Fantastic Fattoush kicks off Liverpool restaurant tour

We kicked off our first food tour of the UK’s fifth largest city, Liverpool, by hitting the famous stretch of Bold Street and its array of varied restaurants.

The first on our list was the Mediterranean eatery, Fattoush, which specialises in authentic Lebanese and Syrian cuisine.

Having opened its first on the outskirts of the city centre in Hatton Garden in 2016, this latest one launched only last year.

The venue itself can accommodate for 50 guests, alongside a limited number of tables available outdoors.

The interior is exquisitely decorated, with Mediterranean-inspired artwork and paraphernalia succeeding to create a moody, casual vibe.

Fattoush have imported in their decor to create this intimate ambience

First branch located in Hatton Garden…

In fact, according to their website: “Even our decor and tiles have been specially imported so you can really feel like you have been transported to Damascas or Beirut whilst sipping a Lebanese coffee.”

What separates Fattoush from most other Lebanese and Syrian restaurants in the area, however, is that it is a fully Halal establishment.

The place itself, we’ve been told, is known for its selection of hot and cold mezzes that are typically enjoyed as a combination of starters.

Having said that though, they offer a range of larger traditional dishes, including a few that we had never had before.

3. Fattoush – Tomato, cucumber, herbs, roasted bread, with fresh lemon & olive oil, £5.95

It may appear simple, but the dish that this place is named after was expertly done, with the acidity of the lemon and the sweetness of pomegranate molasses perfectly adjudged.

4. Hummus – Cooked chickpeas crushed with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, with pita bread, £5.45

Now this was up there with some of the tastiest, most luscious hummus we’ve had. Smooth and creamy, with that familiar tahini taste coming through, and just a hint of sour in the background.

This deserved to be paired with freshly made naan rather than the standard pitta bread we were served; but hey-ho.

5. Labneh – Mediterranean yoghurt, herbs, olive oil, with pita bread, £4.95

A satisfyingly thick and herbaceous Labneh, with the yoghurt delivering that expected sourness, while being drizzled with quality olive oil.

7. Moutabal – Aubergines, tahini, garlic, yoghurt, olive oil, with pita bread, £5.95

The secret to a memorable Moutabal is the manner in which the aubergine is prepared. And it was obvious from the strength of the smokiness that meandered through in this, that Fattoush’s was superbly done.

With plenty of texture to it, we enjoyed the occasional burst of pomengrate seeds every now and then.

14. Falafel – Crushed chickpeas, onions, herbs, spices, with tahini sauce & pita bread (4 pcs), £5.50

These freshly made balls of falafel were brilliantly executed, with a delicately thin exterior giving way to a pipingly hot and herbaceous chickpea interior.

The gentle spices therein, accompanied by a salad-assortment of cucumbers, tomatoes and pickles, made for an enjoyable munch.

31. Kasbeh Lamb – Lamb, rice cooked with special kasbeh spices, nuts, special sauce, £12.50

This Kasbeh Lamb was a new one for us, and what a delightful first experience it was as well.

A mound of light and fluffy, wonderfully fragrant rice, which exuded the most captivating aroma, and topped with juicy junks of roughly torn lamb pieces, before being finished with a scattering of nuts.

If you visit Fattoush for only one dish alone, this would be the one we’d recommend all the way.

32. Maklobeh (Upside Down) – Rice, lamb, aubergine, pine kernals, £12.50

Another first timer, which we’ll remember for some time to come. Those pair of aubergines on top of fragrant white rice came apart effortlessly with only the edge of a fork.

A seemingly simple dish this ‘upside down’ Maklobeh, but exceptionally well done.

43. Mixed Kebab – Chicken kebab, shish kebab, kaftah kebab, with salad, rice or chips, £15.95

It was obvious, even before we tucked into this Mixed Kebab, that the meat game at Fattoush was a strong one.

And so it turned out, with the chicken stealing the show courtesy of some fine charing that imparted a deliciously strong smokiness to these succulent golden nuggets.

That’s not to say that the shish and kaftah kebabs were bad, not at all. These were soft, tender and juicy, with the charcoal scent marvelously underscoring both.