Ellie's Tent

"Shake those full bellies"

http://www.eliestent.com.au/

Looking for somewhere different to dine? A different experience? Cuisine? Ellie's tent is fun interactive dining, Lebanese style.

Ellie's tent is perfect for large group bookings and seatings are unique, you can choose to have table and chairs OR sit in harem squares! in this case pfft..who needs chairs :P I booked the harem square for 16 people and we were given a whole section just for us. 

First impressions coming in, it didn't look as extravagant as the photo on the website, I just saw wooden tables and chairs and fabrics draped across the ceiling, but after walking further towards the end, voila! there were the harem squares.

Ellie's tent interior

The harem square comes as a floor seating or high floor seating (basically like a square booth). I would've preferred the high floor seating but it wasn't able to fit 16 people. Having said that I still enjoyed sitting on the floor. Our seating was elevated by a step and covered with carpet, the area was decorated with middle eastern decor such as instruments, candle stands and rugs displayed on the wall it really added to the experience.

Dining lebanese style in harem squares

Bf and I shared the Lebanese banquet $35pp, it was definitely more than enough and I wouldn't have chosen anything else. I wanted the ultimate Lebanese experience. The banquet consists of Hoummos, Moutabbal, Tabbouleh, Falafel, Sambousik, Fetta Cheese, Shish Tawook, Shish Kebab, Seasoned Rice, Shawarma Lamb, Shawarma Chicken. 

First of all the falafel arrived and the lovely waitress told us about how her mum's (chef) falafels are slightly different to the ordinary hence it was a little more greener (don't quite remember why, parsley?), her marketing skills for the falafel worked and my other friends ended up ordering a couple for themselves, I think they gave it to them for free too :) I liked the falafel, crunchy on the outside and soft in the centre, it was like a potato ball but with chickpeas..obviously healthier haha. The sambousik was like a full on meat curry puff minus the curry, I enjoyed it but honestly I still prefered the usual curry puffs.

Falafel

Sambousik

The hoummos and moutabbal looked delicious with the paprika and olive oil drizzled on top, both dips went well with the pita bread, I particularly liked the sweet smoky egg plant flavour of the moutabbal. The Shish kebab was tender, I probably would've liked it more marinated but that's just me..always wanting everything marinated haha..The taboulleh and feta cheese was fresh and complimented well with all the deep fried and grilled dishes, it was fun eating the banquet, you could put all the meat and dips into the pita and have it like a kebab or just have a little bit of everything.

Hoummus, Moutabbal, feta cheese and falafel

How good does this hoummos look

Shish Tawook, Shish Kebab and tabbouleh

The bf and I was very full at this point, BUT THERE WAS MORE :O the seasoned rice dish with shawarma chicken and lamb and in the end we couldn't finish it. I didn't quite enjoy this, it was probably because I was too full and was forcing it in, but I think it needed more flavour. Overall I enjoyed the banquet but I found most dishes had the same level of subtle flavour, I think maybe having a stronger flavour with the meat and rice would allow the refreshing nature of the tabbouleh, feta cheese and dips to shine and compliment the main dishes.

Seasoned rice and shawarma chicken and lamb

Most of my friends ordered from the ala carte menu which majority is basically one of the items from the banquet and a side. Here are some snaps.

Soon after finishing our meals, the music suddenly became louder, that was when I knew my long awaited moment has arrived. BELLY DANCER! They didn't call her a belly dancer for nothing, she really knew how to shake it. A couple of us were good sports and joined the dancer when she 'lured' them in, do not assume that just because you're sitting in the back corner, you won't be targeted by the dancer, even if it's inconvenient for you to get out of your table she can still pick you regardless. There were actually two sessions of belly dancing so don't be quick to leave after the first dance.

Belly dancer!

No one  is safe haha!

Ellie's tent is a great addition to Perth's multicultural scene and I enjoyed experiencing the Lebanese cuisine and customs. Definitely dine in the weekends for the belly dancing.

Shiraz Persian Restaurant

"Unique experience indeedy~"

So my honkie buddy Ian was back in town and what better place to take him out to a dinner where you can chug down a meal and have eye candy on the side...literally on the side~~ XD

I've always wanted to try out middle eastern cuisine and after numerous failures to get reservations to "The Prophet" I decided to try SHIRAZ~ and I have to say..I don't regret coming here ^^

luving the cute cup and teapot

This restaurant have not been open for long and upon arrival I realise it's a very family friendly restaurant..well I swear majority of the people in the restaurant are related except for the obvious two asian tables one being ours. Interiors were quite nice..better than I expected..table settings were nice with shiraz signed table clothes and an interesting table decor. Staff was very friendly and abit cheeky and the waitress and chefs (females) are soo beautiful ;) ANYWAYS.. Shortly after ordering the music suddenly became louder and it wasn't really my type of music so I thought "oh dear I dont' think i can eat in peace with this music" next minute a belly dancer appeared and that just made it ALL OK FOR ME HAHA! and being asian...we all took our cameras and snapped away..whilst all the middle eastern pplz in the restaurant had blank faces like they were sooooo used to seeing this =-=.

Then our entrees arrive...

The entree section didn't seem very exciting except for the LAMB TONGUE...which van ordered..wat was she thinking?!? haha...I stayed on the safe side and ordered the eggplant dip with woodfired bread and EJ ordered some kind of soup I don't remember the name.

Lambs Tongue

Van was actually afraid to try this...I don't think she finished it haha andI dont think she enjoyed it either. I guess it's a case of mind over matter.

Egg plant dip with wood fired bread

The eggplant dip was quite nice...it wasn't pricey at all so for it's price i think it made a good entree. Very simple.

Soup

I did not like this soup but EJ and the rest didn't mind it...I found it too herbally for my liking...probably could only take two spoons of this and i'm done.

...back to the belly dancer

Alot of shakey shakey in the chesty chesty

When the mains arrived..most of them came out looking the same...it was confusing figuring out which one is which...thank god the waiters remembered everyone's order. Our table was packed with dishes it was quite stressful and intimidating and the loud music and belly dancer in the background really wasn't helping...but after awhile I managed to adapt to the atmosphere. I don't quite remember which dish is which and what they were called but they all tasted very similar just different cutting O_o. I ordered the Shiraz special which was pretty much like a tasting platter of all the items on the menu. I liked the chicken and the minced lamb (long strip of meat) they were tender and marinated well. With this meal you have a choice of having a side of bread or saffron rice...i think the bread was a better choice..Fred ordered the saffron rice and they were very generous with the rice...WHITE rice may I add and probably a sprinkle of saffron on the top haha...he realli struggled to eat all the rice.

Shiraz special

Whilst we were trying to chug down our ever so large meals...the music gradually became louder again and from then...we knew exactly what to expect :P........ the belly dancer appeared again! *ohh surprise surprise* this time..with a different outfit ;)

DRAMATIC

With a CANE ;)

Squats?

Spinning the cane

The dancer tried to get the audience to participate with her...even targetting Ian, Fern, Van and myself.....we did not bUDGE....except for van...XD...a couple of men joined her later in the night and it was quite amusing to watch ^^

With all the dancing happening I started to work up an appetite for DESSERT!...actually nah I lied...I ALWAYS HAVE SPACE FOR DESSERT! :P I've read comments about the PERSIAN ice cream which is a mix of vanilla ice cream with rose water, saffron and pistachios...I was so excited to try it!

Persian ice cream

and the verdict?...

I LOVE IT! this ice cream was delicious~! I'd come back to this restaurant and just order this haha...overall...the experience was definetly unique and I think everyone should visit a middle eastern restaurant with belly dancers at least once in their lifetime...not sure if this is the restaurant to go to if you're looking for a really good feed though...I'd say the food was average..it was meat overload~ and very simple..the price of the meals weren't too bad and with the added entertainment, it's more worth it...stear clear if u're looking for a peaceful romantic dinner though.