A friend and I found this place looking for somewhere local to us, Canary Wharf, where there could be a bit of outside time during what has to be the best UK summer on record in ages. What started as a we'll come here once situation has now led to multiple visits so I suppose it's next on my review list.
Probably due to being in the weekend wasteland that is Canary Wharf it never seems to get too busy, even on nice days we've been able to sit outside and enjoy the sun by the water with a (wonderfully) cold pint... a pet peeve of mine is when cold beer isn't cold, but they hit the sweet spot with their drafts here... they only have two I believe, Birra Moretti and Heineken, but the pints of Moretti always hit the spot.
I always seem to come here on a Sunday, but they seem to have decent lunch specials / menus that are good on a Saturday, but I'm not the type to normally order off of a set menu regardless... one needs adventure after all! This is actually one of those places where I haven't even made it to the mains, we normally get a few cold mezze dishes, a few hot, and a salad to round it out. Most of these have been a win and a perfect compliment to a lazy Sunday afternoon in the sunshine.
Personal favourites include the Grilled Halloumi (Haloumi Mishwi on the menu), which is done perfectly, and the Mouhamara... a gritty and pseudo spicy alternative to traditional hummus. (It's included on the "Selection of Dips" cold mezze if you're uncertain which is for you.) The salads have been up to code as welll, with the exception being the Salata Harra Libnanieh... it didn't have as much punch as expected... I think the Fattoush wins out in the salad wars, at least personally. Another favourite are the Maqaneq, little sausages that have a great citrus and garlic taste as outlined in the menu... I expected to be disappointed with these, but they definitely lived up to expectations. Oh, and the baklava assortment for dessert, I have to say it was better than most places with similar offerings in London.
On the opposite side, another to skip for me was the Calamari Mequli... these were fine actually, but I've just gotten to spoiled by places putting a spin on Calamari... if you're after standard calamari rings, the type that look like onion rings, then you may not be disappointed.
I can't speak for the mains unfortunately, but they've looked good... perhaps when the weather dips and we're not out sunning it with a pint we'll get to a main, but with tasty mezze and baklava on offer at good prices why force yourself to leave a good thing behind? We shall see.
As for the place itself, there are a few outdoor tables with a view over water and a larger inside... this really has been a consistent summer treat, and a good contrast to the better views but with higher prices of the near(ish) Camino and surrounded restaurants... I don't mind sitting out that way for a drink and nibble on a nice day, but you feel like you're in the ever imposing Canary Wharf while there... at one of the small outdoor tables here at Byblos Harbour you feel a bit away from it all despite being surrounded by the same and you get to walk away with a few extra quid which doesn't hurt. (For the record, the views are night and day different... unfortunately you're not getting a stunning view at Byblos Harbour, but if your'e like me just being near any type of water is a treat for some reason... I only mention this as if you get the Canary Wharf Camino reference I don't want you to expect the same type of view here, a trade off is just that after all.)
They also has blankets outside for those trying to hang onto the sun a bit longer... and sheesha for those interested, but I've never tried it so can't comment on how that would compare to anywhere else.
So if you happen to be in the area on a nice day give this place a shot, but please don't take my spot... that would just be wrong of you. ;-) read more