Getting my Coffee Fix Lebanese Style

On principle I don’t feature national nor international restaurant chains let alone coffee chains in this blog. The mission is to promote the artisan, local and independent businesses. For this black Americano ordered at the Lebanese restaurant chain Comptoir Libanaise I had to make an exception. This might be the first but I suspect it won’t be the last time I break this rule – just understand I do this if I am hit with something worthy of flouting the rules.

Before you judge me for taking my custom to a chain just know it was at insistence of friends although I do like the food. On this day in bath I wasn’t there for the food – my wife and I had already eaten at The Bath Townhouse. Our friends were ravenous and so into the garish purveyors of Lebanese food we went. My wife shared a brick sized slice of mango cheesecake and of course I ordered a black americano – I was already flagging at this point and as I was driving I needed the fix. I was glad I opted for this instead of a diet soda because the drinks served to me was as close to perfection as once could get.

Served in a tempered glass which retains the heat more effectively this frothy beverage was two sips shy of being an espresso. The flavour was smooth and rich, so strong it needed to be sipped rather than downed. It was the perfect accompaniment to the mango cheesecake, a mixture of sharp tang and rich decadence of the cream filling. As a roving reporter looking to set up office in the nearest coffee shop this wouldn’t necessarily be the ideal venue. However, I would definitely order this glass of dark nectar to top off my meal and perhaps even enjoy it with another slice of mango cheesecake.