

I truly hope I will be able to describe my experience at the one and only Fouad. Giving justice to a place and finding the right words to describe is hard, especially when the overall experience is truly amazing. But I will try… At Fouad the experience is unique on many levels: An extraordinary welcoming, superb food, awesome choices along with well trained staff who will absolutely make you leave in total awe. Everyone I know who has visited Fouad plan on coming back again and again…
Fouad is a restaurant in Nabe3 el Mghara, Hrajel situated in a location far from tourists’ vibes. In here, they know nothing about marketing or the use of social media for advertising. But that’s just it! The best authentic Lebanese restaurant that serves food the way our ancestors used to prepare them, they don’t need advertising – they are always fully booked.
Opened since 2003, Fouad welcomes you in Hrajel from June 15 until October 15, he then takes two months break and opens again in Ain El Rihani (Aintoura) from December until June.
Fouad, enters the kitchen at 7pm every night to prepare with his own hands all orders. At Fouad’s, every dish has a story and every recipe exudes an immense passion.
Fouad himself, welcomes you to his house’s balcony hosting up to 180 chairs and decorated with old Lebanese farmers harvesting items. The minute you pass the doorstep, he welcomes you with a proverb depending on his mood and the season’s popular songs and always with a smile.
You automatically feel relaxed and know that the journey of enjoyment has already started.
Peaceful and down to earth:
The place is simple and soothing:
Fouad himself takes the order of every table… On the menu, the way Fouad describes them, with a melodious and singing accent:
Men machiyon wara b3don… Weelcom! Weelcom!
Next time you visit, open this list and follow him word by word… He won’t forget a comma.
This place is truly your home away from home; Fouad Khalil’s heaven makes your smile come out naturally. Helped by a staff that believes in their patron visions, making them act, smile and welcome you the same way. No school and no training needed, they are more professional than most pretentious waiters in Beirut.
“Mech ghalat abadan” is what made Fouad famous.
We enjoyed tasting tonight:
Desserts are mouthwatering:
Dessert at Fouad is something else. Every time I try it I am amazed at how good they are. Every bite is like a perfume in the mouth.
What can I say that has not been said before? You are welcomed by Fouad, the order is taken by Fouad and you eat the food prepared by Fouad himself… All I know is that if you enjoy Lebanese food and crave for that genuine Lebanese hospitality and generosity Fouad is the place to go… I don’t think that any other restaurant in Lebanon can offer you this experience.
“Mouhallabiya bakhara” as Fouad describes it since each and every batch is scented the authentic way with local “Bokhar”. Adding to that meske (musk) specially imported from Greece and homemade rose water. Yes, the world’s best Mouhallabiya with no close competition.
Mehalabiya is a traditional Arabian dessert that is very popular during the Ramadan. This pudding is prepared with ingredients like milk, sugar, ground cardamom, rosewater, and ground pistachios. The sugar is added to the heated milk and is mixed until dissolved; then cardamom and rosewater are added. The mixture is stirred until thick, poured into serving bowls and placed in the refrigerator to set. This delicious Arabian pudding is usually flavoured with rosewater and garnished with ground pistachios before serving.
INGREDIENTS
Simple and filled with flavours and aromas, this mhallabiyah is superb. I’ve tried them almost all: Halabi, Mum&I and even at my grandma’s, none competes with Fouad’s. Go give it a try, you’ll understand. All the ingredients are perfectly dosed creating a one-of-kind adequately sweet dessert you fall in love with.
There are so many places in Lebanon that offer amazingly delicious bites – some you know, some you’ll get to know and some you’ll remember. Starting a new series, “Discovering the Hidden Street Food Gems of Lebanon”, I welcome you to travel with me around our beloved country to discover the tastiest items around…
If you’re a ski lover or happen to live in the Kesrerwan area, you’ll definitely know this one…
I thought starting with Afif would be a good way to introduce this new series. His humor, good food and humble attitude all combined – make this man a perfect choice.
Who’s Afif? He’s the man who makes the best lahem baajine and homemade Laban in town. Where? His place is called Mar Charbel Bakery or better yet known by “Ambaratouriyet el Lahme Beajine”, located just a few meters away from the Hrajel roundabout. This small eatery is owned and managed by Afif Zgheib and there to help him is his younger brother.
Lahmacun also lahmajun is a round, thin piece of dough topped with minced meat and minced vegetables and herbs including onions, tomatoes and parsley, then baked. Lahmacun is often served sprinkled with lemon juice and wrapped around vegetables, including pickles, tomatoes, peppers and onions.
As soon as you enter the eatery, Afif shouts out welcoming you into his humble place. He treats you like he’s known you a long time, or that you’re an accustomed customer… He then asks you to remind him of your family name before he starts giving you a detailed report about your roots and ancestors.
From time to time, when the bakery gets too busy, he shouts out to Azar, his right man, to help him welcome the guests: “Ra7eb bel jamahir ya Azar”.
Here, Azar, with a strong mountaineer voice and accent shouts saying: “Ahla bel jami3, ahla, ahla”…
Good food, welcoming, humble, fresh homemade laban and some entertainment… The simplicity of the Zgheib brothers will definitely make you start your day with a smile …
Just imagine a thin and crunchy crust, covered with local fresh meat from the village and enjoyed with homemade yogurt “Laben”. Yes, it’s pronounced “Laben” … the Keserwani way.
Sahtein.
Next time you’re going up to Mzaar Kfardebian, make it a point to pass by Afif. It’s a discovery indeed.
(Watch the Video to live the experience with Afif)
PS: I enjoyed Afif’s character so much that I forgot to mention the lack of hygiene in this place. Even though very dirty, I don’t recall or heard about anyone getting poisoned after eating at Afif. As he says: “3al barake!”
Thank you to my friend Elie Gemayel for helping with the video shooting and editing
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