Restaurant review: Baalbak
This restaurant is named for a Roman temple in Lebanon, one of the wonders of the ancient world, and the Lebanese food there is definitely one of the wonders of modern Golborne.
The seating inside is basic but the surroundings are welcoming with decor in muted tones and Arabic-style paintings on the walls.
Starters include traditional Lebanese dishes like Sawda Dajaj (fried chicken liver in lemon juice and garlic), Warak Inab (stuffed vine leaves) and Moutabal (pureed aubergine with olive oil and lemon). This last is especially delicious with some warmed up Lebanese bread.
Anything cooked on the open charcoal grill is a good main course choice. The generous mixed grill includes minced lamb, lamb cubes, chicken, tomatoes and onions all on a skewer and served with salad for a bargain £7.
Round it off with that Arabic favourite, Baklava, layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup. There are usually half a dozen types to choose from.
The freshly pressed fruit juices are also worth a mention, and they too are very reasonably priced at £2.
If you’re in a hurry, grab a Lamb or Chicken Shawarma. The meat is carved from an upright spit and served with salad, pickles and garlic or chilli sauce, all wrapped in Lebanese bread. This makes a superb lunch and it’ll only cost you £3.
If you want to eat at home, Baalbak will deliver locally on orders of £15 or more. If you really want to roll the boat out and you’ve got up to 20 hungry friends, order a whole roasted lamb with rice and nuts for £150.
Baalbak
91 Golborne Road, W10 5NL
020 8960 0136
www.baalbak.co.uk