Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 6 and Version 5 of Maramia Cafe, W10 5PR
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| Small restaurant in [[Locale Maida Hill|Maida Hill]] offering Palestinian cuisine and Lebanese wines. |
Small restaurant in Maida Hill offering Palestinian cuisine and Lebanese wines. Quite some effort and taste has been applied to the decoration to evoke a feeling of the region [http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5381590258_41f7aa2b10_m_d.jpg photo], although less limber diners will be glad that this doesn't extend as far as the low tables and chairs common around the Eastern Mediterranean region. It has seating for around 34 [http://www.flickr.com/photos/itsbruce/5481977532/ photo]. |
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Quite some effort and taste has been applied to the decoration to evoke a feeling of the region, although less limber diners will be glad that this doesn't extend as far as the low tables and chairs common around the Eastern Mediterranean region. Paintings and photos of Palestinian places and people adorn the walls, candles sit in empty wine bottles on the tables, and ornate brass lampshades hang from the ceiling <small>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/39163972535/ photo]</small>. At the back, a wooden archway offers a partial view onto the kitchen. It seats around 34, though it should be noted that three of the tables are for groups of six. |
[[itsbruce]] took three friends to the restaurant in January 2011. They had a selection of mezze for starters. All four were thrilled by the quality of these; [[itsbruce]] thought they were possibly the best mezze he had ever tasted. All the dishes were very freshly prepared and very carefully seasoned, so that there was a lovely clarity and crispness to the flavours. The two standout dishes were the hummus, which had people fighting for the final scraps, and the Fattush salad (a mixed salad with toasted pitta bread). Also worthy of mention was a dish of spiced sausages in which the sliced tomato accompaniment was as delicious as the meat. |
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[[itsbruce]] first visited with three friends in January 2011. All of us were thrilled by the quality of the mezze selection we had for starters; [[itsbruce]] thought they were possibly the best mezze he had ever tasted. All the dishes were very freshly prepared and very carefully seasoned, so that there was a lovely clarity and crispness to the flavours. The two standout dishes were the hummus, which had people fighting for the final scraps, and the fattush salad (a mixed salad with toasted pitta bread). Also worthy of mention was a dish of spiced sausages in which the sliced tomato accompaniment was as delicious as the meat. |
For a main course, each selected a different grill, all of which came served on Arabic bread with a generous portion of salad. The chicken and lamb kababs were tender and hardly seasoned at all (this is not [[itsbruce]]'s favourite style of dish and he would choose one of the more exotic dishes from the menu, next time). The kofte were subtly flavoured with cinammon and sumac, which the happy diners considered much more pleasant than the peppery version available from a typical kebab house. While the main courses were well received, the consensus was that they weren't the same stunning triumph as the mezze. The Lebanese rosé recommended by the staff was very drinkable but nothing amazing. |
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For a main course, we each selected a different grill, all of which came served on Arabic bread with a generous portion of salad. The chicken and lamb kababs were tender and very lightly seasoned, and the kofte were subtly flavoured with cinammon and sumac. While the main courses were well received, the consensus was that they weren't the same stunning triumph as the mezze. The Lebanese rosé recommended by the staff was very drinkable but nothing amazing. |
The mezze dishes were mostly £4 or £4.50 each (some are available as main courses), the main courses £8 each. A meal for four, including two bottles of wine, came to £74 not including service. They do offer set menus (£12 per head for a two course meal, £16 for a three course meal with tea). |
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Service was very friendly and helpful but restrained, so we never felt pressured or harassed. The starters took a little while to arrive but there was no complaint as they had been made completely from scratch (we had a clear view into the kitchen from our table). Our bill, including two bottles of wine, came to £74 not including service. |
The service was very friendly and helpful but restrained, so that the group never felt pressured or harassed. The starters took a little while to arrive but there was no complaint as they had been made completely from scratch (the group had a clear view into the kitchen from their table). After a lovely evening and some terrific food, all four would highly recommend the Maramia Café. |
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[[itsbruce]] returned on a Saturday morning near the end of February 2011 to try the set breakfast (£6.50) <small>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/itsbruce/5479446175/ photo]</small>, which consisted of an egg poached in a spicy tomato sauce, a strongly seasoned salad, hummus, two different kinds of spiced potato cake, falafel, a kind of potato hash, two flatbreads, and a choice of drink (I had mint tea). It was nicely presented, entirely suitable for non-vegan vegetarians, really very good, and surprisingly filling (two flatbreads was more than I needed). (Note that as of early 2018, they no longer open for breakfast.) |
[[itsbruce]] returned on a Saturday morning near the end of February 2011 to try the breakfast. This is a set meal consisting of an egg poached in a spicy tomato sauce, a strongly seasoned salad, hummus, two different kinds of spiced potato cake, falafel and a kind of potato hash, with two flat-breads and a choice of drink ([[itsbruce]] had mint tea), all for £6.50. It was nicely presented [http://www.flickr.com/photos/itsbruce/5479446175/ photo], entirely suitable for non-vegan vegetarians, really very good and surprisingly filling (two flat-breads was more than [[itsbruce]] needed). |
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When [[Kake]] visited around 4pm on a Wednesday afternoon in January 2018, there were unsurprisingly no other customers, though a couple more arrived just as I was leaving. Music was playing, not too loud. |
Accessibility: the restaurant is all on one level but there are a few steps up to the door. |
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Lentil soup (£5) <small>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/40062667251/ photo]</small> was quite thin, but well flavoured and with a smooth texture. Although delicious, it seemed a little overpriced for what it was. Arayes (£5) <small>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/40062666501/ photo]</small> was a generously-sized pile of grilled flatbread stuffed with lamb mince. The bread had a crisp crackly surface, though unfortunately verging on burnt in places, but fresh enough and with just the right amount of chew. The lamb had a good texture, but I'd have preferred a bit more seasoning. There was a sprinkling of sumac over the top of the pile, which worked really well, and I wished there had also been some on the lower layers. Fresh lemon and mint juice (£3.50) <small>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/39163971905/ photo]</small> was very good; not too sweet, and nicely tart and refreshing, though it did get somewhat "bitty" towards the bottom. It was served at room temperature rather than chilled, which worked well. Service was fine. Although the menu says that a 12.5% service charge will be added, mine was rounded down to make the bill an even £15. [[itsbruce]]'s verdict: A lovely evening and some terrific food. I and the three others I visited with would highly recommend the Maramia Café. [[Kake]]'s verdict: I'd like to come back and try more of the menu. I'd happily eat the same meal again, too. Accessibility: A ramp to get in, and a step to the toilet. |
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* Photos of the menu as of January 2018: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/40062670241/ mezze], [https://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/40062669271/ mains and sides], [https://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/40062668311/ desserts and drinks] * [http://fizzoflife.com/2016/01/04/maramia-cafe-notting-hill/ Fizz Of Life review] |
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<div class="last_verified">Last visited by [[Kake]], January 2018. Opening hours taken from the Maramia Cafe website, February 2018.</div> |
<div class="last_verified">Last visited by [[itsbruce]], February 2011.</div> |
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category='Cafes,Mezze,Palestinian Food,Restaurants,Vegetarian Friendly' edit_type='Normal edit' fax='MaramiaCafe' |
category='Breakfast,Cafes,Mezze,Palestinian Food,Restaurants,Vegetarian Friendly' edit_type='Minor tidying' fax='' |
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hours_text='Mon: closed; Tue-Sun: noon-11:30pm' |
hours_text='9:00am - 12:00pm, 12:30pm - 4:00pm, 6:00pm - 11:00pm Mon-Sun' |
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major_change='1' |
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node_image='https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4717/40062664001_63a837fddb_m_d.jpg' node_image_copyright='Kake' node_image_licence='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/' node_image_url='https://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/40062664001/' opening_hours_text='Mon: closed; Tue-Sun: noon-11:30pm' |
node_image='https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5480045578_d96567ba6c_m.jpg' node_image_copyright='itsbruce' node_image_licence='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/' node_image_url='https://www.flickr.com/photos/itsbruce/5480045578/' opening_hours_text='9:00am - 12:00pm, 12:30pm - 4:00pm, 6:00pm - 11:00pm Mon-Sun' |
Small restaurant in Maida Hill offering Palestinian cuisine and Lebanese wines. Quite some effort and taste has been applied to the decoration to evoke a feeling of the region photo, although less limber diners will be glad that this doesn't extend as far as the low tables and chairs common around the Eastern Mediterranean region. It has seating for around 34 photo.
itsbruce took three friends to the restaurant in January 2011. They had a selection of mezze for starters. All four were thrilled by the quality of these; itsbruce thought they were possibly the best mezze he had ever tasted. All the dishes were very freshly prepared and very carefully seasoned, so that there was a lovely clarity and crispness to the flavours. The two standout dishes were the hummus, which had people fighting for the final scraps, and the Fattush salad (a mixed salad with toasted pitta bread). Also worthy of mention was a dish of spiced sausages in which the sliced tomato accompaniment was as delicious as the meat.
For a main course, each selected a different grill, all of which came served on Arabic bread with a generous portion of salad. The chicken and lamb kababs were tender and hardly seasoned at all (this is not itsbruce's favourite style of dish and he would choose one of the more exotic dishes from the menu, next time). The kofte were subtly flavoured with cinammon and sumac, which the happy diners considered much more pleasant than the peppery version available from a typical kebab house. While the main courses were well received, the consensus was that they weren't the same stunning triumph as the mezze. The Lebanese rosé recommended by the staff was very drinkable but nothing amazing.
The mezze dishes were mostly £4 or £4.50 each (some are available as main courses), the main courses £8 each. A meal for four, including two bottles of wine, came to £74 not including service. They do offer set menus (£12 per head for a two course meal, £16 for a three course meal with tea).
The service was very friendly and helpful but restrained, so that the group never felt pressured or harassed. The starters took a little while to arrive but there was no complaint as they had been made completely from scratch (the group had a clear view into the kitchen from their table). After a lovely evening and some terrific food, all four would highly recommend the Maramia Café.
itsbruce returned on a Saturday morning near the end of February 2011 to try the breakfast. This is a set meal consisting of an egg poached in a spicy tomato sauce, a strongly seasoned salad, hummus, two different kinds of spiced potato cake, falafel and a kind of potato hash, with two flat-breads and a choice of drink (itsbruce had mint tea), all for £6.50. It was nicely presented photo, entirely suitable for non-vegan vegetarians, really very good and surprisingly filling (two flat-breads was more than itsbruce needed).
Accessibility: the restaurant is all on one level but there are a few steps up to the door.
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