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What a pleasant holiday season this is so far, perfectly embraced with a stormy weather that entices you to stay home, hold on to a hot drink while contemplating nature's melancholic phenomenon. But friends are flying into town for the holidays and we all have to meet up, catch up and enjoy the warmth of the season with close ones. Where to go? I strongly recommend Al Mandaloun Cafe.
On a stormy afternoon, I went to Al Mandaloun Cafe for what was supposed to be a quick meeting. I was positively amazed by the setup and ambiance this premium restaurant provides. Al Mandaloun is a great place where you can just drop by for a cup of coffee - you don't need to go there to eat. My friend and I sat down next to the chimney - a great choice in this cold weather as I enjoyed the pleasant sound of the harmonious flames tunes while sipping some green tea. Ahhh, its heaven just being far from the holiday's chaotic ambiance and traffic outside. Al Mandaloun Cafe, located on the inner Dbayeh road welcomes you daily, starting early morning where you can enjoy their famous brunch all the way through the day, until late night. Anytime of the day, Al Mandaloun is a perfect choice. The place boasts various corners, each with a different feel, all depending on what you're here for.
The closed terrace with its low tables and relaxing sofas is perfect for a chill-out adventure, the winter area where watching TV as you enjoying the chimney's flames will transcend you into fairytale moments, or you can enjoy a good meal on their square tables situated in their main dinning hall. Each one of them has its signature feel. Smoking is allowed outside where glass facades has been recently installed. Adequate dimmed lighting gives you a relaxing feel whether you're in the dining area with its huge red lanterns and its ticking clocks, or the saloon with its metallic pending chandeliers and its fluffy smooth burgundy couches.
You'll spend hours enjoying the architectural details: three different walls of stone, paintings and wallpapers.
Different ceiling textures:
Light wood, bulk trees and thick metal grey beams. Many chair styles and stable wood tables where eating is a joy. All of this in a calm and relaxing ambiance filled with a unique Christmas spirit that I strongly urge you to enjoy while the holidays last. Check out the pictures, you'll understand. Vibrant jazz music adds a final touch to the overall ambiance that hypnotizes you to feel hours pass-by like minutes. I arrived at 4pm and before I knew it it was already 7pm. Before heading home, I passed by their signature shop, filled my eyes with colors and pleasures, and bought their international tea mix filled in lab glass tubes.
One single detail annoyed me and that is their coffee and tea cups. It's not nice at all to drink in a sponsor cup in such a refined and high end place. Lavazza can be advertised with a branded piece of chocolate or sugar sticks, no need to serve hot beverage in those ugly white branded cups. Having to enjoy tea served in a beautifully crafted copper teapot next to an unpleasant branded white cup is simply unacceptable. I would reconsider this the soonest. Imagine a nice porcelain colored cup, the English way.
I have been there five times already... I love this place more and more after every visit.
