There is no shortage of Lebanese/Middle Eastern restaurants in and around Motor City – Cedar Tree, Zaatar w Zeit, Zay Zaman, Al Arrab, Walimar and Leila (Arabian Ranches and IMPZ) are only the ones I’ve been to…I’m sure there are more. But I wanted to try something new, not least because, Leila aside, I don’t think very much of the rest. Enter the Village Grill.
The order taking process for home delivery was dead easy, with a chirpy young man taking my order in fluent yet accented English. I ordered what we at home consider the ‘top of the pops’ of mezza (minus those delicious little sausages) – Fattoush, Tabbouleh, Baba Ghanoush, Moutabal, Dolma (stuffed vine leaves), Spicy potatoes, and Hummus. And then a 1.5 kg mixed grill as our mains, which consisted of Tawouk, Lamb cubes, Kabab and Arayes, and grilled tomatoes and onions and French fries on the side. Phew. As you must have guessed, I wasn’t alone.
Alright, first things first, the food arrived on the dot of the forty-five minutes he promised. It was packed well and still hot enough to go straight to the table. And you know what? We loved it. Everything was good. Only the small, mince kababs were a little over done. The lamb cubes and chicken were surprisingly tender (for a home delivery) and delightfully flavoursome. All the mezza was good, highlighted for me personally by three things: (1) the salads weren’t too sour so you could actually taste what you were eating (I hate it when restaurants kill they salads with lime, lemon and/or vinegar), (2) the dolma was brilliant because…it too wasn’t too sour and finally (3) the spicy potatoes were beautiful and….sooooooooo gorgeously garlicy. The food, complimented by one or two salads of our own, had everyone at the table oohing and aahing. But all credit to the Village Grill.
With food this good I find it surprising that the Village Grill isn’t more popular and doesn’t have a higher rating on Zomato. Perhaps that’s because of its location. I was a little disappointed to find most of the reviewers on Zomato (probably bogus) one timers handing out 5.0’s, a frowned upon tactic some newly opened restaurants use to bolster their ratings. Guys (Village Grill), firstly, the way Zomato works, it’s not how many 5.0’s you get which matters, it’s who gives you the 5.0 which counts. And secondly, with food this good, you don’t need to do all this. Stay consistent and the reviews will come.
Last word from me; fancy really good Lebanese food in the ‘Ranches, Motor City, Victory Heights areas – look no further than the amazing little Village Grill in the Fitness First building in Motor City.
Waste NOT. Want NOT.