LOCATION
in Glebe, Parramatta Road end of Glebe Point Road - ten minutes from the CBD.
PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIA - JUNE 06
We stepped inside Almustafa armed with bottles of beer and wine, and were instantly struck by a vibrant vibe of elaborate colour and excited chatter. A rainbow mosaic of plush patterned fabric, Almustafa is best described as a colourful playground for adults. We settled in to our cushion-strewn bench seats, perused the menu (Arabic to most of us), and opted for the eight-course banquet at $40.00 per head. With the ordering out of the way, we tucked merrily into our BYO, our moods lifting off the ground with the help of some up-tempo Middle Eastern music. Our eyes darted around the crowded room at the multitude of Lebanese wall-hangings, statues and ornaments before fixating on the Arabic Pipes on the side-board. The food arrived with seemingly endless encores. It's funny to think that something so foreign can also be a home cooked meal. Behind the scenes, Salwa Loghmji goes to great lengths to ensure the food is just what you'd experience in her own home. The taste of the food is totally unique. Don't ask for the recipe, because there isn't one. Salwa learned the delicate art of Lebanese cuisine from many years of watching her Grandmother cook.
The menu selection is large featuring dips, vegetarian, salads, meat and seafood. Two thirds of the menu is vegetarian, so it's healthy and keeps everyone happy. I know it's a big call, but this was arguably the best hommus I've ever tasted. The Soujouk, or spicy sausage, is a taste explosion and the Tabouli is freshly made for each order. And then came the belly dancer and a belly button with a mind of its own. She moved about the room with charisma and grace, pulling people up to dance with her. After our Baclava, Turkish delight and Turkish coffee, our host and co-owner, Ian Ballingall, showed us what the Arabic pipes (or hubbly bubblies) were for. The apple-flavoured tobacco was a great way to finish the meal.
If you're looking for a venue to stage your next party or function, upstairs at Almustafa is just the place. Renowned for its wild parties, the 'Cushion Room,' that fits up to 120 people, looks like the inside of an Arabian sheik's tent. Guests sit on cushions on the floor and eat off low tables.
Be sure to make a booking, because both restaurants are full most nights - testimony to the fact that a belly dancer, some home cooked tucker and an Arabian pipe really does make for a great night out.
Shelley Hepworth, June 06
CUSHION ROOM CAPACITIES
up to 120
SET MENUS
Almustafa’s Cushion Room Meza -
Homous/Baba Ganouge/ Tabouli/Falafel/Soujouk
Vine Leaves/Eggplant with Yoghurt Sauce
Potato Coriander/
Grilled Lamb Kafta/
Grilled Lamb Shawarma/
Grilled Marinated/ Chicken Breast Fillets
Lebanese Coffee & Sweets
($45)
Arabian Traditional Banquet- Almustafa’s Banquet above, plus:
Homemade Pickles/ Fatouche Salad/Chef’s Choice of Vegetarian or Lamb/Cauliflower, lightly fried & topped w/ tahini sauce/Samkeh Harra, grilled fillet of perch w/ tangy tahini sauce
($45 per person)
ENTERTAINMENT
Belly dancers are included in the per head price on Friday and Saturday nights and included for 30 people or more for bookings at other times. An additional charge is required to book belly dancers at other times. Subject to bookings, there are currently two belly dancers that perform in the Cushion Room.
PARKING - available behind the restaurant in the Broadway Plaza Carpark (first 3 hours free)
BYO - no corkage charged
