Cedars Lebanese Restaurant

Lebanon is situated at the eastern end of the Mediterranean and its culture has plenty going for it, not least the food, which is truly distinct thanks to the region's rich history. The Lebanese love their food and pay careful attention to it - nowhere more so than at Cedars Lebanese Restaurant. This fantastic restaurant can be found amid the hustle and bustle of Leicester's city centre. As soon as my colleague and I set foot inside, we were met by a pleasing myriad of exotic aromas and a warm, friendly atmosphere. We were gently ushered in by a gracious waiter, led to our table and in no time we were perusing the wide-ranging menu.

To start, we shared hot and cold starters, in keeping with the convivial nature of Lebanese dining. The rahib salad, hummus, labneh, falafel and jawaneh all arrived promptly and were collectively divine, bursting with garlic, lemon and yoghurt flavours. I was hard-pressed to choose from the fantastic mains list, but eventually plumped for the kofta kashkash, a spicy lamb and tomato dish which was hearty yet delicately flavoured. My colleague opted for the mixed grill of chicken and lamb, which arrived sizzling and was precisely cooked and seasoned.

As the evening progressed, we were treated to a traditional belly-dancing performance and then later we retired to the shisha garden, where we lightly inhaled refreshingly flavoured tobacco. Overall it was a fantastic Lebanese experience, one that I would highly recommend.