London & South East

Comptoir Lebanais expands

Comptoir Libanais, London

Lebanese restaurateur Tony Kitous, founder of the authentic Levant Restaurant Group, will open five more Comptoir Libanais sites in the next two months.

With eight Lebanese eateries already thriving in London, Tony is eager to expand the brand and add five more of the Comptoir restaurants to his portfolio.

Levant Restaurant Group currently has eight restaurants under their ownership, four of which are of the Comptoir Libanais brand. Dotted all over London in Westfield, South Kensington and Soho the exotic eateries continue to flourish despite the economic climate.

Tony has been eager to create an eatery like Comptoir for a long time:

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. The food is affordable and easy – healthy, light and you can enjoy it every day of the week. Comptoir Libanais means Lebanese counter and that’s exactly what it is: somewhere you can eat casually, with no fuss.”

Comptoir Libanais, London

Comptoir Libanais serves Middle Eastern cuisine in relaxed, accessible canteens and delicatessens all over the capital and so far the brand has been extremely successful. Tony feels the secret of Comptoirs’ success lies in the quality of the food, the affordable pricing and the traditional Middle Eastern design that echoes traditional Lebanese cafes and homes.

Tony added:

“The fact that we are a genuine alternative to current eateries is a big pull I think. We aren’t a burger or a pizza joint; we offer another type of food that people are just waiting to discover.

“People love the sharing experience that we offer. The whole feel of the restaurants are very communal and welcoming for all ages and all walks of life.”

The five new Comptoir restaurants will continue to serve up a delicious blend of Lebanese cuisine as already served in the existing eateries. The beautiful food available includes dips, mezze bites, savoury flatbreads, tagines, wraps, salads, pastries and cakes and homemade Moroccan bread.

Comptoir Libanais, London

The restaurants also create and serve freshly made juices including home-made lemonade, pomegranate & orange blossom, lemon & lime and apple, mint & ginger; as well as Strawberry Fanta and Mirinda Orange that many remember from their Middle Eastern travels.

KW Projects Ltd, a Project Management firm, has been involved in the development of the Comptoir Libanais restaurants; and is currently midway through the Blue Water Comptoir development which is scheduled for completion on the 25th October. Keith Ward, Company Director, has a vast portfolio of project managing fast track fit out works to the Leisure Industry.

The company has been centrally involved in high profile developments including rolling out the La Tasca brand, Genting Casino and Ignite Group developments.

Keith said:

“The Blue Water development involved taking down the ceiling, demolishing some walls, adjusting sprinkler systems; as well as laying new flooring and tiling, erecting a new counter and bar, fully redecorating the venue and creating a new shop front.

Comptoir Libanais, London

“It’s been great to be involved in the Comptoir project – the brand definitely has plans to expand and the best thing for us is to be involved at the beginning of that expansion curve and grow with them.

“It’s exciting to be part of something different like Comptoir which serves exotic, Lebanese cuisine. It’s especially thrilling as there is nothing like this in Blue Water at the moment – so it is a landmark for the site.

LSM Design, which specialise in interior design services to hotels, restaurants, retail, bars and clubs are also centrally involved in Comptoirs new venues; as is Studio 48, an architecture branding design company.

There is a definite similarity in the design and feel of each Comptoir restaurant but Tony stresses that every new restaurant is treated individually so as to create its own personality and “soul”. The brand has an eclectic feel, combining Tony’s childhood memories of the Lebanese homes and cafes that he grew up in, as well as retaining a strong colonial influence. As a result of the varied design and decoration of the sites the brand maintains a relevance to customers from all backgrounds and ethnicities.

The budding entrepreneur says:

“I wanted to make the restaurants fresh and modern, yet welcoming all the same. There’s a little touch of the souk, with embroidered handbags from Marrakech and ingredients to cook at home, but the ambience is light and airy.

“I want to see people enjoying the experience for a pot of mint tea with friends, a quick tabbouleh and hummus or a more leisurely evening meal. You don’t have to sacrifice comfort, style or authenticity of food just because the dining is casual.”

Comptoir Libanais, London

The new Comptoir restaurants will be opened over October and November in sites all over London and the South West during October and November this year. The Levant Group will be opening two sites at the famous Blue Water Shopping Centre in Kent, one site will be opened at Gatwick airport and another will be constructed in Duke of York Square in Chelsea. The final site will be erected in a secret destination that has not yet been revealed to the press.

For tips on how to recreate the delicious Lebanese cuisine dished up in Comptoir restaurants you need look no further than Tony’s first cookbook “Comptoir Libanais”. The book features a plethora of authentic Lebanese recipes and can be purchased on Amazon.

About the author

Roma Publications