This is the sort of establishment that's in danger of giving the Middle
East a good name. It comes with the class appropriate to a location on
the fringes of Belgravia: stylish and good-looking, its decor references
traditional Damascene building (the striped walls) but is wholly modern.
There's an air of glamour about the place, with smartly suited waiters
fandangoing between acres of starched clothed tables, largely populated
on our visit by people who still dress for dinner. Formal it may be, but
it's not stuffy - conversation levels are high and there's a great buzz.
The menu is strictly trad, with heaps of meze and grilled meats. We ordered
half a dozen of the former, all of which were outstanding, particularly
the makanek (pungent Lebanese sausage flambéed in lemon and garlic).
Mains were less noteworthy, but then that's Lebanese cuisine for you.
You might even skip the meat to leave room for desserts, which are the
best we've ever come across in a Middle Eastern restaurant: especially
aish as-saraya, a caramelised bread pudding with clotted cream. Staff
are obliging in helping overstuffed patrons to their feet.
Original review taken from Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2004 .