STREET BEIRUT
by Vivian Holding
Finding simple and delicious Lebanese food just got easier with the opening of new restaurant Street Beirut.
This modern, bright, light and airy restaurant located in Plainpalais is the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere in what feels like a real street cafe in the funky part of the Lebanese capital, whilst enjoying a reasonably priced lunch or dinner.
REASONABLY PRICED
With Lebanese sandwiches starting at only 8CHF, salads from 12-14CHF or something more filling around the 17-27CHF mark, the food is really affordable for Geneva. Add to that their non-stop flexible opening hours (perfect for late lunchers, early evening diners and even very late in the evening diners) and a menu that caters equally for vegetarians and meat-eaters – I’m sure you’ll love this little piece of Beirut too.
We visited Street Beirut just after their official opening and were instantly impressed with how bright and fresh their restaurant looks, helped by the sunlight that streams in through their glass fronted restaurant.
Tables of different heights, stylish multi-coloured Eames style chairs, open kitchen, cool and funky looking murals and beautifully designed tablemats which double as menus, create a hip and stylish look.
Arriving just after their opening time, we received a warm welcome which was very much appreciated seeing as the weather outside was glacial. We were sat at one of their higher tables – the perfect position for people watching we thought. The restaurant quickly filled and the ambiance changed as the tables filled with hungry customers.
DECISIONS, DECISIONS ….
On the menu is a great selection of wraps, salads and main platters, the drink menu is short with Lebanese wine on offer, as well as the infamous mint tea – we opted for a couple of soft drinks.
Undecided between the halloumi salad (grilled halloumi, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, mint and pomegranate molasses at 14CHF) or falafels (broad bean and chickpea falafels, tomatoes, onions, parsley and sauce taratore – a sauce traditionally served with falafels made with a base of tahiné made from sesame seeds at 8.50CHF). We finally settled on their Shish Taouk – 2 chicken kebabs marinated with lemon and spices with a garlic sauce (served in a flat bread with salad, houmous, moutabal (a smoky aubergine puree) and cornichons at 19CHF and their Assiette Végétarienne – 7 different types of falafel, warak enab, rkak jebné & moussaka at 18CHF.
Our order arrived quickly and was beautifully presented – incredibly fresh looking, tasty and very filling.
Sadly there was no room for dessert – although I could easily have been tempted by their baklava. Next time I’m sure.
QUALITY OF FOOD: 10/10
AMBIANCE: 10/10
SERVICE: 10/10
PRICING: 10/10
WHERE: 2 avenue du Mail, Plainpalais, 1205 Genève.
OPENING HOURS: Monday-Thursday 11.45am-11pm (non-stop) Friday & Saturday 11.45am-11.30pm (non-stop), Closed on Sundays (for the moment, although there are future plans to open on Sundays too).
FURTHER INFO: Click here for website. Click here for their Facebook page.