A Lebanese feast awaits you at Beiruna at The Fern, Mumbai. This rooftop restaurant with a swimming pool is spread across two floors that overlook the Mumbai Metro and the Western Express Highway. Enjoy a meal under the beautifully lit sky, which serves as a stunning canopy.
Once your food begins to arrive, the place suddenly feels like little Lebanon. Here, food is more than a meal, and there's a warmth with which the staff greets you the minute you walk inside. On every table, you can literally smell flavours of aromatic thyme, zesty lemon, citrusy sumac and earthy za'atar. Rose petals and slivered almonds elevate the desserts, pomegranate pearls brighten up the hummus, pine nuts add a crunchy twist to the Shawarma, and Tahini is a common denominator in the Falafel, Batata Hara and Shish Taouk.
Mezze Platter with Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Muhammara and Tabouleh. |
Mezze on your mind?
Your meal here should ideally start with the Mezze Platter that's got all the flavours of the Middle East — smoky, salty, creamy, savoury and sweet. The platter is meant for sharing, and the flavourful creamy dips are the highlight. The warm, freshly-baked Middle-Eastern flatbread pita, puffed up beautifully, makes the perfect accompaniment to scoop up the classic hummus, which is the cornerstone of Lebanese cuisine. Other dips include the rich, earthy Baba Ganoush, sweet-tangy Muhammara and zesty Tabouleh.
For the uninitiated, Baba Ganoush is an aubergine dip, Muhammara is a walnut and roasted red pepper dip, and Tabouleh is a popular Mediterranean salad of bulgur wheat, parsley, mint, onions and tomatoes tossed in olive oil.
Falafel |
Lebanese starters for easy conversations
The deep-fried, golden brown Falafel (chickpea) balls come coated with sesame seeds for that extra touch of flavour. It can be enjoyed on its own or with a creamy, garlicky Tahini sauce.
The vegetarian hot-seller is the Batata Harra (which literally translates to spicy potatoes in Lebanese) with a fiery kick. The dish is tossed in butter and garlic, and garnished with chopped coriander and finished off with a dash of lemon.
Any meal at a Lebanese restaurant is incomplete without the Sambousek or the Arabic samosa. It is basically a savoury handmade fritter or pastry, and the crunchy, fried vegetarian snack — that outshines its non-vegetarian counterparts — was stuffed with creamy feta cheese and spinach.
Shish Taouk and lamb kebabs. |
Levantine flatbread Manakish is to Lebanon what pizza is to Italy
Manakish almost resembles a pizza, but with ingredients that are very popular back in Lebanon. Za'atar Manakish comes topped with thyme, sesame and sumac. Manakish Jibneh has a sprinkling of nigella seeds, and Lahm Bi Ajeen has plenty of Middle Eastern spices. There's also an Avocado Manakish with pine nuts, cherry tomatoes, and extra virgin oil.
The iconic Shish Taouk, which captures the true essence of street food in Lebanon, is presented on skewers, and the dish arrives on a plate that's covered with a warm flatbread. "The bread will keep the kebabs warm," says Executive Chef Gaurav Madan. The charm of the well-marinated Shish Taouk, skewered and grilled until golden brown, was outdone by the tender, juicy and beautifully charred Lamb kebabs. A squeeze of lime and a side of pudina chutney is all it took to perk up the dish.
Lamb Ouzi Rice |
The main course is the show stealer
Among the mains, slow-roasted lamb, marinated with spices like paprika and cinnamon, is the highlight of the fragrant Lamb Ouzi Rice that is served with a yogurt cucumber salad. The garnish of slivered almonds gives this dish a royal touch, but the tender, well-cooked meat that literally falls apart with each bite, is what makes it hard to resist.
When at Beiruna, do try the chicken or lamb Shawarma that can be enjoyed as a roll or an open dish. What makes the difference is the freshly baked Saaj bread into which the deliciously spiced meat is stuffed. The dish is meant to fill hungry bellies and can be devoured along with the accompaniments like French Fries, Torshi (pickled vegetables), traditional Toum and garlic Tahini.
Baklava |
Baklava and Kunafa lovers rejoice
An epic way to end your meal at Beiruna will be by enjoying Lebanon's beloved desserts Kunafa and Baklava. Kunafa, also known as Kanfeh, is a sweet cheese pastry soaked in sugar syrup. The crunch of the sevaiya — according to Chef Gaurav, there should be a crackling sound when you hit the top with a spoon — and the softness of the cheese make for an irresistible combo. It's impossible to stop at just a single scoop.
Layers of honey-soaked, golden-brown, crisp filo pastry and a rich filling of pistachios make the Baklava here so indulgent. You can literally cut into the layers with a fork, and it's wonderful when consumed warm with the sugary syrup oozing out. Other crowd-pleasing desserts here include Mohallabia, a chilled milk pudding, Umm-Ali, an Egyptian classic bread pudding, and Quattro Leches, a soft cake with four flavours of milk.
Address: Beiruna, The Fern Mumbai, Series By Marriott, 4/277, IB Patel Road, Pahadi Road, Behind HP Petrol Pump, Goregaon, Mumbai - 400063
Cost for two: ₹5000 (approx.)
