Lebanon

Lebanon is one of a trio of Lebanese delicatessens on Kingsway, which offers to meet ‘all of your Arabic household needs’. Their focus on the Lebanese/​Arab niche also makes this a worthwhile destination for the serious foodie, both for the range of unique goods and also the strong Arab cultural vibe to welcome and inspire you.
When I visited, it was staffed by a timid, veiled Arab girl, for whom my Scottish accent and loud personality were just too much! No problem, this gave me a chance of some banter with the whiskery main man, who came out from behind his halal butcher’s counter where he had been busy spicing meats.
I walked out with a dozen items — saffron, za’atar, rosepetal jam, date syrup, dolmades. Here you have not one, but half a dozen choices of each of za’atar, tahini, dolmades, vine leaves, floral waters. A can of dolmades is a easy way to add another mezze to your Arab feast. Many of the other items combine to provide a whole palette of mild but interesting flavours unique to the region, which I would recommend as having a broad appeal to most palates. They stock the widely-​available El-​Ammar khoubz wraps, which seems to be the biggest Arab bakery in Manchester, and very fresh bread too since they are local.
I had already planned on lunch in Rusholme, but as it was getting late I decided to have dessert in advance — a takeaway selection of Lebanese date rolls, coconut slice and others, all very nourishing and energising when eaten in moderation whilst waiting at the bus stop!
It is less of a trek than you might think to get out there, easily reached on the frequent 50 bus service from Parrs Wood, itself easily accessible from the Oxford Road corridor. Other than these Lebanese delis, I’m not sure that Burnage is much of a destination although I have an idea there are some OK restaurants — message me if you can recommend any! However, for Lebanese restaurants and takeaways, Rusholme is the main concentration.