Charm of a hidden gem of the Lebanon
Our third lamb dish featured yet another method of preparing the meat and a new brace of flavours.
Smoky and barbecue-seared, it was tender underneath, with a runny tahini dip.
I had to admit defeat on the kebab, but the fresh tabouleh salad, infused with mint and lemon, was the most nourishing thing I’d encountered since Christmas, so I gamely dug in and soldiered on.
The dessert was intriguing. A sphere of ordinary-looking yellow ice cream perched on a slice of churros-style fried dough turned out to be vanilla perfumed with something I couldn’t identify.
I asked, and was informed that the chef layered it with rose petals. It transformed plain old vanilla ice cream into a refreshing and moreish delicacy.
The Alamir Bistro is something of a well-kept secret, but one that really deserves to be shared.
The table coverings might be wipe down, the carpet a homage to the curry restaurants of yesteryear, and the bathroom area rather draughty, but the Alamir offers a homely charm that is largely absent from the stylised homogeneity of many pizza, tapas and French bistros that abound in Southport.
The emphasis is on simple, wholesome, home-cooked food; no rampaging greenery and not a whiff of burning. Keep it to yourself, though.
Alamir Bistro, 93 Eastbank Street, Southport
Tel: 01704 544615.
Interior: Bright and cheerful.
Food: Middle Eastern.
Value for money: Excellent with early-bird specials available every evening (open Wed to Sun).
The bill: £35.90
Service: Friendly and helpful.
Disabled access: Yes.
