Levantine

i have been looking for a nice restaurant for our wedding anniversary and after a lot of consideration decided to try Levantine where i made the reservation two days before. The outside appearance was a total put off, we were standing next to the restaurant and still wondering where it was since it looked like some closed factory outlet. Anyway, stepping inside was definitely a surprise. Calm and romantic and luckily very quiet. The whole ambience reflected Middle eastern style and the big cushions were truely relaxing. However, that is how far the good experience lasts. We travelled all the way there with a specific menu in mind, and that was a lamb shoulder feast. We made the order and after 10 mins the waiter, turns up with the news that they dont have it. they didnt even have Humous and another item from the set menu we ordered for. It was very disappointing and since it was already getting late and couldnt be bothered looking for another nice restaurant , we had to set to for a menu offered by the Manager. The starters were served straight away and were quite good. Finally the main dish was served,a lamb shank which was exactly the kind we had at Edgware road in a much cheaper restaurant. After the fruit platter and tea, when it was time to pay , we were told the card machine is not working and the waiter didnt INFORM us , he QUESTIONED :' oh so no one told you its not working?????', (sorry didnt dream of that!!!)) so my husband had to leave me there and go out take out cash. This was a real turn off with regards to service. Overall, the service and management was extremely disappointing, the food was good but not value for money, spending 60 on two people is not worth that experience, I know other lebanese restaurants with same menus at a much cheaper price. Oh btw, didnt get to see any belly dancer as well:). An experience I can recommend for once only.
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Raheela Durrani
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Sunday, January 04, 2009

This is the worst restaurant I have been to in my life and trust me I have been to some pretty dire restaurants. I went with 3 friends and 2 of the main courses arrived with the starters. We thought this was strange as the mains would get cold in the time it took us to eat the starters and queried this with the Waiter. He explained rather abruptly that this was how things were done in Lebanese restaurants. We didn't make a big deal and just asked where the other 2 main courses were as it had been some time since the other food arrived. The Waiter took offense to this and took away the 2 mains that had come with the starters. I think as a way of punishing us we had to wait nearly 45 minutes for our mains to come back after the starters were finished. We were then basically ignored for the rest of the meal. We were not offered any more drinks, our plates weren't cleared and we weren't offered coffee and desert. I really don't know why we didn't walk out. Bland food and rude childish staff, do yourself a favour and check out one of the other numerous Lebanese restaurants in London.
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anon
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Friday, December 05, 2008

Very good food, swift service and friendly staff. Bread basket was especially impressive. It's a shame about the location though.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Sunday, November 30, 2008

The food was great, the decor was great. Would get 4 stars, except for two things: It was let down by poor service (waiters struggling with English, bringing food late, forgetting dishes, etc); and then the evening was disturbed by the ridiculously loud music during the belly dancer for 15 minutes at 8pm. It was so loud that it was impossible to talk for 15 mins, and when the music stopped, our ears were ringing. If I had wanted a nightclub, I would have gone to one. We asked the waiters to turn it down, but it just seemed to get louder. What a let-down.

Note - I'm not an old fuddy-duddy, I'm still young (not just at heart), and I don't dislike loud music in principle (I go to clubs sometimes), just not over dinner.
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RAR76
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Our fifth visit and once again, a memorable ocasion. The food was excellent value and the attention of the waitresses together with their politeness, helped to make the visit even more special.

One of the main recommendations was their obvious determination to make sure that everything was to our liking.

We shall be making more visits here again in the future.
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Paul Adams
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, September 15, 2008

Wonderful! We checked out lots of reviews of lebanese restaurants before choosing this one for my birthday. Had a mezze - the meat one - £25 per head. Absolutely stuffed by the end, cold dishes, hot ones, chicken and lamb kebabs of first-class quality, sweet dishes, pistachio nuts, turkish delight, fresh fruit. A belly dancer came in for a while during the evening, the music was enjoyable, the staff were friendly and attentive, even though they were busy and working hard the whole time were there. Everybody around seemed to be enjoying themselves which adds to thee experience as well.

If you have just half as good a time as my wife and I did last night, you will NOT be disappointed. We've eaten at many Lebanese restaurants across Europe but this one is by far the best we've ever visited. We will return!
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Andrew Johnson
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Went to this place on 5th April and was pleasantly surprised to find a stunning belly dancer as soon as we walked in. The decor was nice and definitely recommended for a romantic dinner. The lighting was dim and there were added touches such as big comfy cushions. Unfortunately the good review stops here.

When making the booking I was not clearly told that we had to vacate our table by 9pm (note: I had booked for 7.30pm). This was meant to be a romantic dinner for two and the last thing I wanted was to be hurried along. The waiters were having sneaky looks at us to see how we were progressing with our food so they could bring out the next course. We went for the meat set menu which was £24.50 per head and frankly over priced, more so because of how the waiters were behaving. If you are not big eaters then do not have the set menu as the portions are huge, but regardless it is still not worth £24.50 per head. To be honest I have had better lebanese at my local deli. I was expecting mouth watering dishes but the only thing that made my mouth water was the side dips.

Initially they wanted us to leave, but then a table must have become free so they offered to move us there. Unfortunately by then we were unhappy enough for them to pack the food to take away. The bill was £70.31 and foolishly I didn't even question how it got to that figure. I'm sure you could quite happily have a meal for two for half that sum and not feel as though you have been hard done by. Just avoid the set menu and you will have an ok meal.
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Fussy Indian Eater - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 1
Monday, April 21, 2008

this place was a lovely surprise! looks very unassuming on the outside then you wander into a beautiful secret hideaway! went for the £15 set menu & there was more than enough food... breads, dips & olives...then a massive array of meats, more dips, falafel...followed by a huge cake stand with various sweet treats & mint tea! Wow... thought it was stunning. Nice relaxed atmosphere too. Def going back!
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Ella - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 21, 2008

Firstly, when walking past it , me and my friend couldnt even tell it was open. We decided to try and walk in anyways and found a nicely decorated empty resturant, we did go during the afternoon so that wasn't a big surprise.

The seats were cumfy, the waitress was very polite and smiled the whole time which was nice and relaxing. The food wasn't cheap however and I dont think it was value for money but it did taste good. Not the best middle eastern resturant in London but in terms of reception and the looks of it it was decent.

Unfortunetly I doubt I'd go again- I know far better middle easten resturants.
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Sheba R
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Went to the restaurant on my birthday with two girlfriends, and ordered the kefta dish and fattoush!

the fattoush was ok, but the kefta was rather dry

We ended up paying 22 pounds each!! very expensive for a meal cheaper elsewhere.

I checked out the website before going and was expecting a bigger restaurant, the tables were closely placed together and the space around the table was very small it was difficult to get up!

I would not go there again, i barely ate anything of my main dish!
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Monday, November 12, 2007