A wonderful Christmas party was organised at the lovely
Cedrus Lebanese Restaurant in Ryde. Near the Parramatta River, with an indoor and outdoor dining area, Cedrus was a charming place for 17 of us to chill out, enjoy each other's company and rip open the Christmas bonbons and discover the latest pearls of insight or weird humour.
Cedrus Lebanese Restaurant - by Faye
As I wandered through Cedrus, I noticed interesting statues and a fascinating nook.
There are elegant dining areas and brightly coloured cushiony sofas which I loved.
The bar area is colourful
Our pre-ordered Byblos banquet was $45 a person. A plate of vine leaves were first brought out, then the hommus and babaghanouj. These dishes were very tasty.
Next were fattoush, tabouli and potato with coriander. The potato, in particular, had a slight crunch on the outside and was soft in the middle. It was very delicious.
Potato and coriander - by Faye
Labne, which is a strained yoghurt, was our next dish with a lovely moist eggplant as a dipper.
Labne with eggplant - by Faye
Our meal continued with the presentation of a plate of falafels, arnabeet which is fried cauliflower, and sambousi, a pastry filled with meat. This delectable trio were superb. They were fresh and flavoursome.
Yummy trio - by Faye
A banquet is not a banquet without the frequent roll-out of food. This tradition continued with lamb and chicken skewers and aromatic kafta skewers. These appetizing meat dishes were delightful, particularly the yummy kafta kebabs.
Our last dish, the baklava, was a surprise. I've eaten baklava in the past and often it has been a dessert that I have found to be too sweet. The baklava at the Cedrus had just the right amount of syrupy sweetness which made it highly enjoyable.
The waiter then arrived to pour coffee which is included in the cost of the banquet.
This banquet was truly a feast for the eyes and an amazing feast of delicious food. Cedrus is suitable for groups and also for families and couples.
Photo by Faye
It was noisy at times from trucks driving from the nearby construction area but it was lovely to sit outside in the sunshine and feel the breeze. This is a lovely part of Ryde to go for a walk after lunch or dinner, there is a park across the road and a carpark nearby.
