nickdawkins

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

I have no idea if ‘samsondevry’ (reviewed on 19th Jan 2008) actually ate at the same restaurant which we ate at.

We found the service to be excellent and after some deliberation about what to drink (from a well appointed wine list), the owner/waiter suggested that we start with the Knapstein Larger with some mezza. The dips were absolutely fantastic. I have never tasted Baba Ghanouj like it. (Was told they grill/smoke their own eggplants over coals to make this exquisite, more-ish dip) couldn’t stop eating it! We also ate the Samboosik and the Spanegh wa Jebni both were delicious and matched perfectly with the beer that had been suggested.

For mains we chose the Samke Harra (fish) and the Fer’reh (quail) and drank the Joseph Chromy Reisling what a match! Fantastic! After this we felt like being greedy (It’s not that often you get food like this at these prices) so we ordered the Beme (Okra). Again the owner Richard suggested a perfectly matched wine for this dish, the Stephano Lubiana Primavera Pinot Noir, this wine was exquisite and perfect with the other mains as well.

This is what I expect from a Lebanese restaurant; home-made food which is only complemented by the ridiculously cheap prices. The wine list was thorough and matched the food brilliantly. We will definitely be eating here again and again. Well done on bringing some traditional Lebanese Cuisine to Melbourne. No booking worries either. Samsondevry probably needs to realise that when in Rome, the ‘Smoke’ hooker has been part of Lebanese culture dining experience, so get over it and join in! What a pleasant night out.

Feb 21, 2008

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

I have no idea if ‘samsondevry’ (reviewed on 19th Jan 2008) actually ate at the same restaurant which we ate at.

We found the service to be excellent and after some deliberation about what to drink (from a well appointed wine list), the owner/waiter suggested that we start with the Knapstein Larger with some mezza. The dips were absolutely fantastic. I have never tasted Baba Ghanouj like it. (Was told they grill/smoke their own eggplants over coals to make this exquisite, more-ish dip) couldn’t stop eating it! We also ate the Samboosik and the Spanegh wa Jebni both were delicious and matched perfectly with the beer that had been suggested.

For mains we chose the Samke Harra (fish) and the Fer’reh (quail) and drank the Joseph Chromy Reisling what a match! Fantastic! After this we felt like being greedy (It’s not that often you get food like this at these prices) so we ordered the Beme (Okra). Again the owner Richard suggested a perfectly matched wine for this dish, the Stephano Lubiana Primavera Pinot Noir, this wine was exquisite and perfect with the other mains as well.

This is what I expect from a Lebanese restaurant; home-made food which is only complemented by the ridiculously cheap prices. The wine list was thorough and matched the food brilliantly. We will definitely be eating here again and again. Well done on bringing some traditional Lebanese Cuisine to Melbourne. No booking worries either. Samsondevry probably needs to realise that when in Rome, the ‘Smoke’ hooker has been part of Lebanese culture dining experience, so get over it and join in! What a pleasant night out.

Feb 21, 2008