​By Mona El Manawhly

Hidden in the hustle and bustle of Sphinx Square, you may be surprised to find a red carpet leading to a golden glass elevator. Take a trip up the elevator for an even nicer surprise; India to your left, and Lebanon to your right. Stepping inside Raoucha, you will find glimmering lights hanging from the ceiling and colorful wall décor. The Lebanese vibe is literally felt everywhere.

The enormous menu offers all kinds of Lebanese specialties: cold & hot mezzas, soups, fried food, grilled items, Raoucha specialties and even a few continental dishes.
We were first served Raoucha’s complimentary starters; a plate decorated with fresh vegetables decked the table with a festive aura. Up next came the appetizers: Fattoush, Lebanese bread freshly baked with cheese, and delicious Sambousak combinations of cheese/mint and spinach/onion – all prepared fresh with a home-made touch.

Do you think that's impressive? How about their main dishes? When the grilled Hamour filled with coriander, garlic and pine nuts and the Mesaaheb (grilled marinated boneless chicken with garlic and olive oil in lemon juice) were brought out, the entire area was immediately filled with tantalizing smell. The dishes turned out to be delicious and full of exotic flavors from the Middle East.

To end our meal, we decided to try Raoucha’s desserts, including their delicious Crème Caramel and Mahlabieah with syrup. Surpassing all expectations, we were truly stunned by the Oriental tastes. The service was attentive, prompt and quick, able to satisfy even the pickiest visitors.

We finished off the meal with green tea, before heading back down to the world of billboards and an array of street lights.

Additional Info:
- Both the Indian and Lebanese menus are available in both Raoucha and the Indian restaurant, Kandahar.
- Delivery and take away is available.