Zena Restaurant — Restaurant in Manchester

So, I've travelled up to Manchester to have an Easter weekend of fun, frolics and Spicy Margs. The four of us have been on a lovely walk through the burbs of Greater Manchester and are hungry like the wolf. We phone Zena Restaurant on the off chance that they'll have a table for four on Easter Saturday - lo and behold, they do!

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a young gentleman (with the kind of amazing hair and good looks that Jack Grealish could only dream of) who promptly walked us to our table - and then the fun began...

Three of us were meat eaters with one a card carrying vegetarian, so our gem of a veggie ordered a set of sharing starters that we could all get into - namely, the hummus, stuffed vine leaves, mutable (baked aubergine mashed with tahini and yogurt, topped with herbs), the labneh (yogurt) and the Spinach And Cheese Bourak... Absolutely gorgeous, and a stone cold winner for starters.

It was at the time of ordering these that we also ordered our meat mains. Deliberating over what to do here left two of the three meat eaters with some big choices to make - as the third meat eater had abdicated her portion of responsibility to the two of us, having self-nominated to go grab a bottle of wine (it's BYOB for those who fancy alcohol with their meal).

This writer is a veteran of the Levantine restaurant circuit of East and South London so his mind immediately turned to something that would continue the theme of sharing and was nothing short of a carnivore's feast. Our waiting staff member was a really attentive young woman who also happened to be the boss's daughter. So we knew that what we were about to ask of her was going to go straight to the top...

Rather than order three individual meat mains, this writer and the aforementioned staff member engaged in a conversation that went something like this:

W: So, I wanna know - can we get the mixed kebab that is on the sharers menu for three?

SM: So you want the sharing menu for three?

W: No... Ok... So, you know the BIG OVAL PLATTER, you know the one with the mountain of meat?

SM: (Smiling) Yeaaa I know the one, haha

W: Yessssss! We'll have that please!

(cue much whooping, laughter and high fives)

As you can see from the photo attached, the Oval Platter was not the mixed kebab. This was a far greater thing, a feast fit for a bacchanal. Kofte kebabs in union with lamb and chicken shish and additional lamb chops (about five?) all garnished with fried red onions, parsley and niceness with a mound of rice and vermicelli in the middle. This was everything and more. I'd like to say at this point that this exchange and the hospitality and vibe from all the staff members was absolutely wonderful. We're talking Champions League levels of hospitality and welcome - which really does make for a wonderful dining experience.

Along with the magical meat feast, our certified veggie ordered in the Mushroom Bil Zait (gorgeous and flavorful) and the Ful Madames, both of which repeatedly hit the spot. All in all, we were treated to top notch Levantine cuisine cooked with care, love and attention - three qualities which were ever present in the staff with whom we interacted.

No feast can ever be complete without a sweet treat and the team at Zena did not disappoint. One of our table had been in Turkey and had loved warmed up Halva - and to our request, a dish of hot halva drizzled in honey arrived and knocked all of us for six. This was accompanied by a Muhalabieh, a milk pudding set dessert, which acted as a cool palate cleanser. We washed everything down with a small cup of Arabic coffee and the feast was complete.

As I sit here writing this review back in sunny South London, my mind drifts back to magical Manchester and one of the many nailed-on highlights would have to be the time the four of us spent at Zena in West Didsbury, Manchester. The foods of Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan that Zena brings together for their customers are of top quality matched also by the levels of hospitality, evident upon arrival. Thanks to all...

Visited this place for a second time. First time we went the service was slow but passable but because the food was good we gave it a second chance. Both time attended with a group of 5 or 6 friends.

This time it was very disorganised. It took a good 20-30 minutes to have the food order taken. No drinks order was taken, one friend had to go to the bar to make her order as they did not come over. Everyone's food arrived at different times, one persons food did not arrive until everyone else had almost finished eating (we sent it back and asked for a refund). In most Arabic and middle eastern places kebabs are served with salad and starters with bread. Both these were lacking in here, kebabs came with nothing at all and starters came with a minimal amount of bread. Somewhat disappointing for the price. I had not realised this as on my first visit I had ordered a stew.

We ordered desserts, which again took a little time to arrive. The table was booked for 2 hours, which if the service was up to the correct standard would have been more than enough time to manage three courses without feeling rushed. However because of the slow service they staff were obviously trying to get rid of us before we had finished eating in order to get the next booking in. The bill was brought over mid dessert and a few seconds later a card reader was brought over for us to pay. It was presented to one member of our group who was still eating. We told them to come back when we had finished and had a private conversation about how we found it quite rude. The waitress came back again to take payment, again before we had finished eating or were ready. I should also mention, that while all this was happening, the staff moved a couple mid meal to another table (actually made them pick up their own food and move places) in order to accommodate another larger group, the two people that were moved looked very embarrassed by the whole thing. The third time the card reader was presented by a lady who after taking the final payment decided to confront us about remarking (privately I may add) that her daughter (the first waitress was rude).

A place with some decent meals and a good atmosphere is let down by extreme levels of disorganisation amongst junior waiting staff, a kitchen that can't keep up and management that rather than apologise to paying customers for the poor service would rather start squabbles. It is safe to say we will not be visiting again. This place is obviously very popular and bust at a weekend, this has no doubt lead to a sense of complacency and arrogance amongst the owners that they can get away with any level of service and will still have customers. I would be surprised if this place lasts...

Sadly I am sorry to say the food has gone sufficiently downhill since my first review. They are not bad, but they are now distinct average and the service is not that good. I can't help thinking that some of the main dishes come from frozen rather than freshly cooked. I think the starters are still good and sharable but I would not go out of my way to eat here now which says quite a lot, also I won't order online from them any more as even that have proved unsatisfactory. I am sad that I have halved my previous score from this place.

Previous Review (2023) : 5 stars The food is stunning, the service can be a little slow at times but it is worth the wait and the atmosphere can be loud (try to sit at the front if you can). But if you are coming to Zena your coming for the food and it is stand out, I have dined in and ordered out too, my preference is dining in but both work well. You can bring your own Booze if you so wish.

I have come here on multiple occasions and the food is just wonderful. I would just order as many small dishes. As you possibly could think that you might be able to eat with you and your friends. As mezze food goes I would honestly say staying within the confines of the cold and hot starters is the place to be, although I have also shared the mixed grill a couple of times when ordering in. The Babaghanouj is the best I have had in Manchester, I have been known to make sure i get the lions share of this on the fresh pitta as it makes me so happy.

The food is the star here it is so good, and when sharing really works out at good value, I generally believe you can't go wrong, ordering pretty much anything of...