al waha

Dinner in Notting Hill on a Saturday night. Bodean’s on Westbourne Grove was suggested, but that’s now Tinseltown – “a modern twist to the American Diner”, and having spent less than a minute in there, not a place we wanted to eat.

Al Waha however very much was, and considering it was nearby (also along Westbourne) it seemed like the perfect opportunity to visit.

A table for four was pulled apart to accommodate us and what was essentially a plant pot on wheels was slotted between the two to give each a bit more privacy. The exotic leaves also added to the decor massively. It was genius.

We ordered a couple of beers (a choice of only Stella or Corona) and started to puruse the menu. Once we had ordered, a waiter placed a bowl on the table that contained a lettuce, the biggest tomato you’ve ever seen, a small cucumber, a spring onion, sticks of carrot, two radishes and some ice cubes. It was truly odd.

Without any explanation as to what this was all for, we were both presented with some flat bread and quickly everything slotted into place. This was out cover, and all indications seemed to suggest that some potentially amazing hummus was on it’s way.

It wasn’t.

Our starters arrived next, and these were noteworthy. The falafels were exquisite, served with a delightful sauce and a tomato ganrish (this one smaller and actually quatered). The okra (bamia bil zait) with garlic, tomatoes and coriander  was next-level good.

Whilst we were in the midsts of mopping up the last of the okra with the last of our flat bread, still debating whether our hummuss had been forgotten or whether we were expected to order it as a side, we suddenly found ourselves in a game of Twister with the waiters who had rather annoyingly started clearing away plates and cutelery and glasses and uneaten food.

Without a sound the waiters took away our olives, the remaining falafel sauce and what remained of our vegetables and swapped them for our mains.

The smell was horrific. We had both ordered the daily special of fried courgette stuffed with lamb mince and pine nuts, served in a yogurth sauce with rice. However, there was only one left so I took the hit and had a dish that was decribed as similar, which it was.

The alternative consisted of bland, tear-shaped lamb mince meatballs with pine nuts, served in the same unpleasant, hot yoghurt sauce as the stuffed courgettes. Both were served with dull pilau rice, that on its own as a side would have cost £4.

I can’t remember the last time I left food in a restaurant. It was a shame.

Having read such good things about Al Walha and after beginning the meal with some truly excellent starters, it was crushing to end feeling so disappointed. Obviously we could have simply made bad choices on the mains, but even if we had, the bizarre, impersonal service was enough to put me off. The fact that our unfinished food was stolen away from us, despite the olives, breads and vegetables costing us a whole £3 each, was inexcusable.

Al Waha

75 Westbourne Grove | W2 4UL | 020 7229 0806 | www.alwalharestaurant.co.uk

Overall:

Disappointing