I must have led a sheltered life. I can’t believe I’ve reached my age and never witnessed belly dancing. I can’t believe no-one has invited me before.

So, it was with absolutely no pre-conceptions that I set off to Comptoir Libanais for what I hoped would be a fun-packed evening.

Now, I realise belly dancing will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I have to tell you every single person who chose to be at Bluewater on this particular Sunday evening ended up have a great time.

It was my first visit to Comptoir Libanais, but Lebanese food has always been one of my firm favourites, so I had high hopes for the evening.

The welcome could not have been warmer and you could immediately sense the anticipation in the air as the diners waited for the dancers to arrive.

When it opened its doors about a year ago, the restaurant in Bluewater was the first one opened by the company outside London and it represented a new venture. But they needn’t have worried, the people of Kent have taken to this traditional Lebanese canteen in a big way.

Our host Paul Hanna has worked at a number of the company’s restaurants in the capital and has organised many such dance nights. However, even he had to admit to being a little nervous at introducing belly dancing to Bluewater.

He said: “It won’t be for everyone, but judging by the reaction tonight it’s gone really well.

“We advertised it carefully and would probably only run the dancing once a month, but so far the response has been great”.

I, for one, have to say I enjoyed everything about the experience and think the dancing adds to the cultural experience of the evening.

The food was superb and I can personally recommend both the halloumi salad and fattet lamb kofta. And, I even allowed my eyes to rule my head when it came to dessert. The selection of baklawa (Lebanese pastries) proved just too tempting and proved to be the perfect conclusion to the meal.

I have no hesitation in recommending that you try Comptoir Libanais at the earliest opportunity. If you can visit while the belly dancing is on then I’m sure it will only improve the experience.

Comptoir Libanais Bluewater, Lower level, Thames Walk, Kent DA9 9SJ. Call 020 7657 1960