Time Out rating:
<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5
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<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5
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Time Out says
Tue Dec 15 2009
This cavernous underground restaurant – all rich hues, carved wood and metal screens, reached by a winding staircase – is a bit groovier than its location, in an office complex off Liverpool Street, would suggest. It’s a pity, then, that the food doesn’t always match the decor. While perusing the menu, diners are presented with high-quality olives, a wide and fresh range of raw vegetables to dunk in minty cucumber and yoghurt dip, and excellent pickles: all complimentary. Tiger prawn falafel made an interesting departure from the norm, with minced prawns providing a pleasant lightness. Tiny Moroccan sausages were tart. Best stick to the carte, as our lunch specials (£10.95 for two courses) were dull. Starters in both vegetarian and meat meals relied heavily on pastry that tasted reheated, and thus was soggy when it should be crisp. Houmous was bland too. The wine list has a number of Lebanese options, yet is largely unexciting. The restaurant’s name means ‘treasure’ in Arabic, but despite its looks, the venue has all the soul and originality of a Dubai nightclub. Belly dancers feature at night, when cocktails also come into play.
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