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MELBOURNE | Most of the recent action on the Brunswick East part Lygon Street has been occurring south of Victoria Street. Head up towards the “Maccas” end, though, and there are still gems to be found. One of these is Damasquino. It’s a Syrian spot that opened without fanfare a few months ago, and is well worth your time.
The signature item at the family-run restaurant is Syrian Shami (Damascus-style) shawarma. You choice of chicken or lamb, coated in a dry spice blend, before being marinated in yoghurt and citrus, and layered to slow-cook on the rotisserie. The result is juicy, tender meat, with prominent flavours of cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It’s wrapped in pita, along with house pickles, tomato, parsley, and a good dose of garlicky toum, before being finished on the grill to add some crispness.
You can get single shawarma wraps, or have it cut up ‘Arabic-style’ as individual serves, or family platters. Shawarma plates are served with a side of chips, pickles, and toum. There’s also Syrian-spiced broasted fried chicken, and a few other things like coleslaw, lemony hummus, and tahini.
I recommend the chicken shawarma wrap plate, Arabic-style, and a serve of hummus, topped with lamb shawarma.
Damasquino
464 Lygon Street
Brunswick East
Victoria 3057
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9191 4559
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Tue – Sun: 1:00am to 10:00pm