New Lebanese restaurant

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El Cid
Posts: 128
Joined: 19 Feb 2015 18:49
Location: Sydenham

New Lebanese restaurant

Post by El Cid »

Popped into the new Lebanese restaurant in the high street yesterday and came away impressed. The flat bread with lamb and vegetables was pretty good, as was the houmous. Not the best I've tasted, but good enough to make me return. The owner is friendly, although he's a bit slow when it comes to serving.

This is a place that can do really well if the quality of the food remains high. It's in a good location and, with Arabic music playing in the background, has a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.

In contrast, the cafe that opened recently at the bottom of Kirkdale, near the petrol station, seems to be really struggling. Unlike the Lebanese restaurant, it's in the wrong location and isn't offering anything different, or, from the menu, anything that looks really appealing. Every time I walk past it's empty. Other people I've spoken to have said the same. A poster in the window says it's now open on Sundays. I can't help but wonder about the wisdom of this, as that part of Kirkdale is pretty deserted on Sundays.
leenewham
Posts: 5886
Joined: 2 Sep 2007 11:58
Location: SYDENHAM
Contact:

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by leenewham »

We have a new restaurant? Where is it? What's it called?

We love Lebanese food, we found a fantastic one in Beckhenham which we go to occasionally and is the best I've had in London. It would be great to have something closer to home.
El Cid
Posts: 128
Joined: 19 Feb 2015 18:49
Location: Sydenham

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by El Cid »

The new Lebanese restaurant is on Sydenham Road (the high street), opposite Cherry and Ice.
robbieduncan
Posts: 384
Joined: 28 Oct 2013 17:10
Location: Trewsbury Road

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by robbieduncan »

Looks like a kebab shop. Which is what I thought it was
MrsO
Posts: 9
Joined: 7 May 2015 14:17
Location: Homecroft Roa

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by MrsO »

I paid it a visit yesterday too. It's situated where the new pavement contractors office used to be and is open until 10pm. We had a kind of meze which came with breads and a large bowl of salad, really fresh and tasty. The owner is very friendly and gave us a taster before we committed to ordering. Food and coffee came to £8 for two people.

The owner told me he is going to be selling Italian ice cream soon.

Well worth a visit.
leenewham
Posts: 5886
Joined: 2 Sep 2007 11:58
Location: SYDENHAM
Contact:

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by leenewham »

Hmm, might give it a shot, although I get why Cherry & Ice sell ice cream, I'm not sure why a Lebanese restaurant/cafe would sell Italian Ice cream.

Lets see if they tempt us away from Beckenham. I can't wait to use Calabash again, their food is amazing.
MrsO
Posts: 9
Joined: 7 May 2015 14:17
Location: Homecroft Roa

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by MrsO »

I wouldn't call it a restaurant per se but the menu is interesting.
Pally
Posts: 1492
Joined: 2 Aug 2014 05:38
Location: Sydenham

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by Pally »

Popped in. Lovely coffee. Food looks nice. Seating is extremely uncomfortable and perhaps not the best choice to suit a range of potential clientele of differing ages!!
sugahill cafe
Posts: 165
Joined: 29 Nov 2007 23:13
Location: sydenham

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by sugahill cafe »

The owners are Iranian so I doubt the new place is Lebanese??
Hannah
Posts: 52
Joined: 25 Aug 2011 16:31
Location: SE26

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by Hannah »

I just visited for lunch today. It is opposite on the hoof. I had an amazing fresh juice, apple, carrot & ginger. They made me an amazing falafel wrap whilst my little girl had a tub of vanilla & chocolate ice cream. Owner was very friendly & made a fuss of my daughter. He described it as Turkish/Lebanese food. They also sell lots of yummy cakes :)
sugahill cafe
Posts: 165
Joined: 29 Nov 2007 23:13
Location: sydenham

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by sugahill cafe »

Sorry i should add we are friends with the owner we also popped in for çay & a chat..indeed lots of different influences on the menu good luck to the new business.
Ruby
Posts: 66
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 17:31
Location: Sydenham

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by Ruby »

I ventured in there today. Friendly owners, tasty food, good prices and will definitely be in again. Agree about the seating, not enough low down tables and chairs but understand this is probably due to it being a small space.
I wish them all the best!
mosy
Posts: 4111
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 20:28
Location: London

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by mosy »

Popped in around lunchtime for a takeaway falafel wrap which was offered with some optional salad items from the selection. Very good - and filling.

Other meze salad items, e.g. humous, dolmades (stuffed vine leaves), baba ganoush (roasted aubergine), tzatziki, all looked really good. Thus a plastic takeaway carton of some came away with me as well. Definitely repeat items for me as they knock spots off the equivalent supermarket dip versions.

I'm not really a cake and coffee person - though looking at the selection, I just might be persuaded ;)
Checkmate
Posts: 254
Joined: 2 Sep 2009 09:53
Location: Syd, station end.

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by Checkmate »

robbieduncan wrote:Looks like a kebab shop. Which is what I thought it was
A bit too close to Selims for that, me thinks!

I will definitely have to show my face in there, though it will definitely be more for the cake than anything else :D
Pally
Posts: 1492
Joined: 2 Aug 2014 05:38
Location: Sydenham

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by Pally »

I know I have mentioned this before but does anyone else find the seating and table arrangements so uncomfortable as to put me off going in? I know I am older than some with a "touchy" back, but honestly it is some of the most uncomfortable café furniture I have ever encountered! I don't want to discourage the new owners but did wonder about mentioning it to them.
sophie
Posts: 350
Joined: 8 May 2005 16:50
Location: Sydenham

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by sophie »

The felafel wraps are excellent but the coffee wasn't. I agree that service is slow.
biscuitman1978
Posts: 1588
Joined: 16 May 2006 20:14
Location: Chislehurst; previously Sydenham

Shirin

Post by biscuitman1978 »

I've visited this cafe - Shirin - a couple of times recently and I must say that the falafel wraps and juices are excellent.

In addition, service was speedy and very friendly.

In short, I highly recommend a visit!

Location info at http://www.localdatasearch.com/london/s ... n-1b4991-s
monkeyarms
Posts: 301
Joined: 28 Jul 2015 14:54
Location: Tredown

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by monkeyarms »

Coincidentally I also popped in there for the first time yesterday, for a felafel wrap. It was alright. An entirely standard falafel wrap, I thought. A bit dry. Next time I'll ask for even more sauce. I also like a pickle or two in a felafel wrap. Bit disappointing. But I'll reserve full judgement till I've tried the baba ganoush...
mosy
Posts: 4111
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 20:28
Location: London

Re: New Lebanese restaurant

Post by mosy »

Last time I bought a falafel wrap, I was offered a choice of toppings since falafels are a bit tasteless by their nature - maybe you need to ask if you can specify toppings? Their salads are good (including the aubergine but they don't call it baba ganoush and they do plain or stuffed so choose the one you want).

They also do a solid baked herb thingy (fresh herbs, strong taste, stuck together with eggwhite, then baked I think) which I buy to take away as great with boiled eggs etc at home.

I agree some seat cushions wouldn't hurt if eating in.
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