Arabesque Restaurant (American Colony Hotel)

Arabesque is the restaurant of the historic American Colony Hotel at 1 Louis Vincent Street in the Sheikh Jarrah area of East Jerusalem, Israel. The hotel, established in an Ottoman-era pasha's house, has a long reputation as a meeting place for diplomats, journalists and visitors, and its courtyard has a quiet, garden-like character set apart from the busy Old City. The restaurant serves Palestinian and Middle Eastern dishes in a stone courtyard, with a menu built around a mezze sampler, grilled lamb and a Palestinian dessert platter. Mezze is the natural way to begin, with a spread of small cold and hot dishes shared at the table, followed by grilled meats and sweet pastries to finish. Sunday brunch is popular with both guests and local residents. A notable feature is that the restaurant is open on Shabbat, when most West Jerusalem restaurants close, so it is a useful option for visitors on Friday evening or Saturday. The dining room and courtyard are elegant and unhurried, with stone arches, shaded seating and attentive hotel service; noise levels are low and dress is smart casual. Drinks include a well-regarded selection of wines, cocktails and spirits, as well as Arabic coffee, and the setting suits a long lunch. Prices are in the upper range ($$$), and the rating is around 4.3. Reservations are recommended, especially for Sunday brunch and weekend evenings, and guests should confirm times in advance because hours can shift. The hotel is a short taxi ride from the Old City's Damascus Gate and the neighbouring East Jerusalem sights, which makes it a calm place to eat after a day of sightseeing.