Beirutista

They say sometimes the best things in life are right under your nose. You’re just too busy looking up at the clouds to take notice. What can I say, living on the 8 th floor naturally promotes head-in-the-sky syndrome! Jokes aside, I discovered a gem of an eatery right around the block from where we live. After stumbling upon Les Chanterelles , I was content that at least a first-rate pastry destination was a stone’s throw from home. But now, a diner, too? The stars were really starting to line up in my (foodie) favor, I thought. I’d heard of Sandwiched long ago. In fact, my husband and I were among the inaugural delivery customers of the eatery some seven years past, when we pored over the menu tucked inside the door of my father-in-law’s Zalka office. I distinctly remember “The Mighty,” two thick slices of pan-grilled sliced bread sandwiching barbecue chicken breast, barbecue bacon, deli turkey, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, melted Swiss, and sweet, bold BBQ sauce...

The last time we traveled was nearly a year ago, when we returned to Beirut after Stephen’s birth in California. Now that he’s a year old, we felt it appropriate to make a quick family getaway to a nearby country. Turkey immediately came to mind, as neither I nor my husband had ever visited. Indeed, Istanbul is about an hour and a half plane ride from Beirut, and it is a popular destination for Lebanese because no visa is required. We booked a four-night stay in the capital, divided between Karaköy, close to the historic district, and Taksim, just a stone’s throw from Istiklal Caddesi. I’d only entertained a few fleeting perceptions of Istanbul before arriving, but few proved to be accurate. Yes, the Turks are rather sly and expedient, much like the Lebanese. For example, as we exited the airport and scanned the sidewalk for taxis, a porter quickly darted to our side, and once he’d tucked us in to a cab, he demanded a fee. Then, our taxi driver pretended to know exactly where...

What does it mean to be an American? What are some of the ideals cherished by the so-called Land of Opportunity? Let’s rewind a bit, 242 years to be exact. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was ratified by the forefathers of the United States of America, proclaiming that “all men are created equal” and that they are endowed with inalienable rights among which are “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” These premises form the basis of the American dream, the profound belief that everyone has the opportunity to prosper and succeed, regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. Every year on July 4 th , Americans celebrate Independence Day and more importantly a moral standard to which the United States should strive. This year will be no exception (even if POTUS’ questionable policies are in blatant contempt of the American dream. The system will eventually correct itself, right?!) In happy tribute to America’s most reverenced holiday, Wesley’s ...

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’...