I was expecting a casual Lebanese restaurant like all the rest around the villages until the waiter opened the door. I was here six years ago -time flies- and remember to have enjoyed my “Lebanese restaurant.” Today’s experience was different from start to end; let’s begin with the decor.
During summer season “Tallet Nasr” welcomes you on the terrace, a wide esplanade with a view on the green mountains. During winter times, “Tallet Nasr” welcomes you inside a beautifully decorated restaurant, led with candles, set up with classy ornaments and enchanted with simple decorative items.
A Lebanese restaurant with classy European vibes transporting you to a chalet up the snowy mountains of Switzerland. Other than the unprofessional valet service that has blocked all sides of the road obliging you to pay 5,000LL, service at “Tallet Nasr” is professional. Wearing black and black ties, waiters help you open the door, start their sentences with a greeting and walk around the tables in style. Tables are covered with a great tablecloth; plates have a folded disposable napkin and bread is individually wrapped in branded bags. Tables even have salt and pepper mills.
Decor details:
- Candles; a premiere at a Lebanese restaurant.
- Chimney gives warmth and class.
- Walls are painted in light brown making all the difference instead of white.
- Carpets make you feel at home.
- On the corner, the bar serves drinks and alcoholic beverages.
- Side cupboards give you a feel of a (Maison de Campagne).
- You don’t feel what Lebanese restaurants have: tables are spaced. You don’t hear the same music usually used at the airport in Beirut.
Let’s eat! Good food like I left it six years ago. I ordered some and others landed by surprise on the table.
- Because they didn’t have goat labneh, the owner sent from his “Labneh Darfieh”, a complimentary plate; I’m a big fan of Labneh Darfieyyeh which I visited in Ehden two years ago.
- We were offered a plate of Moujaddara; its taste reminded me of my Grandma’s food. Bravo chef.
- Hummus: a delicious hummus, light-bodied, smooth and creamy made of the adequate amount of ingredients creating a balanced mix.
- I enjoyed the eggplant moutabbal, the stuffed grapevine leaves, and the baked cheese rolls. The grapevines are intensely and enjoyable acidic and lemony.
- Excellent tabbouleh made for me without onions!
- The labneh is a sure recommendation; hard textured the way I like it.
- Yummy makanek, juicy and tender. Delicious chicken liver with pomegranate molasses.
- Giant sized and good pumpkin Kebbeh.
- Raw meat made the Baalbeck way “3al Sikh”.
- Tender chicken. Very juicy meat; very good quality of ingredients.
What’s great is the generosity felt in every plate. Beautifully decorated and set up with style, food at Tallet Nasr makes one smile.
Everything is delicious! Everything! Excellent food made with love. Food made with “Lebanese Nafass,” the know-how of a passionate chef and recipes of a Lebanese housewife.
Ahmad was today’s hero, a waiter from Akkar who made sure we are pampered like kings. Thank you for your attention and hospitality.
I loved the simplicity this restaurant has, Excellent Lebanese food without any pretension, boosted price tag or claustrophobic decoration. Bravo for looking into every detail; everything is just perfect -except smoking inside with the windows closed.
PS: I thought that my experience was finished until fruits landed on the table and four complimentary bottles of homemade rose water and pomegranate molasses. You have to visit to eat the “Halawat el Jeben”, yes, come here for it. One of the waiters, from Hrar Akkar watched my YouTube videos and remembered the way I described Halawat el Jeben; I said that their village has the best Halawat el Jeben ever. Tallet Nasr gets his from Akkar and cuts it in stripes creating a flower-shaped dessert.
I had a very pleasant lunch, left happy and amazed, promising myself to visit again very soon. 40$/person worth every penny.
My sole recommendation: the valet company is not needed especially with the fixed 5000LL payment. Because the first impression starts at the door, get two boys from the village, they would handle our cars better.
