Beit Siti

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Following on from her Falastini food truck, Rahaf Al Khatib is channelling Palestinian recipes from her mother and grandmother at Beit Siti (“grandmother’s home”) in Coburg. There’s only one item on the menu here: sofra, or banquet of many small dishes, and it’s one of the best-value brunches in town. The only choice you need to make is whether you want the vegetarian or vegan versions (both are $25), and what you want to drink.

Qudsiyeh is a plate of hummus topped with ful, a warm mash of fava beans, the comforting tones sharpened by green chilli relish and bright olive oil. Galayet bandora can be translated from Arabic as “frying pan of tomatoes” and it’s really that literal: onion, garlic and green chilli highlight the sweet tartness of the chopped tomatoes and whole cumin seeds add textural pop.

Cute, plump baby eggplants are salted, pressed and stuffed with walnuts and chilli to create makdous. They’re pert and savoury, shining in a slick of olive oil, a chewy counterpoint to the lusciousness of the dippy dishes.

Fresh baked goods with Palestinian twists might include musakhan focaccia with confit onion, almonds, sumac and cauliflower; a Danish filled with strawberry, pomegranate and dill jam, and house-made labneh; or a zaatar croissant with pickled chilli and baladiyeh, a firm “village cheese”. Constance coffee is brewed with cardamom or served espresso-style.

Good to know: Al Khatib also sells Palestinian-made clothing and embroidery, and hosts workshops on pickling and labneh-making.

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