Evening, Beirut

I’ve never actually called the restaurant to order takeout, because I don’t live in Toledo.  But my friend Peter does a hilarious impression of how the phone is answered at the restaurant:  “Evening, Beirut.”  Two simple words, uttered with a Lebanese accent.

The Beirut, at 4082 Monroe Street in Toledo, Ohio is my favorite restaurant.  Period.  And it always will be.  It achieved this high status in my personal pecking order by virtue of many things.  

The first, of course, is by consistently producing delicious food.  So fresh, so good.  Lots of vegetables.  Overeating at The Beirut is nearly impossible to avoid, because everything is so delicious, and healthy to boot.  When dining at The Beirut, to quote comedian Louis CK, “The meal isn’t over when I’m full.  It’s over when I hate myself.”  Whatever self-criticism I levy for my gluttony, it’s always done as a compliment to the restaurant.  “Ah, Beirut…you got me again…”

I first visited the restaurant with Peter during the summer of 1989, if I recall correctly.  It was my first time eating Lebanese food.  It was probably my first exposure to tahini, and za’atar.  As I tasted each item, I remember thinking “This is good, but different…”  It was just different enough for me to go “huh…”. When we saw Peter’s dad and stepmom outside Ohio Stadium before a football game later that Fall, they had brought down lots of food from The Beirut to enjoy while tailgating.  Tasting it all that second time felt like a homecoming for my taste buds.  From that point forward, those flavor combinations and textures became hard-coded in my sense memory.

The restaurant was an early point of common connection when Lori and I started dating.  She had gone to grad school in Toledo, and The Beirut was her favorite restaurant, too.  It has become a touchstone for our closest friends and family - most of the most special people in our lives have made the pilgrimage to The Beirut, experienced it’s glory, embracing it as one of their top culinary experiences as well.

I can’t ignore the possibility that timing may be a factor in how strong my affection for The Beirut is.  All sorts of experiences from early adulthood seem to hold high significance.  The Beirut is like another one of my college friends, people with whom I’m still close today.  Experiences with them are etched just a little more deeply into my synapses.

I had an all-day meeting in Detroit this past Friday.  Afterward I drove to Toledo and dined yet again at The Beirut with Peter and his fiancé.  It was glorious.  If I could go there as often as I wanted, I wonder how often I would go.  Is it even possible to grow weary of that menu?  I'm sure I would test the limit.  I could probably order more reasonably, safe in the knowledge that I could return tomorrow.

If you ever have the chance to go there, do so!  I hope that you have a restaurant that means as much to you as The Beirut means to me.

Sunday Supper
This Sunday I’ll be prepping these Korean Beef Bulgogi Burritos and Kung Pao Chicken to jump start the week with some healthy, delicious meat and vegetables.

Sunday Music
This NPR Tiny Desk concert featuring Brazilian singer Luciana Souza swings!  And this performance by Yasser Tejedaprovides a perfect complement to Souza this weekend.  Enjoy!

If you know anyone who might like this essay, please send it to them. 

Have a great week ahead!  Offer support to others.  Make good use of this day.  And let me know how I can help.

Peace & Love,