In our continuing series highlight wine and dine experiences in and around the Island of Phuket, local contributor and blogger #crissyeats takes a journey through the extensive menu at Levantine East Mediterranean Cuisine located in Cherngtalay
This is Amr’s own story of food, travel and culture from his journeys studying and travelling around the world. The menu reflects his home culinary heritage, food cooked in the purest way – made from history, in a kitchen and bar built from scratch.. and of course, 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆..
Hands down, the best and tops my list of restaurants recommendations. Very authentic taste of East Mediterranean cuisine. An inspiration to many restaurants and home chefs to create recipes and cook delicious dishes such as the ones you can enjoy in his restaurant, I invite you to read this mouthwatering review.
Opened at the very peak, and surviving the lowest, Amr opened his restaurant back in December 2019. Do not let his seemingly introvert appearance fool you. He is the absolute extrovert in everything he does, and you will see it in the details.
The bar that he built from scratch, the menu he created single handed and in the way he charms his guests to overeat willingly. Since the first opening and eating at his restaurant lately, I was completely blown away by how Amr has elevated everything, especially the food presentation and taste. Unbelievable.
𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗠𝗘𝗭𝗭𝗔
⭐️ 𝑻𝒂𝒃𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒉 210𝒃
⭐️ 𝑴𝒐𝒖𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒂 270𝒃
⭐️ 𝑳𝒂𝒃𝒏𝒆 210𝒃
⭐️ 𝑯𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒔 + 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒇 𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒕 310𝒃
⭐️ 𝑯𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒔 210𝒃
⭐️ 𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒌 𝑬𝒏𝒂𝒃 220
“Appetizers” were served and instantly I was experiencing a loss of control, the table was quickly disappearing under the ceramic bowls and hot plates of beautiful dishes. The soulful Hommus dishes blended lavishly with tahini was insanely smooth and fluffy, a ring of silky perfection.
Labne is deceptively described as “just strained yogurt, olive oil, fresh mint and zaatar” but at first taste, my head spun wild from the heavy romance of texture and fragrance. Easily mistaken for hommus at first glance the savory Mouhamara is your quintessential Middle Eastern starter that pairs nicely with hommus.
Warak Enab means ‘leaves of grapes’ in Lebanese, otherwise known as vine leaves, here it is stuffed with rice and herbs cooked until it tender and juicy, served straight from the pot while it is still hot.
And we’ve only just started.
𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗭𝗭𝗔
❤️🔥 𝑭𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒍 190𝒃
❤️🔥 𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒌 290𝒃
❤️🔥 𝑽𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝑳𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒂 290𝒃
These dishes - lifechanging. A few bites into the chickpeas croquettes served with tahini, and you will be taken to Falafel heaven. Unike any you have eaten. The homemade Lebanese sausages Makanek uses the best lamb – grilled than sautéed with Lebanese pomegranate molasses. Particularly good mopped up with freshly baked pita bread straight from oven to table.
The Veal Liver Alexandria came - and omg, the food chemistry that was going on here?! You could taste the passion and the attention given to this dish. Exceptionally good ingredients, perfect cooking, mousse-like texture that was so light yet exploding with flavor – it was SO tasty!
𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦
🔥 𝑴𝒊𝒙𝒆𝒅 𝑮𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 690𝒃
🔥 𝑨𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒉𝒎 350𝒃
🔥 𝑺𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒂 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊 490𝒃
It was like every dish was better than the previous. The garnish happy, flavor-bomb Mixed Grill Platter is next level delicious, a loaded combination of warm spices and variety of meat that was moist and cooked to perfection. You can’t go wrong ordering this! The gorgeous looking Arayes Lahm dish of spiced lamb mince stuffed between two Saj bread chargrilled.
And as the finale to the main courses, the Samaka Harra Tripoli is one spiced secret discovered that I am happy to share with all! Delicate white fish topped with delicious hot tangy tahini sauce, served with Lebanese rice .. this is my ultimate comfort food. Fish and rice, the best!
𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗦
🍬 𝑩𝒂𝒌𝒍𝒂𝒘𝒂 𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒔 160𝒃
🍬 𝑩𝒂𝒌𝒍𝒂𝒘𝒂 𝑷𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒐 160𝒃
🍬 𝑶𝒎 𝑨𝒍𝒊 250𝒃
The sweetest ending to this amazing dinner spread – you will need numerous napkins to blot up the syrup glistening from your smiling face. Baklawa Pistachio and Walnut were on point here - the dozens of delicate layers melt into a single tender bite soaked in sweet syrup, such a decadent treat.
Also had Om Ali which means ‘Mother of Ali’ which is a very famous Egyptian desert, eaten simply at home, weddings or any special occasions! The Middle Eastern version of bread pudding.
This dish apparently is named after the wife of the Sultan of Egypt who asked her cooks to come up with the most delicious dessert they could make. Most delicious, indeed! Levantine is also a 100% Halal, Kosher friendly and do not serve pork.
a. 17/2 Lagoon Rd., Phuket Thalang, Phuket, Thailand 83110 Cherngtalay
s. www.facebook.com/Levantine.Phuket/
Open Daily 11:30am – 10:00pm
About Chrissy Eats
Malaysian-born, currently based in Phuket. CHRISSYEATS is inspired by the places she visit and food that she loves! Contact Chrissy at christinel@squarelemonagency.com
