Harissa Kitchen is Sandyford’s newest restaurant, occupying a prime spot on Starbeck Avenue. The restaurant is the brainchild of the talented Jamie Sadler, who is the Managing Director of Food Nation. Food Nation is a brilliant social enterprise that encourages people to make healthier food choices. So you just know that anything Harissa Kitchen serves is going to be freshly made, healthy and tasty. I got invited down to check it out and jumped at the chance.
What’s on the menu?
The best way to describe the menu at Harissa Kitchen is like Mediterranean tapas. There are loads of small plates to choose from and the menu suggests how many might make a substantial meal. If you’re after something a bit different then there are plenty of kebabs on offer, which you can choose alongside some small plates.
We plumped for a selection of small plates to share and a kebab each. I went for falafel in my kebab and we got a selection of ham, halloumi, steamed broccoli and aubergine bites.
Was the food any good?
On the whole, yes. The aubergine bites are hands down the best thing on the menu (out of what we had). They are cooked to crispy perfection in a lovely, light batter and served with sweet dates and salty cheese. The combination of flavours is perfectly balanced and I can’t rave enough about them. Just thinking about them is making me salivate!
Aubergine Bites
My falafel kebab was also tasty – the falafel itself was really crunchy, which is quite unlike anything else I’ve tasted before and the wholemeal wrap it was served in was big and generously filled. It was, however, a little bit dry and I was expecting it to be served with a salad but came with cous cous that had a lot of mint laced through it. Not quite to my taste.
If I had my time again, I would definitely plump for the chicken or pulled pork kebab. They looked fab.
Dessert was a bit of a tricky one. I really fancied the polenta cake with oil and spices but someone next to us ordered a chocolate ganache torte and it just looked to die for. I didn’t think it really fit in with the mediterranean theme but I’m not one to turn down chocolate!
I can’t guarantee the chocolate torte will still be on the menu when you go because it was a special, but there were plenty of other options on the standard menu.
Would I Go Again?
Apparently the menu changes quite often because the kitchen always uses fresh ingredients, which really appeals to me. I would definitely go back to try a different kebab and some of the small plates.
In terms of price, it was fairly reasonable, although I think it could start to add up if you went for lots of small plates as some of them were £5 + and the small plate portions weren’t huge. A kebab was about £9.
I can’t finish my post without talking about the incredible decor. It is SO instagramable. White walls, blue patterned cushions and yellow accents make for the perfect light, bright background. There are huge windows all around, beautiful soft lighting and space to sit outside if that tickles your fancy.
If you want to know more about Harissa Kitchen, check out their Twitter and follow Food Nation for more information about the great work they’re doing up here.
Have you been to Harissa Kitchen yet? Let me know what you think!
♥ JH
That chocolate torte looks to die for, so wish I had one closer to me!
Danielle xx http://www.daniellelevy.co.uk
Sounds yummy! Would love to try this.