The Place
It should be pretty easy to guess what Skewerz sells: meat on a stick, roasted over a heat source. You may think that this is nothing new in China. After all, who hasn’t had a cumin-encrusted yangrou chuan'r by a roadside stall on a winter’s day, inhaling vehicle fumes while gnawing away?
Skewerz, though, does a bit more than that. Here, you can find Lebanese-inspired wraps, salads and familiar Western comforts like fries. Its location in Zhujiang New Town (next to the Brew Bar and Bistro) makes it a convenient place for nearby office workers looking to grab a slightly more indulgent bite over lunch.
The Food
Note that we mentioned ‘Lebanese-inspired,’ not ‘Lebanese,’ food. Although the form may look familiar, the flavors are tweaked from their Levantine originals. Those looking for an authentic shawarma or baba ghanoush may be somewhat disappointed.
The end product tastes like a cross between Middle Eastern and Western. The lamb skewers board (RMB95), consisting of lamb, mushrooms and peppers stuck on a sharp metal spike, had a decidedly British twist, being sprinkled with rosemary and paired with a mint dip. The grilled beef wrap (RMB58) lacked a distinctively Mediterranean flavor, with more vegetables than meat, while the falafel plate (RMB68) came out somewhat dry. The steakhouse fries (RMB46) were perfectly done; fried to a golden color, crispy on the outside and fluffy inside.
We cannot fault the quality of the meat or the vegetables, and the portion sizes were substantial. No item ordered was dripping with grease, a common affliction of kebab stalls in the West.
The general flavor profile comes across as somewhat ‘lighter,’ perhaps as a concession to the Cantonese palate, and appropriate for those unwilling to tax their digestive systems after overindulging at last night’s Sichuan hotpot.
The menu also contained a selection of Western breakfast options. Overall, you will walk away satiated, though still craving something that ‘hits the spot’ like the kebab joints you may have frequented during your carefree student days. In a small, but nice, touch, the sauces came in tiny gongfu teacups: a subtle acknowledgement to the local culture.
These may not be the most authentic kebabs and wraps in town. However, if you are in the area, are tired of Chinese cuisine and/or want an undramatic meal, this place will suit you.
The Vibe
The restaurant has a casual feel, with the standard ‘industrial minimalist’ look (aka exposed overhead pipes) that pervades many eateries in big-city China. The downstairs has a fast-food style counter, with menu items and prices displayed on backlit boards, and there is seating upstairs. On a cool day, you may opt to sit outdoors and enjoy the breeze while chomping away on your wrap.
Price: RMB70
Who’s going: hungry Zhujiang New Towners
Good for: meat-covered sticks, grab n' go dining
Nearest metro(s): Wuyangcun (Exit B), 10 minutes; Zhujiang New Town (Exit B1), 10 minutes
Open daily, 9am to 11.30pm; see listing for Skewerz.
[Photos by Kheng Swe Lim]
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