Rossouws Restaurants

It’s Lebanese as you’ll have guessed, and it certainly outperforms the other option, down Rivonia Road, Sheik’s Palace. That’s because it’s a less done up to be an ethnic curiosity and play to the crowds, simply its a restaurant run by Lebanese with like food. One room, simple in tiles and good chairs, with cheesy waterfeature/disco lights being a step into the eccentric, as is the flat screen TV that’s a must if you’re going to attract the men who sit and drink coffee crowd. There’s also a cafe next door for quick meals.

All food is visually presented… lucky, ’cause the titles give little away. The mezze starters were great, fresh and tasty, packed with real flavours; tried the dips like hummus and imam bayildi, also stuffed vine leaves and cabbage leaves, fried kibbeh, fattoush. The the mains were less exciting, but got the job done, mainly kebabs and grills. Avoid the fried veg (and the chips are poor).

Some Lebanese wines which make a welcome point of difference, the Ksara Le Prieure was great but pricy, while switching to local wines leaves you in co-op cheapie land. Mainly what’s attractive is the authenticity of the place in a city where the colour of the food is often drained out by slickness, fancy decor and formulaic menus.