'BAKCHICH' roughly translates from Arabic into ‘loose change’,” says Otto Mellouki, owner of the Lebanese restaurant soon to join Manchester's ever-expanding street food circuit. "We chose the name as street-food should be about accessible, value for money food. At Bakchich you can feed yourself on an entire chicken shwarma wrap for just £3.50."
We’ve owned the space for about a year but kept it quiet
Morrocan-born Mellouki is preparing to launch his second Bakchich this summer after finding success in Liverpool on Bold Street back in 2012. Bakchich Manchester will open in the former Rice unit at the Quadrangle on Chester Street (by Zouk and Nando's).
READ LIVERPOOL CONFIDENTIAL'S REVIEW OF BAKCHICH
You'd be forgiven if this has provoked deja vu; Confidential recently announced Indian street-food Mowgli is to take up space within the Corn Exchange (read here), having also found success on the booming Bold Street. The challenge for both of these restaurants will be to replicate their success here in Manchester, where street food has reached saturation point.
Bakchich "Street food culture has been part of Lebanese culture for a long time," says Mellouki. "And our main reason for launching the restaurant was to educate people about Lebanese cooking. We spotted a major gap in the market, Liverpool and Manchester are lacking in Lebanese restaurants".
He's right. Aside from the odd Middle Eastern takeaway, there's next to no speciality Lebanese restaurants in the city (though Comptoir Libanaise are expected to open in Spinningfields this summer).
"There are good Lebanese restaurants in Manchester's suburbs, Hale and Chorlton," says Mellouki, "but they are very traditional. Bakchich is a far more contemporary restaurant. Quirky and colourful."
"Lebanese food is all about sharing. At Bakchich there's no formal starter or main course, and it's unlikely you'll choose us for a romantic meal, Bakchich is for big groups and families."
Bakchich will be based in The Quadrangle next to Zouk and NandosMellouki moved to London from Morocco when he was fifteen to study, before moving out on his own to Liverpool. He says his journey to owning restaurants 'started from the ground up', working in restaurants and takeaways before taking a punt on Bakchich. Opening up in Manchester, Mellouki feels, has been long overdue.
"We’ve owned the space for about a year but kept it quiet," explains Mellouki, "and have been waiting for the right time to get started. We’re starting work this week and plan to open this summer.
"This is a much bigger project than the Liverpool project."
Bakchich Liverpool with actor Tom HardyMellouki is clearly passionate about his new restaurant and says he will be entwining 'memories from his childhood and Arabic culture' into the design. Bakchich will provide for up to 200 covers, while the fit-out will be 'contemporary' and have a French colonial influence.
Based just off Oxford Road, Bakchich will undoubtedly benefit from a wealth of students, who will in turn benefit from low price-points. But what should they go for?
"It’s hard to pick a signature dish. I can’t get enough of the shish taouk," says Mellouki. "The chicken is marinated for 24 hours before being charcoal grilled and served with a pomegranate salad and Arabic rice. The sweet potato falafel is also fantastic."
Mezze platter at Bakchich.Falafel and halloumi fans will be happily catered for, but the Lebanese education at Bakchich is far more comprehensive. The menu contains authentic Lebanese dishes with contemporary remixes; from a Omellette Beiruty for breakfast to Lebanese pizza and Bakchich burgers.
"It's simple, affordable, tastes good, and it works," says Mellouki. "We feel this is the right concept in the right city. We've always set our sights on Manchester and now's the right time to get going."
