LOCATIONParramatta, 40 minutes from the CBD. El-Phoenician now provides customers with a private car park free of charge. Entrance via Phillip street off Church street, through the David Frater car park.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAChurch Street has long been one of the most densely populated food streets in western Sydney, always lively with diners crowding its umbrella-shaded footpath tables, enjoying everything from cafe fare to noodle soup. One of the more up-market options is El-Phoenician. It’s a beautiful space, sleek and modern, with a floor to ceiling glass frontage ensuring diners can see and be seen. Inside it’s chocolate brown and starched-linen white, with long tables crowned with silver baskets of fried Lebanese bread.
As Lebanese-style dining is a highly social affair, dishes here are constructed with sharing in mind. You’d be amiss not to order the mixed dips – tangy, lemon-scented labna, smoky babaganoush and smooth, garlicky hummus. An entire meal can be had sharing a selection of the mezza, including shankleesh (smoked cheese on mixed leaves and tomato, drizzled with olive oil), and batengen shawarma (slices of eggplant topped with minced lamb, pine nuts and fresh mint). For those less inclined to share, there are individually portioned mains, from the beautifully spiced shish kebab to whole snapper stuffed with lemon thyme, oregano and semi-dried tomato. El Phoenician does have a (not unwarranted) reputation as a party venue, and on weekends you get the full deal. Girl – and boy – belly dancers gyrate around the dining room to hypnotic Middle Eastern rhythms – and by all accounts, they put on quite the show.
FUNCTIONSEl Phoenician caters for corporate events, Christmas parties, engagements , cocktails, christenings, birthdays and hens nights.
PRIVATE DINING ROOMThe private dining room seats up to 60 people and is a great choice for a corporate or a private event. Great function menus are available.
LIVE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENTThe atmosphere turns vivid exotic belly dancers that feature every Friday and Saturday night. Even if your event is on a weekday or night a belly dancer can be organised for your next function as well to add an authentic touch to your event (fees may apply).
CATERINGEl Phoeniciantake offers take-away and outside catering for a discount of 25%.