PUT together the flavours of some of the great cuisines of the world and you have all the ingredients for a taste explosion – and that's what I experienced at Yamal Alsham.
Situated on the swanky fast growing riverside development at Imperial Wharf, next to Chelsea Harbour, this relatively new restaurant offers a memorable Lebanese and Syrian dining experience – combining the subtle tastes of European cuisines with the more exotic ingredients of the Middle and Far East.
This was my first true experience of Lebanese and Syrian food and I must admit I was blown away by the gastronomy – some of the dishes familiar to the taste buds and others a whole new exciting experience.
There is a freshness and vibrancy to the cooking with a mixture of traditional dishes featured on the menu alongside some more modern takes.
The décor of Yamal Alsham welcomes you to a typical Middle Eastern world with the subtle soft coloured mood lighting and overall ambience of the restaurant adding to the dining experience.
When trying a new cuisine the knowledge of the staff plays a vital role and at Yamal Alsham they are both professional and informative – happily talking you through the extensive menu and wine list with a smile.
Being first time novices we were guided towards starting with a selection of hot and cold mezze, a similar experience to Spanish tapas. I would thoroughly recommend going this way as it gives you the opportunity to taste and share a range of authentic dishes.
We worked our way through – well almost – seven dishes, which came in priced between £4.95 and £6. We loved the Makanek, pan fried homemade Lebanese lamb and cumin sausages, and the Falafel, deep-fried bean and herb croquettes with a lemon and tahini dip.
The traditional Hoummos beiruty, with flatbread which is essential to every meal, was as good as I have tasted and Kibbe Mekliyeh, deep-fried lamb and cracked wheat parcels filled with onion and pine nuts delivered more great tastes.
And I must mention the tangy Tabboule, a traditional 'salad' of minced parsley, mint, onions and tomatoes mixed with cracked wheat, lemon and olive oil.
Our taste buds were left tingling with the flavours of herbs, garlic and lemon mixed with some Middle Eastern spices which are staple ingredients of many dishes.
Thankfully the staff advised us to leave some room for the next course and when the mixed grill of succulent, moist chicken and tender, juicy lamb kebabs arrived with a spicy Lebanese pizza topped with tomato, onion and thyme we were glad of the advice.
It was served with delicious vermicelli rice, a traditional exotic dish, and a spicy tomato based dip. Simple, yet incredibly morish and perfect after the mezze.
We took in the whole eating experience with a recommended bottle of Lebanese wine – Château Kefraya Les Breteches 2007, a bold fruity red Cabernet Savignon which proves some exceptionally good value wines come out of the hot climes of this Middle Eastern region.
Although full to bursting point we thought it rude not to try the desert of fresh fruit and Baklawa, deliciously sweet traditional Middle Eastern pastries, that was presented to us.
It rounded off a highly memorable evening that truly bought the cuisine and culture of old and modern Lebanon to this fast growing area of SW6.
Yamal Alsham is open seven days a week from 12 noon to 11pm and offers traditional entertainment on a Friday night. It also has an outdoor seating area for those balmy summer nights.
