São Paulo – The Arab perfume shop Al Ward, in the Jardins neighborhood of São Paulo, will include a boutique Arabic coffee and Moroccan tea house in its premises. Café Boutique Al Ward will serve coffee brewed Arab-style and tea made as per Moroccan tradition, using ingredients shipped in from the Arab countries.
The café will open on Saturday (14), with furnishing sourced from Morocco. Owner Julia de Biase explains that the coffee is made with cardamom and a bit of saffron. It is served with coffee grounds in the bottom of the cup, just like in the Arab countries, in typical coffee pots and handle-less cups. Patrons will be able to drink the coffee while eating dates for added sweetness.
Black and green Moroccan tea with mint will be available. Customers can choose to get a drop of rosewater or orange tree flower in their tea, served in Moroccan ware, according to Julia de Biase.
The boutique is a partnership with Bistrô De La Paix, a restaurant run by chef Daniel Marciano for over 15 years now in the Pacaembu area of São Paulo. The menu will include Marciano’s famous sour chocolate and berry pie. Bistros are widespread in French-influenced Morocco.
The boutique will also offer espresso and delicacies such as quiche, sweet pie and sourdough bread with dates. Julia is planning to add typical UAE coffee next year. The café’s hours will be the same as the shop’s – Monday to Friday, 10 am to 7 pm and Sundays, 1 am to 6 pm.
Perfume shop Al Ward opened in 2015. Last year, the product range grew bigger and an Arab culture space was added on the upper story, featuring exhibitions and imported décor and handicraft items on sale. Last year also saw Al Ward start carrying the Omani luxury perfume brand Amouage.
Julia explains that the idea for the boutique café came up when she realized that the store had become a meeting place for people, many of whom hadn’t seen each other in years. Coffee and tea have always been made available as a courtesy, but customers would often ask to purchase those.
Julia is also working to spread Arab culture to her customers. She has striven to incorporate the scents and the look of the Arab world through her perfumes and décor; now, she’s going for the flavors. The goal is to have the boutique café become a pleasant place in which to meet and chat away, read a book, or even spend time on WhatsApp.
Quick facts
Al Ward –Café Boutique Al Ward
Rua Dr. Melo Alves, 490 – São Paulo – SP
Mon-Sat, 10 am-7 pm; Sun, 1 pm-6 pm
Website
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
