Simply Lebanese

Staroftheday

Simply disappointing 12th February 2009

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Very poor food quality, small portions.
Service was ok although not great.
I wouldn't recommend it at all. It is overpriced and certainly not a good value for money.

foodfoodfood

SIMPLY AWFUL 10th October 2008

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This has to be my worst dining experience in over 15 years of living in London. The service was terrible--waitress yawning over the food as she dumped it before us. Reheated, and hence very dry, tough, chicken, which hadn't even been reheated thoroughly enough to melt the congealed fat on its underside!
I mean, catering school 101: Never reheat chicken!! But to do so and not do it thoroughly is so unforgivable.
The lamb, which was supposed to be the house special, was so tough it was almost impossible to cut with a standard knife and the sauce it was in tasted of dishwater with a dash of orange juice--bizarre (and foul).
The rice, which was supposed to be two portions looked more like a half-portion and was similarly (barely) reheated.
Of course we complained and the waitress didn't apologise; indeed it was almost as if she expected us to complain, and immediately offered us a refund as if to get us out the door as soon as possible.
We chose to wait for the owner, who we had been told was on her way. She didn't seem surprised either only concerned that we didn't make a scene and let the incoming patrons know our thoughts! To this end she was incredibly rude.
To reiterate. This is without any doubt my worst dining experience in London in over 15 years. If you want Middle Eastern food you can get it at a third of the price, authentically cooked to order in view of you, in large portions and with polite service. For such a dining experience you will have to go North to Stoke Newington, Green Lanes or Hackney where you will find countless eateries where the food is divine: try Anatolya on Mare st., Hackney, for example.
Posh Middle Eastern and posh Lebanese is possible, there are many such restaurants on the Edgeware road. If you want to eat Lebanese and want plusher surroundings than Mare st. can offer then go to one of these.
Simply Lebanese is simply an insult to its unfortunate customers and to a fine culinary tradition.

goldtibor

What a letdown 24th July 2008

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A huge disappointment, took an important US friend, very unfriendly reception from a steely-faced, unsmiling woman, hustled to order drinks but repeatedly failed to bring ice for the water on one of London's hottest days, trying to whip plates away before we were finished. Now for the food: terrible! I do know my Lebanese food but this was inadequate in every way, The meze platter was a sorry sight and poor value. our mains were greasy and small portions. When asked for fresh fruit the aforesaid 'charming' woman said the display was only for show. Hergeneral tone was so abrupt as to be rude. And we had to wait a long time for her to stop chattering before she brought our bill. Overall: NEVER AGAIN!

jklondon

We aren't going back 12th May 2008

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i just love the food here, but we won’t be returning after last night. The service was slow & surly. Even though there were only 2 of us, they brought my main (a salad) about 15 minutes before my husband’s main (mixed grill). The portions were tiny (a piss take, really). When we raised these issues with the owner, she didn’t seemed concerned at all. What’s worse (if not bizarre) is that she denied being the owner. This was despite the fact that two pictures of her were on the wall next to our table! This woman knows how to cook but has no business running a restaurant.

Frankie2

Avoid Avoid 22nd April 2008

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Al-Bustan, now called Simply Lebenase. This restaurant should be avoided. The owner is patronizing, and if you are in a large party, which I was she will slip extra dishes onto the table at a cost of around £20 and hope no one will notice.
The food is sparse to say the least, some of our party were still waiting for the main course not realizing it had been served in the same style as the starters, as an assortment of food on a few large plates with not that much food on them. Desert was another selection, this time Greek style (but not nearly as good as Greek food) pastries, sticky and sickly.
A most unwelcoming atmosphere, poor food, very expensive £174 for our part of the bill (2 adults and 2 Children. We were hungry when we left, and would never recommend this restaurant to anyone.

EmilyBloor

Simply 'bad' Lebanese 5th November 2007

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One not to be trusted in my opinion. Very disappointing food and no clue about customer service.

My main course, 'special dish of the day' arrived it looking like it had been plopped out of one of those plastic tubs takeaway food normally comes in, onto a plate upside down and zapped in the microwave. On touching the food it wasn't even hot all the way through! After pointing this out, the waitress returned with an identical plate. I asked somewhat incredulously if it had been microwaved- 'Yes' she replied, but she did reassure me it was not my same plate of food! Reheated rice and lamb? Not what you expect from food personally recommended by the owner and sitting under the 'home-cooked' section on the menu.

Other touches included one main arriving mid- starter, being left on the table going cold. The other arrivng as my partner was finishing. The speed at which the kofta lamb kebabs arrived; we surmised they had also had the microwave treatment. Accompanying dish arrived after both.

Quality of food was poor. The kofte needed the taste from the charcoal grill to give it it that delicious authentic flavour.

The batata harra, seemed no more than deep fried diced potato with what looked like dried coriander scattered on top and at five pounds a portion - I'd rather have had a bag of chips, at least I'd have gone home full.

Falafel- a staple favourite had a light fluffy texture but bland. Had to order a dip for them separately.

After this complete fiasco, the bill turned up with a 12.5 service charge on it! Needless to say, we didn't oblige.

My tip? Avoid at all cost if you don't want to go home hungry, disappointed and slightly concerned about the hygiene of the dinner you've just eaten.