Toum Review

When I think of Maddox Street I often think of high end expensive restaurants, so Toum was a breath of fresh air. Newly opened, Toum is a modern Lebanese rotisserie with French culinary influences and a chic cocktail-bar.

I have a bad habit of always looking up a menu before I eat anywhere, so was caught off guard when I saw Toum doesn’t yet have theirs on their website; however they did have some tempting looking dishes on their Instagram page.

Whilst their ‘mini’ cocktail menu was a bit confusing, we ordered a full size Espresso Martini and a lovely glass of wine before tucking in to our starters. I was a big fan of the Halloumi wrapped in Kataifi Pastry with Hot Honey and the Musakhan Rolls stuffed with shredded chicken, caramelised onion and sumac, which were crispy and delicious.

For mains, whilst the rotisserie chicken is probably their signature menu item, I was tempted by the BBQ Beef Shawarma, which was delicious and melted in the mouth. The sides all sounded really tempting too, so we opted for the Roast Potatoes, Mac and Cheese and Tenderstem Broccoli with courgettes. I regret not trying the fries, but think the shawarma meat was the star of the show!

To finish, we shared a Tarte Tatin before heading downstairs to their cocktail bar, Encore. The bar had a really nice feel to it, with velvet booths and dim lighting, and the bartender was really helpful talking us through the bespoke cocktails on their menu; all of which were infused with unusual spices and flavours. They also offer all of the traditional cocktails, for those looking for something more classic.

Our visit to Encore was a lovely end to the evening, and I’d recommend both Encore and Toum for a casual catch up with friends in the heart of London’s West End.