ZIZO OPENS ITS DOORS IN 'MAHRO' GURGAON

HONEST TO GOODNESS

One of my favourite trips in the Middle East was when I was in Turkey and another one in Jordan; creamy pots of hummus, smoky kebabs and fluffy pita bread. Back home only Zizo which specialises in Lebanese cooking gives me that same satisfaction and when I heard it’s opened its doors in ‘Mahro’ Gurgaon, we just had to go check it out! This authentic Lebanese restaurant is in a quiet, leafy part of Gurgaon on the Golf course road. If you like a more personal service and know your kibbeh from your falafel, this is an ideal place to take someone special. We were greeted warmly by Chef Danny as he led us to our table. The restaurant is bright and spacious, with wide open windows to the front to allow in lots of natural sunlight. The general style of the place is simple café style interesting green beetle logo.

As we decided what to order, we were presented with a plate of pickles, olives and chilies – very Lebanese, the service is very attentive, and the stewards enthusiastic about the food. The menu features lots of starters, a nice grill section and various side dishes and main courses. The food here is fascinatingly familiar for me, it was completely fresh, none of it over-fried and all of it very tasty. The kibbeh was amazing, the best I have ever tried – so succulent and the quality of the ingredients put the others I have tried in various other restaurants to shame.

The same can be said for the falafel, which was freshly fried and featured the unusual addition of sesame seeds. Both dishes are staples with this kind of cuisine, but this is exactly how they are meant to taste. We also tried many dips hummus (of course) and Moutabel, which is very similar but made from aubergine. 

We also dug into some delicious Manushe, thin triangles of dough topped with just Zatar or minced meat, vegetables and herbs, and then baked. Most dishes are accompanied by puffed and warm pita bread baked on the premises in the stone and bricks oven displayed proudly. Simplicity and balance are the buzzwords of Chef Danny Elsoury, enriched by honest to goodness flavours and authentic supreme ingredients. 

The star at Zizo is the community style eating a harbinger of what you get here which is a meal centered on food, laughter and conversation. The food is plentiful and fresh, and sits perfectly on the line of honest to goodness. The service is excellent and personal, and the decor is trendy while still feeling homely and local.

WHERE? Palm Spring Plaza, Sector 54, Gurgaon

TEL: +91 8527588222