Standing prominently at the corner of Victoria Street and Jalan Pinang is the Zac's restaurant. Having opened not too long ago, the restaurant is located in the popular Arab street area where both locals and tourists go to find garments, carpets and products from the Middle East.

• The Vibe
  Occupying a corner unit, Zac's offers both indoors and alfresco dining. As the establishment is still undergoing upgrading and changes, the décor and settings are somewhat old and rustic with old paintings and pine wood tables.

  Since the indoor tables are not air-conditioned, you are better off asking for tables under the marquee that faces Victoria Street (weather permitting). The path way is separated by landscaping and provides some shelter from the traffic. If you drive, parking is somewhat of a problem, and the closest multi-storey car park is located at the nearby Golden Landmark Hotel.

  The operations manager Ismael said that the restaurant caters not only to foreign tourists visiting the Arab street area but also to locals who appreciate food from the Middle East. If you have a large enough group, arrangements can be made to book the entire restaurant for a traditional whole lamb roasted on the spit.

• The Food
  Given that it was a warm and humid afternoon, my host decided to cool things down with a refreshing Laziza, a non-fermented malt beverage which has a tingling of a shandy but surprisingly has no alcohol. Bottled in Lebanon, it is smooth and tangy. Do ask for extra slices of lemon or mint leaves to jazz things up.

  Next was a mixed salad with fresh feta cubes, the greens were crisp but it would have been better if juicer tomatoes like Roma were used.  Fresh vinaigrette is available in a fancy saucepan to be drizzled to your liking. Accompanying the salad was a rich Moroccan soup which had generous beef chunks and is stewed together with tomatoes and lentils.

  No Middle Eastern meal would be complete without a selection of freshly made Arabic breads and hummus to dip it into. Zac's hummus was exceptionally smooth and creamy and the light sprinkle of paprika provided for a nice spicy finish. That was quickly polished off and I was tempted to ask for seconds had it not been for the swift entrance of a succulent rack of lamb, an ensemble of Kebabs and a grand sausage platter, the main attraction at Zac's.

  The lamb was both tender and juicy with flavours permeating through the entire morsel. I was told that all the meats are slowly grilled over an old fashioned charcoal grill, bad for the environment but what wonders it does for taste. The meat is sizzled in its own fats and that little bit of charred bits makes all the difference. Though disappointed to learn that the marinade is a secret, the generous portions kept me occupied.

  The beef and fish kebabs were also equally well seasoned and nicely paired with roasted vegetables; however as leaner cuts they were less tender and dry quickly. The accompanying fragrant rice was light and had aromas of turmeric and saffron.

  Just as I was beginning to dream of shishas and soft pillows, I was suddenly whisked away into a tavern as I beheld a bold sampling of sausages laid upon a think mountain of whipped potatoes. Clearly of German influence, I thought the dish held its own quite well considering that it is made from chicken meat and beef though somewhat drier and less fatty.

  With most of the mains cost less than $18, one can hardly complain about the price considering that you are getting gourmet fair that would cost easily twice or thrice the amount at other restaurants.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Screening Room
Put succinctly, the main draw of Zac's are its gourmet meat dishes which come directly from the group's own manufacturing facility. The reasonable price point and casual atmosphere ensures that they can be enjoyed by the majority and on every occasion. Diners who are particular that their food is certified Halal can feel at ease as all dishes do not contain any alcohol and meats are prepared in the required fashion to meet Muslim standards.

Although positioned as offering Mediterranean fair, Zac's is essentially a showcase of the fine meat produce made by its parent company. Much like Espiritos Santos, the butcher takes the next step in offering the raw product cooked as they should be. I expect to see other dishes from different cuisines designed to match the meats.

If you enjoy casual alfresco dining and are carnivorous at heart, then Zac's is a good place to pounce on and start gnawing.