I first came here back in February this year and loved the concept of old uni friends collaborating to create Le Bab with a mutual mission to put gourmet kebabs on the Soho food map. Everything was well put together and delivered with classy service. (My original review can be seen here). So I couldn’t wait to visit again.
There are some new items on the menu but the dish that really grabs me is the Pig’s Head. Sadly though my dinner date didn’t fancy it and I couldn’t eat a whole one!
Pascal Jolivet – Attitude 2014. A Sauvignon Blanc at £25 and it was the fruity minerally variety which wasn’t too sweet. Just the way I like it.
Our views from dining by the far window.
Spiced cauliflower pastilla with charred pineapple yogurt £5. These were the highlight starters, served fresh from the fryer in spring roll form and carried an abundant amount of flavour. Cinnamon was pronounced in a good way.
Lokma doughnut with spiced chicken liver parfait £2.5. Sweetened by syrup, balanced by the savoury parfait and doughy in texture. It’s an interesting bite but the novelty has worn off now since I’ve had it previously.
Scotch kofta with spiced date brown sauce £5. My concept of a perfect scotch egg would come with a crispy crumb exterior, correctly seasoned meat and a soft centred egg. This didn’t hit any of those criteria as it was lukewarm with a soft unremarkable insipid shell. The brown sauce was unarmed too. We struggled to finish this one.
Endive & Pomegranate £3.5. Lincolnshire endive, Iranian pomegranate, shallot dressing. Bitter sweet leaves dotted with jewels of fruity pomegranate, it was just as good as the last time!
15-hour free range pork shawama kebab £12. Grilled spring onion, roasted white broccoli purée, fennel pickle, crackling, chermoula mayo. The broccoli added to creamy element, the crackling candy-like bringing texture, the herby chermoula gave that lift too. The charred flat bread was perfect platform to carry all the ingredients, tearing evenly with every bite. The pork however, was flavoursome but perhaps on the tougher side surprisingly since it has been cooked for 15 hours.
Chelsea blond on the house, a lovely pale ale with citrus notes.
Orange cake which was from the specials of the day £4.50. The cake had the perfect consistency, not too dense and carried good citrus flavour from the orange. The topping of gooseberry compote and piped vanilla cream added that extra decadence.
We loved it so much the wonderful staff decided to give us an extra slice was on the house!
The verdict:
When did I go? July 2016
The damage: Expect to pay £35-£45 per head with drinks
The good: Another enjoyable meal had here, not quite as pitch perfect as my first visit but not far off. The kebabs were simply better (according to my palate anyway) then. I’ll be coming back for sure and long live the kebab renaissance!
The bad: The scotch kofta is to be avoided
Rating: 3.5/5
http://eatlebab.com/
Address: Top Floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby St, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW Phone: 020 7439 9222
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