"I like food – in fact, I love food," says Tony Kitous, the founder of Comptoir Libanais. Back in his youth, Tony used to visit markets with his Dad and grandfather in order to buy ingredients for the family's meals. Flash forward to now, food in general just paints a smile on Tony's face, and reminds him of great memories. When he was only 18, Tony arrived in London with just £70 and a dream, and that summer he fell in love with the city and knew he would one day open his restaurant here. Now, that restaurant has expanded, with several branches, and a focus on ensuring that customers will leave having fallen in love with the Middle East and its bold flavours and generous hospitality. The Manchester branch is located in the heart of the city and is open from 11am each day, closing at 10pm on weekdays, 11pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and an earlier 9pm on Sunday.
The menu begins with some nibbles to share whilst perusing the menu, like the baby ghanuj of blended smoked aubergine and tahina dip served with warm flatbread. Next up for mezze, enjoy the dip with soujok that is made with smooth whipped feta, Armenian beef soujok with pomegranate molasses and served with warm flatbread. Dishes include the spinach and feta borek, which is a dish made with baked spinach, feta and onion filo pastry parcel served with Kalamata olives, tomato and spiced yoghurt sauce.
Tagines include the slow cooked braised lamb and butter bean stew, and then there is a chicken kofta on the menu along with some open wrap platters served with hummus and Comptoir salad, like the marinated grilled halloumi with extra virgin olive oil, tomato and fresh mint.