After my visit to Utopia, I found myself hankering for even more middle eastern tastes, so I thought I’d try Comptoir Libanais. And on a lovely summer day, what better place to sit than by the river? The Comptoir Libanais branch in Kingston sits right by Kingston Bridge on a riverside walking route that’s not technically on the Thames Path, but feels like it is.
Comptoir Libanais: middle eastern flavours
Comptoir Libanais is a chain of casual restaurants specializing in Lebanese and Middle Eastern Cuisine. They have numerous locations across London (including one at Stanstead Airport), and about as many all over the UK.
…and the best olive oil ever
Oh, yes, that olive oil! It is absolutely sublime. It has the deepest, most fruity taste of any olive oil I’ve ever tasted, and you could nearly eat it by the spoon… it tastes so, so good. The rest of the platter was just as delicious. The falafel had a wonderful crunch and the samboussek was very flavourful. The flat bread was deliciously soft and chewy, the baba ganoush nicely tangy, and the tabbouleh fresh and zingy. There was a generous helping of pickles, too, and it was fun to combine them with everything on the plate to change the flavour profile of every bite.
For a drink, I got the Roomana (still) lemonade, which was positively dreamy, the perfect balance between pomegranate & orange blossom, and the perfect accompaniment to the food.
Lovely spot
Inside the restaurant, the décor is bold and colourful, with exuberant wall décor, patterned tiles, and beautiful glowing glass pendant lights. There’s also a slightly kitsch vibe that adds to the appeal. It looks very cozy. I only got a glimpse of it, though, since I ate on the terrace.
The terrace has parasols and, as far as I can see, outdoor heaters, so it looks like it can be enjoyed far into the autumn. (And why oh why isn’t this more of a thing in the UK? There’s something so nice about still being able to sit outside, under a heater, even when the weather is not so warm any more.)
So all in all, a lunch to remember and a spot to come back to.
In the mood for more middle eastern cuisine? Maybe you’d like to try Utopia in Cowcross Yards in Farringdon?
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Comptoir Libanais Kingston: practical information
Address: 2A Riverside Walk, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1QN
Opening Hours: Mon – Wed 11:00 – 22:00 | Thur – Fri 11:00 – 23:00 | Sat 9:30 – 23:00 | Sat 9:30 – 21:00
Website: https://www.comptoirlibanais.com/
Nearest public transport: Kingston (British Rail)
Eat in? Yes
Take away? Yes
Outside seating? Yes
Toilets? Yes
The post A beautiful mezze platter at Comptoir Libanais in Kingston appeared first on Londonaire.
