Frank's Lebanese Food, Fairfield

So on any other normal Saturday, I left The Captain at home to go out with a few lovely ladies. The conversation went a little like this...

Boy: "Where are you off to today?"

Me: "Going to Frank's for lunch"

Boy: "Who the hell is Frank?"

I suppose I could've avoided his sudden spout of jealousy by mentioning that I was going to Frank's Lebanese Food, but where's the fun in that?

Lebanese Bread ($3.90)

But whether Frank by name or Frank by restaurant, you should hear people swoon at the mention of it. I'm not an expert on Lebanese cuisine, but ask any of my friends in the know and immediately they start blubbering sweet nothings about Frank's and his amazing chicken.

Since I'm such a newbie to Lebanese food**, I left the hard work of ordering to my lovely dining companions while I sat with my knife and fork at the ready. The basket of Lebanese bread is like candy to me especially when paired with the smoky baba gannouj so I tucked in with gusto.

Falafel ($10.90)

My eyes bulged at the sight of the Falafels, which looked perfect in all their deep fried glory. In the past, I've always dismissed these as nothing but, um, dry balls but obviously that was because I haven't had Frank's. Crunchy on the outside, moist and flavoursome on the inside - I immediately wanted more.

The Fattouch salad looked fresh and I loved the colours, but unfortunately I don't do salads (unless there are anchovies or bacon in it!). Recently I converted myself to tabouli so who knows? I might just get down with the Fattouch in the near future. I did love the crispy Lebanese bread 'croutons' in the salad though.

Fattouch (small $4.50 / large $7.90)

But this was what I was after! Charcoal chicken! If you've seen my Twitter bio , you would've read about a secret vice of devouring whole roast chickens. I just love the stuff and at Frank's, I was utterly besotted by its crispy skin and juicy meat. Even better when it comes adorned with hommos, garlic cream, tabouli and baba gannouj. Bad breath be damned!

Half-chicken served with hommos, garlic cream, tabouli and baba gannouj ($9.90)

Our other dose of meat laid in the Mixed Plate - Shish Kebab (lamb skewer), Kaftah (minced lamb skewer) and Shish Taouk served with tabouli, hommos, baba gannouj, pickles and grilled tomatoes and onion. I fell in love with the Shish Taouk, a grilled chicken skewer that was super tender and fragrant.

Mixed Plate of Shish Kebab, Kaftah and Shish Taouk served with tabouli, hommos, baba gannouj, pickles, and grilled tomatoes and onion ($11.90)

Lebanese cuisine is still all shiny and new to me but if the food is as good as Frank's, then I'm definitely seeing the light. The service here is warm, friendly and professional and they take great pride in their cuisine, as evident by the fussing of the waiter to make sure we had the best shots of their food!

Oh yes. I am smitten. Something tells me that The Captain is going to want meet Frank soon but I think he's going to like him very much.

Frank's Lebanese Food
16 Smart Street
Fairfield NSW 2165
(02) 9724 3000

**Beginner's guide to Lebanese Food

Baba Gannouj / Baba Ghanoush: smoky eggplant dip with tahini, lemon and garlic.

Falafel / Felafel: balls of chickpeas and spices fried in vegetable oil for a crunchy outer coating.

Fattouch / Fattoush: a salad made from toasted or fried pieces of pita bread combined with mixed greens and vegetables.

Hommos / Hummus: a dip made from chickpeas and tahini puréed with lemon and garlic.

Kaftah: skewers of grilled minced lamb (like sausage on a stick).

Shish Kebab: skewers of lean lamb.

Shish Taouk: grilled chicken breast skewers.

Tabouli / Tabouleh: A refreshing 'salad' of parsley, tomatoes, shallots, mint and crushed wheat mixed with fresh lemon juice and olive oil.

Tahini: a paste made from sesame seeds, used in cooking.