The popular Beirut Grill on Bussorah Street has been serving up authentic Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine since 2009, with all of key spices and herbs also coming from the finest shops in Beirut. In addition to its charcoal grilled kebabs and mixed platters, other bestsellers include Daoud Basha ($28), a classic Lebanese dish featuring oven-baked lamb meatballs in a Middle-Eastern spiced tomato sauce, accompanied by Arabic rice and salad; the Manakish Za’atar ($12); and the Sizzling Kefalotyri Cheese with Caramelised Onion ($18), among others. Dessert must-haves such as Kunefe and the Baklava Platter are always great choices, but for something different, try the hot Oum Ali ($10) for a fresh cream pudding baked with raisins, nuts and crispy flakes, topped with honey and more nuts.
Beirut Grill also has an interesting selection of specially curated Lebanese wines, specifically from Bordeaux-inspired Château Musar, another one of Lebanon's most celebrated wineries that was founded in 1930 in the Beqaa Valley; and from Château Kefraya, the second biggest winery in the Beqaa Valley. Another must-try is the Château Musar Arack, made from grape alcohol with an average age of five years. It is distilled four times with the addition of anise seeds during the fourth distillation, and is then aged in terracotta amphoras for their signature liquorice aromas, before being bottled.
Written by Priyanka Elhence