Press InformationEleanore Longley / Marie Spanou / Paul Simpson

Roche Communications 020 7436 1111

SouthKensington

A TOUCH OF SOUK IN SOUTH KENSINGTONComptoir Libanais opens in the Royal Borough

Tony Kitous officially opens Comptoir Libanais in South Kensington this week, bringing the flavours of the East to the

West. The latest outpost on Exhibition Road is the first to offer a range of cocktails, a selection of Lebanese wines

and Lebanese beer and arak alongside breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. And with a shop featuring a treasure trove

of Lebanese foodie gifts, hand crafted beaded accessories, spices and sweets, the experience is more Lebanon than

our fine metropolis.

With a long wooden communal table, beautiful patterned mosaic flooring and a larger-than-life image of Middle

Eastern movie star Sirine Jamal al Dien on one wall, Comptoir Libanais provides an exotic alternative in the heart of

the capital’s museum quarter in Kensington and Chelsea. Totally versatile and open from breakfast right through to

dinner and drinks, it’s sure to appeal to Londoners as well as visitors to the area.

Often cited as one of the world’s healthiest cuisines and with plenty of vegetarian options, Lebanese dishes typically

use an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as herbs, lemon juice and spices rather than heavy sauces.

Comptoir Libanais stays true to this tradition, with a beautiful kaleidoscope of mezze, salads, dips, soup and warm

wraps as well as a selection of pastries and freshly prepared breads. Perfect for those watching their waistlines,

Comptoir Libanais proves that calorie-watching doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavour and taste.

Breakfast and brunch

Breakfast is a unique affair with some truly exciting alternatives to traditional buttery toast and sugar-laden muffins.

Loaded with grilled halloumi, sumac fried egg on a toasted zataar bun, foul moudamas, cheese sambousek, labneh,

olives and pitta bread, the Full Lebanese Breakfast is a healthy, vegetarian take on the traditional English. More

‘continental’ options include toasted zataar buns with dates in syrup or black sour cherry jam and savoury croissants

with halloumi cheese and zataar. Healthier plates come in the form of organic porridge or yoghurt with a variety of

toppings including rose water spiked strawberries, pomegranate and orange blossom as well as date and maple syrup.

Wrapping things up are fresh juices, organic fat-free yoghurt smoothies and frozen yoghurt in Lebanese flavours such

as halva and pistachio, date and sesame. Accompanied with the morning papers, guests are assured a good start to

the day.

Lunch and dinner

Lunch and dinner can be on-the-go or a long, leisurely affair - delicious mezze sharing platters, falafels and man’oucha

flatbreads with a selection of toppings through to lamb, chicken or cheese sambouseks. A new section of the menu

is devoted to grilled dishes, with a tempting range of skewers such as lamb kofta and shish taouk - marinated chicken

breast in garlic, lemon juice and spices, all served with rice and grilled zaatar tomato, and the Comptoir Burger, with

charred lamb, harissa mayonnaise and pickles served in a zataar bun and Lebanese fries – spicy potato wedges with

garlic, chilli and coriander. Fresh salad combinations include organic couscous and grilled chicken; halloumi and falafel;

and fattoush whilst hot wraps such as chicken taouk, and lamb kofta burst with flavour. Those with bigger appetites

can feast on aubergine moussaka or a range of tagines served with organic couscous or rice, and a selection of hot

daily specials are also available with must-try dishes such as mahshi – braised peppers stuffed with spiced minced lamb

and samake bil das el rooman - and salmon marinated in pomegranate molasses. Add good company, and while away

the afternoon or evening in style.

Afternoon tea

Buck the trend of traditional afternoon tea with a Middle Eastern version. Choose from a fantastic assortment

of savoury wraps, moreish Lebanese pastries like baklawa, maamul, osmaliya and znoud, and Comptoir macaroons

alongside a choice of fresh herbal or fruit teas.

Drinks

A list of fantastic Lebanese wines and chilled bottles of Almaza beer has been chosen to complement the vibrant

and flavoursome food. The cocktail crowd is also catered for with cool concoctions like champagne with a dash of

pomegranate molasses and mulberry molasses, the Arak Mojito and the Bloody Sirine, a twist on the classic hangover

cure. Larger groups can share jugs of vodka muddled with different combinations of fresh ginger, pomegranate, orange

blossom and rose lemonade. Squeezed juices and smoothies sit alongside a host of coffees, fine teas and fresh mint

tea.

Comptoir Souk

A cornucopia of products and foodie gifts await shoppers inside Comptoir Souk. Taking its inspiration from the

vibrant souks of the Middle East, shelves are stacked with everything from loukoum (Turkish delight), nougat, harissa,

tahini, sugared almonds,

apple vinegar, picked baby aubergine, sumac and fruit to traditional pots and Lebanese cookery books. Fashionistas,

meanwhile, can add a splash of colour to their wardrobes with a range of beautifully designed bags, kaftans, handcrafted

shoes and beaded t-shirts.

www.lecomptoir.co.uk

Comptoir Libanais

1-5 Exhibition Road, LondonSW7 2HE

Opening times:

Monday-Saturday: 8am to midnight

Sunday: 8am to 10.30pm

For further information:

Eleanore Longley/Marie Spanou/Paul Simpson

Roche Communications

T: 020 7436 1111

firstname@rochecom.com

Note to editors:• Time Out – Best Meal Under £10, 2009• Time Out, London’s Top 50 Restaurants, 2010• Winner of 2009 Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide – Best New Design• Shortlisted for the 2010 Restaurant and Bar Design Awards – Multiple Restaurant category

Comptoir Libanais,South Kensington factsheet

Address: 1-5 Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2HE

Tel: 020 7225 5006

Email: info@lecomptoir.co.uk

Website: www.lecomptoir.co.uk

Nearest tube: South Kensington

Owner: Tony Kitous

General manager: Fadi Chafi

Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 8am to midnight

Sunday: 8am to 10.30pm

Reservations: Yes

Covers: 100

Average spend: £10-12 (excluding alcohol)

Exclusive hire: Yes

Disabled access: Yes

Credit cards: All major cards

Public relations: Marie Spanou/Eleanore Longley

Roche Communications

T: 0207436 1111

E: firstname@rochecom.com