Abla's

Ph: (03) 9347 0006; 109 Elgin St, CARLTON 3053 www.ablas.com.au

Lebanese, $$ -, ** for Food
Open Thu-Fri noon-3pm; Mon-Sat 6-11pm, Closed Christmas Day; Unlicensed, BYO, Corkage no ; AE DC MC V EFT, Seats inside 90, Private room 40+, Kids welcomed
Chef Abla Amad (7-11-07) Owner Abla Amad (7-11-07)

Mietta's Review
A small, unpretentious and much treasured Lebanese restaurant that has been serving traditional food to a devoted clientele for more than 20 years. They say that eating at Abla's is like going home to Mum's for dinner, indeed it should, the kitchen is almost entirely run by women many of whom have worked in the kitchen with Abla and her family for many years. People love this place and with good reason.

Other published opinions

Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 15/20, One Hat "In an unassuming terrace far from the touts and louts of Lygon Street, Abla Amad continues to forge her own path, untouched by passing fads and industry fashions"

Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide "Abla Amad's homely restaurant - framed scenes of Lebanon, coloured glass light shades, paper-over-cloth tables and dowdy colour scheme - is like the well-used but meticulously maintained house of the Lebanese grandma you never knew you had"

The Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 14/20 "Now she has a restaurant where the same welcoming spirit and homely cooking prevail," said that first guide of Abla Amad. "Her smallish restaurant is not a bit touristy and there is no belly dancer. The food is the thing here." Twenty-five years later, the appraisal remains remarkably accurate."

Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide * "inside this simply decorated terrace time seems to have stood still. It's strictly BYO, the menu still offers classic Lebanese dishes and, most impressively of all, Abla Amad, at close to 70, still rules the kitchen."

The Age Epicure score 15/20 John Lethlean 30/8/05 "A Melbourne institution worthy of the cliche.

The Age Good Food Guide 2005 "ABLA'S is more than just a restaurant. Over two decades, this BYO-only establishment has become a Melbourne institution. Owner-chef Abla Amad serves traditional Lebanese cuisine with family-style hospitality, often emerging from the kitchen to talk to guests."

Gourmet Traveller 2005 Restaurant Guide "White modern Mediterranean/Middle Eastern is becoming a ubiquitous culinary theme, Abla Amad's cooking is strictly traditional, and in Melbourne's Lebanese community there's none more highly regarded."

Herald Sun CityStyle Best of Melbourne 04 "Book weeks ahead for a Friday or Saturday night flavour overload at Abla's."

Age A2 John Weldon 11/9/04 "Since this restaurant opened, it's we diners who have changed, rather than Abla and her team of tireless women, who have continued, despite food trends, to produce resolutely authentic Lebanese cuisine. We have been seduced by the atmosphere of bustle and bonhomie created by large groups sharing dishes, banquet-style, laden with the aromas and flavours of lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, parsley, charred chicken and juicy, pink lamb that dominate this simple, rustic and unadulterated menu."

The Foodies' Guide 2004,Allan Campion & Michele Curtis,'Abla's famous classic Middle Eastern food is one of the great bargains of Melbourne dining.Everything from dips and tabbouleh to filo parcels,pilaf and tender spit-roasted lamb.At a very reasonable price per person,it's a must-do experience for any food lover.'

The Age Good Food Guide Awards 2004-1 hat

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, Good vegetarian options,'is considered Melbourne's matriarch of traditional Lebanese cooking...Generosity and robust flavours are the hallmarks here.'

Herald Sun, Weekend, 31/1/04, Bob Hart,'Melbourne's Greatest Restaurants'.

Vogue Entertaining & Traveller March April 2003

Herald Sun, weekend, 1/3/03, Bob Hart

The Age Good Food Guide 2003. Best Lebanese. Score 15/20.

The Herald Sun, food&drink, Dining Out, Stephen Downes, 21/5/02, Score 16/20

Age Good Food Guide 2002 - One Hat - Best Lebanese Restaurant - Score 15/20