654074 Tue Sep 22 04:55:20 -0700 2009 6 42 U.K./Ireland 0 5048333 Felt compelled to share this little gem (despite me being quite selfish when it comes to food finds). This unassuming little place on Parkway in Camden does an excellent Lebanese buffet. Usually I hate buffets (that mess on a plate where nothing really workds together), but if you work around Camden and want a good lunch then check this place out. Todays lunch consisted of: Soft and giving fried aubergine Crisp and well spiced falafel Chunky tzatziki Chickpeas with roasted garlic puree Zingy Cracked wheat and yoghurt Succulent Baby Okra in tomato Rice and Lentils mixed with nutty browned onions Lamb and Artichoke Stew Deep fried Cauliflower Green beans in tomato A decent Houmous There were quite a few other dishes and salads on offer. Everything was well seasoned and had enough depth of spices to keep the palate enthused despite it looking a bit of a mess (I got take away and squished it all in a box!). The food is not the best Lebanese you'll ever taste but it makes a cracking lunch and all for the jaw dropping price of £3.95. That's a good deal in a city where they are hard to come by. Recommended. Tue Sep 22 04:55:21 -0700 2009 1102800 plummonk 1 5058902 plummonk - it seems like you're a relatively new poster. Assuming you are new, welcome to Chowhound! So is this buffet all-you-can eat? Or do you only get to fill a container/plate once for that £3.95 price? Also, do you have other good lunch recommendations for that area? Dave MP Fri Sep 25 16:11:33 -0700 2009 5048333 21930 Dave MP 2 5063951 This thread should give you more ideas for eating options on Parkway and in Camden. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/615255 I still need to try Mezza Express myself, sounds promising and looks good from the times I've walked by it. Mon Sep 28 09:21:10 -0700 2009 5058902 28263 oonth 2 5067990 Yeah, I'm a newbie poster but I've been following Chow threads for a while and thought I'd join the chatting. Mezza takeaway is a container to fill, but it's pretty big, especially if like me you fill it with an architectural eye and make sure that there is no air space (yeah I'm a pig). You can eat in for £7.95 and eat as much as you want. Other lunch places in the area worth checking are: Caponata - Good, fresh sicilian food but a little overpriced Ottoman Palace - Really reasonably priced and tasty turkish Teachi - Bit hit and miss but if you order the more authentic stuff you can eat well Yum Cha - Decent enough dim sum at good prices Coast - Ate there once, really good fish (obviously) but pricey Hache - Pretty good burgers (by London's standards) Burrito stall on inverness street - For a street stand it's a tasty lunch Bento Box - Nothing special but an ok lunch option Bit further away: El Parador - Pretty good tapas (but the menu reads better than the results). Dunno if they do lunch. Asakusa - Very rundown (in a charming way) japanese. Good food at good prices. Oxford - I've always had a great meal at this gastropub in Kentish Town. I don't know why it isn't more recognised. Bintang - Pretty good malaysian at good prices. Tue Sep 29 17:28:38 -0700 2009 5058902 1102800 plummonk 3 5068659 Don't diss El Parador!!! One of my favourite places in London, utterly charming. They do lunch, yes, and it's a credit crunch busting 3 tapas for the price of 2 at the moment. Not sure what you mean about the menu sounding better than it tastes? It's all actually quite basic eg morcilla, sweet potato and feta, broad bean dip...but then just utterly marvellous when it emerges. And how excited was I when the razor clam special made it onto the permanent menu? Pretty darn...Anyway. It ain't Barrafina, it's homely and sweet and old fashioned and all the better for it! Wed Sep 30 02:06:08 -0700 2009 5067990 1088742 helen b 4 5069061 Hehe yeah I know I'm in the minority when it comes to El Parador. I have no problem with the atmosphere, my kind of place for sure. The menu makes me salivate, the flavour combinations are right up my street. When the dishes come out they look great BUT I just feel like the food is a bit tame in flavour and freshness and doesn't deliver what it promises. Also sometimes the dishes are a bit lukewarm (maybe a bit picky with tapas but it makes them feel heavier and more oily). The food is good but not as good as the menu reads. Anyway, clearly people love it so that's why I put it on the list. Wed Sep 30 07:14:50 -0700 2009 5068659 1102800 plummonk 2 5069585 Oh yeah I forgot. I always go to chinalife for some great Chinese teas and freshly brewed iced teas/lattes. Their green tea hot chocolate is a must for the colder months. No food there though. Wed Sep 30 09:44:29 -0700 2009 5058902 1102800 plummonk