In the heart of Paddington just off the canal and down the way from gorgeous Little Venice sits the buzzy Sheldon Square. Home to numerous restaurants, cafes, bars, and offices. I’d been there before and vowed to return with an empty stomach; it seemed fortune was on my side when I was invited to try Massis, a friendly little Lebanese restaurant smack-dab in the middle of the square.
Though new to me, Massis has been operating for over 12 years, and happily has survived the pandemic and lockdown with a fresh new look and menu! We were lucky enough to visit on a beautiful day, and opted to sit outside the large retractable patio doors, though the dark wood and copper accents inside looked lovely nonetheless.
In celebration of the good weather, we kicked off the evening with some cocktails; at the waiter’s recommendation, a Pornstar Martini for me and an Aperol Spritz for my companion. Both drinks were mixed well, refreshing, and weren’t short on the alcohol- a win in my book! Starters arrived shortly after in the form of hummus (because of course) with warm pitta, and the traditional dish of spinach ‘fatayer’. The hummus came topped with a drizzle of oil and lemon juice, contrasted by a spray of spice and herb. It did not survive long. The fatayer, small triangular parcels of spinach, onion, sumac, and pine nuts, met a similar fate; crisp friend exteriors giving way to a soft, almost melting interior. Bowls were scraped, scraps were picked clean.
For the mains I went straight for the shish taouk (skewered chicken), and my friend the grilled halloumi, splitting a fatoush salad between us. The taouk was excellent; well marinated and tender, ever so gently charred while still retaining its moisture. Served on the side was a homemade slaw of purple cabbage, while some unexpected corn tortillas were placed underneath. Authentic? Not particularly. A welcome vessel for grilled meat and coleslaw? Absolutely.
The halloumi came in big grilled cubes, just like the meat, alongside a homemade avocado spinach dip. Though the cubes were slightly too thick for comfort, it was grilled to just the right amount of brown and softness while still maintaining its shape, and paired nicely with the dip. The large fatoush salad was a welcome addition, crispy pita strips providing a crunchy counterpoint to the richness of the mains and sides as well as the freshness of the veg lying underneath. I’ve rarely had a fatoush I didn’t like, and this was no exception (though I did wish there was a bit more punch to its dressing). Meal finished, we fell back, our hunger sated and bellies slightly over-stuffed. There was even enough for a small lunch left over, which our waiter kindly boxed up for us.
The verdict? Massis does what it set out to do; great Lebanese dishes we all know and love at reasonable prices, with the added bonus of great service and substantial portions! If you’re in the Paddington area, have a stroll along the canal and drop by Massis. Whether you’re after a drink and some nibbles or a sit-down meal, they’ll be sure to take great care of you.
