A Guest Post by my Mum who went to Afendi with my Dad for their wedding anniversary and kindly said she could carry out a review for me while they were there, in amongst enjoying the occasion.
Afendi is a smart looking restaurant (with a clever logo) at the top of Cheltenham Road (near the junction with Zetland Rd). It serves Lebanese and Mediterranean food both lunchtimes and evenings. I would say it is more restaurant than cafe, with a BYO license for alcohol which makes it a more affordable meal out.
The owner is Iraqi but knows a lot about the food – maybe Lebanese and Iraqi food aren’t that different or maybe he thought an Iraqi restaurant wouldn’t be as popular. It is now the only eat-in Lebanese restaurant in Bristol .
We chose a mixed mezza (3 hot and 3 cold ) to share for starters: Baba Ghanouch (a delicious creamy pureed aubergine dip), Libneh (yoghurt & herbs) and Tabouleh - those were the cold ones. Falafel, Halloumi and Sambosa (a bit like Samosa). They were all delicious, especially the Falafel and the Baba Ghanoush and were beautifully served and accompanied by a large round flat bread which was really light and crisp.
The owner is Iraqi but knows a lot about the food – maybe Lebanese and Iraqi food aren’t that different or maybe he thought an Iraqi restaurant wouldn’t be as popular. It is now the only eat-in Lebanese restaurant in Bristol .
We chose a mixed mezza (3 hot and 3 cold ) to share for starters: Baba Ghanouch (a delicious creamy pureed aubergine dip), Libneh (yoghurt & herbs) and Tabouleh - those were the cold ones. Falafel, Halloumi and Sambosa (a bit like Samosa). They were all delicious, especially the Falafel and the Baba Ghanoush and were beautifully served and accompanied by a large round flat bread which was really light and crisp.
For the main course we decided again to share... the Afendi mix grill – 2 skewers of kebab, one Shish Taouk and one Lamb Tikka. This was basically chicken kebab, lamb kebab and a minced lamb kebab. All were freshly cooked and beautifully spiced and really tasty and came with a small dish of the Libneh (yoghurt and herbs) and rice and small pieces of the flat bread. The waiter (and owner) gave us a mixed salad on the house as I asked if there was any salad with the meat. He also, when we asked for the bill, brought us a piece of Baklava each (again on the house!) – the only baklava I have actually enjoyed! Not too sweet, and very fresh pastry.
The restaurant was quiet (it was a Tuesday night) but the atmosphere was nice – authentic Middle-Eastern music playing quietly in the background. The meal (inc. a small corkage charge) came to £34 for two of us which considering the quantity of food was not bad.
The restaurant was quiet (it was a Tuesday night) but the atmosphere was nice – authentic Middle-Eastern music playing quietly in the background. The meal (inc. a small corkage charge) came to £34 for two of us which considering the quantity of food was not bad.