Editor Pick
A Taste of the Lebanon in Downtown Warsaw
- May 31, 2009
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Praskipark from Warsaw, Poland
I want to take you to a restaurant that without any doubt is my favourite in the city of Warsaw. However, it does not serve Polish cuisine but Lebanese. This restaurant is located next door to the Praski Hotel (see my review). It is in down town Praga , a district of Warsaw that was run down but is now turning a little Bohemian.
Le Cedre is just over the bridge from the Old Town, past the first set of traffic lights by the river on Solidarnosci Avenue. No 61 to be precise. You can catch a tram or a bus from the city centre or even walk from the Old Town. When you step into this restaurant you are immediately transported into the Middle East. The recently re-furbished decor is enchanting giving the whole restauarant an oriental ambience. You could be in Damascus not in Warsaw as the soft rustic colours of the walls, soft furnishings in silks and tapestries, traditional music and water pipes invite you into this spacious den of exoticism.
Warsaw in past years has a had a problem with middle eastern cuisine. Apart from the kebab shops and booths selling kebabs there wasn't a real oriental restaurant where you could have a dinner party or just a romantic evening for two where you could relax and enjoy a meal of exotic cuisine served in an authentic establishment. The last 3 years has seen great changes in this city and you will generally find restaurants of all nationalities, traditions and tastes. For me Le Cedre is the best, a little expensive but the quality of food, ambience and authenticity cannot be beaten.
Decor
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As mentioned above the restaurant has had a brand new face lift. Both the owner and chef are from the Lebanon so naturally the decor depicts scenes from the country. The interior is literally like stepping into a luxurious Arabian tent. Lebanon was the trading centre of the Phoenician Coast in ancient times and the painting of an old Lebanese map on the wall illustates this point. Complete with lanterns, silky drapes, tea sets, Lebanese fabrics, luxurious sofas, water pipes and the greeting of Ahlan wa Sahlan(Welcome) from the owner, you will be enthralled with this decor and evocative atmosphere.
The raised area behind the bar has now been opened up to reveal a private alcove which will seat 6 people. The decoration gives this area a very personal, intimate feel. The back of the restaurant where we always used to sit has now also been opened up and is more spacious and can actually be viewed form the front of the restaurant. The tables are large and the seating is comfortable. The owner and staff are always welcoming and will stop and chat to you without being overly intrusive, making the whole atmosphere relaxed.
Menu
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The menu on offer is rich and varied and the dishes served make you realise just how influential Lebanese cuisine is. Ingredients and other elements can also be found in Turkish and Greek dishes. The food served is a fascinating mix of simply cooked foods based on wonderful fresh ingredients and minced meat dishes designed to make a substantial meal out of inexpensive or scarce ingredients, and recipes incorporating exotic spices and flavourings.
Traditionally meals generally start with a selection of mezzah's ( a spread of appetizers). Mezzah's are warm or cold starters served on traditional plates. We have only visited this restaurant on our own or with two or three other people but as there are so many of these dishes, about 40 in all it will probably be a good idea and more cost effective to visit as a large group. Lebanese cuisine is about sharing and tasting as many different dishes as possible. I can't list all the dishes on the menu as it would be too long but I will tell you about the dishes we chose the other night.
We decided to have a mixture of mezzah's - hot and cold which were;
Cold Mezzah's
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The amounts ordered were enough for 3 people and the conversion rate from zloty to pound at the time of writing is approx 4 zl to £1.
Hoummous
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Pureed chick peas in a sesame sauce with a hint of lemon juice. The taste was delicate and for me just right. Delicious on Lebanese flat bread. 10/10
Price 12 zloty
Tabbouleh
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A national salad comprising of tomatoes, parsley, onion, mint and olive oil. A subtle combination - mouthwatering. 10/10
Price 15zloty
Warak Inab
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Vine leaves stuffed with cooked rice, delicate blend of herbs and spices. This is decorated on a plate with sprigs of mint. lemon slices and tomatoes. I love the oily texture of the vine leaves with the delicate flavouring of the rice mixture. Exquisite. 10/10
Price 16zloty
Shmandar
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This is chopped fresh beetroot served in olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. This was ordered especially for me as my husband isn't keen on beetroot, neither was our guest. Mouthwatering. 9/10
Price - 12 zloty
For a price of 75 zloty we decided to order a Byblos Choice which is 6 warm starters of your choice and we chose;
Falafel
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Boiled chick peas made into a round ball tossed in olive oil and spices. 10/10 Delicious - had to order more of these.
Jawaneh Dajaj
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Grilled chicken wings with a coating of delicate spices. These were my favourite as they were grilled to my perfection and the coating was a lemony spicy, chilli taste. Incredible. 10/10
Foul Medammas
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Boiled broad beans served with a garlic sauce. Not everybody's favourite bean but very tasty and refreshing. 8/10
Okra
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Small okras cooked in a rich tomato sauce. This is a great favourite with our family. Love the delicate taste of okra and the sauce was not too spicy - just right . 10/10
Kallaj Jebne
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Lebanese bread filled with melted cheese decorated with tomatos and olives. Scrummy and filling. 10/10
Arayes
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Cooked minced lamb served in Lebanese bread and grilled. Fantastic taste of cheese and lamb. Delicious . 10/10
Believe it or not we were absolutely full after eating all these dishes. To wash the meal down with we had a bottle of red Les Terroirs 2003 and our guest had a 50cl glass of Zywiec (polish ) beer. The wine cost 95 zl and the beer 10zl.
If you don't wish to order the mezzah's there are soups, fish dishes, beef, chicken and lamb dishes on offer. All meats are marinated for over 24 hours so the meat is very tender. All main meals are served with chips, cous-cous, rice or vegetables.
They vary from 13 zloty to 49 zloty in price.
Soft drinks, beers, spirits, white and red wines are sold.
The restaurant has a huge selection of wines from France, Spain, Italy, Chile and Australia. Prices vary from 118 zloty up to 390 zloty.
Lebanese coffee is strong and tasty and costs 9 zloty a cup or you can choose Phoenician coffee which has a drop of cardoman and arak added to it. Arak is a clear, aniseed based spirit generally drunk in the Middle eastern countries such as Lebanon, Syria and Israel.
Lebanese tea is served from an authentic tea pot which comes served on a tray with glass cups. Phoenician tea has a touch of rum added. Tea is served without milk and with lemon or a sprig of mint.
I will say that the alcoholic drinks are probably the most expensive in Warsaw especially wines.
Service
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I can not fault the service at all. All waiters, the chef and owner are extremely friendly and polite. They carry out their duties with style and are very professional but at the same time friendly and make you feel very welcome.
Quirky touches
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If you wish to add a bit of spice to your evening you can order your very own belly dancer which costs 350 zloty and has to be reserved the day before. If you visit the restaurant on a Friday night the spectacle will be free.
The Arguile ( Water Pipe)
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One of the oldest traditions in the Lebanon is the arguile or otherwise known as the shishah. You can take part in this ritual whilst enjoying your Lebanese dishes and soaking up the Lebanese atmosphere. The cost is 75zl and comes in two flavours strawberry and apple.
My Conclusion
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I think it is amazing that this litle bit of the Middle East has been created in downtown Warsaw. It is an enchanting restaurant serving excellent authentic Lebanese cuisine. Staff are the friendliest I have ever met. It is a pleasure to visit and one of the reason's I am glad to be back in the city.
From journal Some of Warsaw's Top Restaurants - Part 1