Levant Restaurant

P N (7 December 2008)

I took some friends to this restaurant for their fortieth birthdays, and I have to say we didn't have the best time. The atmosphere was busy, too busy, with belly dancers, incense, and a great décor with a loud party feel. On sitting we were told that we could only order from the preset menu at £40 per head, and so we did not really have much of a choice. Secondly, we had three vegetarians and one meat eater, and were initially told we could only have two vegetarian and two meat set meals. After some debate they finally allowed us to have three vegetarian and one meat meal. For £160 we had a few tasty dishes, meze style. All were fresh and well presented, but rather small. The moussaka and lamb main dish were again tasty, but not hot. There was also a rack of desserts, fruits, nuts and mint tea. We also purchased some wine, which was too young and fizzy and asked for this to be changed; the staff seemed rather surprised! At £21 a bottle I would say I expected a good wine.

Overall, the food was great, but grossly over priced and the lack of choice in individual dishes, because they said they were just too busy, is a real con forcing you to spend £40 each. The service was poor, unfriendly and reinforces the idea that this place is set up to make money, and not to provide customer value and service. We had to wait nearly half an hour to get someone’s attention to get the bill; shocking! I personally would not recommend this place.

Sophia Bix (6 February 2007)

I would just like to take the time to warn others against ruining a perfectly good evening by going to the Levant for dinner. I have been a real supporter of the establishment for many years now; I have enjoyed the atmosphere and food. However on Saturday night, I can honestly say that I have never received such poor service. Nor has the music ever been so excruciatingly loud.

Starters were thrown at us as soon as we were in the door, with no smile or explanation of what the different meze dishes were. The food was cold. We then waited another hour and a half for the second course, which was deeply disappointing. We were… during this hour and a half offered no drinks, explanation, apologies or attention. When I politely asked the whereabouts of the second course, I was told that the waiter would go to find out … after hearing nothing more for a further 20 minutes I asked again.

When I asked to speak to the manager, he told me that he had apologised already and that there was a problem in the kitchen. I think that he must have been mistaken as he had not apologised to me. But I can be left with no doubt that if the service at the Levant does not improve he will be doing a lot more apologising in future. At £32 a head, a pricey wine list and bursting ear drum music – please don’t waste your time and money here.

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