Fenicia Comida Arabe is a lovely little Lebanese restaurant in the Laureles neighborhood near Medellin’s stadium.
The front patio is hidden from the street by a wall of green plants, cutting of the noise and smells of the city and offering a sumptuous environment to enjoy the delights that the kitchen has to offer.
The extensive menu offers the standard Arabic fare – a lovely hummus, warm pita bread, falafel and shawarma (pita bread sandwiches made with seasoned lamb meat). But there is nothing standard about the quality.
From the tender steak medallions to a refreshing tabbouleh made from parsley, cous-cous, tomatoes and onion, with the just right blend of spices and the balance of cool and hot food, Fenecia will win over anyone who finds their way to this tucked away restaurant.
Fenecia also offers some unique dishes found among the array of appetizers, dips, salads, soups, deserts and entrees. “Rollitos” are spiced lamb meat rolled inside of cooked cabbage leaves into a tiny spring-roll sized bite-able, delight-able snack.
“Kibbe” is a kind of breaded dumpling with ground meat inside, delicious when devoured with tabbouleh salad. A variety of vegetarian, meat and fish options offers a little something for everyone.
Suggested Meal
To start, an order of baba ganoush for the table to share.
The vegan dip made from eggplant, garbanzo beans and tahini is cool and creamy, with a hint of a smokey flavor, served with warm pita bread. (6,000 COP or about $3.50).
To drink, share a carafe of house-made sangria. The lovely red wine and juice cocktail served with fruit and over ice is the perfect refreshment to accompany a slow Sunday lunch or a dinner date. (40,000 COP or $22 for a liter).
For the main course, the “Mixto Especial” plate offers a little bit of everything so you don’t have to choose between so many delicious options.
The plate includes and shish-kabob of steak, onions and peppers, Arabic rice topped with toasted almonds and shredded chicken, tabbouleh salad, hummus, stuffed grape leaves and the aforementioned kibbe and rollitos.
All that for just 20,500 COP (or about $11.50).
If you have any room after that for desert, the baklava won’t disappoint.
The honey and nut pastry made with flaky filo dough is the perfect sweet bite to end an excellent meal.
With quick service and a friendly staff, Fenecia makes for an enjoyable meal in every aspect.
