We’re no Arab cuisine specialists but lately we’ve been loving hummus or babaghanoush for starters, as well as aubergines or courgettes which are quite popular in Arab cuisine. Lately, a Lebanese restaurant Meza Beirut opened on ul. Ordynacka 13. We had our Friday’s lunch there and then visited the place once again for a late breakfast – early lunch on Saturday with friends.

 

At first sight, the place doesn’t look particularly interesting. The design reminds us of the years that have passed, reportedly the place inherited it from the previous owners and made just some small changes such as hanging pictures of Lebanon on the walls. On one of them we can see a snowy town and the owner tells us that Lebanon is a perfect skiing spot! Did you know that? 🙂

 

We browse the menu. The name ‘meza’ suggests plenty of starters, since that’s what Lebanese ‘meza’ or Greek ‘mezze’ means. Perfect since we love having table full of little plates and different meals to try. For cold starters we take hummus (PLN 14) and “baba ghanoushe” (PLN 16) – a grilled aubergine paste mixed with sesame paste and lemon juice. Hummus sounds quite interesting as well. It’s described as ‘popular in Beirut’ – mixed with Lebanese fermented goods, herbs and almonds, but in the end we go for a classic version. There are also plenty of aubergine and courgette meals, various types of Lebanese cream cheese with vegetables, garlic or mint. My love for aubergines makes me order msaaka (PLN 18) – baked aubergines served on a pillow made from chick peas and tomato sauce, decorated with fried garlic. I also like the fact that all of the dishes have original Lebanese names and at the same time, are thoroughly described in Polish.

 

msaaka, aubergines, LEbanese cuisine, Warsaw, Meza Beirut, meza

msaaka (18 zł)

baba ghanoush, LEbanese cuisine, aubergines, Meza Beirut, Warsaw

“baba ghanoushe” (PLN 16) – it may not look too good, but tastes perfect!!!

hummus, Arab cuisine, LEbanese cuisine, Warsaw, Meza Beirut

hummus – classic version – PLN 14

 

We like baba ghanoush the most. We put it on little pieces of pita bread and lick it to the last drop and order it again as soon as we enter Meza Beirut the next day (to be honest, I already want another plate!). Hummus is equally perfect, creamier than anywhere else we tried it and both us and our friends (who have eaten a lot of humus in their lives and even been to Beirut) love it. The aubergine is least appealing – tomato sauce is quite tasty but I guess I prefer chick peas served blended – here, this little balls in the sauce don’t work that well. he next day, we also go for rakakat cheese (PLN 14), filo pastry rolls with filled with two types of cheese – it’s small and crispy with the filling spiced up pleasantly (with mint, I think). We also enjoy some falafels (PLN 18) – fried balls made from blended chick peas and dried fava beans seasoned with Lebanese spices. Unfortunately we didn’t bring the camera with us on Saturday and didn’t shoot it, but believe me – these were superb! 🙂

 

What we managed to shoot is a hot meat snacks platter PLN 44 composed of traditional Lebanese ‘kebbe’ – little deep-fried meatballs, dumplings with beef and pine nuts and filo pastry triangles with ‘soujouk’ beef. Everything is delicious! I was afraid that it’s all going to be meaty and heavy but it turns out to be quite light – just for one bite. If you’re feeling really hungry, try some of the meat dishes and various meat skewers – plenty of those available on the menu. And for drinks – Lebanese tea with cardamom is a must! 🙂

 

Meza Beirut, Arab cuisine, LEbanese cuisine, Warsaw, Meza Beirut

Lebanese tea with cardamom

 

After starters, we decide to go for a dessert. We choose knefe (PLN 16) a Lebanese kind of cheesecake served hot with fragrant syrup and – taking the owner’s advice – a Lebanese favourite called esmaliyeh bil ashta (PLN 16) – layers of ‘esmaliyeh’ crispy pastry with Lebanese ‘ashta’ cream in between them, again served with sweet syrup.

 

knefe, LEbanese cuisine, Arab cuisine, meza beirut

“knefe” (PLN 16)

LEbanese cuisine, krem ashta, Arab cuisine, Meza Beirut, Warsaw

crispy pastry with ashta cream (PLN 16)

 

Lebanese cheesecake is warm, the cheese melts nicely but I guess I prefer Turkish kunefe. Even though the owner explains that Lebanese knefe and Turkish kunefe are two different things, it’s hard not to find a connection. Still, knefe is tasty and I would be happy to order it again. Esmaliyeh is our least favourite – the cream is really filling and even though the threads of crispy pastry taste really good, we are unable to finish the dessert. On the next day I try mafrouke – walnut paste filled with ashta cream. Tasty, sweet and nutty but I prefer knefe! 🙂 All desserts come with a sweet sauce with a distinct rose flavour – if you’re not into flowery aromas, be careful with i! 🙂

 

Meza Beirut is a good place for lunch (apart from the regular menu, they do lunch sets), for snacks, for a meeting with friends, or some chit-chat with your best friend. A place that will satisfy both meat eaters and hardcore herbivores. In the city centre, right next to ul. Nowy Świat with nice service and very friendly owners. Even though the interior design is not particularly interesting, the food works 100% in Meza Beirut. Lebanese cuisine still isn’t that popular in Poland so if you’re not planning on going to Beirut, try it on Ordynacka 🙂

 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:

Meza Beirut

ul. Ordynacka 13

tel. 22 692 75 55

opening hours:

Mon – Sun 11.00- 23.00

 

LEbanese cuisine, Warsaw, Meza Beirut, Arab cuisine

lunch with dessert for 2