The wonderfully quaint shabby chic atmosphere combined with a playful twist on traditional Lebanese food and music conjures up a dreamy mirage in which nothing seems to matter but fully immersing yourself in 'la dolce vita'.
The mezze (an array of cold and warm appetizers) are nothing short of spectacular. The hummus is a creamy delight which makes you close your eyes just so you can savour it without any distraction and the wine leaves filled with vegetables and rice are easily among the best I've ever tasted (and I am obsessed with wine leaves so this is an accolade that I do not hand out lightly).
The Lebanese cuisine, particularly the variety of mezze, is a vegetarian's dream as many of the appetizers perfectly showcase that meatless food can be just as, if not superior to, their meaty counterparts. From the pastry filled with spices-sprinkled spinach to the beetroot dip (a creamy pink cousin of the aforementioned hummus), from the fantastically fluffy falafel with a golden crust to the ridiculously refreshing tabbouleh -I dare you not to eat an entire bowl by yourself or at least longingly stare at others who haven't finished theirs yet- every single lovingly garnished dish is a dangerous delight. So dangerous that you might up end up being unable to resist filling yourself up with the appetizers -and their perfect companions arak and a bold red Lebanese wine- until you find it hard to get up from your chair let alone order a main course. Consider yourself warned! Sharing is caring.
All of the main courses are a treat, with the mixed grill being my absolute favourite. The lamb and chicken are grilled and seasoned to perfection but the kofta is simply superb. The deceivingly simple mix of minced meat, parsley, onion and Lebanese spices creates a tiny explosion of different sensuous sensations with every bite.
After you've let all this wonderful food make you pleasantly sleepy but you're not quite ready to leave you will be seduced by the cardamom-infused unbelievably thick yet creamy and almost ominously dark Lebanese coffee. Yes, that was indeed a chill down your spine, that is what a good cup of coffee is supposed to do. Soften the well-timed sensory blow with a selection of Lebanese desserts: the shaabiyat is simply unforgettable. To describe it to you would undoubtedly do it great injustice. This is the sort of sensation that would be tarnished by any kind of spoilers.
If you've been seduced in a manner which makes it hard to leave this homely place (believe me, you will have) there are plenty of cocktails that will accompany your reveries while you make plans for the rest of the night in buzzing Brussels.
The staff is kind, helpful and enthusiastic. The cook is a friendly farm-to-table fellow who will positively light up when you compliment his dishes.
The hostess/owner is sunshine personified and the cherry on top of the luscious den of cosiness that is Shanklish.
Make a night of it, don't forget to bring your foodie friends or even those who usually don't fancy going out to dinner; Shanklish will undoubtedly convert them. read more
