Name: The Palomar
Address: 34 Rupert Street, London, gb
Rating: 4.4

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Alexandra Chung

Google a month ago

5.0

Absolutely loved every part of our evening at this Israeli spot 👌 Amazing food, excellent service and overall superb vibes. Highly recommend: - Kubaneh: the fluffiest brioche and perfect medium to absorb all the dips and sauces - Octopus: the perfect meaty & creaminess combo with the cannoli purée - Scallops with pistachio pesto: new item (off menu) and totally would recommend - Mackerel: must try - Ribeye with chimichurri: classic dish that cannot go wrong Great for solo/couple diners sitting at the counter or groups of 4-6 in a cozy corner booth 👌

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Gemma Boothroyd

Google a month ago

5.0

Tragically, I was so consumed by the food that I only took a photo of the menu at the start.. Where to begin. The service here is impeccable. Your water glass will never go empty, and you’ll never wait long for your next dish to hit the table. Everything was impeccable. And the gluten free bread is truly the tastiest I’ve ever had. Moist and flavourful - VERY rare for us folks the gf community! The dips were all superb, but the lamb was a showstopper. Will definitely be back for more!

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Sourav Ghosh

Google a month ago

4.0

Palomar has been on my list for some time now. I have eaten at their sister institution, The Barbary and loved it. So I found myself on one of their bar stools one Friday evening. The food was great. It did start off a little weak; couldn’t really taste any cod in the cod falafels. But the seabass tartare and lamb rump mangal made up for it. The lamb was the right balance of tenderness and char. Dessert and cocktails were also nice. However, I was surprised and more than a bit annoyed to see that they charged for filtered water (not branded, bottled water afaik). Without this, I would have probably given them five stars.

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Alexandra Robbins

Google a month ago

5.0

Gorgeous food, especially enjoyed the kubaneh bread, tarka octopus and courgette dish. Be wary when ordering multiple cocktails - our bill between two was £££! Definitely one to visit for more of a treat.

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David Paterson

Google a month ago

5.0

I always love to go to a restaurant that i have not been before when it leaves me wondering why has it taken me so long to find this place as I will so definately be coming back. I just love everything about this place. I’m such a fan of bar sitting overlooking the chefs cooking especially if there are just two of you eating. The staff are super friendly from the moment you are greeted at the door. I loved everything that we ordered and can’t wait to try out more on the menu, but the standout dishes that i had so far and will find hard not to order again was the chopped liver and the fried Sea Bass. Absolutely amazing. I wish I could give this place 6 stars! Update: went back and still amazing. The tartare was like the best I have had. Great spice to it.

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Diva Vaish

Google a month ago

5.0

This was one of the best meals I’ve had in London in a long time. Everything I ate was delicious. Must way the sesame chicken schnitzel! Can’t wait to go back! The staff were also lovely and very accommodating!

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Ben Shelton

Google a month ago

5.0

Our meal at The Palomar just now was wonderful! This is going to be a kitchen geek review, but we were sat at the end of the kitchen bar close to the expo station and Chef Dan Murray, and not only was the food top notch, but the service was equally as good. Everyone was super attentive, including Dan who checked in multiple times. Their kitchen runs so smoothly and all of the flavours were dialed. The sea bass tartare was our favourite, with the ribeye and polenta for the main, but every single thing we ordered was fantastic. The kubaneh/pitas and dips, the cod falafel, the chicken, everything! We are not usually desert people, but the baklava ice cream sandwich was heaven. Highly recommend.

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Joanna Groves

Google 6 days ago

5.0

Sitting at the bar watching and chatting was special. A great creative team effortlessly composing beautiful dishes which tasted of mediterranea mixed with the faraway. The architect of the menu is the brilliant chef.

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Donata Hall

Google 3 weeks ago

5.0

We love it here. The food is full of unique flavours and the staff and chef's are so friendly and engaging! So nice to watch the chef's cook and talk about the food they are making. Yet again - wonderful experience! 😊

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Sonne B

Google 2 months ago

5.0

Wonderful experience dining here. Was a solo diner, seated at the bar. Was recommended to dine here by a friend that said it was one of his favorite restaurants in London. Food was amazing, service was great, enjoyed the light conversation with the chef. Tip: if you are a solo diner, you can get a tasting platter for their dips. Definitely recommend getting that.

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Clinton Gormley

Google 2 months ago

5.0

The food was good to excellent. The hummus and baba ganoush were good but a little restrained. The labneh with pistachios was delicious. The crushed cucumber was a surprising favourite, and the octopus with cannellini mash was also excellent. The only disappointment was the kubaneh bread. Next time I'll order the pita. Service was fast and friendly. I sat at the pass and witnessed a perfectly acceptable plate of hummus being rejected and redone because the plating wasn't quite up to standard. They take their food seriously! Looking forward to returning

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Louis Beglan

Google 2 months ago

5.0

Second visit after a long time away. Just superb. Think our table ordered all except 3 dishes off the menu, and we loved every one. The octopus, chicken and courgette dishes were stand out. Cant wait to get back!

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Nu

Google 2 months ago

5.0

Amazing food, the rib eye and the baklava ice cream are our faves. Great service, very friendly staffs, the high chairs maybe a bit too high for me (: but highly recommended

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Tatiana V

Google 3 months ago

4.0

Went there with a friend for dinner. It was Sunday around 6pm and managed to get a table outside. Will start by saying the place is quite small and not necessarily located on a beautiful street, but hey, we went there to eat some food which is what I want to talk about. We got some dips and pita. The pitas were fresh and soft and even warm, sold 😅. We decided to order another portion of pitas as we had some aubergine left. The fish was very decent, would not say the best, but very well presented, took quite a few photos. The desert was interesting, ice cream pistachio baklava. What I like the most was that the baklava was not too sweet and heavy as we know this dessert to be. We split the bill and it was £38 each.

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Shasta Marcelo

Google 3 months ago

5.0

Busy spot! Super tasty food. Rib eye was excellent, as well as the polenta with oyster mushrooms / truffle and sweet peas. Yum. It felt a bit squished up on the counter so next time I'll ask to sit at a table.

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Gerard Sanchez

Google 3 months ago

4.0

Came back for seconds! My first experience was a test, I had seen, caught scent of cooking from my bike ride behind these group of restaurants, The Palomar, and Brothers Bar B Q. My first experience was very good, attentive, and knowledgeable bartender made me an excellent custom margarita on the rocks, suggested the kabobs, which I ordered 2 of the beef, skewered with flavorful bell peppers and onion, served with Spanish rice, a small salad, and a scoop of delicious guacamole, the restaurant also includes a basket of corn tortilla chips with a small carafe of home made salsa, which is better than anything you can buy at your grocery store. My second visit was pretty similar, except the restaurant was slammed, diners were even seated all over the outside patio, again, I sat at the bar, and again, the food was flavorful, deliciously presented, and I left almost nothing behind. My tacos al Carbon, beans, rice, salad, delectable, an excellent value. This time I saved a little with the house margarita, also good tasting, at $9 a nice pour, again, the salsa is memorable; I’ll be back!

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Stephanie Hoang

Google 4 months ago

4.0

For a casual late night dinner at the kitchen bar with great cocktails. If you don't like being close to strangers, I wouldn't suggest the bar as the chairs are a bit close to each other and you can't move them. Given this, you get to be right up in the action where all the cooking is done! We started with the Palomar Paloma (amazing) and some water. For food, we got their signature bread and a few dips, ceviche, lamb, and the ribeye. For dessert, we got these tiny chocolates and a vodka shooter. The ambiance is casual and a bit dark. The bartenders were my favorite. I wish we stayed longer to chat, but we were tired from a long week.

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Mark Chen

Google 5 months ago

5.0

A fine restaurant which we have return to several times over the years. Palomar serves up tasty dishes, think big fish and big meat, imaginative cooking done perfectly. Kubbaneh is a must try! Complimentary sweets served at the end of the dinner, a very nice touch.

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Nikko

Google 6 months ago

5.0

Fantastic lunch. Lots of small sharing dishes. I may have not liked some components of some dishes but I cannot deny they were all incredibly flavourful. It was 4 of us and we all agreed that the best thing we had was the kubaneh (bread). Incredible the flavour of that bred!!!!!!

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Adhith Rajesh

Zomato 11 months ago

5.0

Proper authentic Middle Eastern food. Wonderful flatbreads with lots of choice. Very spacious, good for family and groups. The staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming. No booze sold but you can bring your own. Highly recommended!

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Sumit

Zomato Jan 20, 2019

4.0

This restaurant is very good for casual dining ,food is very tasty and different different variety is available , environment is very good , services are very nice

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Mayank Mahajan

Zomato Jan 16, 2019

5.0

Nice restaurant. great atmosphere. Really a best presentation and food over here. i came over here with my friends for party we both love the place. Nice place for outing. Food and presentation of food is just awesome

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Bonnie Tandy Leblang - BITE OF THE BEST

Zomato Jan 13, 2019

3.0

Home/Theatre, World, World Restaurants, World Travel/Middle Eastern Meal at The Palomar, Chinatown, London + Company. Middle Eastern Meal at The Palomar, Chinatown, London + Company. I had been hearing about the new London production of Company — the Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s musical comedy about life, love and marriage from my NYC theatre friends who are producers of the show. Company opened at London’s Gielgud Theatre in November to rave reviews.

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Arian Arifin

Zomato Jan 04, 2019

5.0

Palomar is a more modern Levant/Mediteranian cuisine restaurant. Everything was well seasoned and delicious! The food are amazing, not a single menu let us down. We ordered Josperised Aubergine, Octo-hummous (best one yet), Jerusalem Mix, Shakshukit, Jerusalem Mess.. and some others that I forgot the name. The staff is really lovely and helpful. You still need to book in advance to get a table here though. Now I'm craving for more.

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Pankaj Gupta

Zomato Sep 05, 2018

4.0

In short, it is a must-visit-place for people who love Mediterranean/Levant food. In all probabilities, one would like this place for food, ambience, experience, warmth and all one could expect from a nice dinner (or lunch) outing. In a way it endorses London is the place for foodies.

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CityGrazer

Zomato Mar 22, 2018

5.0

I have been wanting to go to The Palomar for absolutely ages. Unfortunately as it turns out, so does the rest of the world and booking a table on a weekend has been next to impossible! A few weeks before Easter weekend however, I was finally able to find a slot that worked for the diaries on what would turn out to be a very Good Friday. So first tip, if you want a table here, you need to book early, or you can chance it with a small number and see if they can seat you at the bar.

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Annabel Keeble

Zomato Dec 09, 2017

1.0

Sure it’s great but never made it there. Received a call in the cab en route to say they couldn’t accommodate us. Appalling and came to London especially to go there. Thanks!

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JB

Zomato Jul 07, 2017

5.0

Brilliant, bold flavors without any gimmicks. Rustic and hearty fare with a light touch. Desserts were divine. If this is what food tastes like in Jerusalem (cooking has Jewish / Spanish / Arabic influences), I'm on the next flight there! Do not miss this restaurant while in London. I cannot stop raving about our lunch today.

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Barbara

Zomato May 02, 2017

3.5

Lovely lunch at The Palomar. The food is good with some items better than others. The bread was the highlight of the meal but at £6 each I found it to be a rip off. The portions are very small even for tapas and prices are steep. Still nice decor and nice food. Service was not good. Our waitress was unfriendly, uninterested and mostly upset because we were sat at 3.15 when the restaurant closes at 3.30. Service was rushed and we felt very unwelcome. Overall, I am glad I tried this restaurant but wouldn't rush back.

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MinnesotaFoodie

Zomato Apr 01, 2017

5.0

The best meal I've had in London, perhaps in the past year. I'd give this a 6 if I could. Everything was amazing. My favorites were the beet carpaccio, octo-hummous, and Jerusalem mix - unbelievable. Also tried the polenta - amazing. The shakshukit and aubergine were relatively less impressive but still incredible in "absolute" terms. ... The Jerusalem Mess was an incredible dessert. Will definitely go again if I get a chance ...

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Jacqueline Sampson

Zomato Feb 03, 2017

5.0

Could not fault a thing with this place. I loved everything. I wish I could eat their burnt aubergine everyday. And the lamb... oh the lamb. There is something very special about this place, book in advance! Order everything!

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Angela Yang

Zomato Jan 05, 2017

4.5

Kubaneh bread is a must to order. The bread is very soft and full of smell and taste. Everything was well seasoned and delicious. Definitely pay a visit if you are a fan of Mediterranean food.

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D.

Zomato Nov 16, 2016

4.5

The Palomar is bringing a new type of Middle Eastern cuisine to London, and it is a great addition to the city in my opinion. Yes, you have Ottolenghi and a few other places for excellent middle eastern food as well, but the Palomar is a different type of restaurant. Half of the fun is the show you get from the open kitchen; if you are a small party I would strongly recommend going for a seat where you can see all the action. But that doesn't mean the food plays second fiddle, a very well crafted menu, with great care in making sure that it tastes as good as it looks. The kubaneh is a great starter, as is the beetroot carpaccio – simple but delicious. The josper is used very well, both for the vegetable dishes as well as the meat ones. It really is hard to go wrong whichever you chose. The desserts are less impressive; I would gladly add an extra appetiser or main to my meal. The service is another highlight, always making sure that everything is fine without being overbearing.

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Oscar Julie

Zomato Oct 22, 2016

5.0

Fabulous food, staff & ambiance! What a find, we came because of the great reviews we had read & we were not disappointed. Every dish we chose was delicious, we couldn't pick a favourite. It was busy & we can absolutely see why - a must visit.

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Danielle

Zomato Oct 20, 2016

5.0

The Palomar is my new favourite restaurant in the world! Everything about my visit was amazing. Not only was the food incredible, the service from everyone was A+.

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Shayan Sacki

Zomato Sep 27, 2016

4.5

Welcome to an amazing restaurant in London. The Palomar brings Middle Eastern delight to us all. Think of the amazing Ottolenghi, now think of him making you dinner and finally add a vibrant city restaurant scene. If you haven't booked a table after that sentence, then I am not doing my job well. The Palomar brings you modern day food from Jerusalem. This modern take on Israels capital, adds influences from Spain and North Africa to delight those in London. Based off Shaftesbury Avenue in the theater heartland, The Palomar and their 16 seater bar bring great interaction and even singing and partying to their guests.

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Food And Drinks Noob

Zomato Jul 11, 2016

4.0

The menu is not your typical a la carte format, with a wide choices of snacks and a middle course between the raw starters and mains. Judging from the menu

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Yummy Jubbly

Zomato Jun 27, 2016

4.5

Having opened in the Summer of 2014, Palomar won 5 different awards in 2015 alone. Of all the reviews you’ll find of Palomar, there’s hardly a negative word said. So of course we had to try it out for ourselves. The first hurdle, was booking a table 3 weeks ahead. The best way to describe the food at the Palomar is: tapas, modern Jerusalem style. Why? Because most of the items on the menu are little sharing plates. Based on what we ate, they all compliment each other and you'll be amazed at how many different combinations you can form with the plates you ordered. We had:

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The Accidental Socialite

Zomato Apr 24, 2016

5.0

If I was facing the death penalty, I would choose the Challah bread at The Palomar for my last meal. Although, I’d probably be on death row for bludgeoning someone to death for jumping the queue at their Soho location. The first time I went it was a random invite from a friend and her boyfriend. The clever bunny books restaurants several months in advance for 4 people and then the week of, finds another couple to go with and my fiancé and I won the lottery this time!

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Alexandra C

Zomato Apr 04, 2016

4.5

I must have been living under a rock all this time to not have heard of Palomar, self described as "serving the food of modern day Jerusalem". A friend of mine recommended it, and after some quick google search, I quickly realised what I had been missing out. With the knowledge that it was voted "hottest restaurant" by the Londonist in 2014, I went in with high hopes.

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JR

Zomato Mar 27, 2016

5.0

I've eaten at the best Mid East restaurants in all the world's major international cities, including the top spots in Egypt, Israel and Jordan - this is by far the best fine dining experience I've had. Highly recommended, the entire experience is amazing. Note, it's incredibly difficult to secure a table. Often booked out weeks in advance (for good reason), so recommend you get in the door at 5.30pm and put your name on the list. They will call you 7.30-8pm when your table is ready.

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Lynzi Bee

Zomato Mar 27, 2016

5.0

Outstanding dining experience. We finally got a spot here, worth going early to get on the 1-2 hour wait list or booking in advance. Each and every dish is so well thought out, flavors are simply incredible and ingredients perfectly chosen. Sitting at the bar gives the dining experience an extra special edge. You watch the cooking line happen live in front of you as the kitchen is in the bar. Every chef and waitron is so professional and highly skilled - such a smooth operation and fun to watch. Worth indulging in any item on the menu, dessert included. Never experienced fine dining Middle Eastern food like this, so well worth it. A special experience in London that's a must.

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_ar1g

Zomato Feb 15, 2016

4.5

We had a lovely meal at the buzzing Palomar, though somewhat distracted by the soap opera of a guy unsuccessfully hitting on a work colleague at the table opposite. Highlights: Beef Tartar (the aubergine puree is insanely good), Jerusalem Mix.

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SamTheFoodFan

Zomato Jan 18, 2016

4.0

The Better Half (TBH) and I had theatre tickets booked for a matinee show last Saturday and when looking for a restaurant we could have lunch at beforehand, I was really happy to find that The Palomar was within spitting distance of the theatre. Billed as serving food from a modern day Jerusalem with influences from the Levant, Southern Spain and North Africa; the sharing style of eating here is right up my alley.

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Vicky Dalton-Banks

Zomato Dec 15, 2015

4.5

I love it when I get to catch up with Elizabeth from Mayfair Office Girl because we always pick somewhere new to eat and The Palomar had been on our list for a while! Our first attempt to eat here wasn’t so successful. You see we never book far enough in advance – seriously this place is always booked up! One wednesday evening after enjoying a cocktail at Pollen Street Social we wandered over at about 7:30pm and there was a queue outside and a wait of over an hour. So we cut our loses and headed elsewhere.

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Boozy Bunch

Zomato Dec 11, 2015

4.0

So, when is the best time to visit a restaurant hotspot? If you’re in the know, it’s probably best when the restaurant is on the way up with everyone striving their last sinew for the Michelin star and when prices are still reasonable. The Palomar, serving the food of modern Jerusalem, has now been winning accolades for 2 years. Despite being on my radar during this time, I hadn’t managed a visit and rumours from foodie friends suggested it wasn’t quite as good as previously. But the only way to find out was to pay a visit.

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SilverSpoon London

Zomato Nov 10, 2015

4.5

The Palomar has been firmly on my London restaurant bucket list for a while now, but it’s hard to get a reservation at the popular Soho restaurant. Ever prepared, I was keen to finally pay a visit and booked two months in advance for my birthday lunch.The restaurant serves food from Jerusalem influenced by a rich tapestry of cultures including Southern Spain, North Africa and the Levant. I’ve mentioned my love of Israeli food before in my posts on Jago and Nopi and as my sister-in-law lives in Tel Aviv, we’ve had the opportunity to try some great restaurants there. Though I’ve visited Jerusalem a few times I’m yet to try celebrated restaurant Machneyuda, considered by many to be the best restaurant in the country. But dining at The Palomar allows Londoner’s easy access to the renowned food cooked by chefs from the original restaurant. I’d already heard tales of the Kubaneh also known as Yemeni potted bread served with a choice of tahini or a tomato infused oils. The bread was light and fluffy, a slightly sweet sort of a cross between a croissant and brioche. Mr S and I devoured it quickly though I wish I’d save some to have with the rest of the food!The restaurant has a sharing concept and we ordered a number of small dishes between us. Our beef tartare chosen from the raw menu was quite possibly one of the best I’ve ever had; not only was the rump steak perfectly prepared but I loved the tomato vinaigrette and the contrasting textures from the toasted almonds and Jerusalem artichokes. The pairing with burnt aubergine cream was a beautiful combination and finishing it off with jalapenos gave it that final punch so that the whole dish was a flavour explosion.As I expected the restaurant itself was packed with people and it had a lively buzzy atmosphere. As you enter you can witness the chefs at work in a busy open kitchen where you can sit at the bar and interact with them or as we did, have a more intimate table at the back on the comfortable blue leather banquettes. A friend told me that if you sit at the bar, the chef will give you other bits and pieces to sample, and though we didn’t have that experience, we were given a tasty sauce pan of cous cous with harissa and pomegranate seeds to try.We decided to order the two specials of the day, first this perfectly cooked langoustine served with a beautiful spicy chimichurri sauce. It was that moment I wished we hadn’t gobbled the bread so quickly, I would have loved to mop up the sauce.Next these fish cakes made of combination of cod and hake and served with a salsa, the flavours were delicious but I found the texture of the cakes little grainy. Though I was pleased to learn that all fish is sourced from Britain and from sustainable stocks, while meat is also local and organic. From the hot selection, we chose the cauliflower ‘steak’ as the dish had a been recommended to me. And I’m so glad it was as it may not have occurred to me to order cauliflower as a main course, but this cauliflower was rather a revelation. Perfectly cooked so that the florets are soft and melt in the mouth but with just about the right amount of bite, it’s served with a cured lemon butter which has been prepared on the Josper grill. Coupled with it is a creamy labneh made in-house, the most delicious slightly caramelised sweet onions and a topping of almonds. This maybe a vegetable but it’s certainly not diet food, it’s actually rather rich and creamy and just bursting with flavour. It’s unique dishes such as this that have made The Palomar so wildly popular and led to accolades such as the award for best restaurant in Observer Food Monthly, Tatler Restaurant of the Year and a Michelin Bib Gourmand two years running.Our final dish was hake with perfectly cooked flesh that fell apart beautifully in the tines of our forks, the soft flakes beautifully contrasting with the lentils, olives and tomatoes. There was a great whack of garlic in there too, which certainly reminded me of some of my favourite fish dishes in Israel. Though our initial plates were small portions, we had ordered the right amount, the rich, creamy sauce meant our appetites were well satiated and even though calories don’t count on your birthday we decided to skip dessert and head for a more waistline friendly frozen yogurt down the road. If you would like a dessert tip though, I’ve been told the Malabi rose-scented milk pudding is incredible, perhaps I’ll have to return for it…

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Secret Temple

Zomato Nov 05, 2015

5.0

In an article I have read recently, the author exposed how, as we go through life and as we gain more experience, the magic of life fades. The more we know and live, the less we wonder. Being constantly bombarded with mediocre restaurants explain why some of my friends (with decent cooking skills) have forsaken eating out altogether. So whenever you find a jewel like this, the magic of life comes with it.

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Quiet Eating

Zomato Oct 29, 2015

4.0

I must admit to being rarely surprised in life. Sometimes I get rained on when I don’t expect it. Other times I find a fly in my soup. Although, the time I saw a rat caught in a manhole cover in the middle of Shibuya, Tokyo takes the cake. A gaggle of passerbys had gathered to watch a woman, equipped with kitchen gloves, of course, attempt to stuff the mewing creature back into the underworld where it belonged. Yet, even then, although it caused me to raise an eyebrow, it did not startle me out of my usual stoic demeanor.

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Fatty Mountain

Zomato Oct 21, 2015

3.5

The Palomar has been the talk of the town in London and probably the restaurant ‘to be seen’ right this moment. Booking a table for the normal dinner time was difficult, I made my reservation two months in advance, so no way was I missing this chance ‘to be seen’ even with tube strike on. The Palomar has modernize Israeli cuisine in this tiny restaurant near China Town. The dishes were between a hit and a miss to me.

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BlancheMange

Zomato Oct 16, 2015

5.0

The Palomar is one of my favourite London restaurants! It has a great, bustling atmosphere, the staff is friendly as well as professional, and the food is truly excellent. Come here for interesting dishes of both meat and fish. The cuisine is Jerusalem-style and there is great use of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern ingredients. The best thing to do is to come relatively early without a booking, put your name down for a seat at the counter, which overlooks the open kitchen, go somewhere for a drink and then come back and enjoy the sensory feast. They have tables at the back of the restaurant as well, but I can't help but feel you'd be missing out by eating back there..

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The Accidental Socialite

Zomato Oct 14, 2015

5.0

If I was facing the death penalty, I would choose the Challah bread at The Palomar for my last meal. Although, I’d probably be on death row for bludgeoning someone to death for jumping the queue at their Soho location.

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Cheese And Biscuits

Zomato Sep 30, 2015

5.0

Palomar has - unbelievably - been open for a year. Unbelievable because it seems like only yesterday the massed critics and bloggers of London were falling over themselves to lavish praise on the place and also unbelievable because twelve months on from those triumphant opening weeks it still shows absolutely no sign of being anything less than the hottest ticket in town.

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Sandra Guerin

Zomato Sep 28, 2015

5.0

I've only heard good thing from everyone who's had dinner at The Palomar and I'm going to join in with the fans and urge you to get in line for a table! I can garantee it'll be worth the wait . Plus if you try the Pork tagine, please let me know how it is... I'm currently looking for an excuse to go back, help a sister out will you?!

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The Hungry Porker

Zomato Sep 27, 2015

5.0

Rupert Street- it’s not really Chinatown, not really Soho, not quite Piccadilly. Explaining where Palomar is, is a bit like trying to explain the menu. It’s modern Jerusalem food, which has a bit of Spanish, African, and Middle Eastern influences. There’s raw dishes, there’s comforting hearty dishes and there’s dishes with ingredients you’d never think of putting together- think beef with a blubbery madeira cake. Palomar manages to be entirely familiar and unexpected at the same time. And always brilliant.

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Kiran Kishore

Zomato Sep 08, 2015

5.0

My excitement and eagerness at finally visiting The Palomar is equivalent only to what I feel before visiting a new country. I always look forward to eating out in London, but with this one, it was different. Since The Palomar opened last year, the reviews have been unprecedented. Even the most critical publications and bloggers have raved about it, and its awards and accolades are too many to list here. Serving up Israeli flavours with a touch of the Mediterranean, I was already in love with the idea of it before I’d even read the menu.

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The Foodie Diaries

Zomato Aug 19, 2015

4.5

The Palomar has been having a moment ever since it opened its doors last June, to dish up the food of modern-day Jerusalem in a quiet street off Chinatown. A little over a year later, the buzz only seems to have grown louder. Palomar recently won the best restaurant category in GQ Food & Drink Awards, while Tatler named it restaurant of the year.

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Kojo London

Zomato Aug 02, 2015

4.5

Recently awarded Restaurant of the Year by Tatler, The Palomar has continued to stun critics and London foodies alike with it's interesting use of ingredients, fun ambience as well as its exotic Middle Eastern flair. The restaurant is located right in the centre of town between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square so it shouldn't be hard to find. Mr Kowa da Kowa was joining me for dinner - great news as there is never too much food to devour between two foodies.

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EL Song

Zomato Jul 29, 2015

4.5

Beetroot carpaccio was light and refreshing. Heart liver and sweetbreads with okra looked complex but was worked very well for a plate of innards! However the simple dessert of labneh with strawberries was the perfect ending. Great palate combinations to suit my uneducated tastebuds. The buzz and soothing colour scheme contemplated each other well. Beware that whilst sitting at the bar is the best spot to be, it is rather narrow behind you. I preferred the calmness of the back room where the murmurings of the varied clientele of what looked to be other foodies or Jewish like my dinner partner added to the atmosphere. I loved this place all in all. Classy.

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Hannah Kacary | That Adventurer

Zomato Jul 14, 2015

4.5

I visited the Palomar on a Wednesday evening with my Mum before we headed off on holiday. Our table was booked for 7.30 and within a few minutes the restaurant had completely filled up. We were led to the back of the restaurant by a happy and enthusiastic waiter who then proceeded to talk us through the menu, making his recommendations and advising us how many dishes to order. The Palomar is a restaurant where you share several plates between you - my favourite type of restaurant if the truth be told, I always get too much food envy otherwide! As I always do, I'd had a quick (long) look through the menu while watching the clock tick down at work and so already knew what I was after! We kicked things off with Challah bread, delightfully soft and tasty. This was followed by; Fattoush salad, Shakshukit (deconstructed kebab with minced meat, yoghurt and tahini), salmon tartare, and an aubergine and feta dish. The food was bursting with flavours and every time a plate was put in front of me my eyes widen with glee and I just couldn't wait to dig in! Perhaps the best sign of how good the Palomar is is when you look to the table next to you and see a Masterchef winner, Tomasina Myers (of Wahaca fame) tucking in to food. If chefs eat here it must be good!

A

Alex Davis

Zomato Jun 22, 2015

5.0

Delicious. Regretted not getting the tasting menu when it came out for the people sat next to us! But loved it all the same. The beetroot and goats cheese salad was my favorite!

T

The Girl Next Shore

Zomato Jun 16, 2015

4.5

I can't tell you the number of times I've tried to book space at The Palomar since its inception last June. Walk-ins are allowed, but 1) I'm perpetually hungry; 2) a hungry person has no patience to wait even for 1.5 hours (which sometimes, in no-reservations resto talk means "Go away and go somewhere else"); and 3) my stomach goes violent when I get hangry. A year later, we (finally and triumphantly) managed to secure a table and were able to see if it was worth the wait. With fare rooted in Jewish, Arabic and Mediterranean traditions, Palomar's menu seemed as exciting as the action by the bar where chefs and servers entertain punters with cheeky winks and funky prep. Thankfully we were sent to the back where we have a proper table because I wasn't in the mood for that kind of cheese. The space is tinier than I'd imagined and it was rather humid (they had aircon issues) where they sat us. That said, I did like our corner booth as it gave us a good vantage point for my other favourite past time: people watching. We wanted some bread to begin with and though our minds were in it for the challah, our server suggested the kubaneh (£5). It's steamed pull-apart bread usually cooked overnight and eaten for brekky on Sabbath day. I've had sugar-dusted kubaneh before in the Philippines but Palomar's is quite the savoury type. The bread was soft and salty, warm and perfect. Our bread was served with two dips, tahini and grated tomato. I thought the grated toms dip was creamy and tangy to a tee, but it was the tahini that impressed me. I don't like tahini that much but this was superb. If it's good enough to convert someone then woopdeedoo, it must be really good. We were given some sweet potato crisps with some sort of tahini and parsley dip. Quite a nice snack to munch on while waiting for mains. We ordered some kubenia (£9), hand chopped beef fillet served on a bed of (more) tahini, and pine nuts. Frankly, this was more exciting that the steak tartare dishes I've had in Paris. The beef was well seasoned and the pine nuts gave the dish such a nice texture. The tahini may have tipped the dish to a saltier profile, but I do like its overall flavour. The seared scallops (£13.5) were quite pleasant. These were served atop sliced new pots and swiss chard and artichoke, dressed in a delicious lemon beurre blanc light and delicate to the palate. I didn't think the hazelnut tuille was necessary but it was a good dish, nonetheless. You can't ignore something called octo-hummous on a menu so we went out to get that, too. The octopus is "josperised" (ie cooked in an indoor barbecue oven) and is nice and tender on its own... however, as it's swimming in a bed of hummous - albeit really good and creamy - the smokiness I expected was lost. Another josperised dish we ordered was the cauliflower steak (£7.5) which came in a pool of labneh and sprinkled with almonds. I was most excited of this dish, which is a shame because it was the most underwhelming. The cauliflower itself lacked seasoning but the labneh was some of the best I've had. Ever. We washed it all with a glass of Riesling each. Serving size was quite generous for 'small plates' and considering we didn't order much (between two) we were comfortably full in the end. Overall, I liked The Palomar a lot and I can't believe it took a year to try it out. The dishes were well thought of and produce was top class. I'd definitely go back for sure (with a proper camera this time!), as there are still heaps of dishes I would love to try, even if I had to brave the queues and nurse my hangry stomach. Well worth it.

V

Vialaporte

Zomato Mar 03, 2015

0.0

as expected The Palomar is a buzzing modern interpretation of Israeli cuisine. It’s already created a stir with its unique flavour profiles not commonly seen in many London restaurants. That being said, the restaurant has a vibe that you can’t overlook when you step inside – the young animated chefs who take shots as they cook, guests seated right up against the bar overseeing the open kitchen and the efficient and knowledgeable service. We selected 2 starters and 4 mains from a varied but not overly complicated menu. One of my favourite dishes is the homemade hot kubaneh Yemeni pot baked bread served with tahini and grated tomatoes. At first it’s easy to be overlooked as it’s not a protein or a special, however the soft and flaky texture – a cross between a croissant and brioche and the novelty of having the bread turned upside down at the table makes this the perfect dish to mop up the final bits of gooeyness from the mains. The shakshukit which is a deconstructed kebab with minced meat, yoghurt and tahini topped with pita croutons is well balanced with the salty nuttiness of the tahini soaking up the middle eastern spiced mince scattered on top (if only there was more!). This can be perfectly lapped up by the vessel that is the pot baked bread. The Jerusalem polenta is also a unique take on a traditionally Italian dish where the added umami flavours from the mushroom, parmesan and truffle oil brings this dish to another level, the wet polenta is perfectly cooked without the gluey texture and at times, overly salty flavour prevalent in other interpretations. The pork belly tagine with ras el hanout, dried figs and Israeli couscous is also another favourite – the pork belly is caramelized, sticky and tender. This was perfectly accompanied by the Israeli couscous which is small pearl like in shape and bouncy in texture, this was the ideal bedding to soak up the sticky sauces from the pork, figs and apricots I would highly recommend this restaurant for a date night o

N

Nottinghillyummymummy

Zomato Feb 11, 2015

0.0

First Impressions As I walked into the cramped Palomar restaurant the other night, the song ‘Get up (I feel like being a) Sexmachine’ by James Brown was blaring into my ears, while the trendy, hipster chefs with their requisite beards were frantically putting on a show of cooking skills as well as ‘hisptertaining’ ie. entertaining us non-hipsters on how to be hipsters. The Palomar is the latest of the uber-trendy restaurants; half-club, half diner, throw in some Middle Eastern sharing plates, hipster staff and a raw bar and I can’t think of anything hipper it could do.

D

Dinner With Jo

Zomato Jan 29, 2015

5.0

Palomar (English): Mount Palomar, a mountain in Southern California, northeast of San Diego, height of 1,871 m. Palomar (Spanish): a shelter with nest holes for domesticated pigeons. I've no idea why it is called Palomar. What I do know though, is it is very very good. Every time I tried to book a table online I was rejected. What was I to do? Give up? Turn up and hope for the best? We opted for the latter on Saturday evening. We turned up at 7pm to find a hubbub of people outside and one of the managers with a clipboard. She took our name and phone number down and we went for a drink, anticipating a two-hour wait. Our call came early though, after just over an hour, so we walked back, at a brisk pace to ensure our space wasn't given away. We were shown to our space at the bar, on the far right, and were greeted by Thomas, second in command in the kitchen. Not only was Thomas second in command; he took our order, served our food, answered our many questions, discussed life and love with us and plied us with shots. We ordered the seven course tasting menu to ensure we didn't miss out on anything special. Each course was spectacular. Salmon carpaccio followed by "kubenia" (extremely finely hand chopped beef fillet with bulgur, tahini, herbs, pine nuts and tomato). This was really great as it was very unlike any raw beef dish I'd had before, and beautifully presented. Next came "Polenta Jerusalem style" (asparagus, mushroom ragout, parmesan & truffle oil with a poached egg). This dish was perfectly sized as any more could have been slightly too rich and any less would leave the consumer wanting more. This was followed by a risotto with salmon then sea bass and mackerel with braised cauliflower. We then had onlget steak with a financier (a small, spongy French cake) with a blueberry sauce served on the side in a very miniature saucepan, the whole dish nicknamed "steak 'n' cake." It makes dining out far more interesting when you try something for the first time. This was definitely the first time I had mixed steak with cake and it was pretty liberating, if a little confusing for the taste buds. A very loose comparison would be a chocolate covered pretzel (sweet yet salty). The final course was a multi-faceted dessert; chocolate cremeux (eaten with a spoon but denser than mousse) with puffed rice crunch, pomegranate coulis and cocoa tuile, labneh ice cream, tahini ice cream and raspberry cheesecake. I adored the chocolate, and thought it went superbly with pomegranate coulis. The labneh ice cream tasted a little like frozen yoghurt but better, and the malabi was delightful. I'm afraid to say I didn't like the tahini ice cream; I have no doubts that if I were to compare it to rival tahini ice cream this would win hands down, but the flavour and texture are quite unique and unfortunately not my favourite. Every so often an 80's classic would start playing and the whole Palomar team would sing along, Tomer (head chef) would drum away at the kitchen counter and the shots would come out. It felt like a more upmarket version of the bar in the movie Coyote Ugly. We didn't want to leave (but were so full that falling asleep then and there would otherwise have been inevitable). The tasting menu plus a carafe of wine came to around £60 per head, but ordering from the regular menu would make it significantly cheaper. It was worth every penny though, and I thoroughly recommend going without a booking and waiting to sit at the bar to get the full experience. I enjoyed Palomar so much!

J

Jeanne-Marie B

Zomato Jan 14, 2015

5.0

Already my second visit to The Palomar restaurant on Rupert street. This time I was seated at the back as I had a reservation. Not sure it was the best option, I think I preferred the atmosphere I had at the bar at my first visit (review HERE). Next time I won't try to get a nice table and I will just join the waiting list for the bar as it is better. This time as an apetizer and starter my friend and I shared spiced olives and pickled vegetables and Kubaneh Yemeni served with two different dips : tomato sauce (which in my opinion taste like a gazpatcho) and tahini (my favourite). I heard so much about their polenta dish, I couldn't leave without trying it this time. It was the best polenta I have ever had, the texture was light and creamy. When you opened the pot it had a nice little smell of truffle and asparagus. I could have easily eaten the big pot on my own. Since my visit I tried to do the same recipe at home, I didn't manage to have the same texture but I was closed to it. My friend ordered the shakeshukit as he remembered all the good thing I said about it. He wasn't disappointed, he really liked it. I have got the chance to try half of it, I think since their opening the food gets even better than the beginning.This time they have been more generous with the sauce and it was a little bit spicier which I really liked. As a main I ordered the pork belly tagine, I fell in love with this dish. The pork belly was succulent, a tiny bit crispy on top and then very soft and moist, it was a real delight. The cous cous was a whole-wheat cous cous, it went well with the ras el hanout and dried figs. Both of my visits have been a real success at The Palomar. I discovered new flavours. My eyes have already spotted what will be my next order on my next visit: Labenah tortellini and Persian oxtail stew. I might try to go there for lunch next time. Picture of my first visit included in this review. 9/10.

N

Nomadeater

Zomato Jan 13, 2015

4.5

Exemplary!! Ate here in October 2014 on a flying visit back to London and it was hands down the best meal I had during my trip. We were a party of 5 and shared everything, from the delicious mezze platter with delicious hummus and labneh and aubergine to larger dishes of octopus, sea bass, shakshukit and chicken. Dessert of tahini ice cream was unusual and excellent, just the right balance of sweet, creamy and crunch. The wine list was small but well curated and offered a bunch of options for every taste and budget. Only downside was the place was a little compact, the table next to us was very near and acoustics were not great so we were had to strain to hear but that's to be expected with most London places.

K

Kay Gale

Zomato Dec 29, 2014

4.5

It was amazingly quiet everywhere, although I did avoid the main shopping areas like Oxford Street and just walked along Piccadilly and cut through to the bottom end of Regent’s Street and into Soho. Many places were closed until January, but I enjoyed a rather nostalgic trip along Old Compton Street … Camisa Italian deli in Old Compton Street … then along Greek Street past The Gay Hussar, a wonderful Hungarian restaurant at the top end near Soho Square where in my full-time working days as an editor I often lunched with agents and authors … … down to Maison Bertaux at the bottom end of the street near Shaftesbury Avenue where as a child I was often taken for breakfast by my parents … I then crossed Shaftesbury Avenue and headed down the south part of Rupert Street to The Palomar Restaurant …

W

We Love Food, It's All We Eat

Zomato Dec 17, 2014

5.0

We eat out a lot (obviously) and despite seeking out restaurants that we anticipate loving rather than just liking, a lot of the time we are left a little deflated. We’ve eaten at about 400 places since we started WLF four years ago and there’s probably only about 20 of those impressed us greatly. Every once in a while, somewhere like the The Palomar happens and takes our breath away. We had only planned to pop in to try the Persian oxtail stew for an upcoming feature and before we knew it, we’d ordered five things. This tiny restaurant serves the food of ‘modern day Jerusalem. A menu influenced by the rich cultures of Southern Spain, North Africa and the Levant.’ so says the website. The site also has little bios on the staff which is lovely, the pastry chef Yael is married to the head chef Tomer, we heard they despite working in the same restaurant, they are like ships passing in the night. The Palomar is everything my dad hates in a restaurant, it’s small, noisy, chaotic and you can’t stand anywhere without being in someone’s way. But I fell in love from the moment I slid onto a stool next to Ade at the 16-seater shiny kitchen counter bar, directly in front of the chefs and the blazing Josper grill. There is 40 cover dining space too, but who wants to sit there and miss the show? This place is unique in the way that not only is there a bunch of chefs squeezed into a space no bigger than a shoe box, there’s also waiting staff amongst them. It’s mad but somehow it works incredibly well, no one looks stressed, they appear to be having fun, yet to me it looks like my worst nightmare. I’ve sat at open kitchens before but this is something else, Ade and I barely said a word to each other all night, we just watched… I suppose I should talk about the food! Oh god, basically it’s incredible. Little vegetable crisps in a upcycled sardine tin come as standard while you wait, these alone made us happy. We started off with the tin-baked Kubaneh bread £5 – warm, fluffy briochey type bread to be torn apart and dunked in the beautiful tahini and tomato dips – a shiny, bold and gorgeously silky pot of heaven. Food is served on mismatched floral granny plates, adding to the cosy feel. I’m not a huge whitebait fan but Ade fancied the Whitebait Spiced Tempura Style with fried cauliflower and arisa aioli £10. I was put off these little fishes when I worked in a kitchen in a restaurant in Guildford as a teenager. Nothing bad happened (not with the whitebait anyway) it just freaked me out at the time that someone would want to eat a whole load of deep/fried frozen tiny fishes, eyes and all. But now I think I’m converted, these were golden and tasty and the fried cauliflower was a surprising hit with us both. The Persian oxtail stew with herbs, barley and turnips £14 came in a massive pot big enough to serve four, unfortunately when the lid’s taken off there’s just a little serving at the bottom. It was a hearty sweet and comforting dish with my favourite stew ingredient – pearl barley. The Kubaneh bread is ideal for scooping up the last of it from the bottom of the oversized bowl and a glass of Rioja Ramon Bilbao LTD ’10 £6 a glass, was the perfect accompaniment. This is what winter is all about. The special of Merguez sausages and tagliatelle with peppers and tomatoes £14 sounds pretty ordinary but it was so much more than that. Unfortunately despite mentioning my annoying problem with cheese to the waiter at the start, it still arrived covered in cheesy curls. Because we were in awe of the staff and fully appreciative of the pressure they’re under, we said it’s fine and Ade would have it to himself. But the sous chef (who bears an uncanny resemblance to Jeremy Sheffield – the wicked headmaster in Hollyoaks) saw the look of disappointment on my face as I watched Ade dig in, so he knocked me up my own little helping. Thank god he did as it was stunning, this needs to be a permanant fixture on the menu. We’d agreed earlier not to have dessert, but then we’d also agreed to just have the stew and a glass of red so what the hell. Wrong decision in sharing though, I don’t know what we were thinking. Malabi rose-scented milk pudding, raspberry coulis, coconut meringue pistachio crunch, fresh raspberries and kataifi £7 was delicate and light with texture from the meringue and kataifi (much like baklava) and sweetness from the coulis, we didn’t want it to end, firstly because it was gorgeous and secondly because it meant our Palomar experience was coming to a close. Despite being bumped by customers as they walked past me as I ate and Ade not listening to a word I said, I’d had one of the best experiences in a restaurant ever. Perhaps being tired and stressed heightened my feelings, but as we sipped the last remaining drops of our Rioja, I felt a slight wave of emotion watching these incredibly hard-working guys doing what they do. We reluctantly left to give our seats to waiting hungry Londoners and stepped outside to reality, both in agreement of how outstanding the Palomar is, especially as we walked past Bubba Gump on the the corner (the last restaurant we had reviewed). We awoke the following morning still buzzing and dying to do it all over again, I haven’t been this excited about a meal since Polpetto. Put the Palomar on your restaurant bucket list right now.

W

Wingz

Zomato Nov 24, 2014

0.0

I have mixed feelings for The Palomar. There is something contradictory about it but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Perhaps it was the jovial vibe that the chefs were desperately pushing at the bar (by tossing back shots of course) didn’t fit with the strict table turnaround time. We were offered to wait for a bar seat if we wanted to order dessert. Ha.

T

The Picky Glutton

Zomato Nov 17, 2014

4.5

The airy dining room is fine, but the counter surrounding the kitchen is the place to be. Perfect for lone diners and spur of the moment eating if you don’t have a reservation for one of the coveted tables, it also gives you a great view of the small kitchen staff at work. No matter where you sit, service is friendly and efficient.

K

Kristainlondon

Zomato Nov 13, 2014

0.0

My Polpo a la Papi was zingy and made me want to buy all the octopus and all the chickpeas in the hopes of replicating this at home. (Not a joke!) And the pork belly and couscous! Fantastic. Even the bread — puffy, dotted with sesame seeds — was good!

C

Corinna Rombi

Zomato Nov 10, 2014

4.0

Very colorful, modern place in Chinatown. I found its ambiance inspiring..and creative. In terms of prices, the place is fine and you should spend 50 £ per two people. FOOD: Salmon pate with toasted bread, was delicious and tasty. The chicken wings were even better ! Crunchy and not oily..as it happens sometimes. I strongly recommend going and try their Middle Eastern Cuisine.

A

Andy Hayler

Zomato Nov 07, 2014

3.5

This restaurant opened in June 2014, serving food that draws on influences from around the Middle East and the Mediterranean. A trio of chefs that own Palomar have worked together at a Jerusalem restaurant called Machneyuda, but the head chef in London is Moroccan Tomer Amedi, who also previously worked at Machenyuda. The dining room seats 35 people, with an extra 15 seats at the bar at the front of the restaurant. Tables are what an estate agent might describe as “snug”, tiny and crammed together. The dining area has banquette seating, and although music was playing at this busy lunchtime it was not excessively noisy (peaking at a tolerable 75 decibels). There was a short wine list with just over two dozen labels, ranging in price from £23 to £70, with a median price of £39 and an average mark-up of 2.8 times the retail price, which is not bad for London. Example labels were Roussane Domaine Trinites 2012 at £29 for a wine that you can find in the high street for £12, the excellent Chateau Musar 2004 at £52 compared to a shop price of £23, and Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc Domaine Morey-Coffinet 2010 at £70 for a wine that retails at £20. I most enjoyed kubaneh (£8.50), a pot-baked Yemeni loaf, served warm and with excellent texture (14/20). This bread is made in-house each morning, and didn’t need the tahini dip, nor the tasteless grated tomatoes served with it. Kubania (£5) was a kind of Mediterranean beef tartare, fillet steak hand-chopped and mixed with bulghur wheat, tahini, herbs and pine nuts. This was decent enough, though the beef itself was nothing special, and for me could have been seasoned more (12/20). A sea bass (£15) fillet was cooked in the Josper grill, served with braised cauliflower, notionally crispy potatoes (which weren’t) with a citrus vinaigrette. The fish was cooked well enough and the skin was crisp, but the farmed bass lacked flavour (12/20). Chocolate cremeux (£7) had smooth texture and was pleasantly rich, served with a chocolate tuile, though something acidic to cut through the richness might have been beneficial, rather than the almond streusel crumb actually used (the pomegranate coulis was so subtle as to be invisible) . The mousse was served on a rock-hard biscuit base (12/20). Service was rather scatty, though friendly enough. The bill for one, with just water to drink (filtered tap water charged at £1) came to £41. If you shared a bottle of wine and had coffee then a typical all-in bill here might be £60 or so. It was a pleasant enough experience overall, though for the same amount of money you could eat better elsewhere: at nearby Michelin starred Alyn Williams, for example, you can currently have three courses at lunch for £30. Palomar was very busy even at this midweek lunch, so they have clearly found a successful formula.

W

Wrap Your Lips Around This

Zomato Nov 02, 2014

0.0

It’s true that The Palomar is making moves to invigorate and modernise the Middle-Eastern dining scene, but there are improvements that could be made and I don’t see myself returning.

S

Su-Lin

Zomato Oct 31, 2014

0.0

There’s been quite a buzz about The Palomar, a relatively new Middle Eastern/Mediterranean restaurant in London on the quiet end of Rupert Street. I...the cuisine is truly a melting pot of various cultures. I love this kind of food and booked... On the recommendation of our waiter, we ordered a Polpo à la Papi (£9), a mixture of octopus, mulukhiyah leaves, chickpeas, spinach and yoghurt. It was fresh and delicious but the portion size was very, very, very small. Very small indeed. It’s difficult to share even between two...

S

Secret Scoffer

Zomato Oct 28, 2014

4.5

The Palomar recently opened in London’s Soho on Rupert Street by the same people behind one of Jerusalem’s hottest restaurants, Machneyuda. The restaurant serves small plates of food from modern-day Jerusalem with influences from southern Spain, Italy, North Africa and the Levant. You can reserve a table in the back dining room, or you can show up on the day and wait for a seat at the 16-seater bar with the open kitchen behind. You’re unable to reserve seats at the bar and cannot sit down until your dining partners are with you. Therefore, a wait can be long and the space for waiting feels very crowded. However, I’d read some great reviews of this place, so my friend and I grabbed a cocktail and played the waiting game, cursing people for not eating faster. Whilst we waited one of the team suggested a couple of appetizers to tide us over. First to arrive was a beautiful, smoked flavoured Salmon pate served with some toast. This was shortly followed by a small spoonful of polenta, with mushrooms, parmesan and soaked in truffle oil. A very well balanced mouthful wetting my taste buds for what was to come. As we took our seats at the bar the lady explained it was best to have three plates from the raw bar (which was behind us) and three from the stove, josper and plancha list, we took her advice. A salmon tartare with aubergine two ways was soon placed in front of us; light and fresh cleansing the palate. Fattoush salad and mackerel fricassee were next to arrive. I'm not really bothered about salads, but I must admit I did enjoy this; it was packed with many different elements, making it more exciting and moorish. The mackerel with its Tunisian fried buns, slightly crispy on the outside and soft inside were a delight. Served with lemon, potato, capers and quail’s egg, everything came together perfectly. Shakshukit, a deconstructed kebab was my favourite of the evening. The minced meat far from dry, scooped up on pita with lashings of yoghurt and tahini was just stunning! I didn’t want to share it. Another stand out dish was the corn-fed chicken, a light and crispy buttermilk coating when cut in to reveals moist chicken easily pulled away from the bone, accompanied with freekeh (wheat that goes through a roasting process) adding texture. Our last plate was grilled sea bass fillet sitting on cardamom crispy potatoes with braised cauliflower. The fish was superbly cooked and I even enjoyed the cauliflower which is a veg I normally hiss at! Basboussa semolina cake was for dessert, with whipped yogurt and a soaked-in tangy orange syrup accompanied with walnut brittle and sour tuile giving a nice and sticky crunchiness. My friend had the Chocolate Cremeux which looked very inviting, so I spooned in for the kill. A silky chocolate taste with puffed rice crunch was a great way to finish the evening. I loved everything about this place from the food, the service and the atmosphere, everything was great. It’s nice to be able to sit at the bar and have the food prepared in front of you and it’s even better when you’re given a shot to have with the staff. Everyone seems to be happy working here and the chef playing the pans with some wooden spoons was fun. Palomar is now one of my favourite eateries and I’m looking forward to returning. I suggest everyone to follow my lead and go eat here and if you don’t like it, I don’t want to know.

T

The Food Judge

Zomato Oct 24, 2014

0.0

I didn’t get to hear the drum thing. It’s the owner’s special party trick; a little percussion medley, using the pots and pans in the galley kitchen, whilst customers perched on their barstools drink shots. Obviously the very thought of having that sort of display going on in front of me brings me out in a peculiarly British sort of rash, but I’m told it’s something to see. I’m sure it’s very entertaining.

A

Andy Hayler

Zomato Oct 20, 2014

0.0

This restaurant opened in June 2014, serving food that draws on influences from around the Middle East and the Mediterranean. A trio of chefs that own Palomar have worked together at a Jerusalem restaurant called Machneyuda, but the head chef in London is Moroccan Tomer Amedi, who also previously worked at Machenyuda. The dining room seats 35 people, with an extra 15 seats at the bar at the front of the restaurant. Tables are what an estate agent might describe as “snug”, tiny and crammed together. The dining area has banquette seating, and although music was playing at this busy lunchtime it was not excessively noisy (peaking at a tolerable 75 decibels - See more at: http://www.andyhayler.com/restaurant/palomar#sthash.0fscSiwj.dpuf

A

Ashutosh Gade

Zomato Sep 26, 2014

2.0

I am a big foodie and have tasted Israeli food in the past. I was expecting exact authentication of the cuisine at a place so acclaimed, such as this. However, much to my dismay everything here was a little bit un-fresh and slightly bland. The atmosphere lacked friendliness and chaotic. This place is not your solution to a good Israeli experience.

E

Emilia Khan

Zomato Sep 23, 2014

5.0

This is one of those places where you would experience everything right. Right from being greeted warmly at the entrance to being made to sit comfortably you will enjoy it all. The food is delicious and the variety that is being offered is very varied. To add to it all is the pocket friendly menu. Come here with your friends soon!

E

Eva Wood

Zomato Sep 20, 2014

2.0

I recently tried this place and was quite disappointed with it. The food was substandard and the quantity was terrible and at the end we were left hungry, even after having the main course. The prices are exorbitant and unjustified which we were not able to comprehend. I would never like to go to such a ridiculously expensive place again.

L

Lewis Rowe

Zomato Sep 18, 2014

3.5

I really respect those places who offers good food and I must say this is one of them. The menu was quite an extensive one and the food was perfectly prepared an presented. It tasted even more delicious. The service was unbelievably quick and the atmosphere was quite pleasing. It is definitely worth a visit.

L

Luke Webster

Zomato Sep 15, 2014

3.0

This place could have done wonders and may have stood out for me if there were not some really good and competitive restaurants around offering Mediterranean and other interesting cuisine around. This place does serve well cooked and delectable food but nothing which makes it a stand out! Expected more!

A

Amelia Smith

Zomato Sep 13, 2014

5.0

I have been on a hunt for great eateries to try. I went to this place after hearing many good reviews and was not disappointed at all. The staff greeted us nicely inside the restaurant and made sure we were comfortably seated. The menu was diverse and interesting. The dishes that we ordered were appealing and appetizing. Go try it out for sure!

J

Jacob Burke

Zomato Sep 13, 2014

5.0

I went to this place for the second time after an excellent first visit and this time it was even better than the first one. I would recommend to book this place in advance as this place gets really full almost every day. The food here is alluring, enticing and simply delicious.

A

Anish Ganesan

Zomato Sep 07, 2014

5.0

With the kind of outstanding reviews that this place has been getting it has a huge pressure on it to perform well. It definitely lived up to its expectations. The food is delicious and each dish that is served is prepared is done with great focus to get the taste just right. The helpings that are being offered are small but that is in agreement with the price that is being charged. I highly appreciate the care and concern with which the staff attends to you. A must visit!

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Kai Holt

Zomato Sep 07, 2014

3.5

Being inclined towards Middle eastern cuisine, whether the most authentic or influenced in cooking. There is a strong attraction to the spices and uplifting flavors that make these dishes extremely delicious. This place serves exactly what i am looking for, heavy on flavours, mouthwatering food! I would definitely recommend! Do Visit!

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Deepro Ganesh

Zomato Sep 02, 2014

5.0

This place is such a delight. Always busy, would recommend you to arrive early and you will be glad to have tried this place. To begin with, the atmosphere here is very enticing. Chef is vibrant and chats around with guests. Every dish being served is looked after and food is just the reflection of amazing hospitality!

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Foodexpectations

Zomato Sep 01, 2014

0.0

Palomar has been top of my list for a bit and I was really looking forward to our reservation last Saturday as my mother was visiting from Brazil. I had heard amazing things about Palomar and a friend had advised me that the bar seats were the most fun ones but since there were three of us, we booked a table instead. Twist of faith and the reservation got messed up (not their fault at all but someone had booked for me and didn’t tell me we were waitlisted for 8pm and our table was actually at 6pm)… I was so sad and disappointed as we were looking at the kitchen and smelling the food and jealously watching others eating delicious looking dishes and worried we wouldn’t be doing the same. But Zoe tried really hard and ended up asking a couple seated at the bar to move over two seats so we could get three seats together. Zoe, you are my hero, thank you! We sat on the counter drooling over all amazing looking dishes and had a hard time deciding. Sitting there and watching the dynamics was d

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Ella White

Zomato Sep 01, 2014

5.0

We went to this restaurant after watching some theater. Despite calling three weeks earlier, we were only able to get a reservation for five in the evening. The place is very popular so do not come here without reservations. We had high expectations from this place. We found the food to be great and the service to be impeccable. The ambiance is also quite nice and unique. Definitely recommended.

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Gingle Lists Everything

Zomato Aug 22, 2014

4.5

The pork belly was rolled, giving a heart of tender meat, surrounded by the fattier stuff. This came with Israeli cous cous and a Ras el hanout, a slightly spicy seasoning that was very moreish. I tried to get every last cous I could just to taste more of it. Also with the lamb was some stewed carrot, apricot and confit potato. A perfect combination of sweet and spice, we cooed over this dish a lot.

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Gingle Lists Everything

Zomato Aug 22, 2014

4.5

While I had a really enjoyable day and night Thursday, Friday was my birthday proper and I’d hoped I had lined something up a little bit special. I was going to try to get into Palomar for lunch. Given the amount of hype it has had lately, I wasn't sure of my chances, but I also knew that I really wanted to eat at the counter where the kitchen was (and all the action), not in the back, so this was the risk we had to take. We timed it beautifully. We got there at just after 1:30 and there were about five spaces at the counter that had disappeared only a few minutes later. And something special this certainly was. It only served to highlight how off-the-mark The Culpeper had been the night before. I already knew it was loud and boisterous out the front, and had read that the Chef had a habit of doling out freebies and shots. I didn’t dare to hope that, however many weeks after opening, they were still keeping up this generosity, but I was wrong! We had barely been seated when the Chef dished out egg cups to me, Stephen and the couple next to us (as well as a couple to himself and his staff) and filled them with a house concoction, beckoning us to all do the shot together. This is my kinda place! Shots – at lunch time! Stephen and I oohed and aahed over the ‘sharing’ menu, trying to decide what to have. There was at least one thing I knew I wanted to try already, but the rest was hard to narrow down. Behind us was a raw bar, and both Stephen and I ended up getting something from that – him, two oysters, me the kubenia – the Israeli version of beef tartar, something I’ve only had once but enjoyed. And of course, we got the kubaneh pot bread with tomato and tahini dips. For our bigger plates we had the pork belly tagine and steak onglet to share, although (for a lunchtime anyway) they were big enough portions that I would have been happy enough if we’d had one each as a main. What with our dessert on top, I came away from the meal fully sated and only forcing myself to have a slice of cheese and toast later that night because I was going out drinking. So, anyway, we had decided against one of the salads even though both the Fattoush and the Spring salad really appealed to me. I’m glad we didn’t order the spring salad though as they were giving out taster portions of this to those of us who were wise enough to sit at the counter. I thought this was wonderful – crunchy kohlrabi, asparagus and fennel all doused in a zingy feta vinaigrette with poppy seeds and sunflower seeds giving a nutty texture and even more crunch. Why can’t all restaurant salads be this inventive? Our neighbours had chosen the fattoush and that looked packed with plump tomatoes and plenty of dressing as well. The pot bread was tipped out in front of us before long. The tomato dip was, well, the very essence of tomatoes, there’s no other way to explain it. The tahini was concentrated tahini, which was a bit much at times – like an even drier, more bitter peanut butter, it really needed the squirt of oil on top of it. My kubenia came on a slick of more tahini, with bulgur and then dumped on top was pomegranates, pine nuts, coriander. Most of the flavour of the dish came from these additions but the beef was there, in the background and the tahini provided that nutty undertone which was a lot easier to take like this than using it as a straight-up dip. The stars of the show were the pork belly tagine and the steak. The steak was cooked in the josper oven to perfection. It’s taste alone was so good that I made sure to have several mouthfuls without any accompaniments. But the egg it came with (cooked just a little runny) and the latke (potato cake) were just as delicious and welcome. The whole spring onions were a little tricky to cut into (especially with the limited elbow room for cutting and rather dull knife). As much as I love spring onions, I ended up eating them like crudités on their own which was a bit pointless. The pork belly was rolled, giving a heart of tender meat, surrounded by the fattier stuff. This came with Israeli cous cous and a Ras el hanout, a slightly spicy seasoning that was very moreish. I tried to get every last cous I could just to taste more of it. Also with the lamb was some stewed carrot, apricot and confit potato. A perfect combination of sweet and spice, we cooed over this dish a lot. I may have *accidentally* let slip that it was my birthday when I was ordering my second glass of Prosecco, which meant we got an extra shot on the house – elderflower, lemon, orange and vodka and of course it was the perfect excuse to have dessert even if we did share it. Having seen our neighbours get the chocolate cremeux, we did not hesitate in replicating them. A thick mousse sat upon an almond streusel biscuit and came with a coca tuile. And, in my case, a candle in honour of my birthday. We savoured the chocolatiness and regrettably asked for the bill when we could grab our waitress’s attention. Not content to give away shots and salad, they also comped our dessert as a birthday present. How can you not love this place? Well, unless you’re a total curmudgeon without tastebuds, you can’t. I’ll admit, the set up is a little confusing – you still order from your waitress, but she’s behind the counter along with the cooks so it does feel a little weird. And yes it’s loud (though not hot where we were) and it seems a little chaotic, though you soon realize this is organized chaos as the seven bodies duck, weave and glide among each other. But really, the place is pure joy.

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Dexter Robertson

Zomato Aug 17, 2014

5.0

This restaurant is absolutely fabulous. The taste of the food was amazing, and every single dish was perfectly made. It is nice to see something so nice and different in the city. They have flawless service and the cocktails are absolutely perfect. I will be visiting again soon, and recommend the same to everybody.

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Sienna Harris

Zomato Aug 15, 2014

3.5

I happen to be a foodie and I love trying new food and new places to eat. Came here the other day for lunch and I am absolutely mind blown by this place. This place has a wide variety of stuff to offer from which you could probably choose on. The food item I would really recommend would be the Lamb. Its delicious. Cheers.

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Caleb Warren

Zomato Aug 14, 2014

5.0

I had a great experience at this bar. One of my most enjoyable moments. The food was great and delicious. It was made to perfection. The staff was equally brilliant and very helpful. Making this more enjoyable was the great atmosphere. I had a fabulous time sitting at the bar!

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Reuben Morrison

Zomato Aug 10, 2014

1.0

WE were a little disappointed with this restaurant when we wen t here for lunch . The staff didn't seem to know much about the menu , and we were informed that whatever we ordered was not available , not even chicken . An unpleasant lunch experience . Wouldn't recommend to anyone .

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Bella Bailey

Zomato Aug 10, 2014

4.0

This is nice little restaurant which serves food from Jerusalem with a an interesting twist . The food shows influences of North Africa , Spain etc and everything has a modern touch . The food is nice , just with the right an=mount of quirk to make things interesting .

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Ava Taylor

Zomato Aug 07, 2014

4.0

This place is on top of my list , whenever I feel like having amazing time this is the first place that pops in my head. The bar seats are amazing here and according to me they are the most fun. Keep on doing the good work guys , really appreciate.

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KS_Ate_Here

Zomato Aug 07, 2014

4.0

For over a month, anytime I asked someone where they had recently dined, all I was hearing was "The Palomar.", "oh at The Palomar", "hmmm no where really...oh wait no, The Palomar". Fearing for my place in society, I had a suspicion that I should probably check it out too which I did on a sunny weekend. Tucked in behind Chinatown on Brewer St, The Palomar is not only introducing London to the gastronomical highlights of Jeruselum, but it is making itself comfortable and settling in for the long haul and judging from my fellow diners, London could not be more pleased! As you enter, you're immediately greeted with an open kitchen with seating around it which creates an extremely vibrant atmosphere. Walking through to the main dining room, the intimacy of the restaurant began to sink in and if I were claustrophobic, I'd find this experience a little stressful (second only to trying to decide what to have!). However, all was forgotten when the food arrived and the show kicked-off. On this day, my table went for a variety of dishes which we shared in order to maximise the amount we could try. Lucky we did because otherwise, I'd have suffered through a bad case of food envy. I can't fault anything we had but in saying that, I am nowhere near an expert in the cuisine so my opinion is meaningless. What I will say is that I found it really delicious and every dish was packed full of vibrant flavours which were a delight. Highlights for me were the buttermilk corn-fed chicken served with freekah and spices and the shakshukit (deconstructed beef kebab) - I was really disappointed that they had to eventually finish. A fantastic little place making a massive name for itself and doing the Jerusalem cuisine proud. If you haven't been, go. Rumour has it they do a fantastic tasting menu...as if I needed another reason to go back! Also follow me on Twitter @WeTryKai and @annixontong and on Instagram @annixontong.

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Theo Simmons

Zomato Aug 04, 2014

4.0

I visited this place with my colleagues and we really enjoyed our time here. It looked like a Lebanese tapas bar but the server was courteous enough to suggest us a wholesome meal. I have to admit that it was mouth watering. I could have sat there eating more and more. The fish and the red meat were the highlights. Visit this place soon!

Robert Hooper

Zomato Aug 04, 2014

5.0

This place is a huge attraction and a perfect venue for a meal before theater. The restaurant is small and thus gets filled up and crowded soon. There is no advance reservation over here. However, The bustling is very vibrant and service is incredible. Food is truly delicious. This place is a must visit !

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Rohit Chopra

Zomato Aug 01, 2014

5.0

I stumbled across this place by chance and spent a fabulous evening. We got a table inside near the kitchen and it was great as you get to see the food being prepared as well as you get to talk to the staff . The food was appealing and appetizing and a varied selection to chose from.

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Laura Fitzpatrick

Zomato Jul 31, 2014

0.0

When the food started to arrive, were were chuffed to bits with what we'd ordered. First up the bread. OMG the bloody bread.

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Nomface

Zomato Jul 29, 2014

4.0

The Palomar is a small compact restaurant on Rupert Street right in the heart of Theatreland and Soho which opened in June. The restaurant serves the food of modern day Jerusalem with a contemporary approach, the menu influenced by the surrounding cultures of Southern Spain, North Africa and the Levant as described on their website. The open kitchen is at the front of the venue with theatrical bar seats only available for walk-ins. A small dining room with dark oak panelled walls and banquette seating in blue leather is found at the back with tables available for reservations. The menu is split between nishnushim (snacks), raw bar and bigger dishes from the stove, josper and plancha. We started with Moroccan oysters with coriander, lemon zest and Arisa oil. These were slight bitter with the lemon zest. The Daily 6 is an assortment of daily mezzes served in small dinky saucepans. The standout mezze for us were the aubergine and lentils. We ordered kubaneh, a wonderful pot baked bread to

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Anuradha Bhatnagar

Zomato Jul 28, 2014

4.5

What a fun night out! Great food, great service, great drinks, a total win. Ordered a couple of well made cocktails, the daily 6 mezze - which is more than enough for 2 to share as a starter. Shakshukit or the deconstructed kebab as a main was to DIE for, can't really say the same for the seared scallops though. The polenta is incredible, order it and then order it again. Well priced wine list. Dessert - delicious tahini icecream, and the malabi - a rose flavoured milk puidding. Service was knowledgeable, and super friendly. The atmosphere is incredibly fun, and a super eclectic soundtrack makes you want to dance the night away! Also love the design of the place, art deco, and that blue is so very pretty. A great new spot, I'm not up for the cramped (looking) bar seating, the tables at the back are super comfy, and quite as much fun...

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Irina

Zomato Jul 28, 2014

4.5

Amazing place. Kitchen right in front of you and is a real entertainment. Great food &service. Great new entry in Soho!

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Gabriel

Zomato Jul 27, 2014

4.0

Very innovative restaurant! Personnel really cordial. Uno spettacolo vederli cucinare!

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Faerietale Foodie

Zomato Jul 26, 2014

0.0

I’m always attracted to food that’s roughly influenced by the Middle East, there’s something mystical about the fragrant and often heavily spiced cuisine that I find so utterly different from the food I was brought up on and therefore bewitching. Attempts to cook it at home, often from recipe books or from googled recipes, I find a magical process. Not quite knowing how the dish I’m making should really taste, look or smell; serious kitchen alchemy happens when I’ve created something I couldn’t possibly have come up with on my own, having been exposed to so little of the history and culture, so integral to this type of cuisine, myself.

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Jeanne-Marie B

Zomato Jul 23, 2014

5.0

Already my second visit to The Palomar restaurant on Rupert street. This time I was seated at the back as I had a reservation. Not sure it was the best option, I think I preferred the atmosphere I had at the bar at my first visit (review HERE). Next time I won't try to get a nice table and I will just join the waiting list for the bar as it is better. This time as an apetizer and starter my friend and I shared spiced olives and pickled vegetables and Kubaneh Yemeni served with two different dips : tomato sauce (which in my opinion taste like a gazpatcho) and tahini (my favourite). I heard so much about their polenta dish, I couldn't leave without trying it this time. It was the best polenta I have ever had, the texture was light and creamy. When you opened the pot it had a nice little smell of truffle and asparagus. I could have easily eaten the big pot on my own. Since my visit I tried to do the same recipe at home, I didn't manage to have the same texture but I was closed to

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The Hedonist

Zomato Jul 20, 2014

0.0

The hip place to eat is up at the 16 seat zinc Kitchen Bar where you can perch like greedy birds watching the chefs do their preparation. However her ladyship and I are in the more sedate back room which is lined with navy banquettes and dark oak panelled walls. It gets busy with serious looking young chaps trying to impress their clients by being gastronomically on-trend.

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HungryBee Maija

Zomato Jul 16, 2014

4.5

I had a very good meal here and if you like casual but good food, you should come here. The Palomar is located in between Soho and Leicester Square, close to Mayfair and serves the food of modern day Jerusalem (which is influenced by Southern Spain, North Africa and the Levant). I had booked a table for lunch on a Thursday and when I came here the place was busy. It is small, not easy to notice from outside, situated on a small street. When you walk in there is a 16 seat zinc Kitchen Bar that overlooks the chefs, where you can sit, but we sat at the back in a small dining room which had a nice roof light. Tables are located close to each other, so we actually had a small chat with our neighbors when they waiters brought us their dessert. The menu was great. there was a section called “Nishnushim” which I assume means something along the lines

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Christian Mouysset

Zomato Jul 14, 2014

4.0

Great atmosphere and food. The staff are super friendly. Try the beef tartare, the salmon tartare, the tahini ice cream. Great cocktails and wine selection also.

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What Joanna Ate

Zomato Jul 13, 2014

0.0

I love the combination of scallop and Jerusalem artichoke (I sometimes top a soup made with the knobbly vegetable with a few seared), and the two together with swiss chard and cured lemon beurre blanc worked perfectly (£11.50), with the crunch of a hazelnut tuille. The final was a pot of polenta, asparagus, mushroom, ragout, parmesan and truffle oil (£9) – the chef who presented it to us, opened it up, with the delicious smell of the cheese and truffle oil. I'm still not a lover of the corny comfort food (apart from in the form of shrimp and grits at The Lockhart, which I could eat every week), but maybe that's just me.

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Leyla Kazim

Zomato Jul 11, 2014

4.0

The Palomar is the first international foray from the people behind Jerusalem’s hottest restaurant, Machneyuda. Yossi Elad (Papi), Uri Navon and Asaf Granit have come over to open a restaurant serving food from modern-day Jerusalem, with a menu that takes influences from southern Spain, Italy, north Africa and the Levant. Striking royal blue frontage and a pink neon sign in handwritten font greet you on entry. The main area is long and narrow with the kitchen running the full length of the bar, and enough space behind the 16 stools for no further breadth than that of a single-file throng. I’ve heard some lamenting over this design; busy evenings see those waiting for the coveted (and non-reservable) bar seating doing so in that lane directly behind diners, which must result in inevitable elbow-bashing and frustrated waiters. But I hear they do the sensible thing of taking your number and calling once a space becomes free, so there’s no need for your clan to hang around like penned-in cattle. Alternatively, you can retire to the wood-panelled dining area at the rear - with space and reservations and tables - but I suspect that’s a lot less fun. There was a salmon tartare starter special with the soft crunch of pine nuts, parsley, pomegranate, yoghurt, and fried aubergine lightly cured with paprika, the latter a recipe from Tomer’s mother. All components great in their own right, and together a plate of unbridled joy. The ‘Jerusalem way’ of polenta is apparently a smooth cheesy mass with truffle oil, mushrooms and Parmesan which is as good a way as any (£5). As was the zippy little taster of polpo à la Papi, disclosing the secrets of yielding octopus seasoned with the saltiness from mulukhiyah leaves, in cahoots with nutty chickpeas, spinach, yogurt and a touch of chilli (£8.50). Be sure to order the spring salad of shaved fennel, asparagus, kohlrabi, sunflower and poppy seeds with a tangy feta vinaigrette, because it’s very good (£7). A neat quenelle of hand chopped beef fillet from the raw section, bound by bulgur, tahini, herbs and pine nuts, was doused at the table by a lime green union of olive oil and lemon juice resulting in a sea of nectar surrounding the tartare island (£8.50). It was very good, but something similar from Arabica Bar & Kitchen is yet to be matched. Then there was the ox-tail special with preserved lemons, challah breadcrumbs and cool bits of bull vertabrae I paraded in front of my dining partner’s face. Presenting it in a deep bowl with steep sides made it a little tricky to eat, and the meat could have been flaking more, but the dregs were great excavated by some freshly broken challah bread. The deconstructed kebab - with minced meat, yoghurt and tahini - was a fine dismantle. The “four toppings” involve peppery watercress pesto, cured lemons, kalamata olive tapenade and harissa. Unveiling layers of flavour that jostle each other for centre stage, but united, put on a great show (£9.50). We relinquished decision-making to Tomer for dessert. “One Basboussa!” he cried, to the instant feedback of “Yes chef!” from the kitchen infantry. Shortly after, a warm semolina cake with whipped yogurt, orange syrup, ground walnut brittle and a sensationally sour tuile was served and consequently cleared within neighbouring minutes (£6). The Palomar uses ingredients I naturally gravitate towards thanks to, I suspect, the Levantine blood that partly occupies my veins. Give me meat with yoghurt and lemon, lashings of great olive oil, the bejewelment of pomegranate seeds, mushed up aubergine and tahini - or any variation around these stellar things - and I’m there and most likely, enjoying it. I like that conversation is interjected by the battle cries of “One shakshukit, two tortellini, one hamusta, one malabi” and “Yes chef!” every few minutes. I like that waiters come around from behind and the side to top up water and clear plates with a sleight of hand that’s barely noticed. I like that one chef wears a flat cap, and that the reaction I got from our waiter when going for the specials was the verbal equivalent of wetting one's pants with excitement. I like the copious amounts of gorgeous olive oil used in most dishes, and the hearty bread to mop it all up. “Is this a family-run business?” I enquire, as our meal draws to a close. “No, it’s not,” Papi responds, a knowing look shot over to Tomer. “We’re more than family. Just not by blood.” L'chaim to that.

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Leyla Kazim

Zomato Jul 09, 2014

0.0

The Palomar is the first international foray from the people behind Jerusalem’s hottest restaurant, Machneyuda. Yossi Elad (Papi), Uri Navon and Asaf Granit have come over to open a restaurant serving food from modern-day Jerusalem, with a menu that takes influences from southern Spain, Italy, north Africa and the Levant.

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Little Brown Book

Zomato Jul 09, 2014

4.5

A little jaunt with two lovely young ladies brought me through the doors of The Palomar and from the moment you enter, the charisma and character is all encompassing. Even though I visited soon after it opening, there was no indication that it was a newborn. Bringing the taste of modern day Jerusalem and the experience of Machneyuda to the streets of Soho, Palomar has succeeded in serving up a cuisine that up until now has been an untapped resource in London. The mixture of herbs and spices that are so unique to Israel and the middle east are whipped up into a flavoursome frenzy and served up in mouth watering combinations. The staff were impeccably versed in the menu and in fact are even named on the menu – a delightfully personal touch. There are two options for diners. Either, sit in the more sultry, leathery room just past the bar where you can spread your dishes all over the table, or the glowing pink raw bar that caters for walk-ins and those looking for a bit of an extra buzz. Palomar leaves it up to you to decide whether or not to share the dishes. They are served on boards and in silver platters for you to fight over or steal for yourself. While we were deciding, we tucked into what were some of the juiciest and flavoursome olives I think I have ever tasted, served in a little bucket with added spade! Wanting to taste a bit of everything, we went for a selection of dishes and short of licking the bowls clean, polished off every last morsel. First, the kubaneh, a brioche style bread which we dunked into tahini and a creamy tomato dips. Next up were the daily assorted meze; earthenware bowls of aubergine, beetroot, lentils, labneh and feta. These didn't last long, scooped and spooned till there was nothing left. Served with pita, youghurt and tahini was the meaty shakshukit, a little like a deconstructed kebab. All I can say is thank goodness for deconstructed kebabs! Labeneh tortellini won the show for me, with butternut squash cream, mange tout and sweet tiny tomatoes served in a shining silver bowl. Phwoar. Too stuffed to even attempt dessert, we grinned when some little chocolate truffles arrived unannounced (because it's a universally acknowledged fact that EVERYONE has space for something sweet even when they think they're fit to burst)! The Palomar really is a refreshing addition to Soho and one that totally deserves all the glowing reviews.

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Ianthomson

Zomato Jul 04, 2014

0.0

Disappointing and badly executed. Within what is currently a very competitive business, small independent London restaurants should be sharp, on the ball and deliver on every level. Lunch at Palomar yesterday was anything but. Shoved under blasting air conditioning at the back of the restaurant, our waitress was ill-informed about the menu and we instead looked around us to see what everyone else was trying. We went for the Pork Belly Tajine and the Seared Scallops. We were then told neither were unavailable - at 1pm on a Thursday? They also apparently had no more of the corn-fed chicken dish. How can one run out of chicken? It's everywhere! As a gesture of an apology we were given a small dish of crisped yams (i think). Sparkling water was served then disappeared - we kept having to ask for refills from the bottle. The table was roughly wiped a couple of times leaving us leaning on puddles of cloth water. When the food arrived it was truly small plates. I mistook the Onglet steak for one of my flip-flops. It was a work-out to chew through it. The Fattoush salad was lovely, but not anything I couldn't have rustled up at home with a similar flavour. I didn't feel that anything particularly transported me to Israel. We avoided a dessert and went for coffees. The single espresso barely covered the bottom of the petit glass, whereas my double espresso was more than twice the size - and £3.00. As we left I was envious that maybe we should have insisted on sitting at the bar where we would have received better service and kept an eye on the kitchen staff. Where restauranteurs like Russell Norman and Jeremy Corben have transformed London dining into one of the top three destinations to eat and enjoy exciting, glamorous and innovative food, others have had to run to catch up. This may be a love letter to the culinary delights of modern day Jerusalem, but it has a long way to go if it wants to be taken seriously as somewhere I'd want to sit and soak up what it should feel like to be in the City of David.

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Samphire And Salsify

Zomato Jul 04, 2014

0.0

Based on Rupert Street in Soho, The Palomar is a restaurant that specialises in ‘the food of modern day Jerusalem’. Even though it’s only just opened, I don’t know anybody that hasn’t loved it so I went with high hopes and I wasn’t disappointed – hoorah! As they don’t take reservations at the long counter which overlooks the kitchen, on our busy Friday night visit we were told of an hour wait, but we could wander off for a drink and return once they’d rung which was good. We arrived back to a packed restaurant with a brilliant atmosphere – it’s got to be one of the most exciting places to sit and eat your supper in London at the minute. At one point a chef picked up some drum sticks and started banging on the pots and pans (impressively well might I add) to Happy by Pharell Williams – everyone looked like they were having so much fun. We started with some Kubaneh (£5) which was Yemeni pot baked bread and it was served with tahini and ‘velvet tomatoes’ which was like a tomato gazpacho.

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Little Brown Book

Zomato Jul 02, 2014

4.5

...from the moment you enter, the charisma and character is all encompassing. Even though I visited soon after it opening, there was no indication that it was a newborn. Bringing the taste of modern day Jerusalem and the experience of Machneyuda to the streets of Soho, Palomar has succeeded in serving up a cuisine that up until now has been an untapped resource in London. The mixture of herbs and spices that are so unique to Israel and the middle east are whipped up into a flavoursome frenzy and served up in mouth watering combinations. The staff were impeccably versed in the menu and in fact are even named on the menu – a delightfully personal touch. Palomar leaves it up to you to decide whether or not to share the dishes. They are served on boards and in silver platters for you to fight over or steal for yourself. While we were deciding, we tucked into what were some of the

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Hollowlegs

Zomato Jun 30, 2014

0.0

The Palomar, imported from Jerusalem and headed up by an executive chef who has his name to five restaurants there already, serves food from modern-day Israel. At least, that's what they say; I don't have any experience of Israeli food, so much of it is a mystery to me. On the Wednesday night we visited, the bar lined with stools was pack

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Karin

Zomato Jun 14, 2014

4.5

Amazing food, you must try!!!. As an Israeli, I was really looking forward to eating there. I love my food, I love GOOD food. The Palomar delivered without failing on all aspects. The menu was versatile. The food was beautifully made. The service was great and the atmosphere was just right. A must try!

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Jk

Zomato Jun 09, 2014

0.0

NOT KOSHER!!!. Because some people do care about these things please note that Palomar is NOT KOSHER. In fact not kosher in any way, shape or form. Yes, it is owned by Israeli's but it serves pork, shellfish etc, etc,.

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Matt The List

Zomato Jun 01, 2014

0.0

As soon as it opened, Palomar was buzzing with queues building out of the door. For the best experience, you need to go in a small group and get seats in front of the entertaining & loud chefs, though you might get bumped in to a fair amount as the counter seating is part of a very thin corridor. As there were 6 of us, we were seated in the rear of the restaurant, where the atmosphere wasn't quite as fun, though a skylight was appreciated and the eclectic funk soundtrack kept us amused!

M

Matt The List

Zomato Jun 01, 2014

3.5

The Palomar arrived in Soho in May, bringing the food of modern day Jerusalem to London. The Palomar is the creation of Layo and Zoe Paskin, siblings behind The End/AKA and the Chefs, Assaf Granit, Yossi Elad and Uri Navon, from Jerusalem's most celebrated restaurant, Machneyuda. As soon as it opened, Palomar was buzzing with queues building out of the door. For the best experience, you need to go in a small group and get seats in front of the entertaining & loud chefs, though you might get bumped in to a fair amount as the counter seating is part of a very thin corridor. As there were 6 of us, we were seated in the rear of the restaurant, where the atmosphere wasn't quite as fun, though a skylight was appreciated and the eclectic funk soundtrack kept us amused! We started with cutely presented Kubaneh - Yemeni pot-baked bread served with tahini & velvet tomatoes in little buckets, a promising start. We ordered 6 dishes from the Raw Bar including a wonderful plate of Kubenia (hand chopped beef fillet with bulgur, tahini, herbs & pine nuts) and a delicious Tunisian fried bun with gilt head bream, cured lemon, potatoes, capers and a quail's egg. The Pulpo a La Papi with Mulukhiya leaves, spinach, chickpea, yoghurt & chilli, and Landing Catch Raw Fish "Uri Style" with cured onion & ginger vinaigrette also impressed. The Daily 6 assorted mezze was messily served in tiny pots that even one person would have struggled to appreciate, let alone six. On to the Stove, Josper, Plancha section, seven more dishes started to pile up on the table. Getting a little taster of everything makes it hard to comment in depth but flavours were bursting out of every plate. I think I might just come here on my own next time. Here are our individual picks: Lauren - Polenta Jerusalem Style with asparagus, mushroom ragout, parmesan and truffle oil. Maggie - Pork Belly Tagine with Ras el Hanout (Batman's nemesis?), dried apricots & Israeli couscous May - Sea Bass Fillet with braised cauliflower, cardamom crispy potatoes & citrus vinaigrette Felix - Shakshukit - deconstructed kebab with yoghurt, tahini, "The Four Tops" and pita croutons Taro - Onglet Steak with latkes, spring onions & a fried Clarence Court egg Me - Seared Scallops with cured lemon beurre blanc, kale over easy, Jerusalem artichoke & hazelnut tuille Oh yeah, and the Buttermilk Chicken wasn't half bad either. Finally, we ordered all 3 desserts on the menu to share. Tahini Ice Cream (with date syrup, whipped cream, fresh figs & filo delight), Malabi (Rose scented milk pudding, raspberry cream, coconut pistachio meringue crunch, fresh raspberries and candied rose petals) and Basboussa (semolina cake, frozen yoghurt, orange syrup, ground walnut brittle & bergamot tuille) made their way over. Whilst I'm not a huge fan of figs, rose or orange in my puddings, I was perfectly content with Palomar's attractive creations, though some more options wouldn't go amiss. Cocktails were a bit hit & miss, so beer & wine might be a more sensible option. Go with your friends (if they insist on coming!), but try to get a table in front of the chefs and keep those small plates to yourself!

Reviews of The Palomar