Lazeez: A Lebanese Culinary Gem in Mayfair
Discovering Intimate Dining and Community Spirit Amidst Modern Décor and Authentic Cuisine
Lazeez, a quaint Lebanese restaurant in Mayfair near Selfridges, boasts intimate modern décor. Offering Lebanese tapas, cocktails, and attentive service, it’s a family-run gem with community initiatives and delicious cuisine.
Lazeez Lebanese Tapas is a hidden gem in the heart of Mayfair, located centrally adjacent to Selfridges Department Store. The restaurant itself sits in a quiet spot yet is moments away from the buzz of St Christopher’s Place a favourite for “foodies” and shoppers on Oxford Street.
A warm greeting was received by one of the waiters Amal. The restaurant is small but has an intimate, modern feel with seating for around 16 diners upstairs and 16 downstairs. It is decorated with wooden flooring and tables, the wooden panelling walls are adorned with arch shaped mirrors and unusual ceiling lanterns, the windows dressed with a splash of green foliage and the bar area with an unusual large array of teapots on the shelving behind.
The food itself is Lebanese Tapas Style. The food menu has a wide selection of hot and cold tapas, salads, mains and sharing platters – both for mains and deserts. The drinks menu is extensive with a variety of cocktails, softails, spirits, beers and Lebanese wines.
A busy family run restaurant established for 15 years now – Lazeez provides catering for private functions in its basement area – birthday parties and special occasions. A takeaway service is offered as well as dining in and a street cafe seating area outside too. Brunch, lunch and dinner options provided. The restaurant certainly lives up to its 5 star hygiene award with its high standard of cleanliness throughout and well turned out staff. The menu is presented in English with access to an Arabic version via a QR code.
The meal itself consisted of charcoal grilled Halloumi Cheese a tasty hot tapas dish and Lazeez homemade houmous and flat bread – truly delicious. Mains of Chicken Shawarma with touches of ginger and Lamb Kafta served on skewers with salad. All generous size portions with lots of flavour and spices and beautifully presented. The meal was accompanied by a Lebanese red wine reminiscent of a Cabernet Sauvignon and a lemon mint softail. Mint tea followed – a delightful palate cleanser with a side of baklava. And to finish a shot of Lebanese coffee served with dates. This coffee is certainly not for the faint hearted but a welcome end to an outstanding meal.
On speaking to one of the Managers/Chef Javier, he advised me that all dishes are made from scratch within their kitchen. Dishes are continually adapted to reflect the true style of Lebanese cuisine. Javier clearly had a great enthusiasm and sense of pride for the restaurant’s dishes. Javier is evidently very hands on both in the kitchen and in the restaurant itself – a nice personal touch.
The restaurant offers 15 per cent discount to local employees from workplaces like Selfridges nearby who regularly attend for meals after work. Lazeez has also been signed up to the Felix Project since 2016 providing food for the homeless. A joy to see a business with true appreciation in giving back to the local community.
My only disappointment was to not experience a cup of tea being served from one of their numerous metal teapots. These brought back childhood memories of Aladdins Lamps. Perhaps on my next visit…..
