Yalla Yalla (Green's Court)

It's small. It's cramped. It's uncomfortable. The service is scatty.

But you'll forgive it all that for the excellent food in cute surroundings slap bang in the middle of soho.

Fresh ingredients, well put together, generously served, authentic menu.

Great stuff. Something's got to give if you want all that in that area at that price.

I loved it and will deffo be going back, even if I do decide on their extensive take-out menu instead.
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benjamin163 - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Thursday, April 21, 2011

I have been to Yalla Yalla 3 times for dinner and all the food is always superb! I'm half Lebanese and although I'd never admit this in front of my grandma, this place does the best knefe (Lebanese cheesecake) that I've ever tasted! Despite this, the service makes me leave with a bitter taste in my mouth every time I visit! Each time I've been there I've ordered red wine, which arrives promptly and then I have to ask over and over again for some water to accompany it! Through a rude interruption in the middle of an in depth conversation, I've been told to pay the bill as they need the table back...despite for the fact that we've only been there for just under an hour! I have also been told I can't book a table in a very abrupt way by a waitress (on the phone) although I know that I've been able to book on other occasions! Honestly fantastic food but please please please get some waiting staff that don't resent their jobs!
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Potta K
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, February 03, 2011

Excellent as ever food, service and ambiance.looking forward to visit their new site in Oxford circus.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, December 20, 2010

What an amazing find. We were looking for somewhere in Soho but we're tired of the usual overpriced, underflavoured Soho tourist rubbish. We literally popped in as we were walking by because it was raining. The first thing that hits you is the atmosphere which is exciting, relaxed and bubbly all in one. The greeting we received was lovely and although they were full to almost bursting we were immediately shown to a table with a smile. The menu is just the right size, not a bloated self indulgent "look at how much food we can make" affair. We had the Hommos shawarma, Tabboule' and Lamb Samboussek to start which were fantastic. Great portion size, the food was fresh and perfectly spiced - the taste amazing. For mains we had the shawarmas - lamb and chicken which were spectacular. The meat crispy on the outside, soft succulent and juicy on the inside - fresh off the grill. Served with a paper-thin bread to just hold it all in position and fluffy beautifully spiced rice underneath. As you look around you will see that the servery is heaving with beautiful breads and pastries - both sweet and savoury. The customers are an eclectic mix of Soho types. packed together on the tables are suited office workers, trendy models, shoppers, foreign students and characters from Soho. The staff are brisk, friendly and efficient who rush around with plates of steaming aromatic food adding to the bustling atmosphere. We had to wait barely any time at all for our meal which as well as being amazing was piping hot too. We had a great Lebanese Sauvignon Blanc that complimented the food perfectly and finished with espresso. We could literally not fit any more food in at all (it's rare that I dont clear my plate but the portions are extremely generous - dont overdo the starters) so it was a shame that we didnt try the desserts (great excuse to revisit as soon as possible eh?) The whole meal for two with starters, mains, wine and coffees fit to burst was £48- absolute bargain. The true test is whether a) will we return and b) will we recommend to our friends which a resounding yes to both. I would like to add that my fiance and I both used to live and work in the Middle East and are well used to Lebanese food. A gem of a find, a new "our place" if you know what I mean.
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Heath
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 18, 2010

Great food,lovely service and cheap prices....My first visit to Yalla Yalla and it was excellent experience.i will recommend it and of course visit their second site very soon.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 11, 2010

I've been there twice for dinner. After my first time there, I got two impressions: 1) The food was amazing, and 2) The service was not that great in comparison with the food. Despite, this second impression, I decided to go again and give a second chance to the place. Unfortunately, things haven't changed, the food is still good, but the service is terrible. While waiting for a table, I had a cocktail which tasted like a simple lemonade. I kindly asked one of the waitresses (the same rude one that made my first time there unpleasant) if there had been a mistake. She looked at me as if I was saying the most ridiculous thing in the world, she seemed really annoyed, and said that she had made the cocktail herself and that there wasn't a mistake. When we finally got a table, another waitress, who wasn't as rude as the first one, took the order. Despite asking several times for water, it never came and my friend's main dish was forgotten as well. When paying the bill, the rude waitress mistook the amount in the voucher, when my friend told her it was wrong, she gave him this awful look (the same one I got when I asked if there was a mistake with my cocktail)... In conclusion, the service is horrendous, not just inefficient, but very unfriendly and rude. It's really a shame, because the food is very nice, but with this kind of service I'm not bother to go back again, or recommend this place.
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Lourdes
5 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Monday, October 11, 2010

Our friend Schwally recommended this place to us and she normally has good taste. Six of us went for lunch and shared a large variety of 13 starters. All had good flavours. So the food overall was good,. Service didn't seem that friendly. But I would recommend the food.
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Brent Harris
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, October 04, 2010

I love, Love, LOVE this place!! The food is delicious every time (I've been for dinner about 4 times in as many weeks), the atmosphere is cosy ; in Austria we have a word "gemuetlich" which you cannot properly translate, but that's what this place is, the service is slick and friendly, and the bill; well, put it this way, at these prices you can afford to eat out every day! It's no wonder they have queues outside their door Monday to Sunday, non-stop.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Went for lunch on a rainy august afternoon with 2 friends.

YY doesn't take reservations,so there can be a wait.As it was bucketing (ah yes global warming!)the owners moved us quickly inside.

We had a major selection of mezzes(almost all) figuring this was the best way to sample the skills of the chef over the widest possible items.They were ALL delicious.We had a short struggle over one or two(women are truly vicious when fighting over food).The service,though hurried was welcoming ,the lebanese beer was great,and the price was very honest in a London that is generally over-priced.

Well done YY! We will be baaacckk,as Arnie said.
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C.Elder
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, September 03, 2010

There's a difference between bad service and spiteful service. I have no problem with the former, but unfortunately - and I say unfortunately because I truly wanted to like this restaurant - I received the latter. I can't recall being angry leaving a restaurant. The time I spent at Yalla Yalla - namely, the three hours waiting for food that never came because the kitchen had closed - was enough to make me angry. I strongly urge anyone considering to eat here to reconsider.
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5 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 9
Sunday, August 08, 2010