nachos offered as appetizers, a buttery rich Mushroom Soup offered a slightly more appetizing introduction. Their Asian Beef Carpaccio was your expected raw beef atop rocket, slices of cheese and balsamic, although one look, and an unfortunate bite at the dish was enough to confirm the meat had been left out for too long. A much tastier option was the simple Hummus with ‘Yemen bread'. The fried pita bread came out hot and crispy, while the hummus had a filling, earthy flavor. The two mains, a Garlic Beef Rib and Roasted Tenderloin shared identical sides of steamed vegetables and roasted potatoes.

While the venue is listed as a restaurant, a patron will have a more satisfying experience treating it as nightlife joint. The dark, mysterious vibe inside, and the large outdoor space seem perfect for a chill after-work spot. If you're looking for a dining venue, however, best give Firdows a couple of months to figure out exactly what type of eatery they style themselves to be.