Raoshi Restaurant Reviewed – I Think I’m Going Lebanese

With the Manchester restaurant scene being dominated by grill houses and Italian eateries, we fancied something a little different. Here at I Love Manchester, we are all about being cool, cultured and cosmopolitan. We were invited to The Raoshi at The New Yew Tree, so what better way to diversify our taste buds and spread our cultural wings by trying this little Lebanese restauranout. Raoshi boasts the most authentic Mediterranean cuisine in Manchester.

“Trying all of the different flavours and textures was a treat for the senses…”

Set a little way out of town in Northenden (just off Sale Road), we had to get a taxi which was a little over a tenner, as we fancied a little drinky (surprise surprise). With our latest recruit Ellen meeting us at our new local The Liquor Store, we set off together after a couple of cheeky G&T’s. Luckily our driver knew the way, Because we had no idea! When we arrived, there was no alcohol served, but not to worry, we always see the positive side of things, so a quick trip to the off-licence before hand meant we could get what we wanted for much cheaper than it would be in a restaurant.

With Bizzle joining us for the first time, we thought we would ease her in gently, and behaved ourselves. God help her in a few weeks time when she see’s how insane the I Love Manchester office gets, especially if Circle Club invite us down again!

With the Manchester restaurant scene being dominated by grill houses and Italian eateries, we fancied something a little different. Here at I Love Manchester, we are all about being cool, cultured and cosmopolitan. We were invited to The Raoshi at The New Yew Tree, so what better way to diversify our taste buds and spread our cultural wings by trying this little Lebanese restauranout. Raoshi boasts the most authentic Mediterranean cuisine in Manchester.

“Trying all of the different flavours and textures was a treat for the senses…”

Set a little way out of town in Northenden (just off Sale Road), we had to get a taxi which was a little over a tenner, as we fancied a little drinky (surprise surprise). With our latest recruit Ellen meeting us at our new local The Liquor Store, we set off together after a couple of cheeky G&T’s. Luckily our driver knew the way, Because we had no idea! When we arrived, there was no alcohol served, but not to worry, we always see the positive side of things, so a quick trip to the off-licence before hand meant we could get what we wanted for much cheaper than it would be in a restaurant.

With Bizzle joining us for the first time, we thought we would ease her in gently, and behaved ourselves. God help her in a few weeks time when she see’s how insane the I Love Manchester office gets, especially if Circle Club invite us down again!

Arriving on time (unusual for us), we were greeted by the friendly staff and showed to our table. The decor was very bright, spacious and furnished to a high standard, we like the mixture of white, red, black and grey. The place had a very new feel to it. It was modern, fresh and almost clinical, but in a good way. We would have preferred the lighting to have been a bit dimmer, but that’s just us being picky.

The restaurant was fairly quiet, we put it down to the fact that it was a week day and blowing a blizzard outside, which was good for us, as the service was impeccable. Our resident Lebanise friend Ghida met us there, and recommended we try EVERYTHING. We thought seemed the right thing to do! To start off with we had a small plate of pickled veg, which came with flat bread – a tasty and appetizing little snack that’s probably their alternative to olives and crusty bread.

Having only ever eaten Lebanese food once before in Dubai, my experience is somewhat limited, and Ginger and Bizzle are complete novices, so it was all new to us. We had no idea what anything was, so each dish that was brought out was a culinary adventure for the tastebuds. Trying all of the different flavours and textures was a treat for the senses. We particularly liked the Vine Leaves, Batata Harra, and Sambousek Jibne. The Kibbeh Maklieh (Deep-fried lamb meatballs) unfortunately were a little too far out of our pallet’s comfort zone, which we dared Bizzle to try first as her initiation test, which she failed miserably! The other plates we sampled however were all fresh, juicy and very flavoursome.

The same medley arrangement of various dishes came for the mains after we had cleared up (and made a complete mess – mainly Ginger). We had a chicken with coriander and tomato dish (which wasn’t on the menu), the Kharouf Mahshi (lamb with spicey rice) and the Bamych Bil Lahmeh (lamb tomatoe stew), with a huge serving of rice and flat bread and a few other bits and pieces. This is traditionally how Mediterranean cuisine is enjoyed, a big table, full of family, friends and good food. Again the combinations where completely new to us, we found the meat incredibly succulent and tender. It had been marinated and slow cooked for at least 4 hours prior to service, and the preparation really showed.

Feeling pretty stuffed from trying most of the food on the menu, the restaurant manager insisted we tried the Mixed Grill Kebab as well, and being a signature dish we only thought it be courteous to give it a whirl. We all agreed that this was our favourite dish, but even between the three of us we struggled to finish it! The portions were extremely generous, and nicely presented. Although as Bizzle pointed out, the crockery didn’t match, to which me and Ginger looked at her as if to say ‘does that really matter?’ But her attention to detail is a force to be reckoned with.

Again, we were forced to have desserts (was there any end to the food??), which again we obliged. Ginger said he was too full, but still stole half of my ice-cream. Bizzle had the Osmallia, which is a traditional Lebanese desert, which she enjoyed as a quirky and different dish.

We concluded that this is certainly not the kind of food we are used to, but is great for something different. Very different. The venue is suited to more of a social gathering with a few of your friends and family rather than couples, and as the party of 20 on the other side of the restaurant enjoyed themselves, the management and staff were very accommodating. We enjoyed our evening, and it was great to sample something out of our comfort zone.

On the love’o’meter

Raoshi is an exotic romance with a sexy local.

LOCATION

Raoshi at The Yew Tree, Yew Tree Lane, Northern Moor, Manchester, M23 0FF.

CONTACT

0161 998 8877

[email protected]

www.raouche.co.uk

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Arriving on time (unusual for us), we were greeted by the friendly staff and showed to our table. The decor was very bright, spacious and furnished to a high standard, we like the mixture of white, red, black and grey. The place had a very new feel to it. It was modern, fresh and almost clinical, but in a good way. We would have preferred the lighting to have been a bit dimmer, but that’s just us being picky.

The restaurant was fairly quiet, we put it down to the fact that it was a week day and blowing a blizzard outside, which was good for us, as the service was impeccable. Our resident Lebanise friend Ghida met us there, and recommended we try EVERYTHING. We thought seemed the right thing to do! To start off with we had a small plate of pickled veg, which came with flat bread – a tasty and appetizing little snack that’s probably their alternative to olives and crusty bread.

Having only ever eaten Lebanese food once before in Dubai, my experience is somewhat limited, and Ginger and Bizzle are complete novices, so it was all new to us. We had no idea what anything was, so each dish that was brought out was a culinary adventure for the tastebuds. Trying all of the different flavours and textures was a treat for the senses. We particularly liked the Vine Leaves, Batata Harra, and Sambousek Jibne. The Kibbeh Maklieh (Deep-fried lamb meatballs) unfortunately were a little too far out of our pallet’s comfort zone, which we dared Bizzle to try first as her initiation test, which she failed miserably! The other plates we sampled however were all fresh, juicy and very flavoursome.

The same medley arrangement of various dishes came for the mains after we had cleared up (and made a complete mess – mainly Ginger). We had a chicken with coriander and tomato dish (which wasn’t on the menu), the Kharouf Mahshi (lamb with spicey rice) and the Bamych Bil Lahmeh (lamb tomatoe stew), with a huge serving of rice and flat bread and a few other bits and pieces. This is traditionally how Mediterranean cuisine is enjoyed, a big table, full of family, friends and good food. Again the combinations where completely new to us, we found the meat incredibly succulent and tender. It had been marinated and slow cooked for at least 4 hours prior to service, and the preparation really showed.

Feeling pretty stuffed from trying most of the food on the menu, the restaurant manager insisted we tried the Mixed Grill Kebab as well, and being a signature dish we only thought it be courteous to give it a whirl. We all agreed that this was our favourite dish, but even between the three of us we struggled to finish it! The portions were extremely generous, and nicely presented. Although as Bizzle pointed out, the crockery didn’t match, to which me and Ginger looked at her as if to say ‘does that really matter?’ But her attention to detail is a force to be reckoned with.

Again, we were forced to have desserts (was there any end to the food??), which again we obliged. Ginger said he was too full, but still stole half of my ice-cream. Bizzle had the Osmallia, which is a traditional Lebanese desert, which she enjoyed as a quirky and different dish.

We concluded that this is certainly not the kind of food we are used to, but is great for something different. Very different. The venue is suited to more of a social gathering with a few of your friends and family rather than couples, and as the party of 20 on the other side of the restaurant enjoyed themselves, the management and staff were very accommodating. We enjoyed our evening, and it was great to sample something out of our comfort zone.

On the love’o’meter

Raoshi is an exotic romance with a sexy local.

LOCATION

Raoshi at The Yew Tree, Yew Tree Lane, Northern Moor, Manchester, M23 0FF.

CONTACT

0161 998 8877

[email protected]

www.raouche.co.uk