Maison Libanaise

This easy-going all-day restaurant offers diners all the flavours you’d expect from the streets of Beirut. And, as it’s part of the Black Sheep group, we knew we were in for a treat.

Inspired by the 1960s cultural renaissance in Lebanon’s capital city, Maison Libanaise has two dining areas, Le Salon on the first floor, and a rooftop dining area ideal for the cooler months.

The menu offers a fine selection of hot and cold mezzes, salads and larger dishes. We kicked off with the hummus bil tahini ($68), smooth and creamy with a hint of lemon and tahini garnished with whole chickpeas and olive oil; it’s simply delicious scooped up onto warm pita bread ($58).

The honey-glazed pan-fried halloumi ($158) was nicely balanced; one side of the salty cheese was garnished with a soft sweet fig and the other half a zesty and fragrant Byzantine dressing.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the mashawi ($388). These three perfectly chargrilled skewers featured melt-in-your-mouth beef, chicken and lamb, all piled up on a grilled pita bread garnished with pickled chilli and grilled tomato and onions. Two dipping sauces accompanied the dish: Maison’s housespiced labné and a super delicious harissa sauce. A very close runner-up was the harissa roasted cauliflower ($128) dusted with spices and charred to perfection. We’ll be back again and again to eat these two must-order dishes!

As with most Middle Eastern menus, vegetarians and vegans are well catered for here with plenty of choice. The wine list offers some interesting and lesser known options from Lebanon. We chose a bottle of Chateau Kefraya ($358), a blend of cinsault, cabernet sauvignon, grenache and carignan that’s a smooth easy-drinking red – a perfect match for the food.

This is a great restaurant for casual dining with friends – everything you’d expect from the Black Sheep team!

10 Shelley Street, Central

2111 2284 | maisonlibanaise.com.hk