La Vie Mediterranean Restaurant — Restaurant in Pompano Beach

La Vie Lebanese restaurant in Pompano Beach (281 S. Pompano Parkway, but the address is confusing because it is at the corner of a long strip plaza at the intersection of Powerline Rd. and N. Course Dr.). I have never been to Lebanon so I am not well versed in the middle-eastern culture except for Greek food. Therefore, I don’t know the authenticity of Lebanese food, but there were a couple of middle-eastern families with women wearing head scarves seated in the restaurant – when country-natives sponsor one of their restaurants, that is usually a sign that the establishment serves close to authentic down home cooking of that country. With my ignorance to Lebanese gastronomy, I’m sharing my humble experience based on what my party ate at La vie last Sunday night.

In short, we loved most everything and were impressively delighted by the flavors that were elevated by a cumin spice dominance. The inside atmosphere did not project that of The Arabian Nights, but our server said that they do have an exotic veil dancer that performs on certain nights… Sunday night was not one of those nights. The vaulted ceiling of the restaurant looked more to me like an island hut, but the beautiful massive hanging lamps give it what I believe it to be a middle-eastern flair.

Our party of 4 regulars do pick at each other’s meals all the time to experience as much as we could wherever we go. The service was outstanding. Upon being seated, our server introduced himself, took our drinks order, and a lady dropped a plate of complimentary seasoned chips and hummus. A few minutes later, we ordered the Mezza Veggie Supreme sample platter made of hummus, tabouleh, baba ghannouj, falafel, and grape leaves along with a basket full of hot air-puffed pita pockets (most delicious) which was served about 10 min later with our drinks (perfect). Our entrees came about 10 minutes after we finished the Mezza plate (great timing). Entrees were: Lamb Meatball Tangine, Chicken Kabob, Lamb Tangine, and I ordered the Mixed Grill (a sampler of kabobs: filet minion, chicken, kefta, and mixed vegs.)

We all agreed that everything was excellent, flavorful, and plentiful except for the chicken which was dry (maybe it was just that night). Another annoying quirk (and a personal peeve of mine) is that our Mezza platter had 3 grape leaves and 3 Baba Ghannouj and we were 4 people. This should be a policy of all restaurants for servers to explain that a sampler platter or other appetizers come with a minimum of 2 or countable items. The server should acknowledge the number of people in the party and suggests to add more to equal the party atvan additional cost. Lastly, one dinner plate was chipped (not that was the end of the world. We did not bring it to our server’s attention, but that should have been noticed by the chef or the server before sending the order out).

C’est la Bonne Vie, but not quite La Vie En Rose. I give a 4 stars because it was surprisingly a great experience. Will I go...

Visited La Vie in Pompano Beach, Fla. This is a Lebanese/Morrocan Restaurant. Considering how much food we ordered it was not expensive. From the moment you walk in it feels like you were transferred to the middle east. The place is perfectly, and methodically set up to match the decor, and architecture of the place with high wooden ceilings. Tables are set up in perfect rows in shiny silver colors. Impressive decor. We were greeted by the hostess, very professional. Once seated we were catered to immediately. Our server,Otto, was very attentive, mild mannered, and patient, as we were not familiar with the cuisine being served. He explained the differences between Morrocan and Lebanese cuisines served in the establishment. My friend asked for a bottle of Argentinian red wine (not sure why), Trapiche. A bit dry but once it settles in your glass, delicious. We started with some apps (Mezza) Hummus topped/ blended with a touch of garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and tahini very delicate taste, soft, i wanted more. Also ordered Labne which is yogurt based, with a touch of garlic, and mint. Both were accompanied with super hot, round pieces of pita bread thinly layered and easy on the dough. The combination was a perfect marriage. The final app was kibbeh a mixture of ground beef/onions in a blend of cracked wheat, and lean beef, fried accompanied with tzatziki sauce (yogurt based blended w different vegetables). Let's get to the main course. The server recommended the lamb chops. He didn't disappoint. Normally the serving is 3, well here it was 6. Seasoned with special, secret spices, grilled to my specs. Tender, the meat was soft and came off the bone very easily. The other dish was lamb tagine, chunks of lamb made with prunes, almonds, and sesame seeds slowly cooked to make the meat very tender. The broth of the lamb with the hot pita bread what a combination. Both dishes came with yellow long grained Lebanese rice. To end this wonderful experience for dessert ordered the Bakliva pastry, 3 small squares made of filo dough ( unleavened dough, no yeast/baking powder) filled w a blend of pistachios, walnuts topped with honey, went to heaven on this one, finger licking good, which i did. I was extremely impressed with the overall experience, presentation, attentiveness by the staff, and of course the food. I'll be back like Arnold in the Terminator movie...

Update from recent my visit after 8 months not being there summery on the bottom if you don't want to read everything. So ambiance is nice ,friendly waitress, but the guys that bring the dishes sure need some smiles to make it pleasant. The prices are much higher than last time, not truly accommodating the smaller quantity of food. As a Mediterranean guy, I might be a bit more critic about the food. The humus Is a little bland, and actually got worse than last time it felt like it's not fresh or made same day being you can taste when Hummus is not fresh, please try add some garlic, little bit of lemon or lime juice and even a hint it cumin and it will make the Hummus much better. The meat portion is a bit small for the price but the beef kabab is very flavored and tender, the Batata Harra appetizer is one of the best potatoes I tried !!! The price is higher than last time and even though $14 just for side of potatoes is high the flavor is WOW so might worth it. The rice that comes with the meat is also missing some flavor as Mediterranean rice is richer in flavor. Falafel is much better than last time crispy and flavorable hand down good. To he honest charging $30 for a platter of 4 spreads is really high compared to other Middle Eastern restaurants, plus the flavors are not top on the platter. You get hummus, babaganush, labane (their version of sour cream) small portion of salad and some falafel balls. That's a $15 - $18 platter at best, but we wanted to try and see what is the $30 value which was disappointing. Overall the majority of the food was great but between 2 people lunch paying $138 before tip for the portions is pretty outrageous. I truly don't mind paying but seems it's not price right. Just as example for the main dish which is 2 small beef kebab skewers and side of small rice $30 - $34 is way to much where Normally for same dish with 2 main sides and mix salads all together is about $25 we had to pay $30 on the salads alone where other serve that with the main course. So to summarize: food is pretty good, place is nice but prices are way to high and not justifiable and that's only reason why I didn't come often and now with prices higher I will only come if we truly craving the Potatos which you can't find...