Abu Zaad

Lately I've had a bit of a hankering for Middle Eastern food. After a great find in Tas Firin on the Bethnal Green Road, the bar was set high. I decided to head west and sample what was on offer in Edgeware road.

What I really wanted to try was Cafe Helen's, which I have it on good authority does the best shawarma in London, but alas the place is only open in the evening. So we headed over to Abu Zaad. I had read good things about this place on a few blogs (thanks Bellaphon) so was very excited to go with friends.

It is nearer Marble Arch than Edgeware road tube and you cant miss it.

It was nice and clean inside and the waiters were actually pretty friendly and welcoming despite much of what I have read online to the contrary.

We started with a selection of hot and cold starters.

Kibbeh Shamieh. Conical shaped, fried and crispy on the outside, filled with tasty minced lamb. It needed acidity and went well with the accompanying sliced lemon.

Tabbouleh. Zingy and fresh with the taste of chopped flat leaf parsley.

Moutabel. Finely chopped grilled aubergine with sesame and lemon, topped with paprika. This tasted smoky and heady with the flavour of tobacco from the charred aubergines. Great with the delicious, soft flat breads. Much better than the usual pitta bread.

We then followed with chicken shawarma which was delicious and salty.

Lamb shawarma, again tasty served with well cooked rice topped with ghee, assorted salads and pickles (overly salty).

Mixed grill. Cubes of marinated chicken and lamb (good with char grill flavour) and minced lamb kebab (not overly flavourful).

The mains were served with garlic yogurt and a great fresh piquant chili sauce.

I liked this place. Pretty much everything we ate tasted fresh and full with flavour and you can't argue with the generous portions and economical prices.

I still think that if you want really great grilled meats then the place to go is Tas Firin, as they cook theirs over an open charcoal pit which really adds to the flavour and keeps the meat beautifully moist. They don't however do shawarma.

All in all, a good meal at a good price (£47 for 3 of us).

Monster Munch Rating: 80%

Abu Zaad
128 Edgeware Road
W2 2DZ
(I couldnt find a phone number although their other branch has a website which I used to see if they were open http://www.abuzaad.co.uk/)