Brunch at The Movenpick Beirut is a Great Family Choice

Every Sunday, head to the Movenpick Beirut and indulge in one of the country’s richest lunch buffets. Divided into nine sections, it’s created to satisfy all cravings. Accompanied by my wife and kids, we planned lunch by the waterfront. With a fantastic view of Beirut’s access to the Mediterranean, we sat for lunch. A professional welcoming, a pleasant ambiance, soothing tunes and everything to make your experience a memorable one.

Down at the Méditerranée, the hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant, open for breakfast every single day of the week, the place welcomes its guests for the famous Sunday lunch they call brunch, but it isn’t; I say famous because of its choices and reasonable prices.

The salads:

• Samkeh Harra
• Fattoush 
• Tajen
• Fish Kebab
• Potato Harra
• Basterma 
• Tabbouleh 
• Chicken Mousakhan
• Eggplant and Labneh
• Hummus, moutabbal and muhammara
• Hendbeh
• Stuffed grapevine leaves
• Exotic salad
• Raw Kebbeh
• Beetroot
• Fried eggplant

Cold cuts and bread:

• Brie cheese
• Raclette de Savoie
• Cheddar
• Parmesan
• Sesame goat cheese
• Salame Tartufo
• Five kinds of bread with Elle&Vire butter
• Castle speck
• Galet au Poivre
• Pork Salami 

Hot section:

• Falafel
• Chicken Shawarma 
• Lebanese bites
• Onion soup
• Grilled vegetables
• Chicken paupiette
• Eggplant sheikh el mehshi 
• Rice vermicelli
• Koussa and vine leaves
• Sautéed new potato
• Beef Wellington

Live cooking section:

• The live pasta section
• Fried fish a-la-minute
• The sushi bar

The seafood section:

• Tuna
• Half cooked salmon
• Smoked salmon cylinders
• Mussels
• Crab sticks
• Octopus
• Mini shrimp salad
• Baby shrimp salad
• Fresh shrimp on ice
• Fresh crab on ice
• Fresh lobster on ice
• Marinated Smoked salmon 
• Calamari salad
• Burrata mozzarella with tomatoes salad

The dessert section:

• Marshmallow and chocolate fountain
• Fraisier
• Chocolate feuillantine
• Choix à la crème
• Gourmandises
• Raspberry-pistachio
• Crème caramel
• Red velvet
• Macarons
• Religieuse
• Baklava
• Basma
• Mafroukeh
• Halawat el Jeben
• Znoud el set
• Katayef
• Borma 
• Semsmiyyeh
• Fruit bar on ice
• Ice cream 
• Live crepe and pain perdu

Some things are good, others not but who cares. I didn’t come here for the perfection of their cuisine but more for the experience. I’ve tried as many of the things I could try due to the excess content of spices and garlic. Loved the Beef Wellington, the eggplant sheikh el Mehchi, the texture of Pasta and the fried fish. 

I always talk about the Lebanese “Nafass,” a certain love I can feel or taste in plates. Today’s food is good enough but lacks something, a certain passion, certain know-how, certain attention. Garlic thrown everywhere covers the real flavor of food, hummus with garlic is honestly not acceptable, fish marination is a bit dull and needs more strength among other minor adjustments that can be made or the food.

The desserts are good; the know-how is clear, the passion is clearer. Loved the varied choices, the textures, the aromas, the quantity of sugar and sweetness. Lebanese sweets and international desserts are not bad at all. Loved the salted caramel cup, the mousse, and verrines. 

A family destination: my kids loved it, a section dedicated especially to them where bites are prepared for them as well as popcorn. My little one asked for fries which were ordered on the spot.

Things I liked:

• Service and attention.
• The professionalism of service.
• Wide choice of items.
• Live cooking and generous displays.
• Value for money.
• The mood and vibes.
• The breathtaking view.

Must change:

• The sushi is not acceptable; Very and unpleasantly sweet, the sushi rolls are watery, soaked in humidity and rolled with the cheapest sheet of nori that’s transparent and sticks to the teeth; change of supplier urgently needed.
• The ice cream is really bad, icy, creamy and sticky. 
• The chocolate fountain is way too sweet. The sugar itches your thought.
• Call it “rich buffet lunch” because it’s not a brunch; brunch starts at 12 and needs to have breakfast items.

Enjoyed a plate of cheese, a coffee and went back home. Been here, done that and will still consider coming back. My kids love it and I do as well. We arrived at 1, left at 3, spent an enjoyable time which we’ll repeat.