Les Caves De La Crêperie- Jounieh’s Best Kept Secret

June 7, 2016 - Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of La Crêperie, ever since it reopened its doors last year to huge acclaim. This iconic establishment juts out from a cliff with a vantage point of the bay of Jounieh that captures a view you’d only see in mythical postcards of Jounieh, the quintessential glorious Jounieh our parents and grandparents boast about before the war.

But make no mistake, it’s not just the view that gives La Crêperie the praise it deserves, it’s the meticulousness in architecture and design of the venue itself is what also leaves so many guests awestruck. It pays homage to its 19th century heritage and history while adding its very own French Provincial identity.

But I’m not writing this post to talk about La Crêperie, instead I want to share with you a little secret, one that extends further beyond the cliff, hidden down the stairs, tucked in the basement. It’s called Les Caves De La Crêperie, a bar/resto extension connected to the restaurant’s back garden.

Originally open in 1972, it shares the same magnificent view as La Crêperie, except this one is enjoyed from a unobstructed-panoramic glass interior and cozy mahogany chesterfield couches. A mammoth dimly-lit bar adorned with an endless selection of drinks and spirits rests under notable stone clad archades that give the interior the perfect mix of contemporary and traditional.

Stunning views and interiors aside, the cocktails are both impressive with a different approach, and a lot of thought and philosophy behind each, as the skilled resident mixologists are more than happy to explain and as someone who’s on the constant lookout for the new “it” cocktail, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the variety. And if like me you like your drinks coupled wholesome finger-food, then make sure you order some of the star items on the menu, ideal for sharing. The mini-burgers are a must-have and so are the Calamari Frites but you can’t miss out on the Brochettes de Boeuf and Crevettes.

If you’re feeling adventurous, some of Les Caves’ house signature cocktails include the Pink Passion, White Monkey or Bramble Rose which I love. But I also wanted to share with you my personal favorite selection, it includes the Vaismakande; a special house premix of red fruits, Hayman Sloe gin and Xante. It comes in a cool coconut and tastes as exotic and refreshing as it looks. Another drink I love and recommend you try is also called Jamming, with Bombay Gin, Martini Rosato, Rose Jam and a special house premix. And finally, the Gold Digger; Bacardi gold with peach, passion fruit and a Les Caves premix.

The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with everything that made the past decades of this establishment so grand, but whether you’re simply looking to unwind with an apéritif before dinner upstairs or somewhere to party in the evening, you’ll find that Les Caves’ new summer program will once again be putting Jounieh on the nightlife map. If you miss the DJ’s at SKYBAR and O1NE you can now find them there on Friday and Saturday nights. You can kiss those Sunday Night Blues goodnight by busting out with some Karaoke (my fave!) , French Nights on Wednesday and Flashback Thursdays with the hottest hits that made us dance all the way from the 80s up until the early 2000s.

Les Caves De La Crêperie is understated in its elegance and subtlety, the kind of place you can bring anyone to, from coworkers, old friends or even your parents, everyone will fit right in and find a corner they love. It’s classy without the lavishness that makes many bar/restos uncomfortable and though the food and drinks are top-notch you will be surprised to know just how affordable they are, so don’t be surprised if you slowly make it a habit like I have this summer. You can follow me on my SnapChat account on Ivy Says.

Here I’m wearing Dresses by The Dress Concept
My Handbags are from Bvlgari

La Petite Maison Reopens In Downtown Beirut- An Exclusive Sneak Peek

February 18, 2016 - Leave a Comment

La Petite Maison Beirut has unveiled its long-awaited new and fabulous central location and I’m happy to be one of the first guests to experience the new venue and get an exclusive sneak peek before it officially opens its doors on February 22. Previously located at Le Vendôme Beirut, La Petite Maison has now relocated to Omar Daouk Street in Downtown Beirut facing KAMPAI.

Even before I got to meet the lovely hard working team behind the world famous La Petite Maison Beirut, I was a huge fan of this high-end French Mediterranean restaurant, having previously reviewed both their Dubai and Beirut locations. For those not familiar, this top-notch spot started off at Old Nice with a widely successful and very popular branch in London. The place embodies the gastronomic influences from the French Riviera. But what I love most about La Petite Maison is how it tailors its Provencal dishes to the best fresh local produce and seasonal ingredients of its resident countries, especially in Lebanon, where you’ll find premium olive oil from the Shouf and a Caesar Salad made with milk and Panna Cotta prepared with Labneh.

Similar to most of its branches, the new location has all the elements of the signature La Petite Maison look with an interior that is refreshingly simple yet French Riviera chic. It boasts gorgeous high ceilings and a huge open-space which comfortably seats 90 diners, yet manages to still feel warm and cozy with its white tables and caramel leather upholstered armchairs. The ceiling-to-floor windows bring in chunky rays of natural light, that make this place an ideal spot for lunch. The brass bar at the entrance welcomes you with stunning wall-mounted wine cellar. The marble kitchen bar is colorful and inviting with a mélange of fresh fruit and busy chefs. The art on the walls is handpicked and curated; bright, colorful and almost-childlike. And it gets better, this new venue also includes an outdoor terrace, something a lot of us love to do with Beirut’s gorgeous weather.

I missed the Tomatini. But I’m glad to have it back now, it was worth the wait, it’s the perfect aperitif, a light almost airy blend vodka, cherry tomatoes and white balsamic vinegar in a martini glass. Nobody can make it quite the LPM does.

The Hors D’Oeuvres are also back with a vengeance. I have many favorites and with such a rich selection, it’s always been difficult to choose. But if you absolutely must, here are some items I adore, starting with the signature Warm Prawns with Olive Oil. This one has been imitated for years, but never duplicated, there’s something in the way they’re marinated that sets them apart, in terms of tenderness, juiciness and flavor.

The Burrata is entrancing, with fresh tomato and basil, so is the salmon marinated with fresh herbs and pink peppercorns.

The signature Grilled Aubergine with Mozzarella, prawns and pesto, is heavenly, I’ve always been a huge fan. The Caesar salad is in its own league, strips of romaine with marinated baby artichokes, crispy oyster mushrooms and quail eggs. I also loved Ratatouille,tomato-marinated vegetables with some creamy feta cubes. And of course my all time favorite, the must-have fried Calamari, I don’t know what’s in the batter but these babies are crispy and wholesome, like flavored crisps in spices.

La Petite Maison, is all about sharing, so don’t stick to one main and instead go for a few especially if you’re dining with good company. I recommend the hearty Gnocchis dish, cooked in a garlic cherry tomatoes sauce and Parmesan cheese as well as the delicious homemade pasta with squid and prawns.

But you can’t miss the sumptuous Filet de Boeuf, cooked to perfection with a wonderful Bordelaise sauce, I chose to have this with a side of their signature fries, steamed green beans and never without their delicious potato gratin. I tried the Grilled Veal Chops, which were tender and sported a pretty pink centre and worked well with some of the sides I ordered. And finally the whole sea bream baked in a pouch with lemon, herbs and olive oil. This one is for two, and is quite an experience to watch as the waiter cuts it open and slices it in two. It’s a crowd pleaser and another signature dish.

And finally my favorite part. Dessert is sacred at La Petite Maison. And I’m not going to lie, it’s always tough to stick to just one. It brings out the glutton in me, always has, and I’m not even going to act like I just had one bite of each, I did more than that but I’m actually grateful I had to share, otherwise they would have had to pick me up of the floor from a sugar overdose. This course is not to be missed. It was my first experience with the warm baked chocolate mousse and malt ice cream. It was out of this world. The contrast between the warm chocolate and cool ice cream was on point. Next the chilled Raspberry Pana Cotta, I’ve raved on and on about this one, made with Labneh instead of cream, and it’s just one of those refreshing desserts that you can have anytime. And can we please discuss the Creme Brûlée? Or that delectable plain vanilla Cheesecake? Let’s just conclude with the Pain Perdu shall we?

I’m sorry to throw this all on you as you’re prolly busting your bum at the gym as summer nears but I couldn’t resist. See you at LPM!

*All photos are taken by me and are property of Ivy Says

Ivy Says x Magnolia Bakery = The Holiday Edition

December 14, 2015 - Leave a Comment

I can’t begin to describe just how happy and giddy Christmas times makes me. The decorated trees, the classic jingles, the ornaments, the mistletoe, the all-around holiday cheer, it really gets me into the festive spirit. But what I really look forward to the most this season is not counting calories. That’s right, I write off the entire month of December as a cheat month and I allow myself ~~some~~ A LOT of extra guilt-free happy pounds. So for me Christmas isn’t Christmas without the works, and when I say works I mean, the cupcakes, sprinkles, cookies, brownies, icing, frosting and all things sweet!

Having said that, I think I speak for many people when I say it also isn’t just about Christmas eve dinner or lunch but the many many pre and post dinners and get togethers that we get invited to throughout all the way up to New Year. And this year I found the best solution to the sort of gift I’d like to bring along to dinners and invites, to be quite frank, I think the bottle of wine and the typical Christmas buche de noel have been slightly overdone, though I understand they’re traditional, I also know that many of us resort to them when we really don’t have all that time to get more creative. So the lovely folks at Magnolia Bakery have have taken it upon themselves to help us find something more fun, flavorful and original this holiday.

The YULE LOG CAKE

Yes, no Christmas dessert table is complete without the buche (log cake) but Magnolia Bakery have placed their signature touch on this favorite and released their own gorgeous version of this otherwise classic cake. Feast your eyes on the Yule Log Cake, which I’m obsessing over by the way, available for the first time this year, this pretty dreamy cake is iced in the shape of a log, and comes in either chocolate buttercream or blue pastel vanilla buttercream (such as the one I’m holding) with layers of either vanilla, chocolate or red velvet. It adds such a vibrant touch to any dinner table and will without a doubt be the star attraction.

The Holiday Baskets

You can get these in small, large and medium and they most definitely won’t go unnoticed. I personally love dynamic gift baskets that make you go through contents with intrigue and excitement and this one does just that. We’re talking a carefully selected set of Magnolia’s holiday inspired baked goods, from crinkle cookies, gingersnap and cranberry cookies, coconut macarons, blondie bars, winter cupcakes in a box, Meringue Drops, Magnolia aprons,to cake knives, aprons and tea tins. You can take things up a notch by also adding on an optional bottle of either Moet & Chandon Henessy V.S.O.P. or a bottle of Baileys. And if you’re in the mood to do things your way, you can always customize your own basket and fill it whichever way you like.

What’s Bakin

So many holiday cookies. So much beautiful packaging. Oh and the ingredients are also intended to keep you cozy and warm in the cold. The new Winter Spice Cupcake is made with cinnamon, nutmeg and dried cherries topped with maple meringue buttercream. But my personal favorite which had me gushing over had to be the Maple Pecan Pinwheel Cookie; a new flavor made of a shortbread dough swirled with maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans. I’m starting a petition to keep these babies all year-round.

So there you go, you’re all set for Christmas. Spread the love this holiday!

Photography by Patrick Sawaya follow this talent here

Ivy Reviews: La Crêperie Restaurant in Jounieh

June 26, 2015 - 1 Comment

When I first heard La Crêperie closed to be majorly renovated, I have to admit I was a little sad and worried, though I have to also admit it needed it badly. I had so many fond memories at this historic spot that dates all the way back to the 19th century and a long-standing iconic restaurant which had first opened its doors in 1968. Describing this landmark as perched would be an understatement, it literally hangs off a cliff, and boasts one THE best views in the country, overlooking the entire bay of Jounieh and the Mediterranean Sea.

Every inch of the place has been completely restored and managed by Sky Management (the same folks that brought us SKYBAR and O1NE House of Entertainment) and after much anticipation it opened its doors earlier this Spring.

The venue is a design marvel, with each corner looking like it had taken a page out of Architectural Digest, a savvy combination of French Provence decor with traditional Lebanese Ottoman-style heritage boasting magnificently high ceilings and stellar marble columns. But it’s the interior decor which left the biggest impression on me, since I’m absolutely obsessed with the combination of country-chic furniture, soothing pastels and crystal chandeliers.

Most people prefer to dine on the picturesque outdoor terrace or in Les Jardins ( La Crêperie botanical backyard), but my personal favorite place is a cozy table inside. I got to try out many items on the assorted international/Mediterranean menu on a recent lunch with friends. And here are some of my recommendations worth trying.

As the name suggests, La Crêperie; you can choose from 13 savory crêpes and a total of 18 sweet ones. We opted for the Jambon, Fromage et Beurre crêpe, a generously stuffed one with ham, cheese and butter which I loved, but I have to say, it’s enough to stuff you, so don’t get greedy.

For starters, we also had the flavorful Quinoa Salad, with avocados, mangos, cucumbers, raisons and corn in a refreshing lemon and oil dressing topped with cilantro. I’ve never had this combination of ingredients with Quinoa before and I have to say it was a lovely new perspective.

The Scottish Salmon dish was made of four unfussy wrapped roles of smoked salmon, simple and straight to the point.

The Bresaola au Parmesan had a crisp topping of mesclun green leaves tossed in an oil and lemon that gave each mouthful a fresh vibe. The lentil salad had a very Mediterranean feel to it with cherry tomatoes, chives and parsley in a vinaigrette sauce.

And finally, another favorite of mine, the Ravioli aux cèpes, a delectable mixture of fresh mushrooms encased in a ravioli, cooked to perfection with a hearty creamy/buttery sauce. I would without a doubt have this on my own next time as a main dish, sharing it with not easy.

For mains, we shared three entrees, the Loup de Mer, a significantly-sized grilled white fish, with a side of steamed greens, it was a little simple for my liking as I would prefer my fish usually more marinated with flavors, however it was grilled just right, not overdone and still moist.

The house burger, was the kind you would get at an authentic French Bistro, nothing too complicated and my personal favorite the colossal Escalope de Veau Panée, breaded white veal with a side of penne pasta in a tomato sauce.

And finally my favorite part of any meal, dessert, with the king of all cheesecakes, the berry cheesecake no exaggeration,may be one of the best I’ve had in Lebanon so far, wholesome and utterly delightful with each bite. For the chocolate aficionados I also recommend the Tarte au Chocolate, made with a firm dark chocolate interior in a perfect little tart shell. And some of the house sorbet to beat the heat.

Verdict: Rarely is the new able to encompass the original spirit of institutions like this one, but the new La Crêperie takes it a step further, it’s not only managed to restore this Lebanese landmark back its original glory, it has thrust it into a new era of golden years ahead.

More Reviews by Ivy Says

La Petite Maison Beirut

La Petite Maison Dubai

La Serre Bistro Dubai

Sydney’s at Le Vendôme Beirut

Prune French Bistro

Métropole Brasserie

Cannelle’s Finest Desserts

Ivy Reviews: The Shogun Lounge

December 19, 2014 - Leave a Comment

If there’s something I love more than shopping, its shopping and sushi together, in the same place. So after doing some heavy Christmas retail therapy at Dunes Verdun on Tuesday I headed over to dinner at The Shogun Lounge, my favorite sushi spot in Verdun located on the 1st floor of the mall.

There are many things I love about this place besides just the sushi. For starters, the authentic Japanese ambiance which has garnered its fair share of loyal neighborhood regulars who dine there on a weekly basis. The friendly waitresses are sharply dressed in beautiful traditional Japanese kimonos and the sushi chefs behind the bar look like a scene right out of Tokyo- a thing I really miss at the newer lot of sushi joints popping up all over the city. I also appreciated how knowledgeable and mindful staff were about the menu, walking us through our selections meticulously and most importantly, patiently.

We began with the Crunchy Salmon Salad, this has to be by far one of the best I’ve had in Lebanon; diced generous chunks of salmon sashimi in a fantastic spicy mayonnaise sauce with flakes of crunchy panko topped with nori.

But the Shrimp Tempura was beyond perfection, fried golden succulent giant shrimps fried just right. The combination of crunchy warm batter on the exterior with the soft shrimp inside dipped in the hallmark thin sauce, was absolutely delightful.

Their sushi selection was quite original and since we were feeling experimental, we went for the Fuji Maki, something I hadn’t tried before; savory cooked salmon in a spicy sauce with rice, nori and sesame, which I totally recommend. We also tried the delicious signature and my personal favorite Shogun Lounge Salmon; a layer of rice and nori topped with smaller diced salmon sashimi bits. The Sheyen Special Maki did not disappoint, and although I’ve had shrimp tempura maki many times before, this one was actually topped with a thin slice of salmon sashimi which I thought added a lovely touch to this otherwise classic roll. Last but not least we had the scrumptious Shogun Maki a lovely mix of crab and shrimp.

And of course no Japanese meal is complete without a wonderfully seared cut of tenderloin marinated in a teriyaki sauce to share. I like my meat cooked medium-well with just a hint of pink. The stir-fried spinach and fresh mushrooms were the ideal side dish for this plate.

Price: A meal for two like this (20 pieces of sushi in total) with soft drinks will cost you an average of $65 per person which in my opinion is very reasonable considering The Shogun Lounge is considered an upscale sushi restaurant.

Verdict: You can’t go wrong. The place definitely continues to earn its spot as one of the most reputable and iconic sushi lounges in Beirut and the best part is if your friends don’t like sushi, they serve a full blown Chinese menu.

Casper and Gambini’s New Menu

Cannelle’s Finest Desserts

IVY’s Best Burger Search Continues- Casper & Gambini’s

Frosty Palace

La Petite Maison Beirut

La Plage

La Serre Bistro Dubai

Sydney’s at Le Vendôme Beirut

Prune French Bistro

Métropole Brasserie

SUD

BarTartine

Couqley

Ivy Reviews: Cannelle’s Finest Desserts

November 18, 2014 - 1 Comment

When it comes to local patisseries-shops Cannelle is an institution. Not only has it mastered the art of the classic French pastry it’s also managed to add its own signature touch along the way.

I had the pleasure of doing a confectionary tasting tour at their lovely branch in Dunes Verdun last week. And although I didn’t grow up in Lebanon I am very much aware of the iconic status this establishment holds on many people’s traditional Sunday lunch or dinner tables. When your aunt asks you to pick up a cake from Cannelle, you just do as she says, no questions asked.

I was lured in by a trail of aroma lingering in the mall. For a moment I just stood and stared at the marvel of fresh puff pastries, croissants, crèmes, chocolates, macarons. It was more difficult to choose than I thought.

The lovely ladies walked me through two of the house favorites. First the timeless Macaronade aux Fraises, a true work of art involving two layers of the same marzipan used in Gâteau Succès , filled with a generous layer of glazed strawberries and topped with all sorts of red berries and fine sugar icing.

Cannelle’s second classic is the infamous Gâteau Maison, also known as the Gâteau fondant au chocolat. If you’re into rich, intense dark chocolate mousse then you will love this cake, I especially enjoy this one with an all-natural vanilla bean ice cream.

And of course I had to try the macarons. It was a little larger and less compact than the ones I’m used to but this almond flavored marvel left quite the impression on my taste buds. I loved their carefully selected colors and flavors and I thought they’d make a lovely gesture to take along when invited to brunch.

Next I picked out my own little dream team. I choose them according to the meticulous craftsmanship that so obviously went into preparing them.

I was drawn to this picture perfect Eclair à la Framboise and how wonderfully the berries were sandwiched between two layers of my favorite cream puff dough and rose crème.

I absolutely love tarts so I chose two. First the bestselling Tarte au Citron, a perfect combination of sweet and sour, with a delectable lemon crème on a pâte brisée or shortcrust pastry. As well as the poised Tarte aux framboises with actual raspberries on a bed of delicate gelée.

Take a look at this beauty, a fluffy caramelized chunk of apple sits atop an iced pâte d’amande also known as Marzipan base.

I was absolutely taken by the Cannelle version of the Choux à la Crème, a circle of light Choux pastry with one of the most fluffy dreamy whipped vanilla flavored Crème Chiboust I have ever had, and believe me when I say I’ve had my fair share of these in France. This pastry is one of the most underrated classics but remains my favorite to date.

Verdict: it’s no wonder Cannelle has been able to stand tall amongst the momentary French patisseries sprouting all over town. This classic refined house remains a true Lebanese icon that is resilient and able to maintain its iconic status regardless of time and competition while continuing to bring us some of the best in French desserts.

Ivy Reviews: Casper and Gambini’s New Menu

November 6, 2014 - Leave a Comment

I feel confident referring to Casper and Gambini’s as an institution in Lebanon today. It’s mastered the art of consistency and has managed to strike the perfect balance between wholesome high-end cafe cuisine and excellent service. So this post isn’t about how much I like Casper and Gambini’s that’s already been established, rather it’s a review of their recently launched new menu.

I visited Casper and Gambini’s at their Dunes Verdun branch for the first time and I absolutely loved lunching on their bustling patio. I worked out quite the appetite on a photo shoot that day and managed to wolf down the grissini and their traditional complimentary labneh balls drizzled with thyme as I always do.

The first new item my friend and I chose was the delectable Crusted Eggplant Parmesan and when I say delectable I mean so good you may want to have one as a starter and another as a main dish. Casper and Gambini’s put their own twist on this otherwise classic dish by crusting the actual slices of eggplant with Parmesan and then lightly frying them. On top sits a generous helping of melted mozzarella, basil and a fantastico roasted tomato sauce. As I cut through the arrangement the ingredients blended together so harmoniously. This one makes it on my very highly-recommended list.

To counter the calories of the Eggplant Parmesan we had the crab bites, essentially made up of two portions of a mayonnaise-based mix of shredded crabmeat served on a thinly sliced toasted white bread and a side of green house salad. If you’re calorie counting then this dish is a good light and fresh option on their list of starters.

I knew I wanted a sandwich for mains but the new additions left me confused, how was I supposed to choose between a Philly Cheese Steak or a Chicken Quesadilla sandwich? Our waiter sensed my predicament and passionately recommended I try their Provolone Steak Sandwich, or what I now would call the most valuable player of the group. Be warned, this is not your average sandwich, this is a game changer.

Picture this; slow-grilled Australian beef medium cooked with a pink center, crisp smoked bacon, melted provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and horseradish mayonnaise all inside a fluffy freshly baked cheese-flavored ciabatta The sandwich was soft enough to bite through while holding everything together so well, none of that soggy falling-out business. The flavors did a little dance in my mouth as I struggled to finish the mammoth thing. It was challenging. But legendary.

My friend opted for the Gourmet Mini Sliders which I have to say are as creative as it gets. Three mini burgers, the first a Mediterranean one with Halloumi cheese, a classic with provolone and a fiery Mexican one complete with avocado cream, mango and Emmental cheese. I favored the halloumi one and my friend raved about the Mexican.