The Lebanese Bakery – Covent Garden, London

Ever on the lookout for exciting new eateries in London, one such came to our attention – The Lebanese Bakery (TLB).

This new brand brings the streets of Beirut to Covent Garden, and says its “hope is to create an authentic farm to table experience in the heart of the city by offering our consumers high quality and natural products prepared by our talented and creative team in the most authentic and traditional way”.

We arrived on a late, humid summer’s evening to a relatively small (approximately 30-seater), yet exceptionally clean and hygienic venue decorated with art deco furnishing.

With traditional Lebanese music echoing across its high ceiling and concrete walls, the place was bustling with the intimate chatter of fellow foodies all sat closely together, with our table located directly infront of an open plan kitchen and a charming baking oven.

Exhibiting the unmistakable aroma of freshly baked bread in the form of Manousheh (a traditional Lebanese flat white bread), Kaak (a sweeter variety with sesame seeds) and Moujannet (bite sized baked parcels of various fillings), we were given the option of choosing from a small menu comprising fresh ingredients of vegetables, cheese, meat and fruits.

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Lebanese flat bread, made with classic white dough and baked to order in our traditional brick oven topped with farm fresh products from the Levant.

Muhammarah and Labneh – strained goat yoghurt, spiced roasted red peppers, walnut, pomegranate molasses and cucumber, £6.00

We were all quiet underwhelmed by this, because the only real flavour came from the bread and goat’s cheese – everything else was literally lost. We wouldn’t recommend this.

Hummus and Beetroot – chickpea and tahini spread, roasted beetroot, wild rocket, fresh thyme and toasted pinenuts, £5.00

Extremely nice, with fresh flavors enhanced by the sweet beetroot, peppery rocket and nutty pinenuts.

Lahmeh Bi Ajin – minced beef and lamb, onions, tomatoes and green bell peppers, £6.50

Very average. The minced meat was forgettably normal, simply seasoned, dressed with lemon, and, to be honest, a tad soggy; so we wouldn’t recommend this either.

Ras Asfour – diced beef sirloin, pomegranate, wild rocket and toasted pinenuts, £9.00

Two of the three Lions really enjoyed this. The toppings were very generous, and the sweet juice from the pomegranate seeds crucial in bringing this meal together.

Kafta – spiced ground beef and lamb, cherry tomatoes, pickles and parsley, £6.00

On its own, the meat wasn’t that tasty, as it lacked seasoning. But the parsley certainly helped, with the tomatoes and pickles certainly giving it the necessary kick of flavour it needed. Not bad!

Chicken Djej – marinated chicken breast, lettuce, pickles and garlic spread, £6.50

This Chicken Djej was generally enjoyed. The chicken was sweet and aromatic, while still being juicy despite resting for a good few minutes.

The garlic dressing and pickle marinade really brought out the full flavours with each crunchy bite.

Basterma and Kashkawan – spice cured beef, semi hard sheep’s milk cheese, tomatoes and Lebanese pickles, £9.00

One of the Lions enjoyed this Basterma and Kashkawan the most.

Overall, the meat-to-veg ratio was spot on, the flavours came through brilliantly, and the overall experience quite delightful. Recommended!

Baked Eggs – free range eggs sunny side up, £5.50

Not only did this read good, it actually looked great, smelt gorgeous, and tasted superb!

Piercing the soft yoke of the egg to release its eggy goodness all over the perfectly baked bread and spicy sausage was just mmmmm!

Just be sure to ask for extra black pepper on top to really enhance the flavors; and don’t forget the British long leaf tea cuppa.

Honestly, this could be enjoyed at any time of day. A MUST TRY!

£1 each: Sbenikh – Spinach, onions & sumac; Bakleh – Watercress, onions, pomegranate molasses; Zaytun – Black olives, tomatoes, thyme; Kebbeh – Bulgur croquettes, beef mince, pine nuts; Sambousek – Beef mince, pine nuts, pomegranate molasses; Haleweh – Halva, pistachios; Nutella – Nutella, hazelnuts.

These bite-size parcels appear to be smaller versions of the larger main menu options.

We tried eight of the nine varieties on offer, and to be fair, they each did their job as a light snack, and would go nicely with a drink for lunch, we think.

Akawwi – soft cows milk cheese, £5.00

Of the three options available, we ordered only one before quickly realising we should’ve ordered them all!

This was very tasty indeed! The cheese was soft and melting like mozzarella; and with the sesame seed-layered bread, it was nice enough to have with any drink. Highly recommended!

Halweh and Strawberry – Halva, Strawberry and green pistachios, £4.50

We initially liked biting into the juicy fresh strawberries. But eventually we felt the halva, along with the overall texture in our mouths, becoming a touch chalky and undesirable.

Having said that though, some of you may actually enjoy this, especially with a cold drink.

Banana and Honey – banana, wild honey and toasted almonds, £4.50

All three Lions enjoyed this dessert option the most. Had warm with a cup of tea (or coffee), this was a really satisfying end to an intriguingly enjoyable evening.

Nutella – nutella and toasted hazelnuts, £4.50

An uninspired dessert, which, if you’re nuts about nutella, you’ll like. Otherwise it’s pretty forgettable.

Homemade Yogurt Ayran (left) Homemade Lemonade (right) – £2.75 each

Praise all round for a homemade lemonade drink that wasn’t artificially enhanced with the addition of sugar. Instead, the freshly squeezed lemons assured a refreshingly tangy beverage. The only downside was perhaps its size, being quite a small bottle for £2.75!

Given the smooth creamy texture and salty taste of the Aryan, this too was well received. If you like your Ayran, then this should satisfy you.