June 18, 2014 Badaro Beirut Lebanon Middle East

KissProof: One of Badaro's Hip Places
Non-smokers friendly

Phone Number: +961 1 382 992

Address: Badaro Main Street, Beirut, Lebanon

Website:

Price Range: 20-30 $

RATING:79/100

Welcoming: 4/5

Food Temperature: 9/10

Ambiance / Music: 9/10

Menu Choice: 4/5

Food Taste: 27/30

Architecture / Interior: 9/10

Food presentation: 9/10

Service: 8/10

Value for money: Soon

Everyone is talking about Badaro - a new district in Beirut that's booming with new restaurants and pubs. One such place that's getting some buzz around town is Kissproof, a casual and laid back bar and café. One of my Instagram followers, Toubia, with whom I share the same passion for food, recommended I go down to Badaro to check it out...
 
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Kissproof is located at the end of the Badaro street, facing the Mobil petrol station. There are no signs, but something led me there. I entered to discover a metallic signboard over the DJ booth that doesn't appear while driving along the street.

This cool place serves brunch on weekends and lunch and dinner during the week. A modern and cozy space that's full of positive vibes. A great place to enjoy an afternoon in the sun, I loved the spirit.

The place in few lines:
  • Outside is a metallic pergola covering a bunch of red tables with white metallic chairs
  • A white wooden facade with glass openings separates the inner space from the elements of nature all by letting in just the right amount of light
  • Inside are square wooden tables surrounded by black chairs
  • The long bar welcomes you, it’s located next to a staircase where the bottles and pickles are stored
  • Look up, the ceiling is high, white and arcade in shape. Looks clean and modern
  • The right wall is covered with a long leather bench
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Understanding the concept:

  • Kissproof has three menus: One for lunch on weekdays, one for dinner and a third for weekend brunches
  • Kissproof closes on Monday
  • Kissproof has more than 10 kinds of beers, including three Lebanese ones
  • Known for their homemade and innovative pickles, this is something not to miss

Lunch, or brunch as they call it, on weekends started with a selection of pickles. The place is known for its pickles as the waitress said, so we had the zucchini sliced in thin layers which really brought forward the taste with a balanced acidic flavor married with a slight sweetness. Turmeric and mustard grains mixed in the jar add hints of aromatic flavors. The cucumbers are stronger and more intense in taste and their crunch was accented by the tickling effect of the vinegar. I liked them.

We ordered three sandwiches and waited...
  •  BLT Sandwich: Served with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onions, dill pickles and mayo on toasted sourdough. Beautiful looking, the sandwich makes your mouth water. A fresh crunch of the two thin toasted layers of bread, fresh vegetables, a tasty mayonnaise... of course after removing the onions. Until you reach the bacon: The hard bacon that breaks when you bite it was a overcooked. I loved how the bread is toasted, the freshness of the salad, the melting cheese and the green sparkling salad.
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  • The Monte Cristo Sandwich: Originally, the Monte Cristo is a fried ham and cheese sandwich, a variation of the French croque-monsieurThis sandwich, which looks like a pain perdu, is a mix of sweet and savory at the same time. In a copper casserole, is served with a square piece of bread, three layers, with a heart of cheese and ham and topped with rocket leaves while a strawberry on top acts as a decorative item. Joining together a pain perdu with ham and cheese is new to the country. I loved it: starting with a savory flavor and following with sugar, which continues while you lick your lips. The ham on the other hand is way too thick: two layers of thick ham that crunch unpleasantly. A fine creation of tender and moist ingredients that melt under your teeth like butter while something hard and too thick breaks the flow. One layer is enough. As for the strawberry, it would have been nice if the tail was cleaned
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  • The Egg Sandwich: Awesome! Two slices of bread, crispy but not too toasted and a thick layer of moist scrambled eggs. And with that comes a layer of mashed avocado on the lower bread, some chipotle sauce on the upper one, tomato slices and fresh lettuce. Tasty to say the least
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  • The sandwiches are served with a salad on the side. A green salad mixed with watermelon seeds. Yum!

Kissproof is one of those places that will make you want to visit Badaro. I loved the spirit and loved the effort put into creating every sandwich. It was an enjoyable lunch and I am sure dinner experience will be just as vibrant. I sure hope they stick to their no valet policy while Badaro becomes more crowded.




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