For many of us our knowledge of Middle-Eastern cuisine stretches about as far as the kebab shop on the corner, and that's only after 2am and many beers. Agraba is here to banish that stereotype and cast away our ignorance with its traditional home style Lebanese cooking, which has nothing to do with those late night binges.

Agraba prides itself on great food and personal, get-to-know-you service. Since many items on the menu are unfamiliar to the average patron the wait staff are quick to offer their help, giving you a guided tour of Lebanon’s culinary delights.

With its array of Mezze style share plates, it’s impossible to pick a favourite dish but the Malfouf comes close. These traditional Lebanese parcels of soft lamb wrapped in cabbage leaves fall apart in your mouth. The Kafta Bi Tahini is a larger dish with tender lamb patties atop a bed of rice stirred with creamy tahini. And upon recommendation from the charming waiter I also tried the vine leaves. He certainly knows how to please because I was left very satisfied.

It's hard to believe that all these dishes are the handiwork of just one woman. Her name is Hanan and she's so passionate about her country's cuisine that she's in the kitchen all day, every day, recreating the flavours she grew up with. This is authenticity at its finest.

While the food at Agraba shouldn't be missed, don't be shy to just come in for a drink. There's a choice of good quality wines and beers, or let the on-site cocktail master, Matthew Nicholas, whip up something more exciting for you. He's quite the craftsman and the Espresso Martini, named "I'm So Tired" left me anything but.

There's a very young, fresh atmosphere about Agraba that I attribute to the managers, Josh Hardy and Matthew Nicholas. A nice touch is the BYO records policy. A sign out the front reads "If we dig it then we'll spin it," and they're not lying. Bring in any old faves and you could be bopping to your favourite song while munching on Malfouf in no time.