When wifey told me that our next destination is Lebanese food, I was like “Lebanese food? Is it like Arabian or Middle East food – roti, roti and more roti”? When I reached in front of the restaurant, I was taken aback to see such a grand Lebanese restaurant with the board AL-AMAR, proudly name by the owner as the one and only genuine Lebanese food in Klang Valley.
Once we reached the table, we saw variety of appetizer waiting ahead of us. We started our course with some Cold Mezze a.k.a Appetizer. The Shanklish is a type of cheese from Lebanon that is soft and mild in flavour. At Al-Amar, the Shanklish is served with finely-chopped tomato, onion, mint and olive oil. Mixing everything together went very well with the hot and fluffy pita bread.
Above: Shanklish and Almaza Lebanese beer (a beer that very smooth and soothing on the throat)
The next three dishes below are Mhammara, Moutabal and Hommos. They are not a one of the God name you played in God of War. They are special spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas, blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic, which also goes well with pita bread. Absolutely healthy, but of course in moderation.
Above: Mhammara, Moutabal and Hommos
One of the appetizer, Tabbouleh Harra is sort of salad (Lebanese style). You can eat it by its own for wrap it with Romaine lettuce. Tabbouleh is yet another Lebanese dish made from finely chopped parsley, bulgur, mint, tomato, spring onion, and other herbs with lemon juice, olive oil and various seasonings.
Above: Tabbouleh Harra (Don’t spell it wrong as “Tak Boleh Harap”).
There was platter of vegetables set on the center of the table and thought it was for decoration. They’re not ! After asking the owner, Joseph (which I will show the handsome photo of him later), he said the vegetables are meant to be eaten, by hand, anytime you feel wanted too. So, just rage on and grab it. If you’re into raw vegetables like me :-)
Next, the pita bread! It was so warm, soft and fluffy! The best pita bread I ever tasted ! If you’re on budget, just order the appetizer, a beer and just eat the bread till you’re full? Why? Because Al-Amar serves pita bread for FREE!!! That’s right, you can have unlimited servings of it. So, agree with me already?
Above: Unlimited servings of pita bread
For anyone of you who must have potatoes in a meal, fear not. Al-Amar has Batata Harra, sweet potatoes fried with olive oil and secret spices. All the spices here are TOP secret, according to Joseph. Healthy and mysterious food always tastes great!
Above: Batata Harra
The Falafel (below), is a fried ball made from ground chickpeas, and it tastes very similar to Vadai that can be found from Indian/Mamak stalls here. If you said the previous sentence to Joseph, you’re definitely going to get a BIG slap from him ! Haha. The falafel is of course more healthy since it’s fried with olive oil. So you could feel “sin-free”.
Wait ! That’s not how you eat it, you must dip it in the sauce! How can you eat Vadai without curry? Errmmm, actually can la, right?
Ok, wrong example to represent it.
Above: Falafel
Next will be the STAR dish of the night, the home-made lamb sausages. Taste the tender and flavorful lamb sausages, so fresh that you could feel them jumping in your mouth. FYI, Al-Amar make the sausages and all the grinned-meat in the restaurant. They have a huge meat grinder and all the sausages are made in house, with secret spices, which Joseph doesn’t want to share :(
Above: Soujouk (Lamb Sausage)
If you love to have rice, try out the Oriental rice, a flavorful rice with raisins.
Above: Oriental Rice
Another Star Dish is the fabulous Lamb Cutlets! One of the best, undeniably by Lionel Ong :-) Superb aroma and delicious.
Above: Lamb Cutlets
Above: Grilled fish fillet (Garoupa/Grouper)
Above: Mixed Grill including Lamb Mechwe, Kafta Antabli and Kafta Khishkhash
Kafta Khishkhash tastes very much like meatballs, except that it’s in the shape of a sausage. Again, the home-made recipes made a different, compared to mass produced sausages in the market. Every chew was a delight as the meat was tender and juicy with just the right amount of spices.
Above: Kafta Khishkhash
Above: Lamb Mechwe
Above: Kafta Khishkhash with pita
Above: Baklawa (Lebanese Dessert, it’s pretty sweet though)
The “real desserts” came in when we’re served the Lebanese famous “Arak Fakra” that has an alcohol content of 53% and is one of the best known brands of Lebanese Arak. It is mixed in approximately with a ration of 1 part arak to 2 parts water, and ice is then added. This dilution causes the clear liquor to turn a translucent milky-white colour because the anethole (essential oil of anise), is soluble in alcohol but not in water.
Cheers !! It was also turned out to be Coco’s birthday that night, to it’s a double celebration !! Now, what’s 2nd celebration for you asked?
To celebrate that we made it to Lebanon, virtually :)
Above: Wifey with the owner (Joseph) and Coco. Our next dessert would be shisha. So, let the party begins.
Ok, I just taking one inhale, mom. I promise I won’t do it again !
Get a taste of the new and delectable dishes at Al-Amar Lebanese cuisine only at Pavilion KL now.
Al-Amar Lebanese Cuisine
Lot 6.10, Level 6, Pavilion KL,
168, Jalan Bukit Bintang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-21661011
Fax: 03-21551300
Opening hours: 10am to 2am
*NOTE: Special belly dancer every Saturday night starting from 9.30pm
