A Syrian businessman whose home was left in ruins after being bombed has praised Glasgow, saying the city gave him 'hope' as his eatery won the best Lebanese Restaurant in Scotland at the Scottish Restaurant Awards.
Damasqino, in the Saltmarket area, won the accolade during a glitzy ceremony at Glasgow’s Marriot hotel.
The restaurant and cafe serves sizzling shawarmas, lentil soup and Arabic tea. Its mouth-watering menu also includes slices of fresh chicken marinated in spices, and served in Lebanese bread wraps or on a bed of rice, and special recipe falafel with chickpeas from a local market in Damascus, using Bashar’s mothers recipe.
Restaurant owner Mohammad Bashar Al Haj Ali, known as Bashar, has spoken of his deep love for Scotland, referring to it as his new home.
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He says winning the award has been the icing on top of the cake and that he can’t wait to share his food with more hungry customers.
Bashar said: “I never expected to win this prestigious award as we just work to offer customers a taste of our home. The trophy has recognised the quality of the food and service we provide and we know the competition was tough.
“It’s a real pleasure to have this and be named the best in the whole of Scotland. We will show it in our restaurant. We can’t wait to develop our business more as Glasgow has made us really feel at home.
"We are currently talking about growing our business with the authorities here."
Bashar says he feels safe in Scotland and appreciates the kindness he’s been shown since moving here.
He added: “In Syria, there is a lot of corruption from the Syrian government regime towards the people. We left there and Glasgow gave us new hope.
“When my family and I arrived in Scotland we felt safer and more welcome. People go out their way to help us and everyone is treated equally. It really is 'pure dead brilliant.'
“We can’t wait to expand more in the future and pay back Scotland for what it has given us.”
