Syrian treats at Aleppo Sweets

Aleppo Sweets has been open for barely two weeks and has already graced many an Instagram story. If you haven’t yet seen pictures, this Syrian Bakery has cornered the Ives Street market on trendiness and Arabic coffee (a slight twist on the Turkish variety). While the chef specializes in Baklava, other delicious Mediterranean fare is offered as well, from hummus and baba ghanoush to kabobs (chicken and lamb!) and tamarind date juice. 

Baklava!

 

Baba ghanoush

 The founder and baker of Aleppo Sweets is Youssef Akhtarini, a refugee from Aleppo, Syria. He has been making baklava since he was 16, working under some of the country’s most famous bakers, and he opened his own bakery with his brother and father by the time he was 24. When the Syrian civil war began, Youssef escaped with his wife and their five children to Turkey until they were eventually accepted to resettle in Providence, Rhode Island. After two years, and with one more child in tow, Youssef and his family moved to Providence. Youssef wanted to continue baking and creating desserts to share, so he rented kitchen space at a local pizza parlor, selling his baklava wholesale online. You can watch a video about his story (and his baking) here. With the help of Dorcas International (a resettlement agency in Providence) and donations from community members, Akhtarini has since brought his delicious Syrian baklava and other delicacies to Aleppo Sweets. 

Me eating baba ghanoush

Tea!

 The shop is adorned with beautiful golden kettles, plants, a fountain (!), comfy chairs, and decorative light fixtures. A small book shelf sits on one wall, holding books with histories of the Syrian civil war, the Quran, and some Arabic language learning materials. When I stopped in on Sunday, it was busy, with people from all over Providence reading, chatting, eating and drinking. The staff were attentive and delicious smells wafted out of the kitchen. A picture frame on the wall held a picture of Akhtarini’s children, holding signs of what they dreamed of becoming when they grow up. 

The bookshelf and fountain

 I'm no bakery critic (though I do love to dine), but 10/10! If you like what you read, check out Aleppo Sweets after 9 a.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays (full hours available on their website). 

The menu

Images via Sydney Anderson '19.