Going out for Lebanese food for the first time- need suggestions

I've been invited to a birthday party at a BYO Lebanese place this Friday and don't know the first thing about the food.  I've started bring to read the menu but don't have the slightest idea what to expect.  I'm sort of a plain jane type when it comes to food.  I don't mind a little spice but nothing too exotic.  I'm not into Indian type food at all, can sort of do Mexican, Thai and Chinese if I have to.  Any suggestions would be great!!!  Or at least a starting place

mmm, I like Lebanese food.

Do you have a link to the menu?

You could do something really simple like hummus and perhaps order a few hot or cold mezes for your meal or for sharing (like tapas style). Tabbouleh is like a crushed wheat salad that is very simple. Halloumi is a rubbery salty cheese (like a hard feta but served warm in slices). Falafel or a hot pastry filled with feta cheese. 

There are lots of ground meats in sausage shapes usually off of the grill part of the menu. Herbed usually but can be spicy. Chicken, lamb, fish, beef.

Yummy.

Enjoy!

Is it JasJasJas? Thats my favorite Lebanese place. I like Kibbeh, its a dish with mince and pine nuts. Ask them whats the most popular, thats always a good bet!

Okay, be prepared for a treat! I absolutely love Lebanese food and have converted the boy to it

Lebanese is not really that spicy, most things are flavourful but not spicy. Saffron is used often.
If you're a plain kind of person, you can get grilled chicken kebabs with rice, which is pretty plain but should be very moist with nice flavour. PRetty much anything from their charcoal grill menu would suit you.

So if we take one I go to sometimes - http://www.alwaharestaurant.com/menus.htm

Things that are quite plain -
Hoummous - a chickpea dip made with tahini (roasted sesame paste) and olive oil.
Shish Taouk   
Boneless chicken, marinated in garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and grilled on skewers.
Lahem Meshwi   is a grilled lamb kebab if you like lamb    Tender lamb cubes grilled on skewers with tomatoes and onions.

 Sambousek with Cheese -- 1 pastry stuffed with cheese - Yum, like a little cheese pasty
Falafel -- ground chick peas, broad beans - little fried balls of chick peas, mmmm

I love Lebanese!! My favorites: meat pies, lentil soup, fattoush salad, fried kibbee balls, and falafel sandwich!

Thanks for the reassurance!! It's Aladdin Resturant in Manchester.  They have a webpage but it doesn't seem to be working for me at the moment.

Thanks for the descriptions- The chicken kebob with rice would probably be just my style.  If anyone else has any suggestions please share.

It is  BYO so that should make things taste better too:)

Mmmmmm.  One of my favourites - baba ganoush!

I really like labneh (or lebni or laban, however they might decide to refer to it). It's technically a yoghurt but is usually the consistency of cream cheese. It's often used as a dip or spread for pita, usually rolled in mild herbs or spices and is sometimes served with some olive oil and maybe onions. It's divine! I haven't had it in years but now I need to seek it out! 

I really like labneh (or lebni or laban, however they might decide to refer to it). It's technically a yoghurt but is usually the consistency of cream cheese. It's often used as a dip or spread for pita, usually rolled in mild herbs or spices and is sometimes served with some olive oil and maybe onions. It's divine! I haven't had it in years but now I need to seek it out! 

I suggest Evelyn's in New Brunswick if you're looking for Lebanese food.

To the OP, I'd look for some sort of combination plate, with pita and hummus and babba ganoush, some salad, maybe grape leaves, something like that, to give you an assortment of things to try. If you don't like one thing, you won't starve.

I really like labneh (or lebni or laban, however they might decide to refer to it). It's technically a yoghurt but is usually the consistency of cream cheese. It's often used as a dip or spread for pita, usually rolled in mild herbs or spices and is sometimes served with some olive oil and maybe onions. It's divine! I haven't had it in years but now I need to seek it out! 

I make Labneh at home all the time, put a pot of greek yogurt into a one cup coffee filter and leave it overnight, sometimes I put a can on top of it for extra weight. Its great rolled into balls with olive oil and garlic, or on a yufka or with some pickles. Yum!

I make Labneh at home all the time, put a pot of greek yogurt into a one cup coffee filter and leave it overnight, sometimes I put a can on top of it for extra weight. Its great rolled into balls with olive oil and garlic, or on a yufka or with some pickles. Yum!

Oooh! I'm going to need to do this! Thanks for the tip.