Le Menar - Menu

Le Menar is an unassuming-looking Lebanese place tucked away behind Goodge Street that has exceptionally good food. Don’t you love that? The places you have to hunt down that make the faffing about with Citymapper worth it?. After struggling with the iron door (stupid frickin wimp arms), I made my way into what seems, essentially, like my dream living room. Mismatched, extra plumped cushions line the seat, deep golden tables with dainty candles spotted around. Deep reds, dark wood and cosy atmosphere, it’s make an ideal spot for birthday drinks, or cosying up with your date.

It’s nice being pleasantly surprised, right? And that’s just what I was during a recent dinner at newly relaunched Le Menar restaurant in Fitzrovia. It wasn’t that I had been expecting any sort of substandard meal; I just didn’t realise Head Chef Vernon Samuels’ “modern approach” to North African and Middle Eastern cuisine was going to be so inspired, thoughtfully prepared and intriguingly tasteful. Ideal mezzes include the za’atar burrata with Heirloom Tomato salad, £8); the so much better than at first might sound and ultra tahini enhanced) hummus and wasabi £4.50); and the Lebanese spiced squid pan fried squid with almond, Agen prunes, red pepper and harrisa...read more

Not long ago I went along to a tasting event at Le Menar. I can remember dish after dish appearing from the kitchen, each one disappearing as quickly as it was brought out. I was struggling to keep up both with tasting and keeping track of what was being served. I do remember mouthfuls of smoked lamb proscuitto, silky smooth moutabal and some fabulous tasters of lebanese spiced chicken. I was both excited and relieved to learn that this was just a preview and we were invited to return to review a full meal and experience some more of Chef Vernon Samuels’ take on Moroccan dining. Le Menar is something of an Aladdin’s cave. Seating is low cushioned benches and stools with...read more

by londonfoodgal on May 9, 2015 If you are looking for a tranquil getaway from the busy streets of Fitzrovia, I recommend you dive in to Le Menar ! You arrive through a large heavy wooden door, it’s almost as I imagine the door to Narnia to be! On the other side, it all feels a little magical, with low, inviting tables, scatter cushions and flickering candles. I’d checked this place out before booking, and was keen to see what it had to offer, as the Head Chef takes a modern approach to North African Cuisine. Having taken our seats we browsed the menu . You are spoilt for choice with over 20 starters, so we decided that we’d love to get a real taste of this place and ordered...read more

Fitzrovia seems to be a hub for new openings in London right now. There are so many new restaurants popping up you do have to wonder just how they all survive? The realisation is that actually the old-fashioned long-standing restaurants are closing down and the modern, new cuisines are taking their places. Frankly I’m not completely against the idea, but at the same time there are still so many GOOD restaurants which are being forgotten about because us Londoners just can’t stop chasing these new openings. Le Menar is a new North African restaurant hidden on a back street in Fitzrovia which has very little passing trade – for them this is not such a good thing, but for people like...read mor...

Whenever I return home for a visit and my family ask what I've been up to and I regale them with the things I've been up to in the evenings or at the weekend, I am invariably asked whether I could imagine being anywhere other than London now. The answer is no. In truth, even before I moved here, even when I was living and working in other cities, I knew that I couldn't really see myself anywhere else. Part of the appeal is that so much of the world is present in London and it's pervasive through the culture and also food on offer here. I might not yet have convinced my boyfriend that a mini-break in Morocco would be amazing (I'm not sure why but he remains unconvinced) but I can at least...r...

A few weeks ago, I met with the community manager of the food review website Zomato to discuss dining options, pop-ups, and blogs. They were kind enough to send me a voucher for a meal at Fortnum and Mason. Despite never having dined there before, I decided to take them up on their offer. The Gallery, located on the back of the ground floor of Fortnum and Mason, was where I booked a table for Mother's Day and brought along a friend to join me. We were both fascinated by their menu and eager to try their food. Fortnum and Mason's dining room was beautifully decorated and offered a variety of delicious sweet, hearty, and alcoholic dishes, setting high expectations for our meal. Given that it w...

A few weeks ago, I attended the press introduction for the new menu at Le Menar, a restaurant specializing in modern North African cuisine in Fitzrovia. The restaurant is led by Chef Vernon Samuels. During the event, we indulged in delicious appetizers such as burrata with za'atar, merguez-seasoned oysters, and falafel bites, all accompanied by plenty of bubbly. The evening was filled with laughter, and I was eager to return to try their menu for a full meal. The restaurant's interior is stunning, with plush sofa seating, colorful accents, beautiful lighting, mirrors, and an upper level with additional seating and elegant gold-covered tables. The ambiance is dark and romantic, perfect for se...

A few weeks ago, I attended the press introduction for the new menu at Le Menar, a restaurant specializing in modern North African cuisine in Fitzrovia. The restaurant is led by Chef Vernon Samuels. During the event, we indulged in delicious nibbles such as burrata with za'atar, merguez-seasoned oysters, and falafel bites, while enjoying plenty of bubbly. It was a fun evening and I couldn't wait to return to try their menu for real. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, with comfortable sofa seats, colorful accents, beautiful lighting, mirrors, and an upper level with additional seating and gold-covered tables. The ambiance is intimate and dimly lit, perfect for setting the mood (a...