An attractive, spacious and comfortable restaurant serves tasty and hearty Lebanese food but unfortunately comes with a very poor service. We did not notice it immediately though, as we did get some sort of service to start with before it faded away.
Not quite familiar with Lebanese food, we felt making an order quite challenging. Unfortunately we were not in the brave mood to try things out. So we went for safe choices such as Hommos Beiruty, Sauteed Mushroom, Mekanek (Lamb sausages) and Farruje Musahab (Grilled boneless baby chicken). All of those we enjoyed with a bottle of Laurent Perrier Rose. Yummy!
There was nothing we can fault about the food we had at Al Hamra, there were all delicious and well presented. Not exactly a healthy choice but comforting. But the service was truly and utterly poor. Once the waiter opened the champagne and served first glass, nobody comes back to refill it, so we had to help ourselves. When we told them we have done with the meal, one waiter came to clear few plates and left the rest until we actually left the restaurant. We were not the only customers who got disappointed by the service. During the period of less than two hours while we were having our meal, we noticed the staff actually turned away seven customers! The staff forgot to put the order into the system of two customers who sat next to us and offered no apology when they decided to leave. Then a small group of three people left unattended at the entrance while the staff busy chatting with each other. And a couple sat down, read the menu and ready to order but nobody came around to take it.
We could not stand anymore ignorance, we asked for the bill. That magically arrived very quick. On the bill stated that service charge is not included and we happened not to have an exact amount to pay so we paid more and expecting a change. We were amazed that the staff still had a cheek to keep the change without our consent and after all that poor service.
We would not recommend this restaurant to anybody who expects a good time dining and enjoy a friendly service. But it will do for a quick meal. You decide...
Al Hamra Lebanese Restaurant
31-33 Shepherd Market Mayfair, London W1J 7PT
Phone: +44 20 7493 1954
Website: http://www.alhamrarestaurant.co.uk/Total.html
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