Zayt & Zaatar’s hearty Lebanese reviewed
THE food is hearty Lebanese, the menu extensive, and the look of the place is certainly different.
FOOTPATH timber bar tables and stools are an incongruous sight along this busy stretch of arterial road. It’s a chilly night and no-one is perched where you can soak in traffic noise and pollution, but it grabs our attention.
Inside, the timber theme continues, in a big way, as if there’s a keen woodworker in the family, who has lined the walls, the bar, the tables, like an OK Corral with rough-hewn and burnished planks, only relieved by chalkboard-style portraits of Middle Eastern, rather than Wild-West, characters.
The food is hearty Lebanese, the menu extensive, and, until 2pm, you can breakfast on eggs, spiced meats, labneh or fermented grain and yoghurt porridge, or lunch on a range of pizza-style “manaeesh”, $7-$12, or Lebanese wraps, $12.
Food and drinks are ordered at the bar. It’s a tick for groups, who’ll enjoy the separate bills for plates piled high, and lots of flavours to sweep up with fresh pocket flat bread that abounds.
Baba ganouj is a flame-roasted eggplant dip. Some effort in the garnish helps the bowl of grey puree that tastes smokey and just fine. Stuffed vine leaves leave a pleasant tang on the palate, and again get a little garnishing love, even a roasted spud half in the centre carrying a lemony kick. The sujuk, described as gourmet sausages, is also dip-like, served warm, the meat finely chopped with tomatoes, all nicely spiced.
A mixed skewers platter “for two” at $57.90 must be a mountain. After snacks, the regular version fills a large board for $32.90, and is plenty for us. The skewers are loaded, one with lamb charred and lush, one with chicken a tad past juicy but still good when spiked with fatoush salad, as well as beef, plus hummus and a garlicky paste, hand-cut fat chips, tomato and roasted onion. It’s a feast.
Pussy’s bow fails to keep our eyes off a big pastries cabinet. One big, dense wedge of orange syrup and coconut cake to share is a sweetie foil after the meaty meal, if you can fit it in.
603 Lower North East Rd, Campbelltown, 8365 1001
Score 6.5/10