I use Wowcher like most people and as a foodie, I tend to look at the restaurant deals. However, I do tend to wonder if they are any good or simply a desperate restaurateurs attempt to fill the seats and lure unsuspecting punters into the what is obviously a full restaurant!
With this in mind, I ignored the offer for Lebanese Gray's Inn Road restaurant - Chamisse but with a veggie friend to please, we ended up there anyhow and I'm quietly kicking myself that I didn't grab the voucher.
The front of Chamisse is unfortunately quite reminiscent of a take away. Admittedly, a nice Islington style take away but a take away none the less. We peered into the window wondering if 'that nice Thai around the corner' might be better but fortified by too many G&Ts we bravely opened the door.
The manager smile and showed us to the back which was done out in a minimalist Ikea tribute - all wooden floors and clean lines. Having been seated, we started reviewing the menu and then the negotiations started as we settled on Middle Eastern Tapas or Meze.
These deliberations were interrupted by the waitress eager to serve us drinks. We chose Lebanese wine - don't. Perhaps we got a duff vintage but it had all the brashness of a cheap Australian Chardonnay - ugh.
And then we ordered the food. With G&T goggles on, we decided on three each plus pita (or pida as they spell it) but if you were less greedy then two each would do.
We ordered Baba Ganoush which was a slightly middle of the road aubergine dish but then again it is one of my favourites and I admit to being a picky bitch. Next was Labneh which is a white cream cheese and really authentically flavourful as are the sausages (Makanek).
We also had Sambousik which is the Lebanese version of the Turkish classic - borek. Filo pastry filled with mild cheese - yum. And apparently the middle east does 'baked beans' I like or rather foul which is fava beans simmered in garlic, tomato and olive oil and also served at breakfast. Not only born in the wrong era but apparently the wrong location too!
I honestly can't remember the last dish so it can't really be very memorable lol. The bill wasn't huge even with a bottle of wine and they were happy to leave us to chat rather than shuffle us out of the emptying restaurant.
What I did take away as we staggered into the night fully of dubious wine, G&Ts and glorious Lebanese food is that not only is the food at Chamisse uttlerly glorious but trying restaurants on Wowcher is not a bad idea at all.
Lxx
Don't forget to follow me on twitter @alittlebitofwhatyou
No comments:
Post a Comment