Grilandia

Address: 19 Westbourne Grove, Bayswater, London, W2 4UA
Telephone: 020 7221 2200
Website: https://www.grilandia.com/
Nearest Station: Royal Oak (Hammersmith & City Line)
Halal Status: Meat here is all halal

Earlier this week, I was invited to a newly discovered halal restaurant called 'Grilandia' in West London. You can find it in Bayswater, where I reviewed a Middle Eastern cuisine Lebanese restaurant.

After having a look at their social media, the thing that caught my attention was their interiors and the look of the food. It has been open for over 5 months, and it looks to be on the rise from being an Instagrammable spot to hang out.

The interiors are done by the well-known Accanto Interiors. They were not the ordinary flower walls you tend to see in most cafes or restaurants. This restaurant had a rainforest look, which is different from most places. As you walk in, you see the tropical green rainforest decor on your left and straight ahead.

When I arrived, I was greeted by their lovely staff members and manager. They sat me down near the window, as that's where you usually find the best light for a food shot. As I sat down, I noticed they had placed out some amazing dishes next to me for people to see on the go. Looking at that gave me some great inspiration to choose from their menu, as well as doing some research beforehand, making me waste no time ordering my food.

What I ordered was:

• Kibbe
• Baba Ganoj
• Lamb Shank
• Halloumi and Chicken Salad
• Orange Juice

After 5-10 minutes, I placed my starters and mains orders, and the starters came pretty quickly, within 5 mins. This was the Kibbe and Baba Ganoj, so the Kibbe was a small dish, which was an oval-shaped lamb and bulgur paste filled with minced lamb, onions & pine nuts, served with tahini & yoghurt sauce.

To me, this tasted like the Indian version 'Keema' but different since it was soft on the inside.

Baba Ganoj

Whilst waiting for my main meals to arrive, I had halloumi and chicken salad. I explored around the restaurant and took many photos. By then my appetite for the mains had become high, as I couldn't wait to start indulging in my meal.

When my Lamb Shank arrived, I went straight for it, not expecting it to be that filling, but it filled me right up, as I only had room for halloumi and chicken salad. Leaving the Baba Ganoj on the side, as I wasn't able to eat any more.

Lamb Shank

The lamb shank is not only served alone but with minced lamb, rice, pine nuts & gravy sauce on the same plate. I have to say this alone will make you fall off your chair, seriously, it was that good, but the portion size was huge, enough to make you feel full.

Halloumi and Chicken Salad

The halloumi and chicken salad are served with Caesar dressing. I thought this dish was a delicious option to choose, as the halloumi cheese was amazing to have along with salads and chicken pieces. It's definitely a good choice if you're looking for a healthy option.

Once I had completed my meal. I had a little break, so I walked around the restaurant to capture more photos. Before they eventually gave me a plate filled with desserts and fruit.

• Oranges and pineapple
• Dates and Baklava.

I thought both were just as scrumptious, a wonderful end-of-meal treat to a lovely meal here at Grilandia.

Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Atmosphere: 5/10
Price: 7/10
Experience: 9/10

Conclusion

I loved my experience here at Grilandia and would come back. I highly recommend trying their food out and checking their beautiful interiors, which will capture your eyes. Located in West London, this place is a long journey to make from where I live in the East.

However, if you're nearby or work locally, it's worth trying. I felt the service and staff were so nice, as they greeted people from outside and made them comfortable. The atmosphere, to be honest, was pretty empty, but it's a personal preference, as some people prefer it busy and some don't. The price here I would say, is slightly high, but you are getting your money's worth since you get big portions with lovely interiors to admire and capture. Overall, it's a great spot to dine with friends, family or just as a couple.