Love the energy of Middle Eastern cuisine and crave the laidback charm of tapas? Paddington newcomer CANESS unites these worlds to create a dining experience with more than a few surprises. Guided by Desert Ship Hospitality Group – the team behind Shaffa, an upbeat Surry Hills spot – this latest venture brings even more ambiance while showcasing the powerful combination of simple but bold flavours. In the kitchen, renowned chef Ido Zarmi explores the boundaries of Mediterranean cuisine with a carefully crafted selection of tapas-style plates. With each dish bringing earthy and aromatic flavours to the fore, these highly shareable plates celebrate quality and simplicity in equal measure. Many dishes have a short ingredient list, but their attractive colours and mouthwatering flavours capture how you often don't need much to produce the most tantalising bite. For instance, the traditional prawns saganaki sees succulent prawns bathed in a rich, homemade tomato and feta sauce, while the grilled octopus delicately balances a herb and capers salsa against smokey, charred undertones. Then, you've got lamb kebab served with yoghurt, harissa oil and chopped salad salsa, beef sirloin with Med-style chimichurri, and desserts like basbousa bel ashta – a classic Egyptian semolina cake made with citrus and saffron. This minimalist approach extends to CANESS' interior design. Here, clean lines and artisanal accents keep the 60-seat restaurant simple but comfortable, as the murmur of activity carries softly from an open kitchen. Conceived by hospitality entrepreneur Erez Nahum and co-owner Juan Colmenares, this approach intends to bring people together in an engaging yet intimate atmosphere. Likewise, the restaurant's drinks list spans 80 wines, with 20 available by the glass or carafe, striking a cosy middle ground between unpretentious and quality. There are also 10 signature cocktails to consider, each featuring varied Spanish and Italian influences. Think the Clear Gazpacho, inspired by Spain's iconic chilled soup, or the Figroni, a Middle Eastern twist on the classic negroni. "Our menu is all about celebrating authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours with a minimalist approach. It's about stripping things back to the essentials and letting the ingredients speak for themselves," says Zarmi. "Our vision was to create a home-like dining experience. With its casual, communal vibe, CANESS feels less like a restaurant dining room and we hope it's a place where people can connect, enjoy themselves and feel at home – even in shorts and thongs," adds Colmenares. CANESS is open Tuesday–Thursday from 3pm–late, Friday from 12pm–late, Saturday from 11am–late and Sunday from 11am–10pm at 348 Oxford Street, Paddington. Head to the website for more information.