In Ramadan, Arabs get a taste of home in the Pakistani capital

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad is home to a large number of Arab diplomats and expats but there are only a few eateries to help them quench their nostalgia for foods from their home countries, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.
Syrian born Chef Abdul Rauf, 33, was educated in the culinary arts in Lebanon and emigrated to Pakistan in 2014 with his wife and three small children after a brief earlier visit that had him sold on the beauty and hospitality of the South Asian nation. 
A few years ago, Rauf partnered with a local Pashtun and started a restaurant called Arz Lebanon, a medium-sized joint in the upscale Jinnah Super Market that offers a blend of Lebanese and Syrian cuisine. Whether you’re craving something as simple as pickles, hummus or bread or want an elaborate spread of kebabs or grilled seafood, Arz Lebanon is the place to go. The outdoor seating is definitely a plus, especially in Islamabad’s temperate weather. 
In this video, Arab News gives you a mouthful of Chef Rauf’s delectable foods at a restaurant that has rightly earned the sobriquet ‘little Arabia.’