Ishbilia

Well, I would have liked to have said this place was good after the reviews i read recommended it so highly but...unfortunately it was very average.

The 1st problem was that it was quite cramped and although I'd booked a table for 2 more than a week before, and asked for a nice table, we were placed directly in front of the forever open door with people pushing past us...not exactly ideal for a romantic evening.

The 2nd problem was the service... I ordered a soup to start with and a cold starter... these both arrived together on the already crowded little table. (Crowded mostly by a ridiculous and mostly inedible bowl of uncut vegetables.)

So the 3rd problem was, having eaten my soup and about half way through my starter the waiter then came and announced that the main courses were ready and he would like to serve them. The obvious response was "No, come back when we've finished our starters. This he did after buzzing around us 3 or 4 times and leaning in to place the cutlery while i'm 'still' eating my starter.

When the mains came they were 'very' average and not so tasty.

All in all I got the impresssion that they just wanted us in and out as quick as possible. We won't be going back.
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TomD
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Best lebanese food in london especially the mezza (hummous awarmah was exquisite). i was visiting from lebanon and you will be hard pushed to find typical, traditional food like this quality in my country. i will come definately here again.
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khalil bardoon
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, May 16, 2008

I've to this restaurants many times, i've always enjoyed it. The food, to me, is the best lebanese in London. You can never find a better Lebanese or Syrian food in London. I feel totally comfortable when i am at this place.
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Hecham
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, April 19, 2008

Very rarely am I moved to bother to write reviews about restaurants I have visited. So I must be really really bothered to write in to tell people who read London-Eating and rely on honest reviews on here that they should not bother going to Ishibilia. When I read the reviews below I was amazed that people enjoy actually being treated badly or are so indifferent that bad service is just part of eating out in London?

I know this guide is about eating and for that part the food was good - not as good as it once was but pretty good. The staff, on the other hand, are monosyllabic, unfriendly and fluent in a special kind surliness. Their impatience at the table and in response to our requests made us feel as if we were inconveniencing them - I don't know why though as the restaurant was quiet. Maybe because serving a few tables is pointless: less tips? Who knows..? If your boss is paying you too little or you hate the job - just don't take it out on the customers.

Shame really that a bunch of waiters can ruin the reputation of a once excellent restaurant as the food there is still decent. But with the competition of the restaurant trade in London one cannot just be complacent and rely on food to be the main attraction of the restaurant when the service is of such a low standard.

We were just revisiting Ishibilia and were impressed with the make-over... just didn't realise that with the throwing out of the old furniture that out went the soul too.

Lucky we didn't go for a special occasion - like the reviewer below - how disappointed would I have been?

Take your money and go elsewhere - this place does not deserve it.
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blazing bush
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, April 15, 2008

I ate here about 4 years ago, and the service was friendly, and the food was great. Since then, it's been refurbished from the cosy dark restaurant, into a clean white restaurant more in keeping with the area. And with that, it seems, has come a change in attitude.

The staff were impatient, hovering over us and interrupting, despite being told repeatedly that we were still chosing.

When we did order, they claimed they were out of the wines we chose, pushing us towards the pricier ones.

And the food - what's the big deal? The cold dishes were about average, and the meats were at best adequate. The meat was dry and lacked flavour, and "thinly sliced lamb" came to the table as 1cm thick slabs that tasted more like dry pork, sitting in a dull sauce.

This was for my mum's 70th birthday, and we came here on my recommendation, based on my previous experience. How the place has changed, for the worse.
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mang
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Monday, April 14, 2008

I had a wonderful lunch at Ishbilia last Sunday. With three of us, there was a chance to try quite a few dishes on the extensive menu and everything was delicious. By 2, the restaurant was full so I'd advise always booking in advance as the dining room is not large. A recent renovation has made the room look modern and beautiful with soft tones of grey and comfortable seating. I highly recommend Ishbilia for a leisurely Sunday brunch or dinner on any night of the week. Service was warm and efficient.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, April 01, 2008

I have been to Ishbilia several times and I have never been let down. It is consistently excellent.

Like several others, I have failed to escape the meze menu, there are too many temptations. The lamb, the salads, the quail, the dips, the pastries - they are all brilliant. As with all Lebanese restaurants, there is plenty for vegetarians too. The breads are good too. Each diner is provided with two small loaves of warm bread. It's a nice touch.

I notice that some people are not happy with the staff. I would never say they are unfriendly. Most of them are not too smiley, that is true, but I would say that they are always quick, competent and very helpful. They are formal, that is what it is. The staff are a Good Thing.

They have a massive area downstairs if you are looking for a function.

The only thing I would say with it is that, in line with most Lebanese places, the food is quite cheap. As a result they do tend to put a couple of pounds on the alcohol. Nothing scary, but noticable.

Ishbilia is very popular and I would advise booking ahead.
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Caledonian - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Great place to eat.

The atmosphere feels more like a cafe , in a good way.

Call me easy to please but having a bowl of raw veg and a big bowl of olives on the table was at the start was nice.

We never got the main courses, 3/4 starters and some bread were fine.
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step - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Saturday, June 16, 2007

Second time there tonight.

Food good very good. The sit down charge is for the raw veg/salad and the large bowl of olives i would guess..

To be honest we have only ever ordered 4 or 5 starters, with a pot of tea.

Great food and our bill was like 30.

The humous and the salads are amazing. If we could get past these i'd love to try the main dishes.

Service very friendly and the many around. Lots of Lebanese people on the other tables.
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Step Bird
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Sunday, June 10, 2007

Excellent food - hard to fault any of the many mezza items that we ordered. I've dined at many Lebanese restaurants in London and the cuisine here is by far the best. Some items were especially good here - in particular the Sambousek (spinach pastries) and Moujadara (warm lentils). The service was acceptable but not warm and friendly as we had expected - that's one area that could do with some improvement. Putting that aside though, Ishbilia is a fabulous venue in a great location and extremely highly recommended. I shall certainly be back again soon.
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Neil Madhvani
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Saturday, January 27, 2007