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Monday, June 13, 2011
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Little Lebanon, Literally
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Noura, Picadilly
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Rating
2
/ 5
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Noura opened on 22nd August 2004 on the corner of Jermyn Street and Regent Street. Noura Central is London's award-winning dining Middle Eastern food. Well, Lebanese particularly. And this is my principle take home. Are awards the wost thing that can happen to a restaurant. Like Hakkasan, which has done everything to hold on to its Michelin star, Noura has kept up the pace where the food and its flavours are concerned. But on the ground realities do translate into experience and there the awards sometimes are more than a mid level chain can handle. Noura's locations vary and the Picadilly restaurant is extremely touristy in clientele. For such a mix, staff needs to be patient and approachable. This is where Noura falls from grace, The staff is frosty and unfriendly. Even after a party of six is paying over a 100 quid a couple. The wine list was acceptable and was served with a mixed feeling of reproach and reserve. You get the impression that they are waiting for a Texas Fat Cat or someone living on the fringes of celebrity. Which is just a sad way to live.
The space is what you want it to be. Formal or more family oriented which, given its location is a good thing. The Grilled Lamb, Salmon and Baklava are all good. Start with the standard hummus to see how it is really done. In the words of Jerry Seinfel, ‘God bless the Chickpea'. The Noura Menu is a good value meal at 36 pounds, and the rose water ice cream is interesting and the 3 different salads we tried were all good.
The portions are however more than a bit small, which is off-putting in a pricey place like Noura. If I had to sum up the place in three words however, at the risk of sounding like the Queen of Hearts, the words would be "Entirely New Staff!"
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Noura, Picadilly
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Address :
Piccadilly London SW1Y 4UJ.
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Rating :
2
/ 5
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Recomendations :
Rose Water Ice Cream, Grilled Lamb, Baklava
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Atmosphere :
Touristy, formal and less so in different sections
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Service :
Frosty, unfriendly
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Decibel :
Quiet
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Price Range :
£100 for 2 People
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Reservations :
Recommended
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Child friendliness :
Not very is the feeling you get if you do take a child along.
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User Rating:
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TBG Rating:
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