Fairuz (Marylebone)

• The server was controlling and went as far as trying to control where the 3 kids with us should sit and didn't agree with our desired seating order bizarre
• We had 3 kids with us so this long wait for even cold mezze was rather frustrating
• The food was excellent but we left unhappy with our meal and will think twice before heading back there again
• We started off with a few cold mezze dishes a light gentle Baba Ghanouj smoked aubergine with lemon juice and sesame oil studded with ruby pomegranate seeds
• A classic Hummous Kawerma with scattered diced lamb and pine nuts and the star of the show a lemony bowl of Foul Mukalla soft broad beans with coriander and garlic
• I proceeded to stuff myself silly on all three spooning mouthfuls with the bread provided
• My dining companion who goes here all the time was a little taken aback with my enthusiasm but not unduly surprised I think
• We also had the Kibbeh Mikliyyeh minced meat with onions and pine nuts which is then fried
• This tasted so good with a squeeze of lemon juice and then dipped into tahini sauce
• We started with the Hummus Kawarma and we were all blown away
• The pine nuts were a nice touch and the minced lamb was delightful
• II honestly cant say what I preferred it was all excellent
• I think it's the way that the meat is seasoned that really makes the food special
• The seating is packed almost like you are in a fast food restaurant
• Right on blandford street which is really the restaurant alley of Marylebone
• The service as several people have mentioned already is a bit strange though
• Sometimes they welcome you warmly and are attentive and at other times especially when the restaurant is busy
• I always appreciate when you go to a restaurant and they put out some nibbles in front of you so you can munch on something while you are pondering what to order
• So their concept here is pretty good
• I should say salad but it is really just a bunch of raw veggies
• The quality of the food is decent though
• I realised this is my first time reviewing an Arab place in London
• Just when I thought things were perfect as it tasted great
• The waitress followed it up with a bowl of raw white sweet onions the proper way to savor kebbeh nayyeh
• The kafta arayess were amazing and all appetisers all in all were great except for the Makanek which surprisingly came off as very dry
• Now came the mixed grills and boy were we in for a pleasant surprise
• Humus is mandatory as is the pita like bread
• The boreks are damn good and we havent reached the mains yet
• Even though everybody was stuffed and having trouble imagining eating anything else
• A true shame as the quality of the dishes coming from that kitchen deserves more and I would rate the overall experience far superiorly if staff were more polite
• Sometimes it almost sounded like we being there was a huge inconvenience for some of the waiters

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