Middle Eastern food ideal for mid week feasting
We have the Lebanese to thank for so many of the world’s most popular dishes; hummus, couscous, falafel and kebabs, just to name just a few. There’s something so special about the sheer range of delights they can produce from fresh herbs, ripe vegetables, whole grains, pulses and nuts along with delicious marinated meat and poultry charred over coals stuffed into still warm flat breads.
Vibrancy comes from the fresh flavours of lemon, garlic, pomegranate seeds, olives and olive oil as well as the homemade pickles that can be seen on the table of every self respecting household. Many dishes are infused with unique spice mixes with exotic names such as ras-el-hanout and za’atar (Lebanese thyme mixed with sesame seeds, sumaq and extra virgin olive oil), while sweetness comes through from honey, pomegranate molasses and dates.
Lebanese food is all about community and families sitting down to share. There is little formality, it’s all about reaching over, tearing the bread, passing round various dishes and relaxing, which is why this type of casual cuisine makes such a perfect mid week meal.
This is what Altrincham’s Fenicia’s is all about. If you’ve had a busy day at work and you don’t fancy cooking (or washing up) then head over to this friendly neighbourhood restaurant and treat yourselves to a bit of Lebanese hospitality.
It’s not formal or particularly flashy and it might not have the brand formula of some of the well known Middle Eastern chains, but that’s because it’s an independently owned high street restaurant which focuses on simply serving great food to happy customers, at reasonable prices.
It’s BYO so you can bring that good bottle of red you’ve been saving for a rainy day and make an occasion out of a regular mid-week evening – what’s more, they won’t even charge you corkage.
Start off your evening with a mixture of mezze with freshly baked pitta bread. Hummus might seem an obvious place to begin, but you’ll soon discover that Fenicia’s homemade smooth chickpea paste is a world away from the mass produced gunk available in supermarkets. You can even choose a pimped up version ‘hummus bil lahme’ topped with shredded fried lamb.
Other must-try hot starters include Musaqa'a - aubergine with fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic and Lebanese spices, Fenicia’s homemade falafel, or lamb kibbeh, and the comforting Foul M’dammas - broad beans mixed with lemon juice, garlic, cumin, topped with finely chopped tomatoes, parsley and olive oil.
Lebanese pizza is their version of a traditional street food snack of flat bread dough (made on the premises) topped with a special spiced sauce and various toppings. Each of which go perfectly a selection of their salads and cold starters like tabbouleh, fattoush and our favourite mohamara – an intense paste of red peppers blended with crushed walnuts, onion, breadcrumbs and olive oil.
If you have any room left for mains (and make sure you do), Fenicia’s have a wonderful range of grilled meats and kebabs; shish, kofta, chops, marinated chicken - or even a mixed grill containing all of the above. Fish dishes include grilled salmon or juicy king prawns marinated with garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and dill, served with rice or fries.
If you’re in Altrincham and fancy a quick bite of delicious food for a reasonable price, then go and buy a bottle from one of the nearby wine merchants or craft beer bars and make your way over to Fenicia’s.
