Al Hamra

Restaurants

Restaurants and cafés

Mayfair

Expensive

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Time Out says

Tue Dec 15 2009

Londoners whose experience of Lebanese food begins and ends with the occasional shawarma on the Edgware Road may recoil at Al Hamra’s cosmopolitan leanings. The small, square space is characterised by kitsch ruched curtains, an abundance of intrusive pot plants, and white linen tables so tightly packed as to negate conventionally romantic meals. Throw in some smart-suited waiters and the experience can feel a little like dining on a miniature cruise ship. The venue seems as beloved of Mayfair suits as minted Middle Easterners, but there are reassuring touches of authenticity: the miniature pastries popular during Eid and kept behind a glass counter; the heated political discussion in Arabic wafting out of the kitchen; and, of course, the food, although our last visit featured as many hits as misses. Starters were first-rate. Chilli-infused houmous beyruti made a creamy accompaniment to warm, wonderfully airy flatbread, though we were most impressed with kibbeh nayeh, a tartare of seasoned minced raw lamb mixed with bulgur wheat. Mains were less successful. Badenjan mahshi (baked aubergine stuffed with lamb) was under-seasoned and sat in a watery tomato sauce, while shish taouk was overcooked – a sin given Al Hamra’s high prices and ultra-formal service.

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Address:
Al Hamra 31-33 Shepherd Market
Mayfair
London
W1J 7PT

Phone:
020 7493 1954
Website:
www.alhamrarestaurant.co.uk
Opening hours:
Meals served noon-11.30pm daily.
Transport:
Tube: Green Park or Hyde Park Corner tube
Price:
Main courses £14-£22.50. Cover £2.50. Minimum £20.
Map
1. Al Hamra
  - 31-33 Shepherd Market
    Mayfair
    London
    W1J 7PT
  - 020 7493 1954
  - www.alhamrarestaurant.co.uk
  - 51.506355,-0.147121

Facilities:
Eating and drinking facilities. On-site dining. Restaurant. Restaurant and bar facilities. Take away. Reservations required. General facilities. Available for hire. Outdoor facilities. Tables outdoors
Occasions:
Business. Going in a group. Late night
Type of event:
Parties

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Comments & ratings

(2 ratings)

Very expensive but very average food. Fatayer was inedible.The table was decorated with a very unattractive salad display; a whole cucumber, a whole tomato, half a lettuce and no sharp knife to cut it with. They had the cheek to charge £5 for this despite us not touching it. It was more than likely used for the next customers?The restaurant has absolutely no atmosphere. We hadn't booked and we were treated almost as an inconvenience despite the place being half empty. We will definitely not be revisiting and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

James Hudson Sat May 4
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I'v been to this restaurant twice, each time I hate it even more because the ruddiness and disrespectful attitude of the staff. The Food is good, however, the staff is not. I think I will never go there again.

roana Mon Aug 20 2012
Rated as: 1/5
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We used to like Al hamra but our last visit was a terrible experience so we will never go there again. The hotel booked a table for us but they had no record of it. The waiter told us rudely that "You do not have reservation" and went away. Finally another waiter gave us a table. We tried 2 wines, both of them were terrible, so we drank only a very little. We had an artichoke whick did not have any taste and was half raw and/or old. We sent it back, however, it was on the bill and they refused to cancel it. The 2 bottles of wine were also on the bill and they did not cancel these items either. The waiter told very rudely that: "Who chose the wine? You! Then you have to pay for them!". There was an additional 12.5% service charge but the total sum on the bill did not contain it. When we paid by card, they added this extra charge. We did not want to pay beacuse we were not satisfied with the "service" at all but it was not an option. All in all, it ruined our last evening in London and it was a disappointing experience since 2-3 years ago, it was a good restaurant. Moreover, it is a very expensive place among Lebanese restaurants and we have not really met such rude waiters anywhere.

miss n Sun Oct 30 2011
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Went there tonight. Ignore the positive comments. This place ranks among the worst Lebanese food I have ever had. Our hotel made the reservation but when we got there, they had no record of us. That was okay. The waiter took forever to take our order. Oh well. The appetizers were nice: thumbs up to the artichoke salad - delicious. The hummus was no better than what you can get at the grocery store, unfortunately. But the real disappointment were the main courses. My colleague's sea bass was dry. My lamp kebabs were hard as rocks. I'm not kidding. Hard. Overcooked. And tasteless. All this for 90+ pounds before tip. I returned to the hotel and told them of our terrible experience - food, service, price performance. All bad. The concierge said that this is the first time he'd heard a complaint and that their Middle Eastern guests love it. Perhaps I need to be Middle Eastern and not white? Dunno. But, a BIG thumbs DOWN, Skip it is my strong advice.

Rsk Sun Oct 10 2010
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