On only its second night open, one could forgive Ya Hala, Brixton’s new Lebanese grill room the occasional hiccup, but it has a little way to go to ensure it is more than just a decent kebabberie.
No drinks licence, some sort of industrial draft gusting from the ceiling and somewhat disorientated, waiters.
In the shell of what used to be Joy with raw warehouse distressed décor, a sprinkling of Verner Panton chairs and banquettes, de rigeur industrial styling alongside more conventional chairs and tables, it’s a nice space.
For Mrs B and I, breaking our half-hearted dry(ish) January for the night, a lack of beers was borderline traumatic.
But bring on the meats. Alongside a fattoush salad – leaves, mint, onion, radish, sumac and toasted Lebanese bread (£4), we chose two classics, a charcoal infused mixed grill of kofta minced lamb, lahem meshwi lamb cubes and shish taouk chicken (£10.95) and deeply marinated lamb shawarma (£9.90). Served with rice and chips respectively, Lebanese breads, chilli and garlic sauces.
There is very little that can go wrong with grilled marinated meats sizzled on a smoking charcoal grill, but the devil is sometimes in the detail.
Alongside some nice tasty meats, the fattoush could have done with a shot of adrenalin to wake it up from limp sulkiness, instead of steamy, crispy hot breads straight out of the oven (yes, I’ve been spoiled by the likes of Dishoom and even Lahore Kebab House), ours were standard cold pitta fare.
Which is not to say it wasn’t busy and isn’t already a workable pit-stop at reasonable prices.
The next few weeks will show if Ya Hala is going to be just a decent Lebanese addition to Brixton’s dining roster, or more than a dime a dozen one. Little improvements can go a long way.
Ya Hala
432 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LG
020 7733 3098
I was incredibly excited to have a Lebanese restaurant in Brixton. But it definitely needs a lot of improvement on quality and price before I try again. I have been spoiled by the fresh, quality and sharp tastes of the kinds of Maroush. But this doesn’t even compare with the Comptoir Libanais. Tabbouleh is not that hard to get right. Chopped parsley and zingy lemon juice, it is that easy. The Tabbouleh was bland and with a strange aftertaste I still have not identified. That is for quality. When it comes to prices, the same Tabbouleh, or the equivalent volume of hummus was just below £5! Which is more expensive than their sandwiches!
I really hope they improve and provide quality that honours Lebanese cuisine, and that they will get inspired by some of their counterparts’ clever pricing that leaves you happy under £10. A bit of salad and hummus next to your wrap goes a long way to get your customers feeling like they have experienced a tasteful journey.
Nothing that can’t be improved though! Let’s just hope that the blessing of a great location does not provide an excuse for staying mediocre. Best of luck to them!.