Try "Hiba" (231 High Holborn). Never been disappointed. You need to have it with a proper pot of mint tea and a glass. Mixed grill is recommended if you're hungy. Always full of Middle Eastern and French people (a v good sign).
I think you would find that the reason the rice is plain is because middle eastern countries eat by hand,so you mix a bit of meat,fish,or vegetables into the rice,make a sort of ball ,and pop into the mouth,a tasty way to eat.In Indian homes the rice is plain most of the time,pilau sometimes,but that just gets cooked in ghee with a couple of spices,or Biriani,which is a whole meal in itself,no mushroom,or lemon rice in an Indian household.Chetna who is a UA-cam person,and won the Christmas addition of the great British baking show is reviewing Indian restaurants in London at the moment,some are very interesting,you might like to check out her channel,and visit some of the restaurants,I know if I was in the UK, I would like to try some of them.
Good call on that YT channel, thanks. Hindi film music? I've tried to explain home cooking is nothing like restaurant food with Anglified Indian food, I never have rice as I prefer roti and potato... Interesting fact...rice in Chinese food is for the end of the meal to fill you up.
I make a point of avoiding restaurants that automatically add a service charge. End of. I remember visiting one French chain restaurant called 'Chez Gerard' near Waterloo station about 15 years ago and the waiter went ballistic when I said I wanted the charge removed. Not surprisingly, the chain didn't last long.
Another enjoyable video Darren, however I could never go into a restaurant if I was the ony person in it-I'm glad you asked for the service charge to be taken off! BTW-could you please do an indian challenge with the-Phaal challenge in Kent-Maidstone at the Mughal Dynasty please?? 🙏🏻
Recommendation for somewhere West London. Griffin Pub in Brentford. Michelin Star food at pub food prices. You won’t be disappointed. The Haggis Samosas are OTC
Mixed grill? Mixed review DJ. Overall a good plate of food. Such a shame about the waiter and service and I honestly do think you could get that kind of service anywhere! I think if I remember rightly you didn’t get great service in the Ivy once, kind of ignored for a while before being served I’m sure that was one of your earlier vids so good for you for honestly reviewing the actual food regardless of service. Honest as always DJ. Til the next one! 💜🏎️🍚🥗🌯
Darren I think the service thing is just a symptom of the modern age unfortunately. I always make a point of saying hello to a cashier when in a supermarket, sometimes you get a response other times its like they are looking right through you. My local petrol station with a mini Waitrose is by far the worst. If you pay by chip and pin they dont even say "thats all gone through" or "bye" Food looked amazing by the way which makes it even worse that the poor service spoiled it.
You're not the target clientelle, I guess, esp as it's Edgeware Road. You want to try Efes for Turkish on the end of Bricklane or go further into Turkish territory a restaurant called Diyarbakir Kitchen in Green Lanes. Persian food is also a good try, especially for different flavours. My in-laws always soak chicken in lemon water overnight.
That did look tasty however we have many Lebanese restaurants in cyprus where we live. The true experience which we have with friends is a traditional Lebanese meze is 10 small plates to experience all the flavors. Lebanese is unique and very flavorsome. Great vlog.
You could have the best food in the world but, if the service is crap, I wouldn’t want to eat there. You would think they would have a no phone policy when working. The obsession people have with phones these days is unhealthy.
That food looked delicious - we had Lebanese for the first time in Newcastle last week so will be looking to try it again. Shame about the service, seems like it was just the one server? Will definitely research Edgeware Road 👍
I thought you were in Blackpool at first at an amusement arcade, interior is horrid, food looked ok but price a little on the high side. Appreciate and enjoy all your vlogs DJ, gives us an insight into areas we may never venture. Staff were aweful, I would have walked out of there in the first instance after being ignored. My guess is they were of a younger generation.
The meat looked fantastic, wasn't so sure about the rest on the plate. Service was definitely a letdown. Have you tried a Persian, great restaurant in Harrow. Will have to look up to see if it is still there or not. Hope all is well, take care
Looked like a blinding bit of food, but definitely a shame about the service. I'm sure the management would love to know that the staff dgaf. I ate at the Lebanese place on the next corner down from the Vic all the time back in the day. Looked and it is now 'Al Arez', but not sure if it's the same staff.
The food looked good but shame about the service. Thats good that you made them remove the service charge. At the very least they should have been attentive and polite especially seeing as you were the only one in there. Oh well. You win some, you lose some. Its all about the journey. 😁💙
Sorry you had such disappointing service, even if the food is good the negative can sometimes be more remembered than the positive. It is very annoying when someone sees their phone as more important than doing their job.. The food did look good though. Shame the rice didn’t have any flavour/ seasoning.
No thanks Dj, place looks like a bazaar. Unfortunately, whilst we have some great restaurants in Harare, some of the service is utterly abysmal, name and shame is the name of the game. 🇿🇼
Rotten bling! Looks 2 over the top! Typical of these people. The Rudest staff! I would have asked about the service charge as well Darren. Maybe they don’t like the British! 🤷♂️🤷♂️ you never know do you!
That did look really nice,just go a bit further towards Kilburn,and there is a really great place called Ekin just off Kilburn High Road believe me it’s so good.🥰
@@mikekaraoke the video is literally called "a let down". In my experience, anything less than 4 is not worth trying, as proven by his last few videos.
I think i would have done an about turn! They would have lost my custom right out the gate...If someone can't even be welcoming and friendly! As it does set up the initial vibe! Some People's ignorance is actually astounding! Complimentary Drink and apology...For Someone actually pointing out...That you were waiting! Potentially you may have returned...To try something else! Can tell with that...And inclusion of the service charge! That Door is shut!
From your neck of the woods, you should jumped on the Elizabeth Line to Paddington and walked up Edgware Road DJ. Doesn’t take too long doing that route. All those restaurants are usually packed out. It’s Ramadan at the moment so it will be very quiet until after sunset, then you won’t be able to move in all those restaurants.
What has ramadan to do with the service towards the client?? When they don,t want to spend energy to serve their clients,they should be closed during the daylight hours.
@@kazzam8514 so that it was quite they don,t have to do a good service to the customer in your eyes?? Well for your information, everyday there will be comming in a client who is first after just opening. When they do give a service like that they will still have the first cliënt at 18 o,clock. Because they others will go walk away or don t go in there at all. Because bad reputation goes faster than good reputation. And although the food was looking very nice,the bad reputation of the service will keep some clients away. You don,t get good clients,you earn good clients with 2 things:Good Food and Good Service.Andcyou will need to work on that everyday as a bar or restaurant owner.
I fully agree with you, down in teneriffe the area you love we were paying service charger but also tipping, i feel if the service im getting is excellent i give a tip but we didnt realise that charges were already being deducted so after a mistake and checking a bill we no longer tip and thats a shame because some of the staff in the restaurants go out of their way to make it a nice experience for you.
Some great lebanese places esp in north london. Way better than that one darren. Sadly though more and more staff in the service sector esp in london have no manners.
If I took my son there we would have to leave or the flashing lights would give him a migraine. It looks more like an amusement arcade. Why not put some of the sauce on the rice if you thought it was bland ? I will usually tip but I don't want it forced on me and called a service charge. It just rubs people the wrong way.
First impressions normally set the tone and I think you should have turned away. Shame because lebanese food is amazing ❤ as always buddy Ps it looks like the inside of a fruit machine lol
He was cheeky them kind of people just think about their own pockets
Imagine whole streets of English take aways and restaurants in Iraq........? There isn't, I've been there.😟
I think you did enough damage in Iraq for a decade or so. No need to rub salt in the wound by opening English restaurants there.
I know it's not a comparison , but 50 year's ago i had the best Chinese ever, on Euston Rd. Sadly it no longer exist. Still got the memories though
Disgraceful service or rather lack of it . Ramadan or not . Great video Darren 👍🏼
The food looked pretty descent, but not OTC. With service like that I wouldn't go back.
Try "Hiba" (231 High Holborn). Never been disappointed. You need to have it with a proper pot of mint tea and a glass. Mixed grill is recommended if you're hungy. Always full of Middle Eastern and French people (a v good sign).
I think you would find that the reason the rice is plain is because middle eastern countries eat by hand,so you mix a bit of meat,fish,or vegetables into the rice,make a sort of ball ,and pop into the mouth,a tasty way to eat.In Indian homes the rice is plain most of the time,pilau sometimes,but that just gets cooked in ghee with a couple of spices,or Biriani,which is a whole meal in itself,no mushroom,or lemon rice in an Indian household.Chetna who is a UA-cam person,and won the Christmas addition of the great British baking show is reviewing Indian restaurants in London at the moment,some are very interesting,you might like to check out her channel,and visit some of the restaurants,I know if I was in the UK, I would like to try some of them.
Good call on that YT channel, thanks. Hindi film music? I've tried to explain home cooking is nothing like restaurant food with Anglified Indian food, I never have rice as I prefer roti and potato... Interesting fact...rice in Chinese food is for the end of the meal to fill you up.
Looks like you fell in a genie bottle.
The sausages and mash in your intro gets me every time!
Great that you finally made it to Vegas :)
I make a point of avoiding restaurants that automatically add a service charge. End of. I remember visiting one French chain restaurant called 'Chez Gerard' near Waterloo station about 15 years ago and the waiter went ballistic when I said I wanted the charge removed. Not surprisingly, the chain didn't last long.
Another enjoyable video Darren, however I could never go into a restaurant if I was the ony person in it-I'm glad you asked for the service charge to be taken off!
BTW-could you please do an indian challenge with the-Phaal challenge in Kent-Maidstone at the Mughal Dynasty please?? 🙏🏻
Indian music on a Lebanese? And then there's folks complaining about the flag on England's latest kit 😅
A place that size wouldn't still be open if it was always empty the food looked amazing as always Darren ❤❤
DARREN IF YOU WANT A PIE AND MASH ON THE PORTOBELLO ROAD ITS ON ME
Enjoying all your content from new york
Awesome! Thank you!
They shouldn't charge you for bringing your food or drinks it's day light robbery!!!!!!
Rude Middle Eastern staff?? Surely not!!! 😱
Recommendation for somewhere West London. Griffin Pub in Brentford. Michelin Star food at pub food prices. You won’t be disappointed. The Haggis Samosas are OTC
That establishment is Egyptian not Lebanese and the food is mediocre...
Interesting.
Mixed grill? Mixed review DJ. Overall a good plate of food. Such a shame about the waiter and service and I honestly do think you could get that kind of service anywhere! I think if I remember rightly you didn’t get great service in the Ivy once, kind of ignored for a while before being served I’m sure that was one of your earlier vids so good for you for honestly reviewing the actual food regardless of service. Honest as always DJ. Til the next one! 💜🏎️🍚🥗🌯
Video shot beautifully Dazza, I liked the food look too. I always ask myself would i flavor the rice, I don’t the cuisine well enough 😮
It’s Ramadan that’s why a lot of restaurants are closed.
Not doing very well recently Darren. 😬
Darren I think the service thing is just a symptom of the modern age unfortunately. I always make a point of saying hello to a cashier when in a supermarket, sometimes you get a response other times its like they are looking right through you. My local petrol station with a mini Waitrose is by far the worst. If you pay by chip and pin they dont even say "thats all gone through" or "bye"
Food looked amazing by the way which makes it even worse that the poor service spoiled it.
Needed your shades on in there!Thought you’d wandered into an amusement arcade.
Lol. I just made the same comment.
You're not the target clientelle, I guess, esp as it's Edgeware Road. You want to try Efes for Turkish on the end of Bricklane or go further into Turkish territory a restaurant called Diyarbakir Kitchen in Green Lanes. Persian food is also a good try, especially for different flavours. My in-laws always soak chicken in lemon water overnight.
Wouldn't have ate there the decor was a warning ❤
Looks more like an amusement arcade
That did look tasty however we have many Lebanese restaurants in cyprus where we live. The true experience which we have with friends is a traditional Lebanese meze is 10 small plates to experience all the flavors. Lebanese is unique and very flavorsome. Great vlog.
Hi DJ food looked delicious 😋. X
Good vid. Maybe do some hotel reviews too like with walk with Tim, he does food and place reviews. Maybe for your other channel :)
I have done several, but I dont get the views he does - he stays at £1500 a night hotels and gets 3 - 5k for the video. Not a bad life is it
Can't beat a mix grill platter, get those vegetables and salad in you , balances the luxuries in life 😅😊
That looked and sounded great ,love Lebanese food and wine . Chateau Masur terrific . 🎉
You could have the best food in the world but, if the service is crap, I wouldn’t want to eat there.
You would think they would have a no phone policy when working. The obsession people have with phones these days is unhealthy.
Agreed
I got tomato on that, how dare me ?! 😂😂 such a cute comment, food looks banging my Mr Hollywood 😊❤❤🎉
A lot of the English Locals call Edgware Road Little Saudi coz of all them sort of restaurants and shops
That food looked delicious - we had Lebanese for the first time in Newcastle last week so will be looking to try it again. Shame about the service, seems like it was just the one server? Will definitely research Edgeware Road 👍
Real shame that you felt the service let down your experience! If that happened to me I would not go back there is no excuse!
Another great video . But customer care doesn’t exist.
Too bad, never tried Lebanese myself.
I thought you were in Blackpool at first at an amusement arcade, interior is horrid, food looked ok but price a little on the high side. Appreciate and enjoy all your vlogs DJ, gives us an insight into areas we may never venture. Staff were aweful, I would have walked out of there in the first instance after being ignored. My guess is they were of a younger generation.
Hi Darren nice blog you should gone in on daisy got there attention then nice food better than maccys 👌❤😅
The meat looked fantastic, wasn't so sure about the rest on the plate. Service was definitely a letdown. Have you tried a Persian, great restaurant in Harrow. Will have to look up to see if it is still there or not. Hope all is well, take care
I thought you were in Las Vegas 🤭The looked yummy but the servers let you down ☹️Thanks DJ 👍
Probably empty because it's more like a Disco with their flashing lights.
Awful!
Plus apparently it's 1* Hygiene rating 😮
Stick to full english breakfast with your homemade burnt bubble and sausages
I'd suggest trying in the evening being Ramadan and all that..Might have had a better experience.
That place looks more like an amusement arcade.. ye I mean its a trial n error sometimes brother but great vlog good sir ❤
Looked like a blinding bit of food, but definitely a shame about the service. I'm sure the management would love to know that the staff dgaf.
I ate at the Lebanese place on the next corner down from the Vic all the time back in the day. Looked and it is now 'Al Arez', but not sure if it's the same staff.
Well said at end of
Food is Lebanese, although I think the owner/staff are Egyptian
The food looked good but shame about the service. Thats good that you made them remove the service charge. At the very least they should have been attentive and polite especially seeing as you were the only one in there. Oh well. You win some, you lose some. Its all about the journey. 😁💙
Dining in a disco…not for me
Sorry you had such disappointing service, even if the food is good the negative can sometimes be more remembered than the positive. It is very annoying when someone sees their phone as more important than doing their job.. The food did look good though. Shame the rice didn’t have any flavour/ seasoning.
Bad service is never acceptable, Darren.
Still, interesting video...👍
No thanks Dj, place looks like a bazaar. Unfortunately, whilst we have some great restaurants in Harare, some of the service is utterly abysmal, name and shame is the name of the game. 🇿🇼
Should never be serviced charge anywhere, that's there job to serve you !!! If I ever see a service charge at a restaurant I never go inside ,
Nice plate 🍽 of food there.
Get that salad 🥗 down ya! 😄
Lizzie 👌🤗🥰
edgware road is a shadow of what it used to be
There electricity bill must be astronomical DJ unless they're abstracting.
Or cleaning
As I said naama on the Uxbridge rd Darren 🙏🏼
Maroush for off the charts Lebanese food! They have a few branches in London
Jesus...its nothing special at all .Might have been good in the 90's !
I couldn't eat in there as it looks like the inside of a giant fruit machine😳
You eat in a london restaurant bad or good you're screwed.
😊one thing good music 🎶 dj 😊and brilliant food but let down by.😮staff what shame dj
Rotten bling! Looks 2 over the top! Typical of these people. The Rudest staff! I would have asked about the service charge as well Darren. Maybe they don’t like the British! 🤷♂️🤷♂️ you never know do you!
Darren John as authentic as the Lebanese food he was let down by in an Egyptian restaurant 👏🏼👍🏼
Wow,super schön!🌞👍
weird guy after listening to the podcast on reply he hasnt even bothered to make a correction
That did look really nice,just go a bit further towards Kilburn,and there is a really great place called Ekin just off Kilburn High Road believe me it’s so good.🥰
Darren, a 10 second look on Google Maps says it’s 3.5/5, why would you even give places like this a go? It was guaranteed to be a terrible experience
I was there
How is a 3.5 out of 5 guaranted to be terrible, so ou meant 3.5 out of 10??
Also that is just google maps opinion!
+ Darren really liked the meat!
@@mikekaraoke no, I mean out of 5 from Google. It's pretty reliable. Can you find an example of something that is 3.5/5 that is decent?
@@mikekaraoke the video is literally called "a let down". In my experience, anything less than 4 is not worth trying, as proven by his last few videos.
You were supposed to receive Majaddara - rice with lentils and fried onions. Plain white rice isn’t Lebanese way to serve such dishes.
I think i would have done an about turn! They would have lost my custom right out the gate...If someone can't even be welcoming and friendly! As it does set up the initial vibe! Some People's ignorance is actually astounding! Complimentary Drink and apology...For Someone actually pointing out...That you were waiting! Potentially you may have returned...To try something else! Can tell with that...And inclusion of the service charge! That Door is shut!
From your neck of the woods, you should jumped on the Elizabeth Line to Paddington and walked up Edgware Road DJ. Doesn’t take too long doing that route.
All those restaurants are usually packed out. It’s Ramadan at the moment so it will be very quiet until after sunset, then you won’t be able to move in all those restaurants.
What has ramadan to do with the service towards the client?? When they don,t want to spend energy to serve their clients,they should be closed during the daylight hours.
I think if you read my comment I only mentioned Ramadan as a possible reason why the restaurant was quiet, not why the service was poor
@@kazzam8514 so that it was quite they don,t have to do a good service to the customer in your eyes?? Well for your information, everyday there will be comming in a client who is first after just opening. When they do give a service like that they will still have the first cliënt at 18 o,clock. Because they others will go walk away or don t go in there at all. Because bad reputation goes faster than good reputation. And although the food was looking very nice,the bad reputation of the service will keep some clients away. You don,t get good clients,you earn good clients with 2 things:Good Food and Good Service.Andcyou will need to work on that everyday as a bar or restaurant owner.
It looks like you're sitting in an amusement arcade with all them lights.in the caption it says, Lebanese let down don't understand.
Hello, DJ. That looked great. I bet you could make that at home with all your spices. Yes?
😊😊
Food looked good DJ man
Salads good for you . All looked really nice Darren .great review❤👍😜🙏🏼
I fully agree with you, down in teneriffe the area you love we were paying service charger but also tipping, i feel if the service im getting is excellent i give a tip but we didnt realise that charges were already being deducted so after a mistake and checking a bill we no longer tip and thats a shame because some of the staff in the restaurants go out of their way to make it a nice experience for you.
Hi Darren. It did look lovely. Something different. Happy weekend. 🥰☀️🥰xxx
You too June
@@DJsFoodTravels Thankyou 🥰
If this was Lebanese, I’m emperor of China! I know, I’m not…
Some great lebanese places esp in north london. Way better than that one darren. Sadly though more and more staff in the service sector esp in london have no manners.
Food Standard HYGIENE Rating 1*....cash only ? Rude Iranian staff !
Darren should check food hygiene rating before reviewing.
If I took my son there we would have to leave or the flashing lights would give him a migraine. It looks more like an amusement arcade. Why not put some of the sauce on the rice if you thought it was bland ? I will usually tip but I don't want it forced on me and called a service charge. It just rubs people the wrong way.
keep er lit DJ
Such a lovely setting Darren - Is the emptiness due to Ramadan ? I am sure it will be 100% booked after a certain time. No Belly Dancers? Shame
I love Lebanese food just don't have it in my part ov uk, surprised you didn't get more bread and salad should be tabule which i will have spelt wrong
Well you seemed to enjoy that meal.
Your point is?
@@DJsFoodTravels No point DJ. I’m just commenting that you enjoyed the meal.🍽🍽 The meat looked really good.
Salad looks tired already. Best used to be Beirut Express opposite,sadly gone.Great review as always DJ.
All that glitters is not gold DJ
Darran you love the spice and eat the curries get yourself to indie to experience the real deal
No no way for me but a good review 👌💯👍
DJ, I usually have Lebanese in Edgware Road, I'm never disappointed, the restaurant I usually go to is al arez
You will never understand their nature pal and we don't have to . Don't be hard on yourself it's not you who as the problem
Hubbly bubbly pipe central DJ.
Cash is King.
Confused, what was the let down ? You devoured it apart from the rice which you could have added one of the sauces to.
Did you watch the video Valerie?
First impressions normally set the tone and I think you should have turned away. Shame because lebanese food is amazing ❤ as always buddy
Ps it looks like the inside of a fruit machine lol
😂😂😂
Beirut Cafe is the best on this road