I always love to have an outing with the boys (now 5, 8 and 11) at holiday time. The family have been coming and going on different trips since school broke for the summer holidays and I took my chance at having the boys today. But where to go and what to do? As we enter the fifth heatwave of the summer and the temperature was forecast to hit 36C today, I thought a train into central London wasn’t a good idea. I suggested Kingston but Freddie, being the oldest and about to start secondary school, so I was giving him some say in the decision, said he’d like to go to Masaniello a firm family favourite. It’s a 15-minute walk from my house and I thought if we walked down the shady side of the high street, we’d be fine. But when I tried to book a table yesterday they were closed at lunchtime (they’re normally only closed on Monday and Tuesday lunchtimes) and didn’t answer the phone when I tried later. They must be on holiday and so it seemed we needed to go to Plan B. Kingston it would be.
A trip to Kingston has long be a favourite. It’s only a 10-15 minute drive from my house and the Fenwick store in the Bentall Centre has one of the best toy departments I know. We’ve eaten a couple of times in Franco Manca; once found a great burger place by the river which sadly seems to have closed; had a terrible meal in the Fenwick restaurant once, which I wasn’t planning to repeat; but we’d loved the meal in Comptoir Libanais by the riverside last October, so I decided we’d go back there. Happily it met with the boys’ approval!
My very first visit there (I’ve been to other branches) was with Freddie when he was just four (click here) and we sat outside. Being right by the River Thames, it’s great to sit on the terrace … but not with the temperature soaring into the 30s. We decided to go inside where air conditioning cooled us as we entered. We chose to sit at the same table as last time – right at the front with a view, but comfortably cool.
The kids menu is only for kids up to the age of ten, so Freddie would have something from the main menu. There’s a good choice of six mains for kids (all £5.50), to which you can add a sparkling fruit drink for £1.75 and a scoop of ice cream at the end (vanilla or chocolate) for £1.
Ben chose Halloumi wrap with cucumber, tomato and fresh mint which came with some hummus and fries on the side.
Alex chose the same as last time: Cheesey Tomato Flatbread – a little pizza-like with cheese and tomato topping the flat bread. It also came with fries on the side and some ketchup.
Freddie meanwhile chose Halloumi Wrap Platter: marinated grilled halloumi with extra virgin olive oil, kalamata olives, tomato & fresh mint (£14.50). It looked fantastic and quite big – but he managed it all and liked it a lot. The generous wraps were filled with the halloumi and chopped tomatoes and olives.
I chose – as last time – a Mezze Platter for one: hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, falafel, labneh, cheese samboussek, warm flat bread & pickles (£16..50). It’s such a great choice at lunchtime. I shared most of my tabbouleh with Freddie as I remembered he loves it.
There was a slight moment of tension when it came to desserts as the kids’ menu only gave one scoop of ice cream (and the menu said vanilla, though it turned out there was chocolate too). The adult menu gave three scoops with a choice of four flavours for £6.75. Ben – understandably – didn’t feel it was fair that Freddie would get so much more. Thus, I ordered some for myself, saying I’d share it with Ben. I ordered two scoops of pistachio and one of vanilla so I could give Ben one of the pistachio scoops to go with his chocolate one. The boys were intrigued by the rose petals on top and I had to assure them they were edible.
It got slightly confusing briefly while we sorted this all out and I had to change the order. However, the staff were so lovely and helpful and took it in their stride. Our waitress and the manager were friendly and helpful throughout and it makes a huge difference – especially when one is with three young boys!
I think Comptoir Libanais has confirmed itself as a favourite with the boys and I’m sure we’ll be back there soon.
