Beirut's Feast at Rue Du Liban

Allow Chef Chadi, here from Beirut, to pamper your tastebuds this Bakri Eid. Head straight for Rue du Liban at Kala Ghoda for a nice light, yet fulfilling meal. The chef has specially crafted a menu for Eid and it seems just perfectly balanced for one to choose from Hommos, Grills, Bakery, Mains and Desserts.

For starters the Mushroom Hommos works just fine. Topped with roasted mushrooms, parsley, pine nuts and dukka spices, the creaminess, emulsified with top quality extra virgin olive oil gets you going. Follow it up with Halabi Kebab, made from delicately-spiced lamb mince with bits of pistachio and then go on to select something from the Bakery, which to be honest is what finds favour with UpperCrust. Select from an array of Lebanese flatbread with assorted toppings; something is bound to suit your mood. There is minced mushroom with pomegranate and the ubiquitous pine nuts, not that we are complaining – we are nuts about this nut. There is also the halloumi topping, marinated chicken with mozzarella and minced lamb sausages with emmental and mozzarella for cheese lovers.

There is lamb shank and fish for the main course, but please, please, order Arnabit Bel Fern. It’s a whole cauliflower that comes to your table decorated like a bride, resplendent with red rose petals and pomegranate seeds scattered atop. It’s silken! Never would have thought a veggie as ordinary could be transformed so. Guess it’s a Chef Chadi Special.

He tells us how he does it. But before that he tells us how to pronounce his Lebanese name, Chadi. He says. “Mujhe ‘Shaadi' karna Hai!” Theek hai, we shall look out for an Indian bride for you! Provided you don’t already have one back home!

As for the cauliflower. It’s steamed, baked and then roasted, just slightly singed on wood fire. Then it is topped with butter, yoghurt tahini, pickled walnut salsa and then dressed up with rose petals and pomegranate and lovingly laid on your table. Remember it’s not a sweet little ‘gobi ka phool’. Comes kingsize, enough to feed four!
Eid Mubarak, with love from Rue du Liban.