Set quietly by the river in Ryde, the family run Cedrus Lebanese Restaurant promises not only a Middle Eastern feast, but a cultural experience. Nothing’s too much trouble for owners Marcus & Joanne Sultani, or even the chef, who often ducks out to talk to diners; and the riverfront terrace, garden courtyard & classy interior provide ideal backdrops for intimate dinners, weddings or family gatherings. Intrinsic to all occasions here is, of course, the food – traditional dishes finely crafted using local produce & a modern Mediterranean twist, ranging from simple mezze to a generous platter of baby octopus, salt & pepper squid, whitebait, oysters & fresh & tempura prawns. In Middle Eastern fashion, it’s best to order multiple dishes; set banquets save you the difficulty of deciding.