HENI specializes in the vibrant culinary traditions of the Middle East, emphasizing charcoal-grilled meats and authentic Lebanese flavors. Skilled preparation centers on seasoned skewers, freshly prepared hummus, and an array of traditional mezze that highlight robust spice blends and high-quality ingredients. The kitchen maintains a focus on consistent execution, delivering plates that prioritize the smoky profiles inherent in open-flame cooking. Patrons experience a direct reflection of regional staples through meticulously assembled platters and hand-stretched breads. This establishment balances structural simplicity with an unwavering commitment to traditional Levantine preparation techniques. Each menu selection serves as a testament to classic flavor profiles, ensuring that the essence of the grill remains the focal point for every visitor seeking an authentic experience within this specialized culinary landscape.
Heni is widely regarded as a standout culinary destination in Montreal, celebrated for its innovative and flavorful Middle Eastern fusion cuisine, particularly the highly recommended tasting menus. Diners frequently praise the artistic presentation, fresh ingredients, and the extensive selection of unique, high-quality wines. While the atmosphere is generally described as cozy, hip, and welcoming, with many guests highlighting the exceptional and knowledgeable service provided by the staff, some visitors noted challenges regarding noise levels, portion sizes relative to price, and occasional wait times. Despite a few mixed experiences regarding specific dishes or beverage options, the majority of patrons report a memorable dining experience and express a strong desire to return.
I've been watching this place since it was being renovated in December 2023. Finally found a chance to visit with my friend. We were served by Niles who was impeccable with his service. Always attentive & making sure everything was okay even though we were seated in the corner of the restaurant. We ordered Koobideh, cauliflower pickles, bread, kibbeh, lobster curry, milk punch, & cocktail of the week. The food was delicious beyond my expectations & we were completely satisfied with the number of dishes we ordered. The only things that I would prefer to be different were the cocktails, the fact that the bread wasn't complimentary, & how hot it was in the restaurant with no AC. The cocktails tasted like juice & did not seem to contain much alcohol. However, these points would not stop me from going back for the rest of the menu.
2025: came back during Mtl a la table to try put their menu. We had a lovely experience & certainly an improvement from my last experience. We had the lovely server Sasha who kept us entertained all evening. The food was even better than I remembered. Their bread is probably my favourite thing (warm & smells like cinnamon). I will be back again to try their regular menu for sure.
Beautiful setting, but underwhelming experience overall.
I had high hopes for this restaurant - the place is absolutely beautiful, with a lovely patio & friendly service. We ordered five à la carte items & the first two were truly excellent: the mosaïque of aubergines was delicious & the kibbeh nayeh was incredibly flavorful - a great start that really set expectations.
Unfortunately, the main dishes fell short. We shared the spicy fish & the kebab of the season. The'spicy' fish was simply a small salmon filet with a plain tahini sauce - not spicy at all &, at $32, it felt overpriced, especially in a place known for its elevated cuisine. The choice of fish & lack of depth in the dish was disappointing.
The kebab was the biggest letdown. What was served appeared to be two skewers with small pieces that looked & tasted like mushrooms. The new waitress first told us it was mushroom, then returned after checking with her colleague to say it was meat - but after trying it, it was clearly mushroom. We pointed this out again, but aside from a quick apology, there was no real acknowledgment or gesture to correct the issue. It was a frustrating moment, especially given the miscommunication & the price point.
We ended with the atayef, but again, it was disappointing - overly fried, oily, & stuffed with halloumi, which didn't balance well.
On a positive note, the wine list was interesting, & we did enjoy the glasses we had. I really wanted to love this place, & I'm all for supporting new restaurants - but unfortunately, the experience left us underwhelmed, especially for a first visit & at this price point.
We went for MTL a Table & while the service was friendly, we were a bit disappointed with the food. The portions were not that big (especially the frikkeh, which was unbelievably small). Dishes were hit or miss for us. We didn't really like the kibbeh nayeh (raw beef) but we liked the kask-e bademjam (eggplant). The side dishes were good. We particularly liked the halloumi & potato one. The dessert was also good.
Nov 20, 2024
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Food & service were amazing, would 100% recommend. We had the falafels, raw kibbeh, kale dip, fish & lamb; everything was so delicious! Try their tasting menu!
Price is too high for what it is, however the raw kibbeh alone is great. The service started off great, but later on forgot about us on 2 separate occasions which delayed the evening a lot.
We wouldn't have been so surprised by the food if we'd known that the chef had previously worked at Pastel. While we like middle eastern food, we don't usually associate it with originality & refinement. Here, classic Lebanese dishes are deconstructed & reinvented. The fish "tagine" had only a few tablespoons of delicious couscous next to a filet which had been cooked perfectly sous vide. We enjoyed the exceptional raw beef kibbeh with their excellent flatbread, warm from the oven. The Lebanese white wine was served at the right temperature & made a satisfying accompaniment. The interior is finished in comforting warm tones. Service was genuinely friendly. & finally, we were surprised how little we spent for the quality of the food.
A delightful Middle Eastern culinary experience using fresh, local ingredients & lots of love. Great wine list. Great staff. Great service. The kibbeh nayyeh is epic. Will definitely go back.
