Tucked away deep in The Alleway, at the heart of Beirut’s Gemmayze district, Couqley is no secret. This little as-authentically-French-as-it-can-get little bistro is relentlessly jam-packed with hungry goers who know that this is one spot in town that will put your money where your mouth is, pun intended.

Picture this- all the cliché French dishes you’ve heard about or had on your trips to Paris, now make them available in one cozy spot with a seasoned Executive chef who’s completely hands on, a friendly and well-trained staff, and top it all off with an extensive wine list at retail price and you got yourself one of the most successful formulas in the business.

Yes, Couqley manages to bring out the gluttonous little monster in me because I really really have a hard time deciding what to go for, but if I must choose some favorites here they are:

I usually start things off by indulging myself in the bowl of goodness that is the French Onion Soup Gratinée, topped with a generous amount of melted thick cheese, a dose of comfort food at its best. You’ll start feeling warm and fuzzy all over as you wash it down with some wine and prepare yourself for the sins your about to bask in.

Next I usually go for the divine homemade Foie Gras with strawberry confit and some fig bread or another favorite, the Spicy Calamari salad with Asian vinaigrette. A fantastic way to welcome round two of my little feast.

Here’s when things get tricky, picking my main course. I have three all-time favorites. You absolutely must try the classic favorite Steak Frites, a well-cut faux fillet topped with a savory creamy sauce and fries that put McDonalds to shame.

But surely you can’t have a true French gastronomical experience without trying the succulent to-die-for Duck Confit- another favorite, with hearty sautéed potatoes, caramelized onions, mushrooms and an unbelievable garlic based sauce.

But if you’re missing a wholesome home cooked meal then I suggest you go for the Beef Stroganoff made genuinely with tender pieces of beef, creamy tomato sauce and fluffy white rice.

Without further adieu and for the happiest of all endings get the rich Chocolate Fondant or torched Pain Perdue, seriously don’t even try to fight it. I usually feel like I need to get carried out on a stretcher when I’m done, but I come back for my fix and do it all over again every time.

Price Range: $30-$50 per person with wine

The Verdict: A Culinary Orgasm

All Images belong to Couqley.

Maya Diab’s is all about making a fashion statement and pushing the boundaries, and yes, sure, she’s positioned herself as a household name, landing herself some hefty endorsement deals. She takes good pictures, but the woman refuses to change that look on her face, the squinting eyes and over-pouting lips. She always poses like she’s posing and don’t even get me started on the way she handles herself on television. Had she at least tried to keep things subtle she may not be as ridiculed as she is today.  To be fair her favourite designer Nicolas Jebran is a VERY talented designer. Now if only the two of them can work on the concept less is more.

Here are some of Maya’s most memorable looks. What do you say, HIT or MISS?

So?

Click on Image to Enlarge

Earrings: Fallon jewelry

Jumpsuit: Tibi

Necklace: Kenneth Jay Lane

Satchel: Michael Kors Collection

Pumps: Steven by Steve Madden

I’m not one of those girls that’s covered up in piercings nor do I walk around with a green Mohawk on my head wondering why people are piercing holes through my back. But at times, even in my least dainty of days, I find myself trying to dodge the most persistent of stares. The ones I’ve harboured the most anger for throughout the years: stares from strangers that happen to be standing right in one’s face. Really? People actually stop to stare whilst making eye-contact with you? In this city, Absolutely!

Let me give you some background on this. In my early teenage years my mother would take me out shopping, and while we’d both scan the racks, each in her own age-appropriate corner, my mother’s efforts would be thwarted by my somewhat distressed voice. She’d hurry over only to find me telling a complete stranger to stop staring at me. She never understood why it ticked me off so much. It’s rude I’d tell her. Be flattered, she’d say.

As the years went by, I learned to live with it, like most of us do with loosing battles. My friends and I always withstand the gorging stares of two men or women from a nearby table in a coffee shop, hoping they’ll just have enough. They seldom do.

So a couple of days back, I was standing at register in ABC paying, when a woman stood right by me, instead of waiting her turn BEHIND me. She got fixated and gave me the full-out scan treatment, her head doing titling motions, she even peeked in my handbag at one point. I was frozen, caught between calling her out and just letting it go. I hate public scenes and I knew she just wouldn’t get what the fuss was about, staring came so naturally to her.I let it go, like I do so often. It comes with the turf. You can take it or leave it.  I’m officially an enabler.

I was in a long term relationship and he had many flings and we’d always laugh about the clingy ones. Our friends were convinced we were hiding something- we weren’t. Sure he was possessive and intimated guys that would hit on me but it was just his way of being my friend.

We had a pact that no matter what happens we’d remain the closest of friends. Cheesy but necessary when you’re about to move continents. After months of drunken Skype calls I stopped hearing from him. So I called, left voicemails and dozens of emails. It was borderline stalking. He seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth, only he was still active on Facebook.

Then one afternoon I received a message notification, it was him, he was asking me to stop trying to contact him.It went a little something like this:

“I’m deleting you from my facebook to cut communication with you (yady yady yada.)  My friendship with you is disrupting affect my current relationship (blah blah blah.) Also, your posts on my wall have been intrusive and disrespectful.( it was just a video of a monkey scratching his privates, lighten up buddy) As you know I have met someone very special, who I am in love with and who I want to keep in my life. This will be the last communication between us.”   ( Good luck , she seems supportive)

And that was it. Six years of a friendship over,just like that.. At first I was furious with him for being such a pushover, I vowed never to speak to him again, then I blamed his girl and  felt sorry for him for being with such a control freak. Four years later, I just miss my best buddy. I think it’s time to crack open that bottle of wine. Bisoux

Blazer: Rebecca Minkoff

Bag: Juicy Couture

Pants: Diane Von Furstenberg

Necklace: DANNIJO

Pumps: Report Signature