Sheba Al-Yemen

Yemeni restaurants are not easy to come by in this neck of the woods, so the fact that this is here in Albany is a real treat Alhamdulillah. The space is small but in a cozy way, with a few booths and standalone tables and Arabic music in the background. I went twice in one day, for lunch and for dinner. For lunch I got the chicken sub and fries; the sub was fine, albeit a bit boring, and the fries were crispy and seasoned with salt and cumin. Lunch was cheap, but nothing outstanding. Dinner, however, was another story. We ordered the Sheba Zestly Gallaba (chicken and beef with tomatoes over rice), lamb fahsah (a lamb stew), and two pieces of Yemeni bread. The meal started with a bowl of lamb broth with bits of celery, tomato, and onion, a very nice appetizer. The Zestly Gallaba was a generous plate of rice and grilled meats, made even better when topped with the spicy sauce you are given on the side. The star of the meal was the lamb fahsah. It came to the table bubbling hot and smelled amazing. The taste was exceptional; very rich, savory, and comforting. It paired perfectly with the huge pieces of Yemeni bread we ordered with it. There is also a decent-sized breakfast menu and some very tasty sounding drinks and desserts. Definitely check this place out; they're new in town and offering delicious food that isn't usually seen in Albany!