Since I'm always up for unique experiences and gastronomic adventures, the restaurant Leila immediately caught my attention with cuisine from the Balkan region, which includes countries such as Lebanon, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Serbia and Turkey. So I was so looking forward to enjoying dishes with unique spices, lemons, tomatoes and olive oil.
The food here is truly unique, exotic and delicious in taste. Since Balkan region is where east meets west, the food here really reflects that. It feels like Greek cuisine meets Middle Eastern cuisine. And it totally works wonders.
The first thing I notice upon stepping into the restaurant is the upbeat hypnotic Middle Eastern instrumental music that fills the place with a modern mystic air. I love this. The sandy red walls, wooden panels, table lamps and candlelights accentuate the mystic Middle-Eastern feel. The bar counter, glassware and furniture injects the stylish modern vibe that matches perfectly with the Middle Eastern theme.
The thing that dampens my experience here is the bar counter seats and how my request is handled. I always like sitting at bar counter seats but this place is an exception because neither the bar counter seats here nor the bar counter have any foot rest. Sounds like minor thing? Nope, it’s major discomfort in which my feet are left dangling, I feel like I’m going to fall off if I lean too much to one side, and my legs go numb when I cross my legs. In fact, I feel so horrible that I quickly finish my meal to be spared of the agony. I’m expecting to dine in absolute comfort in such restaurant, but alas, I’m left disappointed by this area.
To make things worse, when I requested to change to a table seat, I was only offered an outdoor seat. If the restaurant is full house, then I totally understand why I cannot change my seat. But the 2 small table seats behind me were empty throughout my whole meal. In fact, there’s a couple seated at first at a table behind me, but they did not like it that it was near the dish counter and requested for a change, which the staff immediately acceded to. Imagine how I feel about the difference in reaction to the requests.
When I’m enquired on how’s everything, I just answer with a deadpan look, “Good.” That’s all. Because I’m not in the mood to elaborate like how I usually do when I love the food.
That aside, the service is good actually, putting some stats back into the service rating. Staff, like Delia and Erika, are very friendly, responsive and energetic. They even offer complimentary shots of cocktail to patrons and do the cheers with us, which really heightens the mood.
I also found out that there are Arabian Nights special on Thursdays, which sounds so exciting. I really want to go, but I’m not eager to experience that bar counter seat again.
All in all, a great place to enjoy unique delicious food in an unique setting full of mystic. But avoid the bar seats if you value comfort.
Meaty, plump, briny sweet prawns taste so awesome when paired with the exotic, spicy (the shiok type that refreshes your senses), slightly pungent green chilli sauce. The finely cubed cucumber and tomato is so juicy and refreshing in taste, brightening up the briny meatiness of the prawns. And I love it that the vegetables, being finely cubed, make for a good mouth feel and place the focus on the star of the dish: the prawns.
In fact, the sauce plus cubed cucumber and tomato are the best to go with the Kubana bread. This is my favourite dip of the night.
Pillowy, fluffy, fine texture, savoury crispy top, soufflé bottom … the Kubana Bread is so delicious, full of the sweetness of wheat. The Creamy Tahini dip is savoury, nutty and exotic. The crushed juicy Fresh Tomato dip is lightly seasoned, thus yielding this refreshing taste with a hint of tang. I prefer the stronger taste of Tahini at first but as I eat more of the bread, I start to prefer the light taste of tomato.
Kunafe is a must-try here and worth that special visit. It is so unique, full of textures due to the juxtapose of thin strands of crispy kataifi and crunchy toasted pistachio. The light wet fluffy Jibana Cheese is the magic for that savoury kick amid the sweetness of the dessert and the sweet aroma of rose.
Sweet Balkan Sunset
Thoughts: Unique, Exotic, Awesome Balkan cuisine
12 Lim Teck Road
