The Hanging Gardens
49 Lygon Street, Brunswick
03 9388 1149
Grill
$$$
Food
- Cold Mezza:
- Trio Of Dips
- Mesopotamian Bread
- Tabouli
- Fattoush
- Warm Mezza:
- Bastarma (Sliced Sausage)
- Falafel
- Lamb Bourak
- Trabulsi Kubba (Lamb Mince Burghal Kubba)
- Hallab Kubba (Lamb Mince Croquette)
- Mains:
- Erbil Kebab (Lamb Mince)
- Lamb Tikka
- Chicken Tikka
- Lamb Quozi (Lamb Shank)
- Dessert Platter:
- Baklava
- Rahat Lokum (Turkish Delight)
The Good
The Mezzas were nothing short of spectacular. Starting off with the trio of dips, they were rich and creamy while exhibiting unapologetically bold flavours that were well complemented by an abundance crunchy and airy Mesopotamian Bread. Combined with the Tabouli which was tangy and fragrant, it was definitely off to a great meal with the Cold Mezzas.
To my delight, the entrees didn't stop there. The Warm Mezzas were equally appetising, with an abundant and diverse choice of Kubbas Falafels, and Bouraks. Rich in spices, the mixed mince within each light and crunchy outer crust was bursting with flavour.
The Kebabs were simply delicious. Well seasoned with a slightly charred outer that provided a slight crunch, the protein was succulent and extremely aromatic. The highlight though was the Erbil Kebab, which was prepared with a special mixture of lamb mince with a secret blend of herbs and spices that made for an unforgettable experience.
The Kebabs were simply delicious. Well seasoned with a slightly charred outer that provided a slight crunch, the protein was succulent and extremely aromatic. The highlight though was the Erbil Kebab, which was prepared with a special mixture of lamb mince with a secret blend of herbs and spices that made for an unforgettable experience.
The standout for me though was the Lamb Quozi. Served on a huge platter, the lamb shank was slow-roasted to perfection. Highly fragrant and well complemented by spices, the meat fell right off the bone into a bed of basmati rice which soaked up the beautiful juices of the lamb shank. The lamb itself was soft and juicy, which was well complemented by a mixture of nuts and raisins within the rice.
The Mediocre
While the entrees and mains were undoubtedly outstanding and highly memorable, the desserts were not to my taste. The layers of the baklava wasn't nearly as flakey as I'd like, though the flavours within were flawless. The Zalebia and Rahat Lokum were a tad too sweet for my palate, even with the beautiful Arabic Coffee that was served in such a unique and authentic fashion.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
Overall the food tonight was outstanding and the flavours complemented each other rather well. With each dish extremely wholesome and bursting with flavour, this made for a very filling, and gluttonous feast, with a tad of sensory overload..
While the food served tonight undoubtedly originated from Ancient Iraq, dating back more than 7,000 years, it did bear rather close resemblence to other Middle-Eastern cuisines within the region.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
With an absolutely stunning and elegant fit-out that is well suited to large groups, The Hanging Gardens is definitely THE place to visit for authentic Iraqi cuisine in Melbourne. From the warm and hospitable service, to the delicious Middle-Eastern dishes, the experience was highly memorable and needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
I'd like to thank The Hanging Gardens for their kind hospitality and inviting us to sample their authentic food.