Nayla Ghandour’s love of food and song began as a heartfelt lockdown project in Dubai, where she shared videos of herself cooking and singing to spread joy during Covid. While preparing to emigrate to Canada, a temporary return to Beirut led to an unexpected leap into the restaurant world with The Singing Mama, a warm, vibrant space built around the dishes she loved to cook for her family. As conditions in Lebanon worsened, Nayla and her family made the difficult decision to close the restaurant after receiving their Express Entry visas, determined to give their children a safer future. Now in Canada, she hopes her cooking and singing will continue to create community, friendship, and a bridge to cherished traditions.
thesingingmama.com | @the.singing.mama
Join us for a night of delicious food, lovingly prepared and shared, accompanied by a selection of contemporary international pop, jazz, soul and blues vocals performed by Nayla Ghandour, The Singing Mama herself.
In Nayla's words: "This menu is built around the dishes that raised us. The ones that simmer slowly while stories are told, the ones that taste like Sunday at home. These are not restaurant dishes; they are gathering dishes, “please have seconds” dishes.
Every plate comes from memory — from women in aprons, from lemon squeezed by hand, from yogurt whisked gently over low heat, from heart to table. This is comfort food from the Levant: generous, soulful, and meant to be shared."
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Tabouleh
A bright, herb-forward salad of finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, bulgur, mint, and plenty of fresh lemon. Served with romaine lettuce for scooping
Harak Osbao
A beloved Syrian dish — so close to Lebanese kitchens that it feels like family — this hearty, plant-based classic layers lentils, dough bites, caramelized onions, crispy pita chips, herbs and pomegranate seeds, and both tamarind and pomegranate molasses for a tangy depth. It’s rustic, bold, and full of textures — sweet, sour, and savoury all at once.
Djej w Batata (Lebanese Lemony Baked Chicken & Potato)
Tender chicken baked with golden potatoes, fresh garlic, and bright lemon juice. As it roasts, the pan fills with rich citrusy drippings that Lebanese families fight over with pieces of bread.Vegetarian option available
Coussa Ablama bil Laban
Delicately hollowed zucchinis filled purely with seasoned minced beef. They are gently simmered and finished in a warm garlic-coriander yogurt sauce topped with fried nuts. This version is deeply savoury and luxurious, with the yogurt bringing balance and softness. A dish of care, patience, and quiet elegance — the kind served when you want to nourish someone properly. Vegetarian option available
Mhallabiyeh
A delicate Arabic milk pudding, scented with orange blossom water, silky and nostalgic, with a subtle Canadian twist — a maple syrup glaze, a small reflection of my journey and the blending of two homes. Served with selection of halaweh, dates and cookies for nibbling & sharing.
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