Getting a table at Em Sherif isn't easy. We tried to get a table on our last trip to Lebanon but failed miserably. We tried again this time and we almost failed. The concierge of the Phoenicia Hotel failed to get us a table for three consecutive nights. We had to pull some strings, I called a friend who called a friend in Saudi Arabia who called Em Sherif herself and we got a table.
The complexity of getting a table and the wow reviews we heard and read about Em Sherif our expectations were set very high. We went to Em Sherif expecting to lick our fingers and that we will be wowed big time.
To be fair, all the food was above average, but as we were at Em Sherif our critique needed to be harsher than average. Em Sherif managed to create a very good reputation for her restaurant and I believe it is the most desired restaurant at the moment in Beirut.
THE AMBIENCE
The way Em Sherif is decorated made me feel as if I flew back in time and I landed in Al-Andalus. Lots of colored glass, design old plates on the wall, arabesque mirrors, water fountains, with different Arabic designs and shapes. I have to say the décor is outstanding 10/10.
My understanding that there was a live band, but as we were seated upstairs. I couldn’t see the band. I only heard them through speakers and wasn’t very impressed, on the contrary we found it hard to hear each other.
Even though you can smoke inside and I was very glad of course. The place is not smoky.
THE SERVICE
Presentation is very nice the staff is extremely well trained. They know what they are doing. 9/10
THE FOOD
At Em Sherif you don’t have a choice. You get a set menu with a set of cold and hot mezzeh, followed by a selection of home cooked dishes and grills. You need to be smart and leave some space for the dessert. After this huge selection of food you will be also offered a selection of deserts and fruits.
Cold & Hot Mezzeh:
1- Kebba labaneya stuffed with mint 9/10
2- Shrimps a la Shish Tawooq style 10/10 very close the famous P F Chang's Dynamite Shrimp recipe
3- Sambousek Jebneh 12/10 excellent it was a reminder that we are at Em Sherif
4- Lahm baajeen 7/10
5- Mankousha Zaatar 7/10
6- French Fries 10/10 they were crispy from the outside and soft from the inside exactly the way I like them
7- Moutabel 10/10 perfect
8- Humus 9/10
9- Didn't like the Tabbouleh it was a bit dry
10- Fattoush with a twist the fried bread was replaced with fried eggplants, very well presented as well 9/10
11- Green Beans 8/10
12- Grape leafs 6/10
13- Kebbah Sajeyah is very well presented 7/10
14- Grilled Makanek 8/10 these small sausages were different than the regular Lebanese style of cooking. They had no sauce. I actually like the Makanek this way much more.
15- Samaka Harra 7/10
Main Dish:
1- Lamb Kebab the meat is tender and soft 8/10 misses a little bit of spices
2- Shish Tawooq chicken with mint very soft and tender chicken 10/10
3- Sayadeya fish with rice and brown sauce with fried browned onions. The fish itself was very well cooked 9/10 but the rice could have been better 7/10 The brown sauce was nothing to write home about 7/10. The Sayadeya overall 8/10.
Desert:
1- Chocolate ice-cream with hazelnuts and biscuit cones 9/10
2- Strawberry with crème Chantilly 10/10
3- Mahalabeya 9/10
4- Moghlee 8/10
5- Karabeej with cream 9/10
6- Om Ali 6/10
7- Pine Apple cubes
N.B. It was interesting to note that at Em Sherif they serve both Pepsi & Coke products
THE COST
A set menu at $63 USD excluding Argileh and drinks. I would say it is at the expensive side.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you want to impress someone take them to Em Sherif, but if you want to go to a restaurant and enjoy the food, I don’t think Em Sherif should be your destination. In my opinion people are currently going to Em Sherif because the place is hip not because the food at Em Sherif is outstanding 8/10.
