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The difference is a Lebanese partner. Otherwise, this is NOT, repeat NOT a Lebanese restaurant. It is a kitchy little restaurant with a very limited menu that pretends to be West Coast, ie First Nations. I just finished a serving of smoked salmon (3 small rolls), some undistinguished "bannock" bread (a.k.a. white sandwich) and some salad greens. Cost, with coffee: $16. I could have had wild deer stew (are there tame ones?), but chose the lighter option. Same menu at night. The Lebanese partner should fess up that her other partners are 1) First Nations (2) French-Canadian. Ethnic background does not an ethnic restaurant make! NOT Lebanese; definitely not.
We went to Mona's the other night and were delighted with our meal! We ordered several dishes, which we shared. The rice pilaf was delicious as was the salad and babaganouch and freshly prepared pitas. The lamb was perfectly done. The falfalel was a bit too salty. The restaurant is a little on the dark side, but we found it cozy and relaxing. To summarize: "YUM"!!
The place needs more life. Maybe it was the time we arrived at (9 pm), but I find an empty restaurant to be slightly depressing. Personal taste, granted, but I like watching the other people, seeing the other dishes go by to another table. Having been deprived of that in an empty room... well, I can see enjoying the whole experience a lot more with more things going on.
Why? Because I don't have the time to go on and on about how great this place is.
Now that business seems to have picked up and the doubters have caught on that the people responsible for this shrine that is now my proverbial crack dealer, Wassan and Miss Mona and their devoted group of servers/friends/cute girls (and guys, occasionally - this is an equal opportunity establishment) hoping for free food have realized the quintessential lunch spot in the Kitsilano-Fairview area.
Lunches range from $4 for a small soup or salad (made from scratch and varies day to day, week to week) to $8 for a Lebanese sandwich (basically the best donair you've ever had) made on freshly baked dough). The place is also versatile in the sense that if you have allergies, or are a little person (cheese manakeesh, that's all I'm saying - they'll never eat at McDonald's again), there are usually enough accommodating options. Be prepared to for a short wait for the hot items, as this place doesn't just flop turkeys. On the plus side, if you're worried about being late coming back from work, you'll probably be so full you'll just call in sick and drink lebanese tea or sip Arak (similar to Ouzo, without going chefy on you) all afternoon and get a taxi home.
If you're still not looking for someone to carry you out of the restaurant (whether it's because you're bursting or the Arak knocked you into the middle of next week), they have an excellent dessert menu, including several different types of the best not-too-sweet baklava on the planet (which is great, because by the time they make me a diabetic, Wassan should be financially able to pay my medical bills when the country and the health care system goes broke). PLEASE COME TO MONA'S BISTRO... it might just save my life. And if you don't, I don't care - just keep them in business and there'll be more zataar (lamb sandwich) for me. Fortunately for me, Mona's Mezza Bistro is easily the healthiest spot on the strip.
If I sound like some hack with a financial stake in the business, you're half right. I'm just trying to get on the payroll and make some easy money, that's all this is. I'm just counting on working tastebuds and a frugal wallet. What did I say about work?
Great food, really good service nice atmosphere. What else do you want. a little on the more expensive side but still good value.
We actually were looking for Habibis but when we got there we noticed it was gone so we almost left when the really nice waiter from Mona's waived us in. We were alittle skeptikal as we were the only other table in the restaurant but man were we in for a surprise. We had the trio of dips which was fabulous I highly recommend the walnut dip. Then we had some baked cheese dish that was amazing following by the rack of lamb, which I think literally melted in my mouth. Definately going here again and recomending it to everyone one I know.
| 1. | Salmon n' Bannock Bistro (0 m) |  |
| 2. | Tomokazu Japanese Restaurant (0 m) |  |
| 3. | Szechuan Garden Restaurant (47 m) | |
| 4. | Raga Restaurant (52 m) | |
| 5. | Tojo's Restaurant (60 m) |  |
| 6. | Shizen Ya (88 m) | |
| 7. | Banana Leaf (95 m) | |
| 8. | Seoul House Royal Korean Restaurant (112 m) | |
| 9. | Waves Coffee House (115 m) | |
| 10. | Chiffon Patisserie (149 m) |
