Haz

I’ve been in London for two weeks now trying out several restaurant. So far this has been the biggest dinning disappointment I’ve had. The hummus tasted more like paint, the chicken dish was ok 2.5 stars out of 5. But what what ruin the dinning experience was the lack service and ambiance. There one was diner who was loud and rude, holding a 10 — 15 minute real time conversation on a mobile phone, the voice level and tone of the conversation was more suitable for a McDonalds on NYE.
The restaurant did little to address the situation even after I complained. When I told them I will tell the hotel that I was staying at not to recommend this place, I received a free drink… I’m not sure if this is normal behavior for London, (god I hope not) this is rude, tacky and low class. It really ruin my dinning experience the restaurant should have removed an item from my bill.

Haz is a dark, loud, boisterous upscale Turkish restaurant in the shadow of the mighty Gherkin building and UK’s financial district. Despite what appears to be a late hour, a week day, and some bitter cold winter for London, Haz was full up.
Entering Haz you’re greeted by the scents of meat on a grill. Tables are long and cafeteria style despite the white linen. Haz tries to pack them in but if you prefer more intimate dining, Haz is a pass.
We were given the Christmas menu but not offered the regular menu. The Christmas menu was confusing and not explained. The Christmas menu is unusual in that it mixes some prix fixe dinners with some tasting menu type dinners.
Service seemed attentive but never for the right things.
The food was hit and miss. The hummus was a creamy knock out. The flat bread accented the dinner well. The tabbouleh was simply the best I’ve ever had. It was almost a thick and zesty salsa versus plate garnish chopped in a blender. The grilled meats, however, I found wanting. The mains come with an buttery white rice that makes you wish you had less meat and more of the rice. The Christmas menu was finished up with a bit of peach, some Turkish style ice cream, and baklava. Alas each comes in bite sized portions. I’d like to have more of the Turkish style ice cream, which has a really unique texture. The baklava I don’t think Haz can really pride itself on.
If you’re wearing your winter woolens, be warned, do expect to be smelling Haz on your clothing for the next several days.
All ‘n’ all, I don’t think Haz would bring me back. Some great starters but I found the mains, atmosphere, seating, and service to be lacking.

It was a Friday night in the city, and I was hanging out with my banker friends at a city pub for a few drinks and someone suggested dinner… this someone also had vaguely fond memories of this restaurant from a visit more than a year ago and a bit of Googling and getting drenched in the rain on our way there brought us to this branch of Haz restaurant. I am normally a fan of Lebanese food so I was all excited about the place.
As wet as the weather was outside, the reception from the manager was a bigger dampener. We really were not that late in arriving that we deserved such a snubbing when we asked for a table for 6. There were 3 of us, 1 was following and would arrive in less than 5mins and the other two were on a bus and would be there in 15. I wouldn’t have minded their reluctance to give the 3 of us a table for 6 if the place was teeming with crowds but a quick look around assured us that this place, like most others in the City around the weekend, was mostly empty. It was about 9.30pm so not like the kitchen was closing anytime soon and yet, not like hordes of people were about to descend upon the place.
Anyhow, the combined hunger of the group + the rubbish weather kept us in despite the insipid welcome. And we were glad for our persistence, for the chef certainly made up for the lack of enthusiasm in service staff. The breads, olives and home-​made tangy hummus made for fabulous nibbles while we waited for our food. The Sebzeli Borek (filo pastry with mixed veggies) and Borek (filo pastry with spinach and feta) offered a variety of flavours within themselves despite the similarity in names. Everyone else on the table went for Musaka with lamb mince or vegetables (kudos on veggie options) and they were well made but I think I was well rewarded for being adventurous and trying out a hitherto unfamiliar dish called Hunkar Begendi (Gently stewed lamb and smokey flavoured aubergine purée) — initially I was a bit miffed thinking I had ordered the blandest dish on the menu because of the creamy presentation of the aubergine purée. However, a taste of this dish eliminated such apprehensions — the lamb was falling-​off-​the-​bone tender and flavourful and the purée made for a nice contrasting taste.
By the time we were done with the mains, we were being practically kicked out of the place so we skipped dessert to make our way to a nightcap.
I would have given the place a 4-​star based on the food but the service was less than welcoming and downright rude at times and therefore I must take a star off. I like the food so I will go back to the restaurant but certainly not to this branch!