Featured Listing

Independent Phoenix Trader ID 20059
Quality Greeting Cards and Gift Wrap direct to your door.
 

Local Offers Menu

View All Local Offers

Login

Who's Online

No users online
Guests: 3

Services & Legal

Advertising
Need a Website?
Site Statistics
Newsdesk
News Archives
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Sitemap
Contact Us

Bookmark Us

 
spacer
Home arrow Business Directory arrow El Shaam 
Hounslow Online | Business Directory

El Shaam

50 Hanworth Road

Hounslow

Middlesex

TW3 1UF

Phone: 020 8570 0570
Category : MIDDLE EASTERN Restaurants in Hounslow,
Hits : 171
Date added: 8.5.2008
Last Update : 2008-05-21 14:28:54

Description

Gallery

Latest Offers & Promotions

User reviews

Average user rating from: 2 user(s)

Overall rating (weighted)
5.5
Food/Drink
4.0
Service
4.0
Hygiene/Decor
5.0
Prices
9.0
 

Add new review


Add new review
Your name:*

Your email address (it will not be published):*

Review title:


Ratings (the higher the better)
Food/Drink   more info
Service   more info
Hygiene/Decor   more info
Prices   more info

Comments:


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Very disappointing, Monday, 18 August 2008

Written by Faisal

Overall rating (weighted)
3.5
Food/Drink
1.0
Service
2.0
Hygiene/Decor
1.0
Prices
10.0
Ladies toilet - toilet broken and no lock on the door

Most of the food ordered was canned and the meats appeared to be refried /grilled several times. The lamb chops were still raw near the bone.

The waiters appeared unconcerned with our remarks or their own personal hygiene.

The prices were a lot more expensive compared to top Lebanese restaurants in London.
Was this review helpful to you? yes     no

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

PaulyPaul
More cafe than restaurant but enjoyable, Monday, 24 September 2007

Written by PaulyPaul   -  View all my reviews  - #1 Reviewer

Overall rating (weighted)
7.5
Food/Drink
7.0
Service
6.0
Hygiene/Decor
9.0
Prices
8.0
After the Rifleman pub had closed down I awaited with interest to see what would take its place and once I realised that El Shaam would be serving up Lebanese Cuisine I was very intrigued and interested to give it a try. They say because of the French influence in Lebanon the food is a cross between French and Middle Eastern which makes an interesting combination.

El Shaam is smartly decorated on the outside and likewise inside. The fixtures and fittings give a middle eastern impression but my immediate thought was the bright lighting made it more of a less formal cafe style eaterie.

We were greeted by the smartly dressed and friendly staff and taken to a table. One thing I think they can improve on is to take a drinks order when the menus are handed out. They didn't do this until the food order was made and I think it's nice to sip on a drink whilst browsing.

By the way El Shaam do not serve any alcoholic drinks and I guess that is to observe the owner's Islamic beliefs and it wasn't a problem for us on that night. However it could be for other non-muslims who might turn down the chance to eat there because they wanted a glass of wine or beer with their meal.

The layout is quite unusual and I think this might get changed in the months ahead as the diners tables are down the left hand side of the building to the rear and there are none in the front by the windows etc. As you walk in there is a comfortable looking sofa/cushioned area with a large LCD TV showing arabic tv and music.

When we visited the area was occupied by a private group who seemed to be friends of the owner. I assume it can be booked or used on a first come first serve basis. I think it would be better to have more diners tables at the front and put the sofa/cushioned area to the rear or to the right as you enter.

My only gripe was when an arabic soap opera came on and volume was turned up which confirmed to me this is more like a cafe then a restaurant. My wife didn't mind it so much and I guess unless you speak arabic its not so disturbing but I felt just having music playing would have better suited the atmosphere.

For starters we ordered two hot starters, a Batata Harra (cubes of potato with corriander, garlic, sweet pepper and chilli topped with fried vegetables - £2.25) and a portion of Halloumi cheese (£2.25) which was the menu said was grilled but seemed to have been fried. It was still very tasty but we love grilled halloumi cheese and it has a different texture to what we received which was crispier as if it had been in a fryer. Both were polished off in no time!

We were apparently meant to receive a portion of pitta bread with the starters but this didn't appear and I can only assume the staff forgot.

For mains I had grilled Lamb Cubes (£7) and a portion of white rice and my wife went for the Karoof Mahshi (Braised shank of lamb served with special herb seasoned rice - £8.25). Mine was as expected although the serving of rice came after a short delay but my wife's was not as she expected. I guess that's because she thought a shank of lamb would come on the bone but this one was already stripped and it was served on top of rather than with the seasoned rice.

Nevertheless she thoroughly enjoyed it (and I mine!) but the owners may want to be sure that the menu accurately describes what's presented otherwise less tolerant customers could prove more awkward.

Before ending we were give four portions of baklava for free which is basically a very sweet pastry usually topped with ground pistachio or other nuts. Very nice indeed and were left satisfied and full!

We might try El Shaam again but maybe not as a restaurant night out because it really isn't that. I think it's best market is for a more casual and relaxed cafe eating experience and if the management iron out the few service/menu issues, do a rejig of the layout, dim the lighting a bit and maybe get a alcohol licence it should have a successful future in Hounslow.
Was this review helpful to you? yes     no
Date added: 2008-05-08 10:19:32    Hits: 171
Powered by Sigsiu.NET RSS Feeds
[ Back ]


Latest Listings

Latest Reviews

1. Honey Moon (1.0) zee
2. Khan Chacha (9.0) zee
3. Bunny's Tandoori (8.0) Anonymous
4. Le Cedre Du Liban (9.0) Dorian
5. African Queen (8.5) Alex

Highest Rated Listings

1. Urban Spice - by Mohans (6.9)
2. Le Cedre Du Liban (9.2)
3. African Queen (5.8)

Lowest Rated Listing

1. Honey Moon (1.6)

© 2008 Hounslow Online
Generated in 1.93498 Seconds