Levant

We visited Levant on a hot Sunday afternoon and settled into the beautiful bar area downstairs. As others have said, the decor is stunning - all those lamps casting shadows on the walls must cost them a fortune in tealights!

We enjoyed four mezze plates, including delicious grilled halloumi with chilli jam - we couldn't find fault with anything. My mojito was perfectly blended with plenty of crushed ice and very fresh mint - really refreshing. For dessert, I ordered pistachio ice cream and my companion had the honey and pistachio creme brulee but we found ourselves sharing because they went so well together.

Overall, not cheap but well worth it. We'll definitely be coming back for the atmosphere and belly dancing in the evening.
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-K-
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Two people from the office were leaving so we chose Levant for their leaving do. From 6pm, we had pre-dinner drinks in the bar area for 18 of us. The house champagne was excellent and we sat around small coffee tables with cushioned seating areas. There is a range of cocktails available, and the strawberry mojitos were very popular with everyone. We had booked dinner for 10 of us at 7.30 but some of the guys were feeling peckish over drinks so the restaurant provided excellent tasty snacks including a small plate and cutlery for everyone! They warned us not to each too much because there is a lot to eat at the dinner. At 7.30 we had to change the number for dinner from 10 to 14 and the restaurant handled this request briliiantly by completely changing the area we were scheduled to sit in.

For the meal, we had ordered the meat-feast and the vegetarian-feast. In addition, one of our party had special dietary requirements which we had advised Levant of in advance and she had her own special meal. Well, the food was excellent and the red wine we selected Chateau Musar (Lebanese) went down a treat. The attentiveness of the waiters throughout was very impressive. At 8.30 the music started and the belly dancers came on. The dancers encourage the customers to join in and only one of our party did - the rest were uncharacterstically too shy.

After the meal, we were advised we could smoke shishas outside. It was a balmy evening, and outside there were four round coffee tables with stools and we were brought apple and grape shishas along with tiered trays of pistachio nuts, small cakes and mint teas. What a great way to end our midde-eastern evening. The service was amazing - we are definitely going back to Levant.
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Eve Murray
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, July 12, 2008

Went to Levant for my wife's birthday with another couple. We both had been a few times over the past 2-3 years but this visit was by far the best. They have changed the menu a bit recently and we went for the 'meat feast' for all 4 of us. It was a great selection of food and was delicious. The desert (which was included) consisted of a tray of several different sweets as well as the yummy green tea.

At 8:30 4 belly dancers came out and they were having a great time moving around the dining room and trying to get patrons to have a go!

All in all we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and will definitely be back before too long. The only thing I might add is that it's gets rather buzzy when the dancers come out and might not be the place if you want a quiet candle lit dinner for two. Other than that it is highly recommended!
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, June 09, 2008

Levant certainly has its ups and downs. If you're looking for the best Middle Eastern food in London, you won't find it here but if you're looking for a great buzzy fun restaurant then this is it!

I went last night with a friend for drinks and dinner. The cocktails are out of this world, really delicious, though a little pricey. We then moved on to dinner. We ordered from the fixed price menu and I think this was more expensive than getting a 'feast'. The good: the hummus, the baba ghannough (probably spelt it wrong!), the tabboule, the lamb kofte. The bad: anything in pastry, it just didn't taste fresh...

Belly dancers were also there, encouraging people to dance, which was a nice touch. However, I felt a bit sorry for them with old businessmen perving at them.

To round up, if you want an expensive, tourist trap with great cocktails in a buzzy atmosphere then this is it but it's definitely one to try once.
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D - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 5
Thursday, March 13, 2008

Amazing experience! This is the place for those you enjoy eating good quality food in a stylish Middle Eastern atmosphere.

I went with a friend, we ordered 2 Meshwi Feast Menu. They are really worth the price.

The food is extremely good but the portions are too abundant, so I would suggest going with a good appetite.

There is nice music and comfortable seats. Service is good and “dulcis in fundo” the belly dancers coming around the tables are absolutely gorgeous.

I have been four years in London and I regret I did not go to Levant before.
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Barbara
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, February 22, 2008

We arranged a girly evening at Levant for a girlfriend who was getting married and we were lucky enough to be able to book the little private area towards the back of the restaurant....waiters were friendly and cheerful, the food -which never stopped coming- was fresh, tasty and imaginative...they do the best cocktails which- although not cheap- are huge and delicious- try the Bah- the Lychee and vodka combination- just delicious! We weren't hurried and by the end of the evening everyone agreed that it was possibly the best way to enjoy an evening with friends. This place sure does get busy but it is like being transported to another world...a subterranean middle eastern hide-away in the Centre of London...you have got to experience it! Thanks to all for a truly memorable evening!
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Gemma Slade
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Two friends and I had dinner at Levant last night. We came on a special deal where we only payed half price for the food. I agree, the decor and atmosphere are amazing, candles and flowers everywhere and rose petals on the table. But we weren't impressed with the rest. The waiter was extremely pushy, do you not want to order this that and the other...The food was tasty but it really did not come with much in terms of side dishes. I had the sea bass. That was literally just 2 fillets of sea bass on a bed of cabbage (£22.00, normal price). So you have to order potatoes or whatever you like extra (another £5.00).
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Sandra
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 0
Monday, February 11, 2008

Went to Levant for supper last night - stunning!!! The staff were happy and offered fantastic care towards the guests. I looked around the restaurant and every table was relaxed and enjoying everything the restaurant could offer! You are transported into another world.... It is so nice to go to a restaurant in the West End and get attentive staff that want to look after each and every guest as if they were long lost family! The food is good, we ate from a Feast Menu & it was very good value. Gold star for the boys & girls behind this experiance! I will be back soon!
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TKS
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Went there on a Saturday night with a couple of friends. Amazing decor in the restauarnt, a really beautiful place. Food was excellent, especially the shoulder of lamb in the Meshwi feast.

One dish on menu did not arrive, not too bothered as already had too much food. Waiting staff, good and bad. the senior staff always came over to check on us which was good. However the waiter we had was miserable and grumpy as hell. Overall good food, just let down by the rest. £195 for 3 persons (no drinks), you'd expect a little more.
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Will
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 4
Sunday, November 11, 2007

We went to Levant for our anniversary last night and had a fantastic evening.

The decor is atmospheric all - carved wood and rose petals and candlelight.

We experienced none of the problems with service mentioned in some previous reviews - the waiting staff were friendly, helpful and available to guide us through the menu without being pushy or hovering constantly.

Olives were brought to our table as soon as we sat down. We had the Meat Feast and spent an extremely enjoyable two and a half hours working our way through an array of mezze, including the best hot flatbreads I've ever tasted, crunchy and refreshing tabbouleh, spicy little lamb topped flatbreads and stuffed vine leaves.

The mezze starters would have been plenty of food in themselves, but we managed to find room to polish off most of the four types of meat served on a bed of perfectly cooked rice pilaf that turned up next. Two lamb kebabs - one of cubed lamb and one kofta style, and the same for chicken.

When we admitted defeat with that course, we finished off the meal with a plate of fresh fruit (strawberries,melon, pineapple, plums), an ornate tiered metal stand holding turkish delight, baklava and pistachios, and fresh mint tea. Oh, and a glass of pink champagne.

All of which rounded the evening off extremely well.

Go, with an empty stomach.
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J - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, October 03, 2007