I was first introduced to IHOP, last year, during my annual trip to New York. American style, the diner serves a hearty breakfast as you see it in American movies. I remember it to be tasty but unfortunately dirty which was not the case in Beirut. Looking good, neat and clean, the restaurant owned by Al Shayeh group who’s known to bring famous American franchises to the Middle East welcomes you as of 8 am.
Part of the same group, you can enjoy (Raising Cane’s, The Cheesecake Factory, IHOP, Shake Shack, Pinkberry, Starbucks and PF Chang’s among other’s).
Light wood, a load of colors, a feel of freshness, yellow chairs and blue lines, a space made to draw a smile on your face on an early morning. When malls open at 10 am, The Spot Choueifat starts at 8 am, welcoming you at breakfast, before your long day at work. All tables are decorated with a choice of maple syrup bottles.
Choose to sit on the terrace or enjoy the coziness and warmth of the internal space. Handled by Wissam, he makes sure to take care of you.
Let’s order from all sections:
- Double blueberry pancakes: 4 buttermilk pancakes filled with blueberries and topped with blueberry compote and whipped topping.
- Strawberry passion fruit pancakes: 4 buttermilk pancakes layered with rich, creamy cheesecake and topped with cool strawberries and passion fruit drizzle. Crowned with whipped topping.
- Beef burger Benedict: beef patties and American cheese with hash browns.
- Halloumi and spinach omelet: grilled Halloumi and fresh spinach omelet, topped with sautéed mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of zaatar.
- Lotus waffle: Golden Brown waffle with lotus biscoff sauce and a scoop of vanilla and chocolate ice cream topped with biscuit crumbles.
- Banana crepes with Nutella: 4 delicate crepes topped with Nutella, the original hazelnut spread, freshly sliced bananas.
Loaded plates, colorful and beautifully presented... it’s a sensory experience from start to finish.
Let’s eat!
- A huge omelet roll, loaded with salty Halloumi grilled to perfection and mixed with juicy cherry tomatoes, fried mushrooms and a sprinkle of zaatar. A yummy combination, turning an American classic into a Lebanese inspired tasty breakfast. I honestly never imagined enjoying Halloum and Zaatar that much special with eggs.
- Burger Benedict, a very thick and creamy hollandaise, overcooked beef patty and boiled eggs when they should be poached. I liked the tenderness of the bread, the taste of meat and after-notes of hollandaise. This plate can be way better if; eggs are poached; hollandaise is smooth and light-bodied. Meat cooked less to preserve its juiciness.
- Fluffy pancakes: four of them stacked one on top of the other, light juiciness and a chewy finish. Add a drizzle of maple and feel the intensity of the sweetness while the blueberry kicks with a background of acidity. On the other one, a thick strawberry sauce and whipped cream awaiting a drizzle of maple syrup for the missing sweetness. I liked these pancakes, very close to the ones I enjoyed in New York.
- Yummy waffle, the lotus biscuit crunch, and smoothness of the lotus cream on top of a soft waffle which should have been cooked more. Two scoops of ice cream add colors and style.
Best for last; the chocolate Nutella and banana crepe! OMG, this is so good! I’m not a fan of thick crepes, but this one is very different. A thick yet soft and juicy crepe loaded with butter and oil, fatty all the way but enjoyable to the last bit. Ripe bananas, Nutella drizzles, and powdered sugar. The crepe melts under the teeth like magic while the borders crunch in style tickling your tongue. It is amazing!
Whenever you feel like enjoying a loaded American breakfast forgetting calories and fat, this is where you’re going!
