Al Aseel Restaurant 5

Trek out to Greenacre to visit the restaurant where the Al Aseel empire began, more than thirteen years ago. Patrons swear by this spot as producing the best Lebanese food, despite satellite stores having opened in Lakemba, Newtown, Wollongong and Penrith. We try Monek ($14) - a pile of lean, pinky-sized fried sausages in a tangy mix of pomegranate molasses and lemon juice, freshened up with herbs and chopped tomato. Being just two in number, we use the Vegetarian Mix Plate ($24) to give us a wide selection of dips and vegetables without over-ordering. Smoky baba ghanouj is a standout, as is a mound of mjadra - ‘pockmarked’ rice dotted with lentils. The vegetarian kibbe is a first for me – the same football-shaped oval covered in crisp crushed wheat, just with a fillng of spinach, onion and chickpeas. The felafel here number amongst the best you can find in Sydney.