April 24, 2018 Antelias Mount Lebanon Lebanon Middle East

Mains et Fleurs Antelias: A Restaurant, Bar and Lounge. Tasty Food and Great Drinks (Restaurant Closed)

RATING:92/100

Welcoming: 5/5

Food Temperature: 9/10

Ambiance / Music: 9/10

Menu Choice: 5/5

Food Taste: 28/30

Architecture / Interior: 9/10

Food presentation: 9/10

Service: 9/10

Value for money: 9/10

Inspired by Picasso’s famous drawing “Mains et Fleurs”, a new concept has opened its doors on Antelias’ internal road. A restaurant, a bar, a cigar lounge, a private dining space and balcony, the concept has something for everyone and a wide selection of serious food! Delicious fusion ideas prepared with love as well as an outstanding choice of drinks created by one of the country’s best bar-chefs.

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It’s a “Fun dining place” like the owner likes to name it. Decorated with the finest materials imported from Europe, “Mains et Fleurs” proposes the style of a cigar lounge, the class of a fine-dining restaurant and the simplicity of a television dinner at home. I personally chose to sit outside.

On the menu, -for the first time ever-, choose from several cuisines displayed like a chart. Food from different countries, the restaurant’s menu can truly be considered international; I loved the plates, the presentation, the cutlery and the glasses.

Mains et Fleurs has a bartender, Firas Youssef, dangerously professional, preparing drinks I’ve rarely tasted before. Pink velvet released on Mother’s Day; roses is the base, mastika (meskeh) and egg white. This drink is a tribute to the bartender’s grandma. The main ingredient is Gin. An amazing drink, then the Libertad followed.

Libertad, the signature drink: a new invention. Old fashion style; sugar, spirits, and bitters. Smoked sugar in a cigar box, aged rum, cognac, and whiskey. Orange and chocolate bitters. The drink is smoked in beechwood chips with chocolate garnish and star anise.

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Delicious food is served at this restaurant:

  • Fake Tabbouleh: never imagined eating chickpeas in a Tabbouleh. This special salad contains refreshing pomegranate, hard textured chickpeas and quinoa with parsley and tomato bathing in a strong lemony sauce. I loved the innovation and the flavors this salad offers.
  • Crispy calamari: thin and rounded calamari rings, deep fried and covered with a crunchy batter. Non-chewy calamari rings flavored with the homemade sauce made of apricot jam, honey, coriander, orange zest and red bell pepper. It’s not ready made.

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  • You have to try the chorizo rolls: a mix of chorizo and cheese, caramelized onions, halloumi cheese, and zucchini. Deep-fried and served with a side sauce. They’re crunchy and flaky at the same time, enjoyable and addictive.
  • The orzo mushroom is something between rice and risotto, a better combination of both. A long sized rice prepared aldente and topped with fresh mushrooms and sweet potatoes. It has the adequate creaminess and good taste.

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  • Grilled salmon with wild rice; it’s about a juicy salmon, aromatic wild rice and a sweet sauce combined all together to amaze. The taste of simple things combined together to impress.
  • The burger: a thick juicy patty served in a gourmet way. An open-faced burger with a thick meat patty on one side and a fresh green salad on the other bun. The burger plate has a handful of thick potato fries fingers ready to be dipped in ketchup and enjoyed. 

Fusion Desserts, prepared by the chef:

  • Cheesecake Halawat el Jeben; yes indeed, a crunchy layer of biscuits and a chewy heart of Halawa and Kashta feeling like a mastic.
  • Pain Gagné, a different version of the Pain Perdu.

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Different from your conventional restaurant, Mains et Fleurs is more of an experience combining good food and good service while listening to great music and drinking excellent mixes: I’ll surely be back with my family soon.

 




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