Beirut a Taste of Lebanon at the Beach

“I loved baba ganouch before I learned how to say it.  I still can’t spell it.”  --Author UnknownThe restaurant Beirut opened its doors in Playa Blanca about two years ago. Bringing Middle Eastern cuisine and a mix of international flavors to the beach area, Beirut has friendly and knowledgeable staff.Similar to Spanish tapas, Romanian mezeluri, and Italian antipasti, Beirut offers the mezze (a Lebanese spread) dish.The mezze brings variety of aromas, flavors, colors, and textures to the table; it’s a stunning array of small dishes. Don’t know what to order? The mezze is your solution. Beirut’s extensive menu also allows you to create your own mezze.The mezze for two is $52, but could easily feed three or four.

Beirut offers 42 different appetizers, ranging in price from $1-$15.  Cold offerings include hummus (ground chick peas), labne (yogurt), baba ganouch (eggplant), stuffed grape leaves, encurtidos (Lebanese pickles, olives, and peppers) along with several ceviches. Hot appetizers include fried kibbe (wheat with ground beef filling), falafel (fried garbanzo balls), as well international items such as wings, fish and chicken tenders, calamari rings, clams, fried potatoes, and more.  Don’t forget to order the Lebanese staple, flatbread (pita) along with your meal.

The menu includes 11 salads from $5-$7 (including an outstanding Lebanese tabouleh), 6 soups ($4.50-$5), and 9 wrap sandwiches ($4.50-5).  We’ve tried just about all of them,
and they are mouthwateringly good and extremely reasonable.  But I’m not done yet!  There is a wide choice of beef, chicken, and lamb.  Favorites are the shish tauk (skewers of barbecued meat or chicken marinated with olive oil, lemon and spices), kafta charbroiled beef or chicken (ground with parsley, onion, paprika, and garlic), and beef or chicken
shawarma (marinated, skewered, and slowly cooked). For the less adventurous, items like the parmesan chicken, New York steak, and pepper steak are available.
Among the many items are several kosher options.

A complimentary dessert called “Fried Lebanese Night” is served after dinner.  Fried Filo pastry filled with cream cheese, topped with honey and and ground pistachio, it is accompanied by hot Arabic tea.  It is a perfect end to a delightful meal, in my opinion.

For an authentic experience try one of the various flavors of hookah.

The Playa Blanca Beirut is a sister restaurant to Beirut in the banking district of Panama City.  There is also a Beirut on the Amador Causeway a Express Beirut in Albrook Mall,
and soon to be a Beirut in Colon.  

The Beach location is closed Mondays but open every other day from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. However, the restaurant will open Mondays for holiday weekend. For reservations call: (507) 908-8081.

Directions:  About a 25 minute drive from Coronado to Rio Hato go past the Fish Market and Airport.  Take a left at the cemetery on your right, just after the sign for J. W. Marriott. 
You will enter the Playa Blanca arch.  Follow that road for 2.4 km then enter the gated entrance on the left.  Tell the guard where you are going and follow the road, and take a left at
the roundabout.  Beirut is located in the Town Square, across from the gigantic swimming pool.
TIP:  If you’re unfamiliar with Lebanese food or in a quandary about what to order, you can point to the pictures on the menu and the friendly wait staff will happily help you with
your order.

Epicurious Em welcomes your comments and suggestions.  Feel free to e-mail me at em@playacommunity.com