Arabella

By Franz Scheurer

Situated at the quiet end of King Street this ultra-modern, large and funky restaurant dishes up modern Lebanese fare with a great deal of flair. When you first look at the menu you might think ‘what the heck am I doing here?’ Do I really want to eat in a place where the first page of the menu is headed ‘French’, listing a variety of French salads and grills? But persist, turn the page and look at the Arabic food on offer. Owner Mohamad Zouhour set out to create a modern Lebanese restaurant with the help of his chef, Danny Daib. Be careful if you have a tendency to order far too much food (as I always seem to do), here it is so moreish that you will actually eat it all, then roll home slowly and painfully.

All the classic dips are good, ‘Hummous’ is smooth and creamy, the ‘Baba Ganouj’ is smoky, quite textured and excellent and the ‘Tomme’ (a thick addictive garlic dip) is amazing. The ‘Mixed Grill’ consists of one chicken, one lamb and one kofta kebab, served with a crunchy, fresh tabouli, it presents well, although the chicken is quite bland. The kofta is well seasoned and perfectly cooked, as is the lamb. If you like brains you might enjoy the ‘Enkaat’, a dish of lamb brains stewed in a chicken and lemon broth. It’s an ‘in-your-face’ presentation and might put some people off, but it makes up for it with taste and texture. If you like liver you might want to try the ‘Sawda’, chicken livers lightly pan-fried in olive oil with lots of garlic and lemon juice, seasoned with a pinch of za’atar. If your leanings are more vegetarian then try the ‘Ladies Fingers’, a version of burek with unctuous, melting cheese in crisp pastry, or the ‘Fatoush’ a crunchy salad with fried flatbread pieces, which is tart and refreshing and uses very fresh ingredients.

Service is excellent, friendly, patient and observant. They are BYO and the excellent Arabic coffee at the end of the meal is served from a lovely pot poured into beautiful dainty cups, sitting on great little saucers with tiny little spoons to help you stir in the sugar should you prefer it sweet. Baklavas are fresh, crisp, gooey and full of nuts, finishing an excellent meal on a high.

Value for money is terrific and if you’re in the mood for some good Lebanese food, don’t mind watching a pretty belly dancer doing her stuff (on Friday and Saturday nights) and then rolling home sated, check this place out. You can also book the ‘Cushion Room’ if you want more of a 1001 Nights experience.

Score; 6/10

For more information or bookings:

Arabella

Shop 12

489 – 491 King Street

Newtown NSW 2042

Tel.: 02 9550 1119