Superb Lebanese food

Review by jmbau (22), left on 01-10-2007 at 10:11

Food:    Wine:    Coffee:    Staff:    Style:    Value:   

Overall:

What can one say about Abla's that hasn't already been said? I'd read reviews about how good it was, but never actually been. Finally, I went with a friend for a celebratory dinner.

It was everything people had said it was: quite superb Lebanese food, the best I have ever eaten. Creamy, tangy hummus, served with fresh pita bread to dip it with. Tabbouleh which exploded with flavours of mint and tomato. Lamb koftas (I think) which were just wonderful.

Choosing what to eat was the hard part - and then we spotted the 'banquet' for a minimum of 2. Easy - because it included all the things we wanted to eat. And the food just keeps coming. If you do choose the banquet, pace yourself, and leave room, because you won't want to miss any of the courses. There was some kind of green vegetable dish, some chicken, some skewered lamb (of course). And coffee, and tiny sweet things to go with it... I've surely left a course or two out, but you get the idea.

Plus: the service is professional, smooth and well polished, but never slick. You really do receive the impression that they care about your experience, and they want to give you a very good meal, but that they understand that the food isn't the only thing that's important. Too many restaurants and eating places appear to forget that it's the experience of being welcomed and being looked after that's also important - Abla's didn't for a moment.