Al Salam
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Opening hours: 12pm-12am daily.
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I went to Al Salam with my boyfriend for supper last night and very much enjoyed the delicious food and the fantastic service. I recommend the restaurant to all!
Hannah, 18/05/08 We had a 50th birthday party here recently and though the staff and presentation were very good we felt a little bit cramped by the lack of space between the tables, which did not allow for the full movement of host and guests - and also our tables were separated, so some party members felt a bit left out. The salad was presented in whole pieces, i.e. whole tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce etc., which was a bit odd, and meant that each guest had to cut each salad ingredient into a salad serving. The plates were cold when presented with the hot food and by the time everyone had helped themselves this had made the food even colder. The menu however was delicious and well presented and cooked. The belly dancer was good but again had limited space to perform - pity, because the added entertainment was the reason we chose the place. Several things on the drinks menu were off and some guests were a little bit peeved by not being able to have their wine choice because it was "unavailable". We had a good night overall but there is definitely room for improvement. Spicychick, 07/04/08 I have eaten here several times in the last couple of years and I am always impressed at the quality of the food and the attentive service. It's great fun to choose a selection of mezze (starter) dishes (I'd usually go for 2-4 per person) and then share them all between you (instead of ordering mains). That way you get to taste more dishes! There is a good variety of vegetarian options. The service is always courteous and attentive and the prices are very reasonable. On one occasion we were charged for a dish which we hadn't eaten; when we raised this with the waiter, the problem was solved very quickly and easily - and we were given a glass of Lebanese brandy each on the house by way of apology! This is the kind of place I will go back to again and again. DM Moodie, 07/03/08 Excellent Food. Friendly and helpful service (especially if you are new to Lebanese cuisine!). We asked the waiter what he would recommend, and he produced a very large selection of starters and main courses for £15 each! The food was delicious, especially the sausages which were simply fantastic! We only wish we had space for more. To accompany our food we had a rather fine Lebanese white wine (the name escapes me). I strongly recommend finishing off with the mint tea, which made a perfect end to a wonderful culinary experience. Smyles, 30/09/07 Al Salam is the best Lebanese restaurant in Oxford by miles! The food is perfectly seasoned and totally authentic. My favourites are too many to mention but the spinach pastries and Armenian sausages are excellent. I'd recommmend ordering 3 to 4 meze per 2 people plus one main which should leave enough room for a desert - try the mint tea too! Jackie, 23/05/07 The Al-Salam restaurant on Park End Street was my first Lebanese experience, and comes highly recommended as a cultured and enjoyable evening in Oxford! Walking into the restaurant it was strikingly obvious that this was a popular eatery, with most tables full and a variety of different sized parties. We were just a couple, but there was also a large party of ten seated behind us, and a reasonable number of families too. The interior of the restaurant is very atmospheric, with Arabic music playing, dark walls and low lighting; what I might describe as very traditional and typical - not what one becomes accustomed to within the centre of Oxford. We were seated without difficulty, though I would advise booking in advance for weekends or larger groups; and were served quickly and efficiently throughout our meal, but not to the point of feeling rushed at any time. We shared a bottle of the house wine, which was drinkable, though I think that if I returned I might pay the extra to buy one of the higher priced bottles, as the wine was not as nice as I might have hoped for the price (£9). For starters we ordered from the hugely extensive menu with some difficulty. There are approximately 40 different choices on the menu; both hot and cold, with a good selection of vegetarian options available. I think that the tradition in such a restaurant might be to order a selection of these 'meze' and share between those eating. However, with remarkably different tastes, this was not appropriate for myself and my husband, and as a result, I ordered the Warak'inab (vine leaves stuffed with rice), and my husband the Sujuq (a warm dish of bright red, spicy Armenian sausages). These were served promptly, and accompanied by a huge complimentary platter of salad, with an entire cucumber, lettuce, tomato, pepper, carrot, plus olives, radishes and green chillis; much to my delight! The starters were simply delicious, and amazingly generous; I had 8 vine leaf parcels on my plate; while my husband had a large mound of moist, juicy sausages to work through. The vine leaves were perfectly made, without being too oily, while being moist and tasty to the right degree, and the Armenian sausages were, as already stated, beautifully moist and tasty without being overbearing with any one flavour. For mains we were both again equally as confused by the huge choice offered to us, but also as equally delighted with our choices. I went for the Al-Salam Special, which was a platter of peppers, mushrooms, onions and tomato, served with a yoghurty sesame sauce and accompanied by a large portion of rice. My husband chose the mixed grill and was served a huge plate containing at 3 different meats (Kafta - minced lamb - and chicken), and a large side serving of vegetables. We also were intrigued by, and ordered a portion of Lebanese bread, which, for 20p, was a huge bargain, being a basket of soft, slightly flavoured unlevened bread (similar to pitta bread, but softer) and perfectly complimented the meal. Unfortunately, we were too full for a dessert; but there was a reasonably sized selection available on the menu, and I shall definitely remember to chose wisely next time we return such that I can experience the traditional Lebanese sweets (Baklaw - baklava) on offer. In total, the entire meal came to just under £30, but since we are students, we used our 'Snapfax' (student discount scheme - details at www.snapfax.co.uk) to reduce this bill by 20% and so in total the evening proved to be exceptionally reasonable considering we ate like kings and enjoyed every mouthful! After the meal, there is then the option of moving next door to the other side of the building, where there is a bar serving Hubbly Bubbly pipes, cocktails and beers, and makes for the perfect end to the evening. As an introduction to Lebanese cuisine, I would definitely recommend trying Al-Salam for a reasonably priced, fun and cultural experience all round. Alison Hook , 13/09/04
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