TASTE of Manchester was lucky enough to enjoy a whirlwind tour of the colourful world of Comptoir Libanais’ London restaurants last month. The good new is that their new Manchester outlet looks even brighter, boasting a bar – a first for the 11-strong Lebanese food chain.
It is due to open on Spinningfield’s buzzing Avenue, alongside Iberica and Fazenda, on Thursday, November 12, with 25 per cent off the food bill until November 19. For this first week, as they fine-tune, it is reservations only. To book mail [email protected].
We like the look of the 60-cover outside terrace with retractable roof and heating (this is definitely not Beirut) and the souk/deli selling Comptoir treats, jazzy crockery and decidedly psychedelic bags (see below).
The main restaurant space, meze bar and private dining area are equally dazzling. Co-owner and creative spark Tony Kitous (below, explaining his team’s quest for authenticity and accessibility) has unleashed a riot of ceramic tiles inspired by his grandparent’s courtyard. Most striking of all, as in its London stablemates, a huge poster of Arabic actress Sirine Jamal al Dine’s gazes out over diners in the 100-cover space. This icon’s face occupies place mats and there’s even a cocktail named after her, the Bloody Sirine – a Middle Eastern twist on a Bloody Mary.
The cuisine on offer is Lebanese, acknowledged as concentrating the flavours of the Levant with remarkable finesse. Smell the mint and lemon, the pomegranate and rose water and taste the sesame and sumac the dishes teem with.
Specially created for Manchester are two new mana’esh flatbreads with minced lamb and pomegranate or za’atar and olive, cooked to order in the clay oven.
The augmented wine list, chosen by MD Chaker Hanna, offers a chunky house red from Ksara and a more elegant oak-aged Reserve du Couvent blend from this top Lebanese producer along with some glorious bottles from the legendary Chateau Musar.
Comptoir Libanais, 18-19 Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HF. All dishes are available to eat in or take away and office platters will also be available for delivery or collection, ranging from £8 to £12 a head.