Lebanese food in Lyon

To celebrate the end of classes for the last term a bunch of us got out and headed for Mont Liban, a Lebanese restaurant just above the touristy bistro Rue Merciere bistro alley (that we ate the guts sausage andouilette at). The address is at 19 Rue Merciere, but it's in an area that's semi-residential and not cobblestoned like Merciere.

One of our classmates is a Canadian of Lebanese origin and he thought up the idea to come here. Mind you it's not cheap, but because he spoke with the owner in Arabic, we were able to get away with spending only 20 EUR for appetizers, several kinds of roasted meat, and one bottle of Lebanese red wine for seven people.

I didn't have a chance to shoot a picture of the meat (grilled chicken, griled lamb, and grilled hamburger seasoned with herbs and spices), but I include here the appetizers. Hummus, baba ghanoush, some kind of dish made of lentils (tasting like Indian daal), spinach-filled dumplings (like samosas) and falafel. Also a deep-fried meat dish whose name I forgot ... all of it was very good, very fresh. Yes, and a plat of taboule made with fresh tomatoes, mint and herbs .... but with no couscous on the bottom as is often the case here in France. Perhaps no couscous because it is "authentic"?

Next time I go I'm gonna get a group of people together to try to order the 15 dish set (probably some small appetizers, some small portions of entrees, small portions of the desserts, and coffee/mint tea), for 19,50 EUR a person.

Heck, when it's barbecue season, might even try to make the stuff ourselves.

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Address:

Mont Liban. 19, rue Mercière, 69002 Lyon, France

Links:

Baba ganoush (grilled eggplant (like Japanese yaki-nasu) pureed and served with olive oil and lemon juice)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baba_ganoush

Taboule / tabbouleh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabbouleh

* Didn't realize it originated in Lebanon!