Cherry on the Rooftop is a Mediterranean holiday destination in its own right. With 100 seats, both indoor and outdoor, this poolside ultralounge, which takes its name from a fabulous fruity painting that hangs at the entrance, is always bubbling with energy. It seems to draw in the spirit of the Mediterranean, which dominates the view-shed and is defined by cocktails, pitchers, fruit punches, sharing platters and early evening, DJ-led sounds on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Cherry on the Rooftop opened its doors last week to receive Beirut's elite clientele until the end of summer where a reddish ambiance making the place feel cozy. Normally, Cherry on the Rooftop is a place people go to, to enjoy some rooftop in a more chilled ambiance. We arrived at 9 where a calm musical background welcomed us to enjoy a great view on Beirut's skyline and seaport before the drinks started flowing one after the other. Lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, carrots and Lebanese lettuce were already distributed on all tables.
The menu choices:
- Crudités, grissini dips to share
- Fresh tomato, basil and Parmesan bruschetta
- Cobb salad, blue cheese, crispy bacon and avocado
- Rocket and Reggiano Parmesan salad, aged balsamic dressing
- Baby bagels with foie gras and fruits chutney
- Tuna tartare crostini
- Wild mushroom Arancini, Reggiano Parmesan
- Smoked salmon and cream cheese lollipops
- Chicken parcels with homos dip
- Mini beef burgers with homemade tomato jam
- Vemicelli coated shrimps with sweet chili mango dip
- Camembert bites with grain mustard aioli
- Cheese bites
- Sweet things
On the menu tonight:
- Foie gras on round bread: Tasty round baby bagels topped with a thin slice of foie gras and decorated with fig chutney adding this fine touch of delicatessen
- Salmon roll with cream cheese on a stick: They call them lollipops. Simple and neat
- Tomato bruschetta toast: Crunchy, fresh and tasty. I liked these
- Chicken spring rolls in a triangles: Acceptable yet lack taste
- Mini burgers: Yumm! These I loved and will surely come back to have them. Impressively well done. Juicy, soft and tender, these mini magical bites are great
- Round fried mushroom and cheese risotto: Euh... If I were you, I will definitely remove them from the menu
Drinks to accompany the delicious bites:
- Lychee Sangria (rose and red)
- Kefraya Blanc de Blanc wine
- Ixsir Altitude, red wine
- Passion Fruit Martini Cocktail
I couldn't help remembering the pleasant evenings spent last summer at Cherry on the Rooftop. There's a big change this year which was not up to my taste:
- The music was too loud and with a lot of beat. This place is "The" lounge we all search for to get away from the usual White's and Skybar's loud beats
- DJ: Ease your temper!
- It is dark. A bit more light would be great
Unacceptable in a five stars hotel:
- The welcoming platter of vegetables is way too cheap. Lebanese lettuces? Did we miss the Tabbouleh or what?
- The bread sticks that came with this platter are a simple disaster
What I love:
- Le Gray is my favorite hotel in Lebanon, I feel good when visiting
- The drinks proposed tonight are just perfect
- I'll come back for the burgers
- The view over Beirut's busiest roundabout eases all your stress
- Next to the blue pool, the evening is just great
This summer's program:
- Monday: Bubbly Heels (Ladies walking in with high heels will receive an automatic welcome drink, which will be either prosecco or a cocktail with champagne)
- Tuesday: Night of the Legends (Proposals: Madonna, Elvis, Sinatra, and could also go French: Aznavour, Piaff, etc…)
- Wednesday: French Tribute
- Thursday: R&B night
- Friday and Saturday: Weekend Hits
- Sunday: Chill out (cool loungy music)
I'm sure that this summer at Cherry on the Rooftop is going to be fun, taken that the small mistakes experienced at the opening will be handled professionally and fixed the sooner. Nevertheless, tonight's event was interesting and enjoyable. We drank, ate, danced and mingled all in a modern and summer soothing atmosphere.
