One of the most exciting new restaurants to come to Ealing for years has now arrived – Comptoir Libanais and EALING.NEWS went along to check out its menu.
The Lebanese inspired chain prides itself on its authentic flavours and friendly atmosphere. Its new Ealing branch, opened on the site of the former Gordon Ramsey Bread Street, delivers on those flavours and atmosphere in abundance.
The first thing that greets you about Comptoir Libanais is its appearance – this is a beautiful place to be in. Full of colour and culture, you feel transported to the Middle East,
Then you are warmly welcomed by the staff who throughout our evening were totally committed to delivering on great customer service.
And then you are taken to your table where the menu is presented to delight and excite you for your Middle Eastern culinary journey.
The menu is a delight and offers a modern take by paying homage to its Middle Eastern origins. Dietary choices are well accommodated. Whether you are meat eater, fish lover, vegetarian or vegan, there’s plenty on the menu.
For our Middle Eastern food adventure, we started with some nibbles – olives (£3.95), Lebanese pickles (£3.50) and a delightful flatbread with za’atar spices and garlic on the top (£3.95).
We then proceeded to starters aka the mezze selection. We went for Tony’s Hommos (6.95) which is the founder’s take on hommos. Topped with cauliflower and a lovely Yemen salsa. The regular hommos which is anything but regular as it was very smooth and a real delight to enjoy with the warm flat bread it came with,
A portion of Cheese Samboussek (£7.95) which was a trio of parcels filled with melted cheese and came with a mint sauce was then followed by Halloumi & Roasted Figs (£8.95). This was an amazing take on serving halloumi as it was marinated in rosewater and served with toasted pistachio nuts and rose petals. The sweetness combined with the figs took halloumi onto a whole new level.
After finishing our starters, it was time for the mains, Braised Lamb & Butter Bean tagine (£16.95), Chicken Taouk (£16.95) and Falafel Salad (£13.75) with Halloumi (£4.50).
The mains were beautifully presented, good portion sizes and cooked to perfection. Lamb was tender, chicken was grilled and seasoned with flavour and the falafel salad was actually enough for two people.
Desserts were Mango & Vanilla Cheesecake (£6.75) and Baklawa & Fresh Rose Mint Tea (£5.50) along with a Lebanese Spiced Hot Chocolate (£3.95)
As with starters and main courses, desserts were on another level. The cheesecake was a stand out. Light and topped with pistachios. Baklawa was a lovely treat for those who want a little something while the special hot chocolate was a real treat complete with rose petals.
Comptoir Libanais is a very welcomed addition to places to eat in Ealing and offers something that is different both in terms of its food as well as the ambience.
Comptoir Libanais overall rating: 9 out of 10
Comptoir Libanais is located at:
8 High Street
Ealing Broadway
London W5 5DB
Tel: 020 8567 7352
Web: https://www.comptoirlibanais.com/restaurants/ealing
