A Bahraini entrepreneur’s bakery in the US has been picked up by a renowned digital food platform as one of the top hotspots in the country’s most populous city that is worth drooling over for its blend of traditional flavours and warm island hospitality.
Dona Murad, who is also the owner of a popular bakery and coffee roastery in Saar, is proud to have brought the tastes from home, with a twist, to New York City, with the launch of Librae Bakery.
According to Eater New York City, a popular food website that many Americans revert to in order to find ‘the’ place to feast, Ms Murad’s bakery and coffee shop is one of the top 15 eateries to go to in Manhattan … and she couldn’t be more delighted!
“I’m a proud Bahraini so representing Bahrain as a female entrepreneur in any platform such as this is a dream come true,” said Ms Murad, who runs the shop with her husband, Andre Gerschel, and her mother, helps out with some of the baking as well.
They currently live between the US and the Middle East. Her husband has opened restaurants around the region and in the UK. “I hope to raise awareness about our unique form of hospitality,” she added.
Her bakery, which opened its doors in May 2022, has been noticed for its Middle Eastern, Danish and New York influences. The food website particularly highlighted the ‘espresso-glazed croissants and sourdough breads made with fermented Bahraini dates’.
“The recipes are a joint effort of a very talented team,” said Ms Murad. “The goal was to take all the Western techniques of a bakery but with flavours I grew up with in Bahrain.
“We spent weeks on research and development, making sure the product was the absolute best. We set extremely high standards for ourselves and took zero shortcuts. The Lumee Babka is really a perfect example of this.”
Lumee in Bahrain’s local dialect means lemon and lime. The Babka is a Polish brioche-like yeast cake.
“We took a spice synonymous with Bahrain and applied it to a typical New York pastry,” she added.
“It’s definitely been a hero item for us at the bakery.”
Ms Murad is also thrilled to see that many of those visiting her bakery for the first time were referred by her bakery and the coffee loving community in Bahrain.
“The number of people that come in on a daily basis and tell me they were sent details from someone who knows us from Bahrain is humbling,” she said. “This is a dream come true.
“The best part of my day is seeing people that are part of my community in Bahrain, here in New York City. I’m also grateful to my loyal hardworking team in Bahrain and an amazing community. I am grateful to all of my regulars and all of the people that have continued to support me throughout a very challenging couple of years for my small family businesses.”
mai@gdnmedia.bh
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