The Prophet is a Victoria Park institution and one of the few notable Lebanese restaurants in the city that do something other than kebabs. Jihad Moussallem has been serving up free bread with his own secret recipe garlic sauce and pickled vegetables for longer than I’ve been around, and one day I’m going to find out how and make millions.
The only thing that changes on the menu are the prices, which are still stubbornly set in the 90s. Their hummus is some of the freshest and most beautifully presented I’ve seen, and what the menu lacks in excitement it makes up for in consistency. The shish tawook (garlic chicken skewer) is a staple and the loubiah beans rich and hearty. Traditional kibbeh (raw minced lamb and bulgur) may be an acquired taste, but the baklava and Lebanese coffee to finish will win anyone over.
Every time I drive past The Prophet I feel a little bad about not frequenting it more often, and then I get a glimpse inside and see the place heaving on a Tuesday night with happy diners making the most of the delicious and cheap food and those three all important letter B-Y-O. There’s always a buzz about the place, to the point where you can never guarantee you’re going to get a seat on any given night of the week.
If you haven’t been yet, go say hi soon.
The Prophet
907 Albany Highway
East Victoria Park, 6101
Tel: (08) 9361 1101
Hear, hear! We try and eat there every month, but if we forget to make a booking, it can be a long wait. The cauliflower is pretty special too…..
Agreed Linda, my usual swagger in at 8pm and hope to find a free table routine has often run aground at The Prophet… Which leaves you in pretty dire circumstances in Vic Park too… I was going to mention the chicken livers as well, but I think the cauliflower is probably a better call :)