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Every Sunday, Hotel Le Bristol Beirut opens for lunch, a buffet, families will enjoy. Open from 1 pm; the generous buffet proposes a wide selection of local and international choices prepared by the hard-working team at Le Bristol. Today was different because of the theme and special location.
Occupying the ballroom, under a big crystal chandelier, the buffet experience is divided into several sections; the live cooking, hot dishes, cheese and cold cuts, chicken msakhan, saj, fruits, bread, and desserts. Music playing in the background, warm lights and a battalion of chefs walking around to help guests.
I like the details:
- The place is elegant and feels upscale. Staff is well trained to pamper guests.
- Waiters wear white gloves.
- Excellent choice of music.
- There’s a corner for the kids: they played till they dropped.
- Plates imported from Europe are made for Le Bristol with a fine golden logo to decorate them.
Cold starters:
- Fresh salmon
- Fresh tuna
- Sushi and makis
- Grilled fish
- Artichoke and Parmesan salad
- Goat cheese salad
- Tabbouleh
- Endives and blue cheese salad
- Moutabbal
- Millefeuille of Parma ham and goat cheese
- Cheese rolls
- Kebbeh Samak
- Mini fatayer
- Quiche seafood
- Stuffed grapevine leaves
- Borguol with tomatoes
- Pasta salad
- Lentil salad
- Kale and shrimp salad
- Smoked salmon salad
The hot plates:
- Kebbeh Arnabieh
- Steamed vegetables
- Nuggets and fries
- Potatoes
- Beef and noodles
- Mante
- Siyadieh
- Chicken and pines
- Pasta
- Rice
Live cooking stations:
- Saj
- Risotto
- Pasta
- Mini burgers
- Bread
- Kaak and msakhan
- Raw Kebbeh and meat
I started with smoked salmon, thickly cut smoked salmon, oily and rich. Good quality salmon and tuna sashimi. Grilled fish, moist and tender. Smooth shrimp with their cocktail sauce. Everything prepared in-house is good, but I can’t say the same about the sushi. Outsourced for sure, they feel cheap and are too sweet; is this dessert? I don’t know who he is, but I would personally recommend they change the supplier who does not fit this upscale hotel. The cheap plastic leaves say it all anyway.
Then I walked around to fill another plate... you have to try the Arnabiyeh! Empty Kebbeh, soft and tender, cooked chickpeas and a sauce that’s strongly flavored with bitter orange. I’m a fan of this Lebanese creation, tasting it everywhere and I can confirm that Le Bristol does it great. #Recommended
PS: black and white movies, broadcasted on a big screen will make you laugh while enjoying time pass.
Desserts deserve a paragraph: high-quality desserts up to the standard of upscale pastry shops in Paris. Dark chocolate, balanced sugar content, enjoyable textures, and beautiful shapes. The chocolate fountain is made of dark chocolate; macarons are tender and lightly crunchy without being sticky, tarts are freshly baked the same morning, chocolate cake, Rocher bonbons and much more to satisfy the eyes and palate. A great way to end your lunch and remember to come back.
I enjoyed my time, my kids had so much fun, and my parents in law promised to come back with their friends soon. You’re going to The Bristol next Sunday.
