TOUM: A Lebanese Rotisserie which tastes as good as it looks

TOUM opened at the end of 2024 and is a Lebanese Rotisserie where Rotisserie Chicken is the star of the show. Drawing inspiration from Lebanon becoming part of the French Mandate in the 1920s and their established heritage, TOUM is the creation of French / Lebanese owner, Tarek Farah who also owns and runs the ever-popular Aline Lebanese Kitchen also on Maddox Street. Through blending French cooking techniques with the flavour and spice of Lebanon’s Mediterranean ingredients, TOUM is an ultimate modern-day Rotisserie.

The menu at TOUM centres around The Rotisserie Chicken, which is served as a whole, half or quarter portion. The latter is an ideal lunchtime choice served as ‘Poulet Frites’,
it comes with a green salad on the side and is a simple, quick and tasty meal. All rotisserie is recommended with a choice of Sauce and TOUM takes its name from the traditional Lebanese Garlic Sauce that is always served with grilled and rotisserie cooked
chicken in Lebanon making this their signature recommendation. Other choices include Spicy Chimichurri, Chicken Jus or Cafe de Paris Butter.

Creating a perfect Rotisserie Chicken is central to TOUM’s offering and something which Tarek has spent a lot of time researching. Having invested in a state of the art Rotisol
oven, the chickens at TOUM are cooked to a rigorous regime which ensures they are everything a great rotisserie chicken should be; juicy, succulent and full of flavour. Brined for up to 12 hours in a special blend of herbs, including rosemary, thyme and tarragon,
lemon, garlic, honey, peppers and other ingredients they are then air-dried for at least 24 hours before being roasted for around 50-55 minutes and served straight from the rotisserie to the customer. The remaining chicken is placed in warming drawers designed
to retain their natural juices, ensuring that they stay warm, moist and tender.

Other sections of the menu include Snacks where the likes of House Pickles, Musakhan Rolls (pulled chicken, caramelised onions and sumac) and Flatbread with heritage tomato and toum, marry perfectly with a mini Tomatillo Martini whilst browsing the menu. Large Plates have a selection of four meat, fish and veggie options including Aubergine (herb salad, fatteh yoghurt, pomegranate seeds, toasted markook bread and pine nuts)
and Samké Harra, a sea bass with spicy walnut, coriander and tahini sauce – a classic dish from North Lebanon. Small Plates are a great choice for those wanting to try a bit of everything – from Roast Octopus to Hummus
and Romero Peppers. Sides are all designed to pair perfectly with whatever you are eating – be it a Tomato and Onion Salad, Fries or Spicy Corn. It’s a moreish selection hard to resist. A trio of desserts are also available; Tarte Tatin, Chocolate Mousse or
the Seasonal Soft Serve ice cream (currently Rose Loukoum and Pistachio) will all ensure your experience at TOUM ends sweetly.

A chic and stylish space, TOUM has been designed in partnership with Gundry Ducker. The corner site restaurant is bordered with windows allowing for plenty of natural light to
flood in. With the main door to the restaurant located on the pedestrianised Pollen Street, it creates a tranquil and relaxed space away from the hustle of Oxford Street beyond. A dining counter for up to 24 guests fringes the rotisserie oven on the back wall
creating an inclusive and theatrical space where diners can watch the chefs at work. Alternatively, a selection of contemporary bistro style tables are available at the front of the restaurant with a further four also available beyond the counter at the back
of the room.

Softly lit throughout, bold triangular glass lampshades hanging from the ceiling give a modern and stylish glow. A colour palette of rich burgundy, synonymous with Parisian bistros
covers the walls and woodwork, whilst a warm yellow top at the dining counter, evocative of the heat and warmth of Lebanon, gives the restaurant a shimmer of Mediterranean sunlight.
Seating for up to 12 is also available outside on
Pollen Street which is heated to create a perfect Café Trottoir style terrace to dine from all year round.

Downstairs leads to ENCORE – TOUM’s soon to launch listening bar which will focus on hi-fi music centred on turning the conversation down, and the music up. Born out of a passion for music, and the pleasure of sharing beautiful moments around a record, its inspiration flows from the festivity of Beirut, the eclectic sounds of London’s music scene, the intimate jazz cafés of Tokyo, and the smooth rhythms of Rio de Janeiro’s Bossa Nova.
An intimate room, here burgundy velvet banquettes and stools border low bar style tables where mirrored walls, warm lighting and walnut wood finishes are all completed to a high spec, creating an elegant and dapper
space. With a full length bar taking up one side of the room, bar seating is encouraged. The drinks list has been created in conjunction with leading Lebanese mixologist Jad Ballout, and signature offerings include never seen before alchemies such as 30 Sec
to Pandan (Diplomatico Rum, Pandan, Pineapple Rum, Antica Formula) and Artichoke Sour (Bombay Gin, Artichoke Amaro, Topinambur, Lemon and Sugar) – bar snacks including fried chicken, crème fraîche and caviar will also be available.

Shining a spotlight on France and Lebanon’s historic ‘brotherly’ relationship, TOUM blends the classic French dish of ‘Rotisserie Chicken’ with all the exciting flavours and warmth
of Lebanon’s Mediterranean shores to deliver a refreshingly unique restaurant. A place to enjoy great food in stylish surroundings, TOUM is befitting of its Mayfair address.