A Cheese Shop in Beirut

I was browsing through the Commerce du Levant which I think everyone should purchase this month because they have a special on Beirut restaurants, cafes and bars prepared by Hodema, a hospitality consulting service firm based in Beirut and in major Arab cities. I am dying to go and see this place, especially now that I am working on my new book dealing with dairy products—cheese included of course. Please if anyone has been to the shop and would like to comment, please do so! Here is the article, as written in the magazine (in French).

Boutique

Fromages alléchants

Muriel Rozelier, Mai 2011

Lorsqu’on est épris de tome de brebis, de Saint-Nectaire ou, pire, d’un Munster fondant… les adresses de qualité à Beyrouth se comptent sur les doigts de la main. D’où notre chapeau bas à ce nouveau “comptoir” ouvert dans la descente de l’hôtel Alexandre, qui propose quelque 85 sortes de fromage à des prix raisonnables. Ce printemps, sa boutique s’étoffe d’une terrasse pour offrir à ses clients la possibilité de grignoter sur le pouce une assiette fromages et vins. « Il suffit de composer son assiette, de choisir sa boisson au comptoir. On pèse le tout. On ajoute cinq dollars pour le service, sans autre surcharge. »
Jean, Charles, rue Adib Ishak, Achrafié, ouvert de 9h à 19h en semaine, jusqu’à 20h les week-ends, Tél. : 70/324253

Barbara in Barouk Helwe w Morra

This is how a community of folks from the Shouf make something exceptional with food. I have always been very much impressed by their mouneh production. When I started my mouneh book, I was very much influenced by the wide range of products available at the reserve. Rizkallah, a charming man, whose job is to coordinate the whole process was kind enough to introduce me to some of his food producers. The area is really special and I respect very much the fact that it is being protected from man's bulldozers. Thank you! This trip was magical, the bread-making exceptional. The ritual, very enlightening - and I always say we can perpetuate it all over the country in every household. Start with purchasing a saj and the rest will come easily. Let us keep these traditions alive, for the sake our children.
 

Barbara with Habib Honey on Helwe w Morra

I hope you enjoy this report, it was so much fun to shoot it. Maurice and his wife are wonderful people who make an honest living working very hard. Maurice is passionate about his work. It currently shows. I have visited Maurice and his bees many times during my journey. It is an amazing experience. His story is featured in the Mouneh book with information concerning honey and the yearly Lebanese honey calendar. In a nutshell, honey is the mouneh of the bees and we are profiting from all their hard work. Instead of sugar, I add a teaspoon of honey everyday in my morning coffee - it makes it so much more special. You can visit Maurice and his family every Saturday at Souk el Tayeb in Downtown and every Tuesday at the Earth Market in Hamra, opposite of Bread Republic.

Bees feed off these beautiful scented orange blossoms

Roula Sidnawi, every week works very hard to make the show happen

Simply incredible

This baby goat took me for her mom

The LBC crew wearing the protection gear

Roula

In action!

International Museum Day

The University of Balamand cordially invites you to the celebration
of the International Museum Day (IMD 2011) at the Permanent Ethnographic Exhibition,
Goat House - Main Campus - Al Kura, on May 18th 2011, at 4:30 p.m.
Theme of the International Museum Day:

Museum and Memory
4: 30 p.m. Visit of the Photo Exhibition Dr. Houda Kassatly

5: 30 p.m. Signing of books
by
Dr. Houda Kassatly
Mrs. Barbara Massaad
Mrs. Noor Majdalani

6: 00 p.m. Concert by Soprano Ghada Ghanem accompanied by her Oriental
Chamber Music Orchestra who will be performing o ld forgotten
songs from our musical oriental heritage.

7:00 p.m. Reception

Today in Zghorta ...

Simply amazing

I'm so lucky to be able to meet so many wonderful people

A family of seven children, here are a few

Suzanne Doueihey and I with the hmarr!

Barbara at Tawleh with Souna Tikidjian Helwe w Morra

Barbara "l'humeur du chef" helwe w morra

I met Jad El Hajj at Tawleh when he worked as a manager there. He helped me to organize a party for my friends that was long overdue. You see I never found a place that I could identify myself to, thus never had a party outside my home in a public place. When Tawleh opened, I called my husband the same day and told him, "I found the place!". Since then, Jad has moved on to fulfill his long life dream of opening his own restaurant. The concept of the restaurant is special as he "the chef" cooks given his mood, changing the menu every day. All the best to you Jad!

ACDI/VOCA Launches First-Ever Lebanese Cheese Festival

I attended this cheese festival a while back, actually as I was watching the video I saw myself walking around for a split second. This event took place in 2007, how time flies. I am starting my new research presently dealing with this exact topic. Usually when you write a book, you spend months trying to find the right cover. So let me tell you ladies and gents, I found it! Does that mean that this book will be easier on me? I hope so, but I really hope that the journey takes me to the root of my secret dream - that of discovering the riches of being a shepherdess. Sound crazy, it's not - just picture it, being in nature seeing your "babies" feed on nature's offerings, milking the herd to make delicious dairy products. A cycle is born instantly, as nature intended... I can't wait to live through this experience - one step at a time.

Always the Sun

Not food related, soul related - a philosophy, sung by someone else that I can relate to. Why? I don't know. We have a "hamseen" today in Lebanon, so this just might be appropriate and related to this hot vague (in my mind)... Enjoy!

Your darkness grows
In fields of loneliness
Every breath
As cold as ice
Where lies are true painted black
Searching for some light to lead you back

Always the sun
After all
Always the sun
Like a wailing wall
Give me hope
Show some meaning

Always the sun
To strike a chord
Always the sun
To turn the world
Always

Your darkness grows
In fields of loneliness
Every breath
As cold as ice
Where lies are true painted black
Searching for some light to lead you back

Always the sun
After all
Always the sun
Like a wailing wall
Give me hope
Show some meaning

Always the sun
To strike a chord
Always the sun
To turn the world
Always

Orange Blossom Jam in Zakroun

I had such a great time with Joseph and his family! They are one of a kind and I wish them all the happiness. I was very touched by their generosity. The story of Joseph and his jam is included in the Mouneh book.

Striking a pose with Joseph

The beauty of Zakroun untouched by men

Joseph absolutely hates TV interviews

The hospitality of the Menhen family

Meeting my friend, the goat

Notice the beehive next to Dory's head

 Look closely at the beehive