Samsara Restaurant

Category: Modern Eastern Mediterranean (Lebanese/Turkish) 

Location: 5-7 Centreway, Pinewood, Mount Waverley Vic 3149

Cost: $$$ 

J'Rate: ♥♥





Hidden in a block of restaurants within Mount Waverley, Samsara is a sophisticated Mediterranean restaurant just waiting to be found. The restaurant is classy, the type that makes you feel the need to dress up or stay home but the service is everything but that. Staffs are friendly, not the prestigious type that makes you feel uncomfortable knowing you're not the usual fine dining customer. The back resembles a wine cellar with wine of every type, embellishing the room, the tables are set out with divine precision and the atmosphere holds the hums of secret conversations. Jazzy music surrounds customers and the aura is nothing but tranquillity. The menu was limited to the finest of fine and very distinctive from other restaurants. It meets its cuisine and having never tried Lebanese or Turkish food, it was definitely an experience.

Entree:

Freshly made selection of Middle Eastern Dips served
with warm Turkish and Lebonese bread $16.00

Mains:

Market fresh fish of the day, grilled, served Lebanese style
with garlic, walnut salsa, pinenuts and tahini $34.00

Char-grilled kebab of eye fillet, with potatoes, vegetables
 and minted yoghurt $34.00

Stuffed Lebanese Kibbi meatballs, made to a traditional recipe,
 served with roasted vegetables and yoghurt $29.00

 Cripsy coated and stuffed with mince meat, they tasted better than they looked.

Seafood Tagine $35.00

The Tagine was served with rice and contained a variety of seafood
 including scallops, prawns, salmon, octopus legs and squid. 

Desserts:

Desserts were and will always remain the best meal of the day.

Yoghurt and strawberry pudding, with wild berry compote $13.00
Homemade pistachio fig and halva ice cream $12.50

The pistachio ice cream was definitely my favourite, being honest
the only reason why i would come back would be due to the crave for this ice cream.

Cappuccino Cheesecake with Berry compote  

Sticky date pudding with butterscotsh sauce and double cream $14.00

Visiting this restaurant was worth the experience, definitely no regrets here. The little hearts for it would be due to my age and limitations; too much fine dining for me, but maybe when I'm in desire for intimacy I'll return. Love the atmosphere, service and the food came at reasonable time too. No complaints here.