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| - More "Garden shed" that "Garage" this literal hole in the wall produces some of the best Lebanese food I've tasted in a very long while.
Centrally located just 1/2 a block off Saint Cath's on the deceptively quiet Rue Mackay, Garage Beirut is surrounded by a slew of ethnic restaurants ranging from Taiwanese to Jamaican and I've already booked marked some for future visits.
Reservations are a must as the tiny whitewashed dining room with a open kitchen can only accommodate 25 diners with another 10 on the front patio. You make friends quickly not only because of the tight quarters but everyone seem to be enjoying their meal,each other's company and even the piped in Lebanese pop backed up by the joyous and on key kitchen staff. I love the vibe.
The menu is short and focused, divided into Salads featuring the popular Fattouche and Tabbouleh.
Cold and hot Mezzes with everything from Baba Gannouj,Hummus and Kibbeh Nayyeh to Moussaka and my new favorite Sojok.
Traditional dishes and Charcoal grilled section held kababs, Shish Taouk, and even a Filet Mignon...hardly traditional but forgiven since the balance of the menu and what comes to the table is so authentic.
We started with the Baba Ghannouj plated with Pomegranate and mint. This was so creamy,smokey and savory with just that little background bite that the tahini and perhaps just a touch of fenugreek brings to the table,scooped up with a light, thin Lebanese pita used as our primary dining utensil is a excellent start.
Next came the mixed pastries which had fillings of spinach and cheese,minced meats,melted cheese and an excellent Kibbeh.good but I thought a bit bland after enjoying our Baba Gannouj.
Our next dish took us by surprise simply because the melding of all the bold flavors in it resulted in such a delicious and sublime dish.
Sojok is charcoal grilled makanek sausages that is then sliced and lightly sauteed in a sauce of Pomegranate molasses,Lebanese 7 spice, olive oil and I believe I just a hint of Harissa plated with sliced shallots and fresh parsley.
The firm lamb/pork sausage resting in all it's spicy,complex and so satisfying juices sopped up with the pita with just a dab of baba ghannouj is a bite you'll remember long after you've departed Garage Beirut and Montreal.
Our final entree was the very good Khash- Khash kabab which was a pair of grilled minced meats on a bed of grilled and spiced tomatoes, crisped pita strips,onions,parsley,7 spice and a serving of Hummus.
Spicy with that deep smokey finish from the charcoal grill,the kabab cooled by the Hummus and bright crushed tomatoes scooped with our now replenished pita and we are DONE!......or are we?
Dessert of a delightfully "jiggly" orange blossom flavored milk pudding swimming in a sweet sauce with a sprinkling of chopped pistachios is refreshing and entertaining at the same time but I would have much preferred the rose water flavored version Beirut is famous for and a wonderfully chewy sweet cheese tart in the same sauce, a thick,dark,rich Turkish coffee with just a hint of cardamom is the ideal end to a very satisfying meal.
I really like this cozy little restaurant with it's delightful staff and great menu and can't wait to return but before I end.... The chairs... what's up with the chairs?
The wooden armed chairs are of the type that tends to tightly hug and seemingly won't let go of the posteriors of shall we say? " the rather wide of beam" or "broad of transom"...and several times during our meal I feared that more than one of our fellow diners would be taking one of these well worn chairs home with them....
Make a reservation, order the Sojok, have the Turkish coffee and beware of the chairs but please don't miss dining at Garage Beirut.
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