With a family wanting to celebrate a special occasion over a Lebanese feast, I got the assistance of the internet yet again to find the best place suited for us. With so many positive reviews there was no argument when the decision was made to head of to Sahra by the river in Parramatta.
Well seasoned meats
Situated in quite a unique location, Sahra has an exotic feel to it. We instantly felt we had made the right choice as the restaurant itself looked quite festive. The gorgeous belly dancer and the gypsy fortuneteller quite pleasantly added to our celebratory mood. With the dancing and the music happening in the background we ordered our banquet, but first we just had to try the tea; mint and honey Lebanese tea. It definitely is a must for all tea lovers. The fragrance and the hit of sweetness is capable of putting you in a relaxed mood instantly.
Dips glore
Not long after we were seated our food started arriving. First was an array of eye catching and mouthwatering dips and salads. The usual culprits were there – the hommus, the babaganush, the youghurt dip, the Lebanese bread, they all arrived at the table accompanied by a lovely fresh tabouli and another fresh salad with crunchy bits in it. I am not wrong in saying the food was abundant in potion size. If you are going for the banquet its best not to fill your tummies with the first course as there's two more quite hefty plates on their way.
Our second course was a collection of vegetarian and non vegetarian warm dishes. Of the selection of various eats sitting on a large tray, the highlights for me were the deep fried cauliflower and the spinach pastry parcel. The cauliflower with the crunch on the outside and the warm softness of the inside need a special mention for sure. It was such a delightful eat that I could not get enough of.
By the time the third course arrived we had gulped down plenty already. Did I mention the dishes served here is abundant and big in potion? The next tray carried Lamb shish kebabs, chicken kebabs and lamb mince kebabs, one for each of us. With almost full stomachs we all dug in to these well seasoned meats and enjoyed every bite of it.
Sweetness you can't resist
By dessert time we were too full to eat a single bite more. But yours truly could not resist diving into a small bit of a sweet to finish off the sumptuous banquet. The milk pudding we ordered was a true beauty. The creamy white mound of pudding sat in the middle of a white rectangle plate crowned with pomegranate seeds and a drizzle of a delightful sweet sauce. I was going for a spoon full only but that one spoon full of the creamy goodness just kept me wanting more.
Tea for two - Mint & Honey
All in all Sahra by the river was a fabulous choice for our special celebration. The over all ambiance, the food and the extremely friendly staff made our night a memorable one.
