Ten Good Things in Lebanon
(Dieters Beware: Drink and Food Figure Prominently)
I thought to myself the other day: almost everyone knows about all the bad things in Lebanon, but few people think of focusing on the few good things about this country and there is plenty to be thankful for in a country beset with troubles and tragedy. Below are my top ten good things in Lebanon this season:
Spring in Lebanon, warm bordering on hot one moment then a cool to cold breeze blows the next building in to a fierce gust. There is nothing like the sight of those yellow wild flowers blooming everywhere, they make you feel like stopping your car on the side of the road just to enjoy the view.
The thawing snow and all the springs.
Easter in Lebanon, enough said.
Gardens and gardening are a real joy especially in spring when everything blooms.
Getting lost on the many winding mountain roads of Lebanon and discovering a small quaint village where people young and old wave to you as if you are a long lost relative.
Lebanese wine, all wine, from the big names to the small boutique wineries are a good thing. One of the finer and lesser known of these wineries is in Jezzine in the South, Karam Winery. Their Cloud Nine white wine is as sublime a creation as anything the big boys can bring to market. Yet despite its modest price, few if any of the big supermarket chains stock it. Only the better specialty wine shops and established delis would have it. But snap it up while you can, only 21,000 bottles left according to the winery’s website.
Le Grey’s ground level restaurant/coffee shop is one of the better places to eat out in the down town where, not only is the food superb and the service truly courteous, but it is also a place where you can actually hear yourself think. On weekends it’s busy, which is to be expected of a brand new hotel on the corner of Martyr’s Square and 'Obscenely Rich Avenue', but it’s not so busy that it’s overly uncomfortable and claustrophobic. Here is a place where high quality ingredients meet world class excellence in preparation, imagination and presentation. I recommend the Salmon main course and the Fish and Chips, not so much the burger though, I’ve had better, but its not a burger joint so spoil yourselves, and don’t just get a salad, put your diet on hold for one day.
Speaking of burger joints, Classic Burger in Sodeco or the one in Jal el Dib is the only place to go as far as I’m concerned to have a really good burger, I mean good in every way, the meat, the way its cooked, the fries, the buns, everything. I was introduced to proprietor Donald Batal by a British journalist friend of mine who made the discovery when he was researching burger joints in Beirut for an article on burger joints of all things.
Café M, Mozzarella Bar, whatever that means, one of the newest cafes to open in the South Souks just opposite the old L’Orient building. The staff seemed a bit rusty, but they are competent and courteous. I had the Roast Beef Panini with horseradish and caramelized onions that and it was superb, the presentation simple and neat.
Brisk, an organic health food restaurant along Hamra Street: Very neat and quiet indoors, mostly self service, although they do have a selection of hot dishes served at your table, but what is very convenient for the busy worker bees who want something healthy and light to munch on is Brisk’s selection of ready made salads and baguettes. I recommend the smoked salmon baguette with red pepper corns and cream cheese, and the buckwheat salad with grapes, cranberries and rocket, but get it with the balsamic dressing. They also have a selection of homemade granola bars and healthy deserts.
I thought to myself the other day: almost everyone knows about all the bad things in Lebanon, but few people think of focusing on the few good things about this country and there is plenty to be thankful for in a country beset with troubles and tragedy. Below are my top ten good things in Lebanon this season:
Spring in Lebanon, warm bordering on hot one moment then a cool to cold breeze blows the next building in to a fierce gust. There is nothing like the sight of those yellow wild flowers blooming everywhere, they make you feel like stopping your car on the side of the road just to enjoy the view.
The thawing snow and all the springs.
Easter in Lebanon, enough said.
Gardens and gardening are a real joy especially in spring when everything blooms.
Getting lost on the many winding mountain roads of Lebanon and discovering a small quaint village where people young and old wave to you as if you are a long lost relative.
Lebanese wine, all wine, from the big names to the small boutique wineries are a good thing. One of the finer and lesser known of these wineries is in Jezzine in the South, Karam Winery. Their Cloud Nine white wine is as sublime a creation as anything the big boys can bring to market. Yet despite its modest price, few if any of the big supermarket chains stock it. Only the better specialty wine shops and established delis would have it. But snap it up while you can, only 21,000 bottles left according to the winery’s website.
Le Grey’s ground level restaurant/coffee shop is one of the better places to eat out in the down town where, not only is the food superb and the service truly courteous, but it is also a place where you can actually hear yourself think. On weekends it’s busy, which is to be expected of a brand new hotel on the corner of Martyr’s Square and 'Obscenely Rich Avenue', but it’s not so busy that it’s overly uncomfortable and claustrophobic. Here is a place where high quality ingredients meet world class excellence in preparation, imagination and presentation. I recommend the Salmon main course and the Fish and Chips, not so much the burger though, I’ve had better, but its not a burger joint so spoil yourselves, and don’t just get a salad, put your diet on hold for one day.
Speaking of burger joints, Classic Burger in Sodeco or the one in Jal el Dib is the only place to go as far as I’m concerned to have a really good burger, I mean good in every way, the meat, the way its cooked, the fries, the buns, everything. I was introduced to proprietor Donald Batal by a British journalist friend of mine who made the discovery when he was researching burger joints in Beirut for an article on burger joints of all things.
Café M, Mozzarella Bar, whatever that means, one of the newest cafes to open in the South Souks just opposite the old L’Orient building. The staff seemed a bit rusty, but they are competent and courteous. I had the Roast Beef Panini with horseradish and caramelized onions that and it was superb, the presentation simple and neat.
Brisk, an organic health food restaurant along Hamra Street: Very neat and quiet indoors, mostly self service, although they do have a selection of hot dishes served at your table, but what is very convenient for the busy worker bees who want something healthy and light to munch on is Brisk’s selection of ready made salads and baguettes. I recommend the smoked salmon baguette with red pepper corns and cream cheese, and the buckwheat salad with grapes, cranberries and rocket, but get it with the balsamic dressing. They also have a selection of homemade granola bars and healthy deserts.
good work
ReplyDeleteive been there lebanon is a good contry!!!