Beirutista

Every time I find myself at Beirut International Airport, a torrent of feelings overtakes me. As locals, we constantly berate the country we live in, citing a hodgepodge of factors like traffic, pollution, economic stagnation, political backwardness, and the high cost of living. But as soon as we depart from this little nation of 10,452 square kilometers, we start longing for Fairuz’ enchanting music, for a mankouche at the corner bakery, for the beautiful vistas to be had from any mountain perch, for a sight of the glistening Mediterranean. Our country of savages transforms into our country of life-loving pleasure-seekers who are perhaps the world authorities on hospitality and warmth. Beirut - Rafic Hariri International Airport ( photo source: https://www.beirutairport.gov.lb/ ) On every trip to the US, which is where I’m headed today, I’m clouded with conflicting thoughts of “where is better?” I love that my destination of Southern California is sunny with blu...

Over the past five weeks, I’ve been participating in a unique campaign with Dunkin Donuts Lebanon . The aim is to capture and spotlight awesome customer service in action, which will eventually be rewarded with a prize trip to the most outstanding staff member. How do I fit in? Think of me, and nearly a dozen other social media stewards, as a mystery shopper. I have the opportunity to visit outlets at will, interact with DD personnel, and watch my order materialize. The upside, of course, is that I’ve gotten major exposure to the extensive menu at Dunkin Donuts, which, believe it or not, transcends America’s favorite pastry and the accompanying cup of Joe . You could literally waltz up to DD and have a picnic without ever coming near the donut (I dare you to!). There's a whole lot more to DD Lebanon than the standard donut and cup of coffee! Here’s a quick tour of what the menu has to offer, comprising mostly permanent items and a few perhaps seasonal – we’l...

When your date invites you to dinner and a show, the evening’s agenda is pretty clear: grab a bite somewhere, and then head to the movies to catch a flick. Slightly more glamorous plans would entail a Broadway show, perhaps an opera, or even a ballet. But that’s the general gist of it. Two concrete activities – chewing and viewing – taking place discretely and consecutively. You’d never imagine the two would be fused into one. VOX Cinemas at City Centre Beirut did the unimaginable: they took a perfectly great concept, VOX Gold, and gilded it with even more glitter and glitz.  Originally, you would have been more than content to curl up in the leather-upholstered reclining chair, outfitted with plush pillow and blanket upon request. The private lounge area and minimum age restriction ensure your séance will be smooth and serene. But a gourmet dining affair all while taking in the film? That’s like double prizes. The stylish lounge at VOX Gold (bar in left ba...

Nothing like a foiled plan to shake up your Saturday. I woke up animated and in good spirits on a weekend morning and decided a trim new hair look was long overdue. Ever since I acquired my own hair straightener in late 2012, visits to the salon have been reserved for special occasions and haircuts. I’m not particularly loyal to one coiffeur over the next, as convenience and proximity in my hectic work lifestyle are key. But for the past two haircuts, I’ve relied on one artist to wield the scissors. While admittedly more liberal with them than I prefer, he’s got vision. At least I thought he did. So last Saturday at approximately 9 AM, I picked up the phone and dialed Chad (whose name has been altered to protect his privacy). I asked whether he had any availability for a morning coupe, and after sensing a little hesitation, I put the ball in his court: “When’s the best time to come in today?” A few seconds later, after undoubtedly scanning his appointment book, Chad d...

Note to self: avoid visiting a restaurant in its opening weekend. The experience will likely be far from its best possible version, and your judgment will be confounded by unfavorable factors. Come back when the dust has settled and the restaurant can orchestrate the meal performance, not you! Such is what happened on my inaugural visit to La Petite Table in ABC Verdun. We were invited to try the bistro-like restaurant--not to be confused with La Petite Maison or La Table Fine--situated on the upper terrace of the mall, which only the evening before had witnessed its lavish unveiling. Friday night, and the restaurant was teeming with diners. Waiters and runners were scurrying to take and deliver orders, but they simply couldn’t keep pace. Not all dishes were available, nor could special requests be tended to. At one point, the scene looked like a flock of headless chickens running around in every which direction. We vowed to return on a calmer evening. And we did, the f...

I wasn’t planning on writing this piece. I generally shy away from personal announcements, from birthday parties to work anniversaries. We have Facebook and LinkedIn for that, right? But it's a special year, and I'll make an exception. This past July, Beirutista turned five. That is, in 2012, after months of reading and avidly exploring Lebanon’s blogosphere, from veterans like  Gino’s Blog, Plus 961, and Blog Baladi to then recently launched No Garlic No Onions , I was excited to make my own foray into the online writing world. There was a deluge of adventures I wished to document and divulge, as well a pressing desire to channel my creativity through the written word. And thus Beirutista was born. Like a barista, I aimed to serve – from tidbits about my adopted life in Lebanon to spotlights on food artisans and activists. At first, Beirutista took on a more philosophical slant, qualifying my recent settlement in my ancestral home and how I’d gotten there . I e...

If there’s anything I look forward to most in summer, apart from the longer days and beach-worthy weather, it’s barbecues. Firing up the grill, tossing a fresh green salad, sneaking in chips on every excursion to the kitchen, and saving room for watermelon and ice cream all combine to make the ultimate feasting and frolicking affair. As effortless as it seems, there are a number of key items that go into pulling off the perfect BBQ, and Wesley’s Wholesale is your trusted sous chef. Beyond food and drink, from spatulas for flipping burger patties to beach chairs for reclining in, you can find it all at your favorite American imports megastore. Summer means barbecues galore! ( image source ) Edibles When planning a barbecue, decide on a few meaty mains and then fill in the gaps. Spice up your meat with granulated garlic, coffee rub, Montreal steak seasoning, cayenne, or kosher salt. Off the grill, you’ll need condiments like ketchup, mustard, relish, mayo (they’...