Abir Kraiem and her husband Yassine Hammoudi have turned Benti – decked out with an azulejo tile bar underneath bougainvillea that’s in bloom year round – into a temple to maklouba, the cult-favorite sandwich of Tunisian youngsters. On the bread made from pizza dough, they take their inspiration from family recipes using carefully sourced ingredients from the nearby farmers’ markets, all seasoned with an artisan blend of seven spices. There’s one with mozzarella, red onions, spicy mayo, oil-packed tuna and black olives; or another with artisan merguez sausage and mechouia salad; and for us, a Hammamet sandwich with beef kefta and homemade chickpea cream. Hungry for more? There are sunny chicken or shawarma bowls made with a bulgur wheat base, mechouia salad, roasted vegetables and a white sauce, along with batatas (roasted new potatoes with garlic and parsley) for a side dish. And don’t skip dessert either: they serve a divine orange blossom rice cream with orange marmalade made with oranges from Abir’s parents’ trees. // Jean Pascal
FEELING THIRSTY? Homemade drinks: lemonade, jasmine iced tea, and a juice of the moment (€3), along with Tunisian Boga and Alpa sodas (€2).
PRICE: Sandwiches €8.90, bowls €10.90, set menus €10.90 to €12.90, desserts €4.
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