According to Simon Barakat’s father Sayed, when the days got hotter, his family and fellow residents of Lebanese city Zgharta would flock to the picturesque town of Ehden in the heart of the country’s northern mountainous region. Here, folks would enjoy cooler days with loved ones, spending the summer months eating, drinking and celebrating. This idyllic lifestyle sounds pretty appealing to us, especially in the wake of the warmer seasonal change. Thankfully, Brisbane locals now have an Ehden of their own to flock to, this one on Montague Road in West End. Inspired by Sayed’s tales of days spent in this paradise, Simon decided to explore the flavours of Lebanon and shift away from Italian cuisine, which has comprised much of his cooking ever since the start of his time working at Gino’s. Simon has taken over the light-filled space once home to London Fields in West End, expanding the outdoor dining area and giving the interior a few aesthetic tweaks (think new furnishings, upholstery and tableware) while retaining the distressed walls, exposed light fixtures and industrial steel wine racks. After a soft launch period, Simon has officially lifted the cloche on Ehden Bar & Kitchen, a place where every customer is treated like family and shared fare takes centre stage.
Ehden Bar & Kitchen’s menu incorporates elements of Middle Eastern, modern Australian and Mediterranean cuisine, with an emphasis on freshness and flavour. The dishes here take inspiration from the family recipes that coloured Simon’s childhood, paying homage to the past while also responding to the tastes of the neighbourhood. Here, the fun begins with dips – guests can swipe warm pita through dollops of green-olive tapenade, roasted-cauliflower hummus and smoky baba ganoush to start. The feast continues with a series of mezze plates, including Pacific oysters, house-made Lebanese sausages, grilled saganaki, pumpkin kibbeh, barbecue octopus and charred chermoula-spiced prawns. More substantial options include parmesan and thyme-crumbed veal cutlets, Lebanese half grilled chicken, spaghetti puttanesca and succulent steaks. Wine is also a large component of Ehden’s offering, with a list of 45 bottles favouring Australian producers and encompassing a broad spectrum of varietals while a selection of classic cocktails are also available, including Aperol spritz, smoked negroni, and spiced-rum iced tea. What’s more, Ehden’s various nooks can be hired for private functions, while a cellar space is being converted into a speakeasy style gin bar for those keen on an incognito sip.
For opening hours and contact details, seek out Ehden Bar & Kitchen in the Stumble Guide.
