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How amazing it is to start your day on positive notes. Fresh vibes with some jazz music playing in the background will guarantee a smile on your face. The famous Mandaloun cafe, nestled in Dbayeh's internal road is a restaurant I like.
I have been here like a dozen times already, two times for breakfast and others for lunch or dinner. I enjoyed their Sunday vibes, their sushi and some of their famous sandwiches. All worth trying.
I am back for their breakfast.
Before going into the details of the review I want to express my feelings about Al Mandaloun. I know that some of you find it expensive, others have had negative encounters, the waiters can be a bit rude sometimes and as for their sushi, the taste from one experience to another may vary. But there are a lot of good things about the place one can’t deny. Other than it’s amazing décor, Al Mandaloun is one of the few cafes in Lebanon that doesn’t serve the Arguile.
Inside this individual old house in the Dbayeh highway is a positive spirit which welcomes you as you open the restaurant's door. Rich earth materials under a high ceiling where stone, wood, metal and lights make it a perfect place for meetings or long relaxing get together. A bar, an open kitchen and the main buffet island serving breakfast and salads all day.
The restaurant is divided into four distinctive dining areas. The winter corner next to the chimney where red sofas welcome you in a warm ambiance; that's my favorite space. The main dining area and the glass facade facing the wall of clocks. The rectangular green tinted dining area and its round tables with a last one looking like a closed terrace next to the salad bar.
Breakfast is served on a daily basis, from 8am until 11am. A reasonably priced formula offering a large selection of continental items from the oriental and occidental regions.
At the buffet, you’ll find a generous choice of Bread, Ham, Cheese, Labneh, light Labneh, Olives, Cold Cuts, Croissants, Viennoiseries, Chocolat muffins, White muffins, Chocolat sticks, Raisin rolls, Cereals, Mini manakich, Mini cheese loaf, Nutella, Salami cheese sandwich, Turkey cheese sandwich, Labneh sandwich, Cheese crackers, Honey, Strawberry jam, Apricot jam, Cinnamon rolls, Cakes, Babybel cheese, butter, Vegetables, Goat cheese, Exotic fruits. Four different stations hosting bread on one, coffee and tea on the second, desserts on the third and cereals on the fourth all organized around the main island… and more and with that a choice of scrambled eggs or omelet at no additional cost.
Keep some space for dessert cause I've had today one of the best chocolate muffins in months. A chocolate muffin that's so fluffy, served warm with melting chocolate chips and a thinly flaky envelop. Their carrot cake is also recommended.
I believe that everything was good today. Fresh and tasty food for a reasonable price tag of LBP34,500.
Professional service, good food, wide choices, sooth music, relaxing sofas... What else would you need to start your day with a smile?
