Raouche Lebanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Melbourne

UPDATE- Apparently this place only has five star reviews so what happens to negative reviews? Three months later & my review was still not published??

Other friends tried this restaurant and give negative reviews - also were not published!!!

Made the effort to support a “new” restaurant on Mother’s Day, arriving for a late lunch around 2pm. I had checked out all the online information about opening hours and menus prior to arriving. The Restaurant was almost empty, except for a couple of tables. The Hostess was unwelcoming when we walked in, asked if we had a booking. I said no. She asked again, so you don’t have a booking? Again I replied no. I looked around at the empty tables with no reserved signs and asked do we need a booking? She reluctantly pointed and told us to sit at a table in the window. After sitting for about 5 minutes, looking at the menus on the table and deciding what to order… a young staff member was sent over to tell us we could only have a banquet - with the minimum costing $65pp. This was not explained as being the ONLY option when we walked in - there was no discussion of banquets - and there were a la carte menus on the table. Mother’s Day Social media posts did not explain this either. We didn’t want to spend that much money and weren’t hungry enough so we got up to leave then the hostess said, that’s what we’re doing for Mother’s Day we’re just doing banquets and we told her we’d go somewhere else. Then she said okay fine you can order from the menu. We went over and sat back down, feeling very uncomfortable and unwelcome. The Middle Eastern music (music videos on a big TV screen) was pumping so loud the base was giving me a headache.

We felt really awkward and I really wanted to have a happy experience, so decided to leave. We went to ‘Just Italy’ in Mentone - where we sat outside in the sun, ordered from the A La Carte menu, drank Pieronis and felt very welcome and special. Life is too short to put up with hostile restauranteurs… it was Mothers Day!! Surely polite kindness is not too much to ask! We will definitely not EVER return. I recognise the hostess from the previous restaurant, so I don’t know who the “new owners” are but she is very, very rude. I suspect it’s the same people who owned the Italian restaurant that failed here at this address. The food and service was dreadful then too! The restaurant has not been renovated at all…. It’s the same dark tables, chairs and set up as the previous two incarnations at this location. Whoever has been writing all these ‘positive’ reviews are obviously friends of...

Poor old Black Rock hasn't really been well serviced for Burgers over the years with an old time Fish n Chip joint living on past glories from 40 years ago to a Burger place that fell through the Purgatory floor with their over sauced and over priced fare to the unenthused and pricey offerings that has thankfully made way for trendy Sangas. So I dropped in on the Black Rock Burger Bar last night with an air of hope that they might deliver the goods........and deliver they did!

I had the BR Classic whilst my son couldn't help himself and grabbed The Chief (patty and fried chicken ) and my wife had the Vegan Schnitzel. The smash patties were perfectly cooked with the tasty crust formed on each side containing the juicy patties. All burgers came with fries and I gotta say, these fries were crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

My son and I shared the serve of 12 crispy and succulent wings accompanied with the "Devils Hot Sauce" (I think it was a Tabasco)....Another winner! Even their coffee was was a winner. Black Rock have finally got themselves a great Burger joint they can...

I visited Raouche in Black Rock last night and had an incredible experience. I opted for their banquet option and as someone who grew up with authentic Lebanese cuisine I can confidently say every dish was spot on.

From the moment we were seated, the service was warm and attentive, adding to the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The banquet included a generous array of mezzes like hummus, baba ghanouj, labneh, fattoush. Each dip was fresh, creamy, and well-seasoned, and the salad was zesty and vibrant.

The banquet’s shared skewers chicken tawook, lamb kofta, and other grilled meats were tender, beautifully char-grilled and richly marinated.

To finish, we were treated to homemade baklava and a choice of Lebanese coffee or tea. It was the perfect sweet ending rich, not too sweet, and deeply satisfying.

Authentic Lebanese flavour is hard to replicate far from home, but Raouche nailed it. Everything tasted genuine and delicious, just like what I’d expect in Lebanon. Highly recommended if you’re after quality Lebanese in a friendly,...