Mamounia Lounge Mayfair

One of the challenges of eating in London is that with so many restaurants sometimes finding an authentic one that serves traditional food can be difficult.

Mamounia Lounge in Mayfair offers guests an Arabic experience featuring the very best of Lebanese and Moroccan cuisines. But what I was more interested to find out was how authentic the experience would be, you see I have had some wonderful holidays in Arabia and Morocco. I hoped that Mamounia would be able to transport me back there to an electric vibe and superb food. 

Well first impressions are favourable with authentic interior and traditional Middle Eastern music playing. The year long refurbishment has been well worth the wait. 

We start our meal with two cocktails. 

I opt for the Mamounia Special, fresh basil, Stoli vanilla vodka, lime juice, sugar syrup, served over crushed ice (£8). 

My companion loves rum so opts for the Prince of Sahara, fresh pineapple and banana shaken with Flor de Cana, Amaretto and served over crushed ice (£8.50).

The serving of the food in the restaurant is banquet style with guest being able to pick Mezze dishes to share. 

I have some firm Mezze favourites and a cursory glance of the menu I am pleased to spot some of these on the menu. 

Moutabel, smoked Aubergine puree with tahini, garlic and lemon juice. Topped with pomegranate seeds (£6.50).

Halloumi Cheese, Lebanese cheese grilled sprinkle with sesame seeds (£7.00).

Although very naughty I really love halloumi, I especially enjoyed the thickness and the addition of sesame seeds. 

Truffle Hommus, creamy pureed chickpeas whipped with tahini, truffle oil and lemon juice. Served with fresh truffles, wild mushrooms, crispy chickpeas and warm homemade Pita Bread (£11.00).

I seriously will be dreaming about this dish for a while both the presentation and taste of the truffle oil was amazing. The dish was beautiful and a true feast for the eyes. 

Now our waiter suggested a dish that I wouldn't have picked myself but was superb. 

Lentil salad, lentils du puy cooked with chicken stock, deep fried halloumi cheese and toasted anis bread (£9.00). 

This was an excellent choice the flavours in the lentils was delicious and the addition of the bread with an aniseed taste was a great combination. 

Mains are consistent with the Middle Eastern fare, tagines, clay pots, grilled and charcoaled meats, fish and couscous.

My dining companion chooses the langoustine and crab, a selection of three types of marinated langoustines (Basil, Chermoula, and Chilli) served with crab meat, rocket pesto and tapenade (£21.00). 

Now whilst this was delicious the batter contained on the fish in my companions eyes was not needed. It detracted from the wonderful beauty of the dish and the full flavour of the fish. That said it was devoured in no time. 

I found picking a main a challenge, the restaurant had lots of food that I would have loved to try. 

After deliberating the waiter suggests the Meshoui, traditional shoulder of lamb, slowly roasted for eight hours, marinated in Moroccan spices and served with fresh Dates, Orange and apricots Bouillon (£15.00). 

Now the picture above cannot do this dish justice. The lamb melted in the mouth and the spices that it had been marinated in a perfect accompaniment. I liked that you had the traditional Bouillon to pour over or the addition of orange for a more citrus zing. 

To accompany my dish I decided on couscous which is a great pairing, the addition of almonds and spicy nutmeg is delicious. 

Now at this point my expanding waistline is seriously beginning to grumble. But Mamounia really is my perfect home they have consider everything. On the menu they have two desserts that take over fifteen minutes to cook from scratch, leaving the perfect resting time. 

Crispy chocolate served with a carpaccio of mango and pineapple (£8.00).

It is not possible to do this dessert justice so I will leave you with the picture below so you get the idea. 

If I thought the meals were delicious Mamounia can seriously do desserts too. Continuing with the chocolate theme. 

Homemade chocolate fondant served with vanilla ice cream (£9.50).

The exterior firmness of the dessert gave way to perfectly runny molten chocolate. A wonderful way to finish off a brilliant meal. 

Mamounia Lounge is a wonderful authentic Middle Eastern find. The food cooked with flare and service throughout the meal was impeccable. With restaurants in Mayfair and Knightsbridge I am already looking forward to going back and being transported to my Moroccan hideaway. 

Thank you very much to Mamounia Lounge for a wonderful meal. Our meal was complimentary for the purposes of a review, but this is is a truly wonderful restaurant and a fair reflection of our meal. 

Which restaurants take you back to a previous holiday?

37 Curzon Street, 

London

W1J 7TX

www.mamounialounge.com