Joseph’s Brasserie — Restaurant in London

I don't take pride in writing poor reviews, however I was particularly aggrieved after our first encounter with this restaurant, who I worry is frankly dangerous and illegal in its operation to allergy sufferers.

I have a severe nut and sesame seed allergy, and communicated this clearly in both english and arabic to the host who took our order - stating specifically my concern with Zaatar and Tahini. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) state there is a legal requirement for businesses to inform customers of allergens, including nuts. Despite this, the menu makes no specific reference to the 14 FSA-regulated allergens on any of the items.

We proceeded to order Shakshouka and Foul for our brunch - neither of these contained any listed allergens on the menu. I asked the host if the Foul contained Tahini paste, and he confirmed explicitly it did not. Unfortunately, it was clear when our food arrived that the Foul contained a clear allergen, as I developed an abrupt allergic reaction that necessitated me leaving to the nearby pharmacy for emergency treatment. On my return, the host now confirmed that the Foul does usually contain Tahini, contrary to his earlier statement. However he had instructed the chef to prepare this separately without it, and assured me this was the case. This is quite frankly false, not least because of the nature and speed of my reaction that suggested an active nut ingredient (versus a kitchen contamination), but also as it is highly unlikely Foul could be cooked freshly without Tahini in the timeframe between our order and service.

What further added insult to injury is that we also placed a separate order for cheese manaeesh and laham ajeen to take away. Having communicated my allergy to nuts, sesame and Zaatar at the beginning, I am shocked to have arrived home and found the contents of the box (image attached). No reference was made to this dish containing Zaatar on the menu or during our order, and no effort to rectify this following my allergic reaction!

Whilst the host did eventually apologise, the response was flatly dismissive of the concerns I raised. No effort was made to further investigate why this happened (for example, to speak with the chef again). No offer of refund or compensation was suggested. No suggestion that they would do more to avoid any further accidents with other allergy sufferers (for example make the menu more informative).

This is incredibly unfortunate. Allergic reactions are potentially life-threatening events.

I've no doubt the food is otherwise excellent, as other reviews attest, but the disregard for allergens or customer concerns is dangerous and illegal. Denying there could have been a mistake on there part further compounded things.

I regret having to leave this review here, but the restaurant has no official channel for email communication and the website is non-existent.

If the restaurant wishes to claim this was a consequence of a mild kitchen contamination as they handle nuts regularly, I would be happy to submit the dish for formal allergen testing to refute this (the dish was packaged home).

I hope they will take this review seriously and I look forward to their reply, pending any further direct complaints to the Food Safety Team. Please provide a direct email address if you wish to discuss...

As a chef with a wide experience in the culinary world, I can confidently say that Joseph's Brasserie offers an authentic Lebanese dining experience that is nothing short of extraordinary.

The meal began with a delightful array of appetizers that set the tone for the evening. The Lamb Tongues were tender and succulent, perfectly seasoned to highlight its natural flavors while maintaining its delicate texture. The Samak Bizri, crispy and golden, brought a wonderful balance of crunch and savory taste, transporting me directly to the shores of Lebanon.

The Mousakkaa was a rich and hearty dish, showcasing layers of eggplant and chickpeas bathed in a velvety tomato sauce—comforting and deeply satisfying. The Cheese Sanbousik was another highlight, with a flaky exterior giving way to a warm, gooey filling that was simply irresistible.

The Warak Enab (stuffed vine leaves), were tender and packed with flavor, each bite a burst of perfectly seasoned rice and herbs.

One of the standouts of the evening was the Kebbe Nayeh. As someone who has prepared and enjoyed this dish many times, I was impressed by the quality and freshness of the raw meat, finely minced and expertly seasoned, served with all the traditional accompaniments—it was an absolute treat.

To complement the meal, the Arak was served with finesse, its distinct anise flavor providing a wonderful contrast to the rich and varied flavors of the dishes. And then, the perfect ending to this culinary journey—the selection of desserts was a revelation.

In conclusion, Chef Yazbek delivered a masterclass in Lebanese cuisine. Each dish is crafted with care, respect for tradition, and a deep understanding of flavors. Joseph’s Brasserie is a restaurant where the passion for food is evident in every bite, and as a fellow chef, I can truly appreciate the skill and dedication that goes into creating such a memorable...

Wrapped up disappointment today! I was really excited to finally try this restaurant as I follow them on Instagram.

Not sure if the food turned out this way because the main chef wasn’t there and this other guy is new to our cuisine — maybe!

However: • Hummus: Average, just about edible. • Bread: Clearly store-bought, not fresh. • Raheb: Overloaded with onions! Missing the dibs rumman, and the aubergines needed more grilling — no smoky flavour at all. • Makanek: Salty, soggy, and just average. • Chicken shawarma sandwich: Honestly, not sure what it was, but definitely not a shawarma sandwich! • Mashawi: Awful.

We actually left half the plates uneaten — that says it all. ⸻

Update after the restaurant’s reply: The only thing I rated a four was your service and atmosphere. The food was left half uneaten — and yes, please do share your “proof” 😏. It’s very unprofessional of you to suggest I have an agenda. Unfortunately, with that kind of mindset, we’ll never be able to present our cuisine in a good light.

I genuinely wanted this place to be good, which is why the disappointment hit harder — but sadly, it was just as bad as the other restaurants. You can check my reviews yourself; I take my profile seriously.

I wasn’t satisfied, so I simply left the restaurant without saying anything. You asked my husband, and he said Alhamdulillah.

This is my honest review and my personal taste. I was actually planning to give you another chance during Ramadan, but after this arrogance...