If you’re like me waiting for Fuddruckers to finally open its doors in Dbayeh, then the wait is almost over. I just saw their latest announcements on facebook claiming the grand opening is going to take place on August 26th!
Too bad for me it’s going to be Ramadan and I usually avoid heavy meals on Iftar, so I won’t be trying it out until Eid comes.
I wonder what will happen now to all these places that are mainly popular for their shisha, like Sanyour for example, when the law is put into effect.
But then again, this law might end up just like any other law that never gets implemented as it should, or probably gets implemented for a short period of time before the police starts to ignore violators. Let’s wait and see.
I finally got to try the burger joint everyone has been buzzing about for a while now, “Burger Nation” located at end of Hamra street.
The menu is very straight forwards and offers either their selections of burgers or do-it-yourself, and while explaining about the burgers you can’t but notice how much the waiters emphasize on the fact that their patty is made of grass-fed Angus beef that’s imported from Australia.
Farah and I shared two burgers, the Nation’s Pride and the Swiss & Mushroom both 4oz and medium well, and I have to admit the patty is among the best in town, I mean you can easily feel the difference between others and what Burger Nation offers.
However, the sauces and toppings definitely need an enhancement, at least for the Nation’s Pride. With that holy beef patty, I was expecting a much better taste. And don’t get me wrong here, I’m not saying it tasted bad, actually I’m planning to go there again to try their 6oz burgers, but I’m pretty sure BN can do better with the toppings.
Would I recommend you to go there? Yes, and do try their belgian fries.
Nadine Labaki’s second movie “W halla’ lawein?” (Where do we go now?) is set to be released next month. You can watch a short preview of it and an interview with Nadine at BBC News.
The director-actor says she drew inspiration for the film, her second, from the events of May 2008 when violence in the streets gave rise to fears of a possible civil war.
The women of the movie are driven to consider all kinds of measures to try to stop the men in their lives picking up a weapon and joining the violence.
I like her first movie Caramel back in 2007, and I guess I’ll be watching this one as well.
I just came across a great website called “The Fouad Debbas Collection” featuring thousands of old photos and postcards from Lebanon and the region collected by the late Fouad Debbas, who according to the website used to run the lighting business of Debbas family.
The collection is really amazing and well organized, you can browse it by country, era, period of time, photographer, and even by photo orientation. I’ve seen some old collections before, but this one is unique.
Lebanon finally got itself a real online shopping website! Mizalla.com
Mizalla, who launched their service just today, are promising to be an online mall where business owners can setup their virtual store to sell their goods online (check their “Businesses” page), which means the range of available items (mainly electronics) is expected to expand.
I’m still not sure how do their prices compare to the market but I’ll make sure to let you know about it. Meanwhile do check their website, it’s really worth a shot.
Update:
I compared prices between Mizalla and Khoury Home, and they were both selling TV’s and surround systems at the same price.
However, you can get some computer accessories like external hard drives and SD card for a cheaper price at PCandParts.com. For example a Seagate 1TB external hard drive is selling for $132 at Mizalla, while it sells for $112.2 at PC and Parts ($102+vat).
Still when it came to digital cameras, PC and Parts turned to be a bit more expensive.
So prices are very close to what’s available in the market.
Update 2:
It’s better to buy SD memory cards from PC and Parts. 16GB cards class 4 are priced at $41.8 from PC and Parts while class 2 16GB cards are priced at $37.5 from Mizalla. Note that class 4 cards are twice as fast as class 2.
I’ll stop the comparisons as I guess you now have an idea.
I just saw this post on Facebook about the possibility of demolishing Beirut City Center (also known as “the egg”) over the next few coming days.
“The egg” was designed by Philippe Karam in 1965 and served as a cinema for a short time before the eruption of civil war in Beirut. For some reason it survived the demolition works during Beirut’s central district reconstruction in the 90’s and remained standing until some artists started using it in the last few years to exhibit their work inside it. And now, rumors has it that it will demolished very soon.
I’m not sure I’ll be sad to see it going, though if it were to me I would have renovated it instead, but I’m certain it will feel awkward to pass by the martyr’s square and not see the egg laying there at the end of the street.
Thank you @SeenKaf
Update:
Solidere denied any plans to demolish the egg anytime soon. They even claimed they’re against the demolition and that the dome will be integrated in the new design.
I stumbled upon this article in The Daily Star this morning about wine tasting in Lebanon mentioning companies that organize tours to wineries in the Bekaa valley and the north, in addition to the most famous wineries to visit.
A visit to one of these places will definitely offer something different and more cost-effective than the overrated night life experience and overpriced beaches in Lebanon for both locals and tourists.
Where to go:
Chateau Ksara
Open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours and tasting sessions are available without an appointment, although it is recommended to call in advance. Appointments can also be made for tours of the wine-making process. Contact: +961-1-200-715
Website: www.chateauksara.com.lbChateau Massaya
For vintage aficionados, Massaya offers tasting of library wines no longer available on the market, for which calling ahead is preferred. Open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the summer months. Opening hours are shorter during the winter. Contact: +961-8- 510-135
Website: www.massaya.comChateau Kefraya
A visit to Chateau Kefraya’s 430-hectare grounds incorporates the winery’s Treasures Room, which includes wines dating back to the chateau’s late ’70s beginnings. Guided visits are available every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact: +961-8-645-333
Website: www.chateaukefraya.com/Chateau Musar
Lebanon’s most-loved wine export, Chateau Musar is created in the cellar of a 17th century castle in Ghazir, Mount Lebanon. Tasting sessions and tours can be arranged by appointment. Contact: +961-9-925-056
Website: www.chateaumusar.com.lb
Photo via CD Traveller.
This is a shame.
An 800-year old olive tree has been planted in a residential and business project in Abu Dhabi, the developers said in a statement Monday .
The olive tree, originating from Lebanon’s Mediterranean coast, has been planted at Rawdhat, located beside the Old Airport Road , overlooking the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Reem Developers said.
You definitely can’t blame the developers, they can afford anything if they have the money for it. But who the hell approved exporting this tree from Lebanon? It isn’t like we have an excess number of these!
Via @samiaonthemove
Is that enough explanation for the lack of posts on +961?
I actually got married on July 1st and I’m currently spending some time (AKA honeymoon) at probably one of the best places on earth. Phuket, Thailand.
See you in a while! 🙂
