It was a Friday night in the city, and I was hanging out with my banker friends at a city pub for a few drinks and someone suggested dinner... this someone also had vaguely fond memories of this restaurant from a visit more than a year ago and a bit of Googling and getting drenched in the rain on our way there brought us to this branch of Haz restaurant. I am normally a fan of Lebanese food so I was all excited about the place.
As wet as the weather was outside, the reception from the manager was a bigger dampener. We really were not that late in arriving that we deserved such a snubbing when we asked for a table for 6. There were 3 of us, 1 was following and would arrive in less than 5mins and the other two were on a bus and would be there in 15. I wouldn't have minded their reluctance to give the 3 of us a table for 6 if the place was teeming with crowds but a quick look around assured us that this place, like most others in the City around the weekend, was mostly empty. It was about 9.30pm so not like the kitchen was closing anytime soon and yet, not like hordes of people were about to descend upon the place.
Anyhow, the combined hunger of the group + the rubbish weather kept us in despite the insipid welcome. And we were glad for our persistence, for the chef certainly made up for the lack of enthusiasm in service staff. The breads, olives and home-made tangy hummus made for fabulous nibbles while we waited for our food. The Sebzeli Borek (filo pastry with mixed veggies) and Borek (filo pastry with spinach and feta) offered a variety of flavours within themselves despite the similarity in names. Everyone else on the table went for Musaka with lamb mince or vegetables (kudos on veggie options) and they were well made but I think I was well rewarded for being adventurous and trying out a hitherto unfamiliar dish called Hunkar Begendi (Gently stewed lamb and smokey flavoured aubergine purée) - initially I was a bit miffed thinking I had ordered the blandest dish on the menu because of the creamy presentation of the aubergine puree. However, a taste of this dish eliminated such apprehensions - the lamb was falling-off-the-bone tender and flavourful and the puree made for a nice contrasting taste.
By the time we were done with the mains, we were being practically kicked out of the place so we skipped dessert to make our way to a nightcap.
I would have given the place a 4-star based on the food but the service was less than welcoming and downright rude at times and therefore I must take a star off. I like the food so I will go back to the restaurant but certainly not to this branch! read more