Mazati

I welcomed the chance to return to this city centre Lebanese who gave me such a special evening last year. The curved brick ceiling of this subterranean cavern appealed as much as before, although the staff were less attentive. We booked for the evening opening on Friday night, and found ourselves to be the only customers. We were surprised at the quietness and also that the at least 3 waiters did not come over to us more. I was not pleased that my booking in person was interrupted by a phone call - my public service training was that the person in front of you always took priority. My family enjoyed their lamb shanks well enough, but my platter of eight disappointed. It literally was a tiny portion of the each of eight items mentioned, such as filo pastry parcels, making it unfilling, when I had hoped this mezze combo would suffice as a main. I am not convinced that I wasn't given the non vegetarian option as one little breadcrumbed stick tasted distinctly fish fingery. Hummus was shaped like a gravy boat around some suspect little dark balls. There wasn't anything I really liked, and if you are unfamiliar with Lebanese food it's hard to learn what appeals for next time, and the dishes are too small to savour if you like them. Dessert was a sweet pancake with a taste that offended all of our palettes. The beginning of the mouthful was good - and then, like a magic sweet, a strange aftertaste kicked in which made us all leave the majority of it. I get the impression from the avid advertising and emptiness that Mazati struggles - but an experience like that doesn't encourage a return visit.