tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post9157841181316452230..comments2024-03-18T08:28:22.614+00:00Comments on bellaphon: Abu Zaad, Edgware Roadbellaphonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09659024295552292245noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-19182024278403118362010-02-28T18:14:22.211+00:002010-02-28T18:14:22.211+00:00Eoghan- Thank you for your comments and as well fo...Eoghan- Thank you for your comments and as well for the mention in your review. Great blog BTW!bellaphonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09659024295552292245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-4907974407536782042010-02-25T18:42:01.342+00:002010-02-25T18:42:01.342+00:00Went there the other day - thought it was very goo...Went there the other day - thought it was very good without being outstanding food-wise, but for atmosphere it was perfect. I've written a few words myself, less eloquent than you, but broadly in agreement, do take a look.<br /><br />As for Syrian vs Lebanese, Claudia Roden has always led me to believe that for the most part dishes are pretty similar from country to country, with particualr regional habits and traits for adding certain things to dishes etc. It's never particualrly bothered me whether I'm eating Lebanese, Turkish, Syrian or whatever...although it's nice to know when you're eating a particular regional speciality. But many dishes seem to be universal across the region.eoghanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02408335744825873080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-80407298308301638722010-02-19T09:43:43.688+00:002010-02-19T09:43:43.688+00:00Magic Russki- Thank you for your link and comments...Magic Russki- Thank you for your link and comments. Your blog looks inspiring.bellaphonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09659024295552292245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-78265908313771396982010-02-17T13:04:37.616+00:002010-02-17T13:04:37.616+00:00I agree with the original article's author bel...I agree with the original article's author bellaphon that Abu Zaad's grub is superb. Although they don't serve many a wonderful Levantine home-style dish, what they offer is utterly scrumptious and the desserts are like nothing else.My review of Abu Zaad@Edgware Roadhttp://niftynoshing.blogspot.com/2009/12/abu-zaad-syrian-restaurant-london.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-55128573749340974712010-02-08T21:53:26.006+00:002010-02-08T21:53:26.006+00:00My good Syrian people thank you all for your comme...My good Syrian people thank you all for your comments and I apologise for the delay in acknowledging your comments. Despite the post which for obvious reasons I cannot re-edit, I think it’s more than fair to say that I’ve much to learn about your cuisine. During the past two months I’ve been embracing Persian restaurants and learnt that it’s entirely different to the Lebanese and Turkish offerings. Why…I think because the majority of the uninformed Londoners (like myself) tend to go into restaurants like Abu Zaad and take things for granted and start ordering things like hummus and kebabs. I’m humbled and I shall be more careful in future. Thank you.bellaphonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09659024295552292245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-47094977642331503462010-02-07T11:46:49.603+00:002010-02-07T11:46:49.603+00:00i have to agree with kano, i've grown up knowi...i have to agree with kano, i've grown up knowing that all of the foods served in these lebanese restaurants are syrian, after all syria , lebanon , it was all part of greater syria so it only makes sense that most of it probably did originate in syria, the lebanese are just better at promoting their food, or our food should i sayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-78527970691065379192010-01-28T14:30:19.932+00:002010-01-28T14:30:19.932+00:00Have to agree with zaheer. They served us chickpea...Have to agree with zaheer. They served us chickpeas that had fermented and much of the mains were on the cold side of tepid.chupnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-48403244922086866542010-01-02T17:19:57.610+00:002010-01-02T17:19:57.610+00:00Bellophon,
I was going to comment on "to all ...Bellophon,<br />I was going to comment on "to all intents and purposes I think Lebanese is more accurate" but I see Kano has already beaten me to it. You see I don't think you realise just how intertwined Lebanon and Syria are from a cultural perspective. The cuisine is extremely similar and whilst the Lebanese have definitely been more prominent in the restaurant scene, it would be inaccurate to label grilled meat cubes and kebabs or other dishes as "Lebanese" only, when in fact these are a regional rather than national style of cooking. Thanks for the review, it was very interesting and yes, Abu Zaad has definitely improved greatly over the years.Maysaloonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06826378383173206624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-70887574243683787522009-10-31T07:54:33.152+00:002009-10-31T07:54:33.152+00:00I really dont know what you guys are talking about...I really dont know what you guys are talking about. <br />Im not sure how the food tastes at this one. <br />The First and only experience that I have with ABU ZAAD Edgware road was one of its kind and in one word awful (terrible, pathetic, sad, shocking etc etc) I have been a regular to most of these restaurants in Edgware road and other restaurants in London, the best ones and the not so good ones too. But the STRANGEST thing I came across was here.... Me and 2 friends of mine entered Abu Zaad on Edgware Road and were given a table. We ordered our snack (or meal) which was enough of a bite for 3 of us. The bill would have totalled to around 10 pounds. ( I cant help it if what we ordered only cost us that much). As one of our orders was served we started our dinner but before anything else could be served and much before we could finish half of our first dish, we were rudely and surprisingly asked by one of the staff to order some more dish (to a minimum of 8 pounds per head) if we wished to sit there, that is.....THIS IS BLOODY SHOCKING.....then he asked us to leave if we were not ordering further..... We did not even know how to react to this unreasonable, unexpected inappropriate and inhospitable behaviour of the staff....We just paid our bill and left..... THIS IS BY FAR ONE OF THE MOST PATHETIC EXPERIENCE IVE EVER HAD IN ANY FOOD OUTLET IN THE WORLD....may it be a small time cafe or a 5 star hotel restaurant... SAD!!!! <br />THese guys need to go to SCHOOL BADLY....Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08730487952111823606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-31090790482371539382009-08-12T18:48:13.200+01:002009-08-12T18:48:13.200+01:00Ben- Levantine is the correct description, thanks ...Ben- Levantine is the correct description, thanks for the confirmation on both accounts.bellaphonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09659024295552292245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-40570147102870614642009-08-12T10:43:13.624+01:002009-08-12T10:43:13.624+01:00bellaphon, I visited Syria in 2007 and I can't...bellaphon, I visited Syria in 2007 and I can't say I could tell the difference when I was there. Maybe more rotisserie chicken and brochettes, but I get the feeling Levantine food is pretty similar throughout.<br /><br />Best meal I had was in a place called ar-Raqqa....feast fit for a king, knocked up in one of those cafes that don't seem to have any ingredientsBenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12682376192402326545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-2057540924485259002009-08-08T19:44:26.023+01:002009-08-08T19:44:26.023+01:00Kano- Thank you for commenting. I've been a Lo...Kano- Thank you for commenting. I've been a Londoner for 24 years and I've been going to the Middle Eastern restaurants on Edgware Road for the same length of time as well. To date I've been to all of them be it current, new or extinct! Historically all the restaurants within this context are primarily Lebanese run and owned. All the menus are formulaic and that includes Abu Zaad’s; from the meze like tabbouleh and warak to the grilled meats like shawarma and kafta meshwi. By and large all the restaurants serve basically the same type of food and retain a creditable consistency. If Abu Zaad is truly Syrian as intended, then unfortunately my taste buds can’t tell the difference between its offerings and for argument’s sake, that of the Maroush chain. In London, we have a Chinatown, we have Big Little India in Southall, we have little Istanbul in Stoke Newington and we also have the Vietnamese Pho Mile- but we don’t yet have a Syrian strip, the cuisine offered on Edgware Road is nowt but Lebanese influenced, it's Little Lebanon. <br /><br />I’m not trying to get into a debate, but you’re a surgeon and I’m just a humble retail salesman,; the mind boggles as to why you should be confused in the first place! If there’s an authentic Syrian restaurant in London then do let me know, as I’m all for educating myself on the cuisine of Syria. I digress.bellaphonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09659024295552292245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-61114891812386177292009-08-08T09:51:39.277+01:002009-08-08T09:51:39.277+01:00Hi
I didn't understand on what basis did you ...Hi<br /><br />I didn't understand on what basis did you make this judgement:<br /><br />"Abu Zaad bills itself as a Syrian restaurant, erm…to all intents and purposes I think Lebanese is more accurate"<br /><br />I am a bit confused about your source of knowledge. In you opinion, What is Syrian food? And what makes this one Lebanese rather than Syrian?Kanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07783439471391522137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-78954451251955056042009-08-02T16:42:44.793+01:002009-08-02T16:42:44.793+01:00Of course I don't mind, it would be great to m...Of course I don't mind, it would be great to meet you.Helenhttp://www.helengraves.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-15841436166406240962009-08-01T21:46:40.762+01:002009-08-01T21:46:40.762+01:00Gorgeous Geek- Two comments by default is better t...Gorgeous Geek- Two comments by default is better than nowt :)<br /><br />Gorgeous Legs- Personally, the best way to eat meze is alfresco...our summer has forsaken us!bellaphonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09659024295552292245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-29397407628455162522009-08-01T18:00:49.104+01:002009-08-01T18:00:49.104+01:00The smell of grilled meat is the one thing guarant...The smell of grilled meat is the one thing guaranteed to get you salivating. I Love Turkish places, and after visiting my sister in Abu Dhabi, really got into Lebanese food too. The sheer volume of the mezes was quite daunting.Hollow Legshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07152329184111658897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-38369530408923010912009-08-01T12:55:10.155+01:002009-08-01T12:55:10.155+01:00actually it'e me Gastrogeek (my other half Joe...actually it'e me Gastrogeek (my other half Joe must have signed in- the dangers of sharing a laptop) sorry to have confused you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-17703436297560080072009-07-31T20:39:02.172+01:002009-07-31T20:39:02.172+01:00Joe- thanks for your comments. to be fair it's...Joe- thanks for your comments. to be fair it's not only halal chicken that's AA or 9V, but the Chinese eateries, tourist trap trattorias, so called pukka pies, etc.<br /><br />Dad- Humbug to you too! ;) currently growing a Charlie Chan tash to disguise myself now!<br /><br />Thora- plus Fattoush! Love that as well, especially with sumac.bellaphonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09659024295552292245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-23683539582473078062009-07-31T18:31:58.963+01:002009-07-31T18:31:58.963+01:00Yup, nice book selection. Good idea to post the sn...Yup, nice book selection. Good idea to post the snapshot. And thanks for the reminder: I have a fantastic tabouleh recipe from my ex-father in law and will search for it tonight (ex-husband was born in France and his father in Beirut - he's a great cook).thorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05882155103669920706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-17073689708579486542009-07-31T11:23:08.028+01:002009-07-31T11:23:08.028+01:00Aahhh, now you're talking!!!
Mrs Dad is très...Aahhh, now you're talking!!!<br /> <br />Mrs Dad is très pleased that you are so complimentary about the food from her native land, in particular the line;<br /> <br />"Lebanese food defines and embodies the term Middle Eastern cuisine"<br /> <br />Hold on, what am I saying? If she catches a glimpse of "Handsome Les" now, I'm stuffed!<br /> <br />Humbug.Dadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04598457321071758886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-67923321801136731842009-07-31T10:48:14.163+01:002009-07-31T10:48:14.163+01:00I always had my suspicions about halal chicken bei...I always had my suspicions about halal chicken being of the Panasonic ilk.....I've tried quite a few of the places on Edgeware Road but not Abu Zaad. Nice book selection.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15996705304180079966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-87872235659897682352009-07-30T22:57:57.595+01:002009-07-30T22:57:57.595+01:00Helen- We must meet up soon, I'll dm you at so...Helen- We must meet up soon, I'll dm you at some point (that is if you don't mind!).<br /><br />Siri- My allegiance is with Oxford, however if I'm ever in Cambridge next (which will only mean the second time ever!), I shall consult you first. Thank you.bellaphonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09659024295552292245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-55168940610209616262009-07-30T11:15:48.924+01:002009-07-30T11:15:48.924+01:00I do love those Vintage paperbacks. To me they'...I do love those Vintage paperbacks. To me they're the new Penguin. I just finished I Capture the Castle, Vintage-style, and it was a most pleasurable and pretty reading experience indeed. Oh, and if you're ever in Cambridge and fancy Lebanese, Al-Casbah on Mill Road is the way forward. In a word: Yum.Sirihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08148390457748158642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4701357792339034077.post-33535418889501532312009-07-30T08:21:55.362+01:002009-07-30T08:21:55.362+01:00Well, I adore grilled meats. It is a shame we neve...Well, I adore grilled meats. It is a shame we never dined together. It also appears we have similar taste in books. I remember 'Ways of Seeing' changed my life when I was a teenager.Helenhttp://www.helengraves.co.uknoreply@blogger.com