Al Shami

Ok, not overly impressed.

The drinks menu was limited; they couldn't do a Bloody Mary or any form of cocktail so I asked for a sherry if it was dry, but was given a dark brown viscous sweet liquid which I couldn't see a bottle for when I examined the bar at the end...

The Hors d' was a metal dish of whole raw vegetables and about six little olives and no houmous. You've got be kidding, right!?

Starter of whitebait was ok but no sauce and no salt so fairly bland.

Main course of mixed grill was ok, but only two sorts of meat. Mixed vegetables saute were boiled beans and some other ungarnished greens. Chips were ok but again no salt, and when I eventually asked for the salt it came in such a poor shaker that hardly any came out so I gave up and just had the chips with a few grains.

The red wine wasn't very good and for £16.99 I would not recommend it.

I found the ten percent service charge offensive. Perhaps if you allowed people to tip you would realise how unhappy they are when you find you are never left anything?

Also, they don't take cheques despite saying they do on the menu. My friend asked about this and they said "But sir, this menu is twenty-two years old".

To pay £32 each for this meal was a scandal and I will never go back. Shame, because I thought it was meant to be some high-flying place.

Calidore (DI User), 19/12/10

---

I thoroughly recommend this place! My husband and I went, and, though it was a Tuesday night there were plenty of other people all sounding as if they were having a great time.

We ordered some meze-style first dishes of garlicky fried liver, stuffed vine leaves and fried cauliflower. A large plate of complimentary salad came to keep us busy while we waited for the hot food, but it wasn't long in coming. The liver was delicious- it made up for the fact that the lamb's brains we'd hoped to order were off that evening. Clearly they're popular as we heard another table asking after them. The vine leaves were small, but this made sense as they were delicate, without any of the fibrous chewiness you sometimes find. The cauliflower was crisp and guilt-inducingly deep-fried.

We had mains of chicken kebab (smoky, buttery, garlicky, and very tender), and lamb kebab with mushroom, onion and tomato. The mushrooms were a low point: a bit watery, I wondered why they'd bothered. However, my husband and I fought over the onions, which were just charred enough, and the herby, lemony lamb.

We shared a very decent bottle of red, and the bill came to only £45 despite the wine and our three starters- a really good deal in my book, as the meals came with generous helpings of pitta bread topped up as soon as we finished the basket.

Service was friendly and unobtrusive- the one thing I would say is that the tables are packed in tightly, so you may struggle for privacy.

L&F in Jericho (Unverified), 05/10/10

---

I’ve been to this restaurant twice both times in large groups. The first time was enjoyable but after the second visit I will not be returning! The service was horrendously slow; it took 45 mins before we received our first round of drinks! The service continued to be slow throughout the evening and I felt that this time the quality of the food wasn’t as good either.

02/09/10

---

I just love Al Shami. Nice food, great hospitality and affordable.

17/01/10

---

I ate here with friends for my birthday. All in all I would say the experience was fine but I wouldn't go back, as I prefer other Lebanese restaurants in Oxford. My husband however, enjoyed the food so much he would go back. I would say the food was nice but more a bit expensive for what we had. The service was slow and the atmosphere and appearance of the restaurant was a bit shabby. I'd give it 6/10.

Jenny Wren (Unverified), 20/08/09

---

Had a really nice meal here. The waiter was attentive but non intrusive. We ordered 6 starters and 2 mains between three of us, which was about right. I would definitely recommend this tapas style method of sharing food, as there were so many delicious flavors to try! There was a massive selection to chose from. Our meals were brought out quickly and were without exception very good. I would particularly recommend the mixed skewered meat. The restaurant had a very friendly ambiance, not exactly intimate but very welcoming. The meal was also very good value; I will definitely be returning regularly.

DanOx (Unverified), 30/04/09

---

I would just like to say thank you to Al Shami for the wonderful evening that my sister and I enjoyed last weekend. We visited Oxford for a cultural weekend of architecture, food and wine without our husbands and found everything, especially the food at this wonderful restaurant on Saturday 21st February. The quality of the ingredients, attention to preparation and presentation as well as the polite and hospitable staff were unsurpassable! We shall return with our husbands and children!

Kathleen (Unverified), 02/03/09

---

I have been twice, both times in a party of 12 or so. Both times the experience was the same:

Food - generally good
Service - slow
Bill - outrageous! Adding a 10% service charge is rude and unjustified, given the unexceptional service. Adding a further cover charge is unacceptable. I have never eaten at another restaurant that inflates the bill by this much as standard practice, and hope not to.

I shan't be giving them another chance.

MoominDave (DI User), 04/11/08

---

I am a vegetarian and love this restaurant! As with most Lebanese restaurants, stick to the starters - order about 3 each to share, plus breads and rice. A large salad/picked vegetables is included in the small cover charge. All of the vegetarian food was excellent, but particularly outstanding were the 1. Hommos, 2. Moutabel, 7. Loubieh Bzeit, 8. Mohammara Bil-Jawz (no way this can be described as bland!!!), 9. Labneh, 16. Foul Medammas, 27. Kellage Halloum. The only disappointing dish, according to my wife, was a meat dish, 19. Bastorma. This is also one of the most toddler-friendly restaurants we have been in for a long time. It is also extremely good value. Highly recommended.

David (DI User), 28/07/08

---

Can never understand why people rave about Al Shami. I cannot comment about the meat dishes, but the vegetarian dishes can only be described as mediocre/edible. The chef has no lightness of touch; the food is bland; the textures poor.

Lucy (Unverified), 28/05/08

---

If you've never been before ... what are you waiting for? This is an excellent restaurant!

The food is delicious and really does taste like good arabic home cooking. I have taken arab friends and visitors to this place without hesitation or fear of them thinking badly of the food - no adverse comments and they would have said ... trust me!

People who have never tasted arabic food come away raving about the flavours. If you have children take them along. Our boys (aged 2, 8 and 10) have always found something to enjoy. They even pester us to go back to 'that restaurant' when we think of going out for a meal in Oxford!

The prices are very reasonable and portion sizes good. You are supposed to have a range of dishes by the way, so if you just order one, you could still feel a little bit peckish! Yes, if you don't order rice with a meat or vegetable dish ... guess what? You don't get rice!

I have been here many times and have never been disappointed. I must have been with twenty or thirty people by now over the years and I can honestly say that I've never heard anyone come up with a negative comment.

Richard (Unverified), 24/09/07

---

This is the best Lebanese in Oxford BY A MILE, and the prices are fantastically cheap. I have been going very regularly for over two years now, and have never had a bad experience. I regularly recommend it to people. The staff are also lovely people, and very friendly, although my one criticism is that they are often slow to produce and process the bill.

My favourite dishes are 1,4,7,17,24,25,26,and 28, all of which I have every time. Out of these, the falafels, cheese pastries, and spinach pastries, the cauliflower, and the potatoes, are particular firm favourites. Other favourites include the spicy sausages.

Lovely Woodnymph (Unverified), 25/05/07

---

Food is ok, it's tasty but very expensive. Got a take away and portions were pitifully small. Would not go again.

Oxford Student (Unverified), 01/04/07

---

Terrible service - I will never go back.
Some of the starters never arrived but were on the bill. Everything was very very slow - it took 1 hour 40 mintues to get our main courses, and then one meal was wrong. The waiters were totally inattentive and made no attempt to appologise for the delay in bringing our food or any of the mix ups.

Alex (Unverified), 20/03/07

---

On the 14th Feburary, Valentine's Day, my husband took me out to Al Shami restarunt. It was lovely. I have been their customer for over 10 years now, and they have never failed me especially on this occasion. The atmosphere was absolutely astonishing. I had visited Lebanon in one of my past adventures around the world, and Al Shami's food brought it to life again. I was extremely pleased. The wine was great as it always has been, with a twang of difference, and the food was greater than great! The waiters just added the homely touch and made all the more of an unforgettable experience. They were well mannered and helpful.

Lauren Ward (Unverified), 17/02/07

---

I've been here 3 times in total. The first two I had wonderful meals. Unfortunately the last experience was appalling. We went on the Times lunch vouchers which meant the meal was supposed to have a fixed price. We ordered our meal, which was ok but then asked for just tap water to drink. (Having to spend an afternoon falling asleep because of lunchtime drinking is never fun). We were told that the water was off and were given bottles of Evian instead. I may have got this wrong but I was under the impression that by law you have to provide tap water?

The gist of the story is that the waiters were rude and unhelpful and the price of the meal doubled due to the Evian and 'booking charges...'. We left there feeling that they hadn't wanted our custom and I couldn't understand why they signed up for the scheme if they didn't really want to take part.

Disappointed (Unverified), 14/12/06

---

Update: I have just taken my parents to Al Shami.

Between us, we had 10 dishes (hummus and bread, aubergine and chickpeas, sausages, chicken wings, bread containing cheese, falafel, pasties containing cheese, pasties containing the spinachy stuff, fried cauliflower, and the vine leaves, plus an orange juice, Lebanese beer, and a glass of Arak. We also devoured the ENTIRE vegetable platter. This all came to a mere £34.95, including tip!

All the dishes were exceptional, and my parents were most impressed with their first experience of Lebanese cuisine. We will definitely go back.

Lovely Woodnymph (Unverified), 03/11/06

---

This is my favourite restaurant in Oxford. It is tucked away in Jericho, and has a loyal and enthusiastic following of locals, and has also been very highly praised in various food guides.

I tend to visit at least once a fortnight, and, unlike some of the other people reviewing here, I've never had a bad meal, or bad service (the only complaint I have with the service is that they are often too slow with the bill when you've finished your meal). I've also never to my knowledge been overcharged, and the prices are always very reasonable. The staff are all familiar faces, and always courteous and polite. Food arrives promptly, and is impeccably prepared, and always delicious.

The menu hasn't changed in the years I've been going there, but this doesn't matter (in fact, please don't ever change the menu!), as the range is fabulous, and the falafels are the sort you dream about at night, and definitely the best I've ever had - always fluffy and moist. I can't remember the names of other dishes, but the small cheesy pasties are amazing, and the pasties with spinach, lemon, and pine nut type things in them are fabulous too. The hummus is also amazing - although sometimes slightly more runny than you expect. There are also some lovely vine leaves. I can understand the comment from the person who needed more guidance on the menu - by way of information, the two of us have hearty appetites and always go for seven or eight vegetarian starters with bread, and seldom venture into main courses or desserts because we like sharing lots of little things. However, the one recent main course (meat) I had was impeccably cooked, and generously proportioned.

The venue is unique and characterful with ornate decor, although the seats can be hard on the rump, and you can find yourself on a table in very close proximity to other guests. The back room is especially good for large parties - spacious and atmospheric - and if I was planning a party I'd definitely have it here. I'm not big on Lebanese wines, but there is an adequate selection of other beverages on offer.

By way of comparison, the food is much higher quality and cheaper than the Restaurant Du Liban (although this too is good), and I would recommend it warmly to anyone as a great venue for any occasion.

Lovely Woodnymph (Unverified), 02/11/06

---

To anyone going to Al Shami: make sure you DOUBLE CHECK YOUR BILL as you may be overchardged! - This is what happened to me. I went to Al Shami with two friends and it turned out to be my worst ever dining experience. After going through very small portions and appalling service, we got our bill to discover that we were charged £90 for 3 people! (We had the £15 set menu!) We worked it out, and it turned out that we were £30 overchardged. It took ages to sort it out with the manager, who was rude and unwilling to review our bill, and when we finally got the order listed, it turned out we had been charged for what the table next to us had. At least this was how the manager explained the 'mistake' and blamed it on the waitress, who didn't seem the least distressed. This made us think she had nothing to be afraid of from her boss, and that in turn she was not guilty.

In short, we were sorely disappointed with the treatment we received, and the quality and the quantity of food offered.

Ana (Unverified), 30/10/06

---

I had a party in Al Shami over the weekend and must say that the service was absolutely appalling. There were 10 of us in a group and the waiter actually asked us to write the order down on a piece of paper before walking off and disappearing for quite sometime. This begs the question, what is a 10% service charge all about. The menu was very confusing, without a clear distinction between starters and main courses. Most of us didn't know how much to order and there was no help at hand. After writing the order down myself on a piece of paper and and giving it to a waiter I found it shocking that they still got the order totally wrong. People were waiting for things to turn up for quite some time. I had to leave the table a few times to go and chase them up. The staff didn't seem to pay any attention, and I found myself repeating things over and over again. We had a person allergic to garlic in our group and I specifically indicated on the list that no garlic should be in her dishes. I also double-checked later with a waiter whether it was all clear. The person allergic to garlic also checked. On the whole the staff were very flippant in their attitude, laughing and joking, a bit too casual and not really paying much attention to any of the requests we made. As a result the person with an allergy was violently sick after the meal and also the next day, which clearly indicated garlic poisoning. We are now looking to complain to the Food Standards Agency about the restaurant. I would strongly advise to anybody with any kind of allergy to avoid this restaurant as it is very likely that not only you will receive no reassurance or advice, you might just get food, which will make you very sick or worse. Simply unacceptable and shocking service!

21/08/06

---

I have been to Al-Shami loads of times and rated it highly until now.
I went there last night with an old friend from out of town and we ordered the set meal for £15 per head (I have had this loads of times). Although the quality of the food was pretty good, the quantity of the meze was poor and not really enough for 2 persons.

We had eaten all the meze and all the vegetables including the pickled cabbage. I asked the waiter "Is that all the starter?" And he replied "You still have the main course to come" so I assumed Yes, that’s all the starter.

The main course was pretty good to their credit - meat kebabs very nice. However, some of the greenery was slightly brown in the edges and the cucumber was rubbery ;-(.

I paid £44.50 for the meal which consisted of two meals @ £15 and 4 beers which I think are £1.75 - that's £37. Unfortunately I didn’t register this until I had walked to the other end of town so I could not go back. And I gave a tip silly me.

[Ed: Hi Jim, have you allowed for VAT? £37 + VAT is £43.48, so the difference may have been about £1. Not that that makes it OK, of course!]

I guess I should have complained about the small portions there and then but as I was with a friend I decided to let it slide as I knew he would be embarrassed. All in all not up to their usual standard. Not sure I will go back again now. I guess on a positive note I have learned something out of this which is if you are not happy say so at the time.

Jim (Unverified), 18/08/06

---

The Al Shami is my favourite restaurant, I frequently go there, I've been going for years, it’s wonderful! The dishes are varied and delicious, you can have many small starters of which my favourite are Sujuq, Kibbeh Maqlia, Kellage Halloum and many more! And the mains are gorgeous too, (Kafta Kebab - yum!) the dishes may seem small to some but I can tell you they are very filling! The staff are both friendly and attentive and the atmosphere is charming with the Lebanese music in the background (So I am not sure what the two people above are complaining about!). It’s a must if you like trying something a little different (from Chinese and Indian!). I’m going there tonight as it happens!
(The only minor complaint would be that the chairs are a little uncomfortable, you get a bit of an achy bum by the end of the night!)

Natalie (DI User), 04/08/06

---

A rich, cheap, and varied lebanese meal of average quality in a lively setting, ruined by a giant unrequested silver tray of raw vegetables ("oh go on then, just one more cabbage") and other hidden charges demanded by a rude, aggressive waiter.

Greedy Rob (Unverified), 01/07/06

---

Having recently been introduced to the pleasures of Lebanese cuisine, my husband and I decided to try Al Shami. The restaurant is hidden away in the backstreets of Jericho, but seemed to come highly recommended by the 'Oxford Handbook', with a number of Good Food Awards in the past few years.

We arrived at about 8pm on a Friday evening, having not booked, but were still able to be seated, despite most tables already being full. I would recommend that any number greater than two would probably be better to book if they wanted to be assured of a table. The restaurant sits on the corner of two roads, and has a very 'open' feel to it, with two walls being fully glass windows, light coloured walls with a number of mirrors, and delicately decorated tables. The lighting was fairly bright within the restaurant, giving an overall 'airy' feel, rather than a cosy atmosphere, which may be something to take into account if one is looking for a quiet, atmospheric restaurant for a secluded meal for two. That said, the restaurant was ideal for a more lively group meal, and perfectly suited to a less romantic occassion.

The service could not be faulted - waiters/resses were attentive without being overbearing, and food was served quickly. We ordered a bottle of the house white, and both had starters. The menu at Al Shami is endless, with 43 different starters (Lebanese hors d'oeuvres) and 20 main dishes, both with a fantastic selection of vegetarian options available. I ordered the Laban Bi-Khyar (yoghurt wth cucumber) and my husband the Sujuq (Armenian sausages) to begin with. Both came with Lebanese bread, and a complementary platter of salad was also brought to the table. The platter was huge, with carrot, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, peppers and radishes; the yoghurt a slight disappointment, being rather thin so that it was difficult to keep on the vegetables or bread, and with the cucumber being literally three rings presented on the edge of the bowl; however the quantity was again extremely generous. The Sujuq were described as beautifully moist and tasty, and still nicely hot; though possibly slightly too vinegary for my husband's taste.

Our main dishes were brought to us as soon as the starters were cleared; I ordered the Al Shami vegetarian Special (described as 'A variety of vegetables in season cooked Lebanese way'), which was a mix of cauliflower, brocolli, beans, sweetcorn and peas in a rich vinegar/tomato sauce. A disappointment was that this did not come with rice or any other such side order; however, we had ordered some more Lebanese bread to come with this course which served a similar purpose. The dish was again, possibly slightly overpowered by the vinegar taste of the sauce, but not to the point of being unenjoyable, and was a reasonable size with the bread side order. My husband chose the mixed grill: Kafta (minced lamb) and chicken with grilled onions, mushrooms and tomatoes, which was slightly smaller than I might have hoped, but again perfectly adequate with the side order of bread.

The meal, on the whole, I felt was possibly a slight disappointment compared to other Lebanese restaurants in Oxford, although I may have been expecting something amazing after previous reviews of Al Shami and the knowledge of the Good Food Awards, which might have meant my expectations were unrealistically high. However, I do think that if I were to recommend a Lebanese restaurant to a friend, I might not give Al Shami as my first choice, unless the bright and open feel to the restaurant was of particular importance to the occassion. That said, the meal WAS enjoyable, and for the price we paid (£30 for two people, with wine; see the link to the menu at www.al-shami.co.uk) a very reasonable evening out, and I would return again if the circumstance was suited to the atmosphere provided.

Alison Hook (Unverified), 18/09/04

---