My partner recently decided she had a craving for Lebanese, and had recieved a hot tip for Mandaloun, on the south terrace at Westfields. Unfortunately, arriving there without a booking 8-ish on Friday night was not a good plan.
Unable to get fed, a quick google turned up a place closer to our house, that neither of us had heard of. It is called L'oriental on Churchfield Rd.
Following a quick recovery beverage at the Station House pub (adjoining Acton Central Overground station - another review to follow!) we found L'oriental without too much bother.
It's an unassuming place with an almost storefront facade. It was clean and tidy, but utterly empty, and with a decor that wouldn't have been out of place in the 70s, including faux wooden panelling. My partner and I gave each other concerned glances, and it didn't improve when the Polish waitress took us downstairs, having to switch the lights on as we went.
But I soon realised my book-cover judging mistake, as the dated decor turned out to actually be a bit of old world charm, with shishka pipes and images of Roman ruins adorning the walls. We had the downstairs to ourselves, and with soft lighting it was a little bit romantic... Just a bit.
Our waitress was charming and attentive, if a bit shy and embarrassed by small talk, but she knew the menu well. We have eaten Lebanese before, so had some ideas of what we wanted, but she offered potential compliments to go alongside. Before we'd even started contemplating ordering though, she arrived back with nibbles of bread, pickled vegitables and olives.
I tried a Lebanese beer for the first time, Almaza, I think it was - and it was pretty decent. My partner took some kind of aromatic tea which she described as lovely and relaxing.
Feeling pretty hungry, we foolishly decided to order starters and mains - and found ourselves struggling to finish. We shared a Fatoush - a salad of pita with mixed cucumber, tomato, onions, and mint, and a Labneh - which was a minty youghurt with garlic.
For mains, I tucked into Kebbeh Saynieh, which is a large shell of crushed wheat and ground lamb with pine nuts and onions, served with yoghurt and cucumber - I would call it tatziki - but that's the Greek name! It was absolutely amazing, and made me imagine that was what home cooked meals in Beirut must be like!
My partner had a Taouk which was marinated chicken breast and grilled tomato, mushroom and rice. I snuck a sneaky taste whilst she wasn't looking and wished I had room for more! She also seemed to think it was pretty good. As tempting as desert was, we struggled to finish, and in fact begged off for a doggy bag, which amply provided for a light lunch the next day! Whilst we waited for the bill we chated with the very friend chef - possibly the owner who was very proud and informative about Lebanese food, but also incredibly charming and friendly.
It had a few rough edges - I almost entered the kitchen looking for the gents. But the photos of amazing Lebanese Roman ruins - I think Baalbek, Heliopolis, and Qalaat Faqra - gave enough fuel to the imagination that alongside the amazingly authentic food, you almost believed you had travelled east to eat. This little East Acton Lebanese restaurant does just enough to conjure up the exotic orient. They used to call Beirut the Paris of the east, and L'Oriental revived what I imagined that to be. At about £45 for two very filling courses, left overs and a couple of beers, well worth a vist. read more
