Like a Persian Beer Parlor
Syrian Club
NOSA: Until I moved back after college, there had never really been a stretch where I lived in Lagos properly. I was either in boarding school or off to college or my dad's job took us to some random place. In the first month or so after I moved back, I used Foursquare to find places to eat at. Such a JJC thing to do, I know.
Syrian Club always popped up in my searches, but I never went. The Foursquare map said it was super close to Obalende and I had absolutely zero interest in leaving my bubble. You can call me "princess" if you want, you can't hurt my feelings.
FOLLY: I always remind any girl that I hear say that she wants to date a boy that lives in Ikoyi that Obalande IS IN Ikoyi. There was one girl at my last job who told me I should hook her up with a boy that "lives in Parkview" but her daddy lives in Gbagada. idk man.
Anyway, I found out about Syrian Club through some foreigns from work. I'd never look at the menu when we'd come, becayse they knew all that was good. That made it a bit difficult for us to order when Nosa and I visited cause the menu is super authentic.
NOSA: No "Lagos Babe" is letting you bring her here on a date. Not a chance in the world. A shame because I think the space is rather charming. There's nothing fancy about it, but it feels very welcoming. I bet the regulars bring their families here on the weekends. The kids play in the playground while the wives gossip in the corner as their husbands smoke shisha and drink coffee.
FOLLY: It is really a shame (and I'm a girl). Fancy dates are really nice but super chilled places with good food like Syrian Club can also be lots of fun.
Hummus
FOLLY: Definitely get the special hummus and tabbouleh salad if you come.
I found it so hilarious that they give you a whole bag of flat bread with your hummus. And no that wasn't an exaggeration, they literally plonk the entire bag on the table.
Tabbouleh
NOSA: I had falafel in Lagos once.
At Churrasco.
It tasted like akara.
Falafel
That's my little Churrasco haiku. This one was alright. Not as good as the one I got on some street corner in New York a couple years ago. I probably won't ever find one as good and that makes me a sad panda.
FOLLY: This is the best Lebanese mixed grill you'll get in Lagos.
NOSA: It's a toss-up for me. Can't decide between this one and the one we had at Velvett. The one at Velvett is really really good, but that's a blog for another day.
Shish Kebab & Kafta
FOLLY: The cheese sujok was like a white sauce pizza with sausage. I made a bit of a sandwich with it, the tabbouleh, and the kafta. I thought it was yum if I do say so myself.
NOSA: When we ordered the cheese sujok, I expected some Lebanese sausage roll for some reason. It was super close to the appetizers on the menu so I was in no way expecting a full blown "pizza".
A little food lesson here: the "sujok" is actually the sausage on the pizza. It's made from ground beef and not pork for religious reasons. Go forth and prosper with this new knowledge, friends. Don't ever say EatDrinkLagos never taught you anything.
Cheese Sujok
FOLLY: I do wish we had tried their shawarma though 'cause something tells me it might be pretty good. Maybe you can try it and let us know?
POSTSCRIPT
NOSA: I really liked Syrian Club. It's very affordable and super low-key. The dinginess of it all made it feel so authentic, like a mediterranean beer parlor. I have this little theory about "hole-in-the-wall" places having the best food and this place didn't disappoint. The chef was really cool as well. Dude came to gist with us and spoke pidgin. Hilarious.
FOLLY: The title of this post is not intended to mislead you that you can get beer here. You can't, there aren't any alcoholic drinks on the menu.
DAMAGE
Special Hummus - N1,500
Tabbouleh - N1,000
Falafel Plate - N1,500
Cheese Sujok - N1,500
Shish Kebab & Kafta (half kilo) - N3,500