AL AREZ: Edgware Road, London 0

I mean honestly…..as I type EVEN the NAME of this place, I have already gone into a crazed food-induced trance of happiness…..

The person who said that only large amounts of money can buy the best things in life is soooooo wrong – and ok – I didn’t need Al Arez to teach me this, but it is YET another example.

Edgware Road, London, as all the locals would know, is jam-packed with fabulous Middle Eastern Restaurants – and trust me – I’ve eaten at most of them – Al Arez is absolutely number one one one! Time and time…….. and time and time again, Al Arez is the one that we keep going back to, to be honest, I think we eat here or take away from here, at least once every week!

As we step inside we feel transported to another world, or another country at least. Pictures of Lebanon adorn the walls and it appears that half the population of that great place is sitting inside eating dinner!

The staff are RIDICULOUSLY friendly – but maybe that’s cause they know us now! No, seriously, such nice waiters, chefs etc – always greet you with a massive smile and an even BIGGER plate of olives!

Although we’ve pretty much eaten our way through the menu, I can safely say, that now, we generally stick to the same five or so dishes, which I will list below.

Humus – the BEST I have ever had – AND THAT’S NOT A LIE!

Tabbouleh – the 2ND BEST I have ever had – my Mum’s is the best and you’re not going to try that – so for you, this is the best!

Labneh – AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG Yoghurt drizzled in olive oil and sprinkled with mint – lather it all over crispy hot leb bread, eat, then cry.

Shish Taouk – CHUNKSSSSSSSSS of chicken breast, cooked on skewers over hot coals until gently charred on outside and MELTING on inside – served on a plate with salad, pita bread and gherkins – make your own sambo style / Lebanese fajitas, if you like! THIS IS ALSO SERVED WITH AL AREZ’S FAMOUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS CHILLI SAUCE – could drink it with a straw morning, noon and night and never tire – and GARLIC SAUCE – ditto to the Chilli sauce.

French Fries / Hot Chips – ahahahahaha – seems like a ‘waste’ of stomach space at such a specialised eatery but IT’S NOT – Better than Macca’s chips – we get them every time we go here!!!!!!

In addition to the above the shwarmas are amazing as is the eggplant dip and  fattoush and all other salads, as is the haloumi – grilled or fried – but grilled is better – as is the lamb and rice – SERIOUSLY – I could go on for centuries!!!!!!

ADVICE TO READER – go there – get a menu – close your eyes – open the menu – randomly point to a few dishes – wait for them to arrive – eat EVERYTHINGGGGGGGGG and be wowed ’til you can’t be wowed no more (is that even English!?)