Next up was the Fatoush salad, a mouth-watering blend of diced cucumbers, chunks of tomatoes, tri-colored bell peppers, shredded red onion and lettuce. Tossed with fried breadcrumb and well-seasoned with sumac, it was accompanied by Lebanese herbs and fresh parsley. Next the falafal, a fried chickpea and fava bean croquette served with sour tahini yoghurt and parsley sauce. The croquettes were crispy on the outside, while enticingly soft on the inside – a great accompaniment to the hummus.
Leading the next set of dishes was the samke harra – fish fillets in a creamy reddish tahini sauce topped with pine nuts. The fish was succulent, while the sauce was sumptuous, full of spices with a surprising sour twist. The chicken elmina, another specialty, came with white juicy diced chicken and finely chopped white onions, all in a green minty sauce – sweet and refreshing.
Next was another Lebanese staple – lamb kebabs, delightfully presented on metal skewers over fried pita bread, garnished with sautéd red onion and diced tri-colour peppers. The lamb, served with a red garlic paste was tender and grilled to perfection. A superb finale to the main course.
For the perfect end to an absolutely sumptuous meal, what could be more satisfying than Date Finger – a base layer of crunchy biscuit and coconut mixture with a top layer of chewy mashed dates and sliced nuts? It was true heaven on a plate.
The Lebanese ice-cream then proved to be a favourite-in-waiting – white in color, rich and creamy to taste and wonderfully mixed and topped with chopped green pistachios. We also had the welcome opportunity to sample the Baklava, a popular traditional dessert that can also be found in many Turkish and Greek restaurants. Essentially it’s a fine selection of nuts that are set between crispy layers of sweet filo pastry, all held together with honey. This truly sinful indulgence is somewhat similar to a strudel. Except nuttier.
After this round of sensational sweetness, the Lebanese coffee and mint tea proved truly rejuvenating palate cleansers. Served in quaint little Lebanese glasses, the mint tea was particularly refreshing.
Zahrabel is a second generation family-run establishment, with the two sisters who now own it – Nadia and Nysreen – famous for their hospitality. Many of the resturant’s finest dishes are made to traditional family recipes – all of which require the freshest of ingredients.
Overall, the service was attentive and, as the restaurant wasn’t overly full, our experience felt both relaxed and exclusive. The best part about Zahrabel, though, is that you can stay as long as you like, never being rushed to leave as soon as you finish your meal.
Currently, Zahrabel is open for dinner Tuesdays to Saturdays. From Tuesday to Thursday, there is an a-la carte option in addition to the normal set menu. On Fridays and Saturdays only the set menu is available. These range from a choice of six (Setteh), eight (Thamaniah) or 10 (Ashra) dishes and are priced at $390, $490 and $540 respectively.
Zahrabel
Address: 25/F 235-239 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Reservation: 2838 4597
Food: 8/10
Drinks: 7/10
Ambience: 8/10