Comfort Food Melts Away Winter Chills – Harry Turnbull Visits Fattoush restaurant, Liverpool.
Written by Harry Turnbull
A trip on a cross-river ferry seemed an ideal holiday jaunt until we experienced a bitterly cold wind whipping off the Mersey that turned bones to ice.
On disembarking the only thing for it was to warm up with some hot food and drink. The moment we stepped into Fattoush the freezing world outside dissolved, replaced by a cocoon of warmth and fragrance.
The sharp, icy wind that had numbed fingers and reddened cheeks faded away as a subdued golden light bathed everything in a soft glow and rich scents from the Lebanese kitchen spoke of lemon groves, flatbreads and aromatic spices.
Fattoush is located on Liverpool’s Bold Street, one of the most varied quarters of continental cuisine in the region and was bustling with passers-by and diners.
Settling into a booth, we instantly ordering lemon tea and Lebanese coffee to warm the cockles while ordering from the extensive menu of Mediterranean Arabic dishes.
First up was the fatayer lahmeh (£6.95), a lamb topped pastry with onions and spices.
When it arrived, the dish was simple but comforting: soft, golden bread cradling a gently spiced meat topping. The flavours were subtle—savory and lightly aromatic, satisfying without overwhelming the palate. It felt like the culinary embodiment of the room itself—warm, welcoming, and just bold enough to stand out against the cold starkness of the world outside.
My companion, meanwhile, tucked into a shawarma chicken wrap (£8.50), bursting with bold, spicy flavours. The tender chicken was laced with vibrant heat, wrapped snugly in warm flatbread, and served with a tangy sauce that he devoured with enthusiasm. It was a stark contrast to my milder dish, but it went down very well, leaving him content and beaming, a moment of warmth shared against the chill of the winter’s day.
We shared some mezze, fries and meat bourak (£6.45) known as middle-eastern egg rolls with a crunch and texture associated with their Chinese counterparts. Hot sauce dips were the ideal mouthwatering accompaniment.
Around us were memories of Lebanon but also images of Liverpool and some Christmas reminders.
A multicultural dining experience that bolstered us before braving the elements once more as the late afternoon light faded.
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About the author
Harry Turnbull is an experienced journalist based in the north who has held a variety of reporting and editing roles in the media. He also writes a reviews column for the UK’s biggest archive of BBC radio dramas.
