<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_coffee" rel="nofollow">Lebanese Coffee - wikipedia</a>

Strong coffee, medium sweet.

Julia remarked that it was as strong as an espresso but as large a serve as a long black! I loved the bitter, almost acrid taste. Julia liked it better than Turkish or Greek coffee because it was without the grassy woody flavour.

Next time, I'll ask for the Arabic coffee laced with spices!

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I love having a Middle Eastern Oasis in the middle of Murrumbeena!

Housed in a non-descript warehouse in the middle of suburbia, this Lebanese bakery is a bustling hive of activity. Not only does it have a bakery churning out loads of bread by the truckful, it also has a wonderful cafe with tasty shawarmas, a bain marie full of stews and irresistable desserts!

Just before midday on a Saturday, it was already half full with brunch munching diners. Come lunch time, a wave of parents with kids in sportware and Middle Eastern families pile into the cafe.

Service is brisk with an army in the kitchen dishing up food without breaking pace. Helpful staff describe dishes in Anglo-friendly terms and how it should be eaten. Although, I do like the mystique when it explained with gestures, much hand-waving, and the inevitable misundertanding. That's part of the fun, right?

The decor is modern blonde wood with Middle Eastern flourishes, like the metal lamps in a corner of the dining area and Lebanese music videos on the large LCD TV on the wall, which provided a background to the chatter.

This wonderful discovery is definitely worth visiting again, if only to try the array of dishes and sweets on offer.

Oasis Bakery - Bakery, Groceries, Cafe, Catering (03) 9570 1122 Unit 9, 993 North Rd Murrumbeena VIC 3163 <a href="http://oasisbakery.com.au/" rel="nofollow">oasisbakery.com.au/</a>