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It’s a wrap, Lebanese feast has everything
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ELI Falafel is a contemporary restaurant dedicated to sharing authentic, home-style, healthy Lebanese cuisine.
Run by husband and wife team Wael and Mirna Accad, Eli Falafel started as a tiny chic eatery on Wulumuqi Road M. two years ago, offering a taste of Lebanon in a neighborhood dominated by Western lifestyles and food.
It became a hit among locals and expats for its mixed grills, wraps and fresh salads.
Wael has been looking at different neighborhoods in the city center to expand his concept.
Opening the second Eli Falafel on the busy Jiujiang Road, close to People’s Square, was not his original plan.
“I went to have a look at the space and decided within five minutes even though I was not familiar with this area,” he said.
“However, it turned out to be good after two months of operation.”
Every noon, the 35 seats are packed with locals looking for decent lunches. And after sunset, a mixture of locals and expats gather both inside and out for more of a vibrant Lebanese feast accompanied by drinks and shisha.
Authenticity and refinement, with freshly made food, are the key to success, according to Wael.
And one of the greatest things about this cuisine is that it is diverse enough to satisfy any preference. Order the Lebanese dips of hummus, baba ghanouge and muhammara to start.
The hummus is smooth with a rich tahini flavor, while the aubergine-based baba ghanouge is more chunky than smooth. It comes with pita bread right out of the oven. It is delicious even without any accompaniment.
Lebanese pizza, or manousheh, is a traditional white flatbread often topped with cheese, meat and vegetables. It’s one of the most popular items here for sharing.
Try the Manousheh Labneh with traditional thick and creamy strained yogurt spread on the freshly baked flat bread. Topped with tomatoes, olives, fresh mint and finely chopped cucumbers, it tastes typically Mediterranean — clean and refreshing.
There are many appetizers and delicious small plates to share at Eli Falafel but always leave some appetite for their special shawarma platter and mixed grill.
Shawarma is a Levantine meat preparation where the mixed beef and lamb meats are placed on a vertical spit, and grilled at least one hour before serving. Shavings are cut off the block of meat and immediately served on your plate.
Here the shawarma platter offers both mixed meats and chicken together with French fries, parsley and onions, pickles, tomatoes and two sauces for dipping.
Wael taught me to mix the meat with condiments wrapped in pita bread. With the touch of garlic sauce, it was a most satisfying moment.
The shawarma, shish taouk (skewered grilled chicken), the lamb and kafta kebab, are a huge fan-favorite.
Opening hours: 11am-10pm
Tel: 6308-5881
Address: 1/F, 686 Jiujiang Rd
Average price: 130 yuan (US$18.14)
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