Jasmin 1

Based on the fact I am here with Joanne, it only gets a star on that account!
Truly awful.

When the food is top notch you can forgive 90s reception venue décor and staff who seem genuinely bewildered to find themselves running a restaurant. Unfortunately, despite its reputation, Jasmin1 is not top notch.
If you believe Not Quite Nigella you’ll be welcomed with cinnamon tea and bread and pickles while you peruse the menu in a leisurely manner. In reality you’ll be welcomed not at all, you’ll struggle to flag down a waiter and then you’ll realise it’s not full table service.
Food-​wise the mixed plate is not bad and an ok price at $ 18 (much cheaper than you’d get closer to the city). You do get the pickles and bread once you order and we found the cinnamon tea in a help-​yourself vat at the front door. Styrofoam cups supplied.
The tabbouleh was pretty good right up until I found some sort of grub living in it. The fattoush was a disaster. Dressing far too sweet and drowning the salad.
This place had a steady stream of take away customers and was starting to fill by the time we left so it is still pretty popular. I however don’t understand the appeal and so my search for great Lebanese continues.