Jasmin Lebanese Restaurant
224 The Boulevarde
Punchbowl
9740 7866
Granted, I didn't just pick this restaurant randomly. It's relatively well-known amongst foodies and critics around Sydney. But like most, I had to try it for myself. Could it deliver? I was more than ready to scrutinise. Lebanese food is a family favourite and Sydney is not without several enjoyable restaurants throughout places like Auburn, Surry Hills and Enmore.
Even from the time I call to make a reservation, what stands out is the casual tone of everything. Self-assured, confident, nothing is too much trouble. I hear no rote-learned greetings, no pretentiousness or arrogance.
Suffice to say I have only passed through Punchbowl a few times. The Canterbury-Bankstown area is home to a plethora of diverse restaurants- from Korean to Vietnamese through to Middle Eastern and Turkish.
The decor is simple, casual, tidy- mainly functional in its appearance. We sit down wedged between a large family and a rather imposing taekwondo champion. The menu arrives and we basically indulge ourselves by ordering the vast majority of the dishes. Out comes Foule (a dip made from lemon juice, garlic and chick peas that far exceeds the sum of its parts), Fattah, Taboulleh, some incredible marinated chicken that just tears apart, plenty of hommus and babaganouj, Lebanese sausages. the tastes and texture of the food is amazing. It's as though all the time that could have been spent on flash interiors has instead been channelled into the food. A welcome change.
Food - Wonderful variety of foods cooked simply and naturally. Some old favourites, some things I'd never tried before. Highlights: Foule, Fattah, Tabbouleh, Char-grilled Chicken....the list goes on.
Service- The food was so good, service was irrelevant. It was fine anyhow.
Value - Amazing $68 for 5 people and we ordered seemingly everything and were all full by completion.
Atmosphere- Little noise, fairly cosy amongst an interesting streetscape. A restaurant specialising in food from the Cocos Islands is located directly opposite.
Verdict: A jewel without doubt. Must return 14/20
224 The Boulevarde
Punchbowl
9740 7866
Granted, I didn't just pick this restaurant randomly. It's relatively well-known amongst foodies and critics around Sydney. But like most, I had to try it for myself. Could it deliver? I was more than ready to scrutinise. Lebanese food is a family favourite and Sydney is not without several enjoyable restaurants throughout places like Auburn, Surry Hills and Enmore.
Even from the time I call to make a reservation, what stands out is the casual tone of everything. Self-assured, confident, nothing is too much trouble. I hear no rote-learned greetings, no pretentiousness or arrogance.
Suffice to say I have only passed through Punchbowl a few times. The Canterbury-Bankstown area is home to a plethora of diverse restaurants- from Korean to Vietnamese through to Middle Eastern and Turkish.
The decor is simple, casual, tidy- mainly functional in its appearance. We sit down wedged between a large family and a rather imposing taekwondo champion. The menu arrives and we basically indulge ourselves by ordering the vast majority of the dishes. Out comes Foule (a dip made from lemon juice, garlic and chick peas that far exceeds the sum of its parts), Fattah, Taboulleh, some incredible marinated chicken that just tears apart, plenty of hommus and babaganouj, Lebanese sausages. the tastes and texture of the food is amazing. It's as though all the time that could have been spent on flash interiors has instead been channelled into the food. A welcome change.
Food - Wonderful variety of foods cooked simply and naturally. Some old favourites, some things I'd never tried before. Highlights: Foule, Fattah, Tabbouleh, Char-grilled Chicken....the list goes on.
Service- The food was so good, service was irrelevant. It was fine anyhow.
Value - Amazing $68 for 5 people and we ordered seemingly everything and were all full by completion.
Atmosphere- Little noise, fairly cosy amongst an interesting streetscape. A restaurant specialising in food from the Cocos Islands is located directly opposite.
Verdict: A jewel without doubt. Must return 14/20
