Soul Kitchen.

Why did I wait so long?

Soul Kitchen, tucked away in Business Bay (far from the wilds of Emaar South), had been on my radar since its launch. Some other things, ahem, happened this year, but with a bit of settling out, I was delighted to accept an invitation in May to finally visit. After a few wrong turns (thanks, Google Maps), I found it was delightfully easy to park (such a rarity downtown). Once inside, the space itself sets the tone. Instantly ‘loungey’ with rich earth tones, greenery, striking artwork, and a soundtrack that evolves throughout the evening — to use a phrase my husband abhors — it’s a vibe.

For those who haven’t visited, SK was created by the Beirut-born hospitality collective Factory People. Soul Kitchen is built around the story of migration, specifically the movement of Arab communities to Latin America and the culinary exchange that followed. That narrative could easily feel contrived (or, simply, not good) in less capable hands. Instead, the Levantine and Latin American influences c…