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It's called East Village and it's located in Badaro, at the end of the street before, right before reaching Tayyouneh. Recommended by many of my friends, this place seems famous for its burger and pleasant ambiance… This is why I am here.
East Village can be missed while driving up the avenue. Located on the right side is a place with an open terrace and a big sign where "East Village" is written. The first impression is catchy. Beautiful wood design tables surrounded with old style chairs on glazed concrete floor… in front of the small restaurant.
Inside is a beautiful space decorated with bricks, an open kitchen and a bar. Light brick colors and dimmed lighting under a ceiling covered with wood pallets. Beautiful dimmed lights and lots of bottles lit from the back.
While a soothing music plays in the background we received the menus. Nice and different menus printed on fabrics.
The menu:
- Dips, gnocchi, salads, meats and sides.
- Desserts, yogurt shakes, teas, coffees.
- Cocktails of the house.
- Wine by the bottle and the glass.
- They do grind their own meat daily.
- East village steak is a signature.
A welcoming staff tours around the restaurant discretely. We were served by a lady from the Philippines, gentle and smiley and attentive to details.
We ordered some starters to start:
- Three plates each with its toast dip. Homemade baked pita that resembles a biscuit or a toasted Lebanese bread crust and broken into quarters.
- Spinach and artichoke dip are served in a metal pot. I felt the garlic after the first bite but one can't deny how great it tastes. What a yummy innovation! Rich full bodied cheese with spinach and mashed artichoke. You feel them, those ingredients heated to perfection create a flavorful dip one must order.
- A mountain of white cream... What can that be? Cream cheese with a hint of truffle oil. It’s a premiere for me. Dip in once and be sure you'll be finishing the cup in no time.
- Bacon and Leek: a plate looks like eggs and kawarma but wait, it's so finger licking good! Really wow! A superb first impression, a great taste.
Dinner was served:
- US Angus Burger: 200 grams of US Black Angus beef served medium well, American or cheddar cheese. Onions, tomato, dill pickles and the homemade sauce with bacon. Indeed and I agree one of the finest burgers this country has to offer. A juicy piece of meat with rich flavors, red on the inside crumbling under your teeth like magic. Sweet pickles, a thin slice of tomato, a hint of grilled onions, a bit of cheese and the sauce, which is well equilibrated to add juiciness without masking the flavors. Eat the meat alone! It deserves a round of applause. A well seasoned meat that’s tender and juicy with the just the right amount fat melting around in style. It is wow, it is amazing!
- Bourbon pepper steak: 180 grams of Australian premium grass fed beef tenderloin medallions, pan seared, served with bourbon pepper sauce. A sublime plate! Extra tender meat marinated in this bourbon sauce, which can't leave you without emotions. Amazing!
- Don't miss the fries with there Parmesan cheese and truffle oil. It’s as good as others offered around town.
- On the side I had the Kartoffel Salat for its name and a souvenir I previously had in Germany. Potato, eggs, parsley, apple, pickles and mayo sauce. It has a homey feel to it, something simple yet memorable. I asked my wife to prepare it at home from now on.
Dessert:
I'm not sure where to start or even how to start. Should I say how amazed I am with the quality of ingredients used, the brownie and its fine dark chocolate or the coffee that blends in it with style and finesse. How would I describe the New York cheesecake and its crunchy bottom or its tender and - not too sweet- heart of gold. Should I continue telling you about the homemade ice cream, vanilla or salted caramel... Amazing! Oh man, this place is not only about the burgers but also about the desserts it offers.
In here is a man, a chef who simply knows his business. The owner who I heard is also a chef is called Christian Karam. Every single bite I had tonight gave me pleasure and satisfaction.
I surely would recommend it to all my friends, to the connoisseurs who want to enjoy a good meal, to the young generation who want to enjoy a good time with friends and to whoever wants to put a smile on their face. East Village it is!
