I had my fingers crossed that I would find a good Lebanese place in Arlington. Ever since the Lebanese Butcher’s restaurant closed (the butcher still exists), I have been perplexed at not finding a suitable replacement. With so many places to choose from and a sizable Lebanese population, you’d think it would be a snap.
Zazzy is a bit hipster. The menu says they do not fry anything, only bake and roast. Even the falafel? Oh yes, baked falafel. It’s either counter service or ordering from a QR code at the table. The menu has plenty of ‘bowls’ in it for those who get nervous when they stray from the Cava/Sweetgreen/ Mezzeh/Chipotle paradigm.
We ordered a fattoush halloumi salad. It’s expensive and comes in a big bowl probably enough for four. Though they still manage to skimp on the halloumi. This is the kind of salad that you tire of before you can finish it. The pomegranate molasses dressing is far too sweet and is composed of too much lettuce. The hit of salt from the halloumi is the only saving grace, but not enough to make a dent in the salad. The pita crisps are thin and tasteless. This salad gets a zero.
They also have a selection of flatbreads called Ousheh ,and we ordered the lahme biajine, very much a cousin to lahmajun. Menu proclaims it is “a recipe form my mama, Alia,” Except that this was very, very oily. Mama leans heavy on the oil! That bread was always going to come out far more soggy than crispy. I give this a three.
The corporate setting does not make you think of a proud mama in the kitchen. And neither does the cooking.
