by Dave Massey twitter.com/BrumHour

Christmas Menu at Comptoir Libanais

The Christmas menu for Comptoir Libanis has landed in their Bullring and Grand Central branch above Birmingham New Street Station and last month for #BrumHour I was invited to try it out.

Wednesday 6.30pm:

We had been booked in for dinner seemingly a few days before the full launch of the Christmas Menu in this particular branch but our server H had everything in hand. We have been seated swiftly in the snug area, there’s four booth style tables with four seats in each (six if you squish up a little.) While H sets about sorting our order he brings some olives and peppers and things which look like very pink carrots. I didn’t ask what they might be.

I’ve been to this branch several times since it opened in March 2018 and at least four times without it being as part of a blog invite. Its extensive regular menu, the decor and the staff all make it a great choice for a few hours with friends or even just for a pot of mint tea!

I’ve got high expectations when it comes to restaurants, stores and shops in Bullring and Grand Central. I worked in Bullring myself for some years and I know what hard work this environment can be some days.

My plus one, Gordon has ordered Turkey Kibbeh which arrives looking rather like three brown pears! Its actually minced Turkey in wheat with onion and nuts served with a mint yoghurt sauce. I’ve ordered Falafel and Green Tahina, which comes as four tearable chickpea patties with the Tahina sauce. Good choices so far.

Whenever I look at the regular menu here I’m shocked just how much Lebanese food there must be as the choices seem fairly endless. The wine we’ve chosen is a Clos St Alphonse Red of Lebanon and is a Sauvignon we have picked from the list ourselves.

Gordon has picked the Harissa and Honey Baby Chicken for his main and when it comes you can tell there’s been a flurry interest from the other staff as they’ve not seen it brought out for a customer yet. It smells delicious and Gordon said the flavours were great. I’ve ordered Lamb Kofta with Spiced Tahina, which is a grilled lamb kofta served with rice. Having been here more than a few times now, I’m used to what the food looks like but still find it fascinating and I’ve never been anything less than pleased with the food here.

Among the bright colours which themselves transport you away from Birmingham New Street Station below, the restaurant is filled with Fez’s hanging from walls and photos of famous people “wearing” Fez’s, there’s always one or two that I’ve not spotted before. There’s also a mountain of open topped bags dotted around the space for those looking for a more unique gift.

For Dessert, Gordon has picked the Dark Chocolate and Red Rose Berries Cake which is also on the main menu after pausing to take blogger photos its devoured pretty sharpish! The other choice was a Christmas Spiced Rice Pudding, but I’ve chosen just to have Ice Cream from the main menu. Even that comes with an array of choices to go with it. After small discussion with our server H, I pick “Orange Blossom and Slow-Cooked Dates, Sultanas, Figs and Apricots” which is a great choice!

The Christmas Menu which is available until 24th December offers the three courses for £24.99 plus Baklawa and Rose Mint Tea to finish. We took our Baklawa in a box as takeout and most of it made it home, well some of it.

It couldn’t be more different to the menus on offer elsewhere around central Birmingham and it ensures that I’ll be returning again in 2019! Especially as I’ve still not tried the breakfasts!!

Take a look at Comptoir Libanais‘ menu on their website here: comptoirlibanais.com

This isn’t a sponsored post. For #BrumHour I was invited with a plus one by Comptoir Libanais to try the Christmas Menu plus a bottle of wine between the two of us. We did leave a tip.