20 questions with restaurateur Tony Kitous
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
I was told in life: “The harder you work, the luckier you get”.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Always believe in what you do. Never give up.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Who am I to judge who or what is unacceptable?
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Being that little boy selling sandwiches and lemonades in the streets in my home town Tizi Ouzou in Algeria.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
My childhood.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
Sh*t happens.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Trust me”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I am a huge fan of people that support charity. I am currently raising money for MacMillan Cancer Support. Support me by clicking here.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
I can’t live without my Blackberry and iPhone.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Alex Ferguson, Zinedine Zidane, Princess Diana and Alan Sugar.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
A chicken shawarma and fattoush salad with a glass of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
If I was a drinker, I would drink at any time just like George or Paul.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A pot of mint tea.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
My own parties because I am surrounded by my closest friends.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My mother.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Peanut butter ice cream topped with extra peanut butter.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
A pussy cat.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
Definitely a Smart car.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
My mum introduced me to a girl without her knowing that the girl was my ex-girlfriend.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A peacock and my two shishas.
Tony Kitous is a London based restaurateur. His restaurants number Levant, Kenza, Shawa and Comptoir Libanais (Soho, South Kensington, Westfield London, Westfield Stratford and Wigmore Street). He is opening four more restaurants in the coming weeks and also published his first Comptoir Libanais cookery book in September this year.
Follow him on Twitter @TonyKitous.
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More achievers like this please Matthew. I tried his Westfield restaurant and thought it great value (though I hate that shopping mall and will never return). I will try the new ones he’s opening for sure.
I like his approach to life.
I ‘ve tried Comptoir Libanais in South Ken several times and it’s so delicious!! Congrats to the Chef yam yam 😉