CHECK OTHER REVIEWS FOR THIS PLACE:
Calm and serene, simple and soothing, Lux is a special restaurant located in the heart of Beirut's central district facing the seaport. With a Provence feel and food from de terroir, Lux promises to serve you with unique food cooked with love, attention and loaded with passion.
First a terrace before continuing to a long rectangular space with a bar set in the middle. A long line of burgundy leather and black metal stools facing it. I was invited to sit on the right side of the restaurant with a view onto the long alley and took time to appreciate every detail that constitutes the place.
Yellow on the right and green on the left, it felt colorful and relaxing. You are welcomed by a large metallic design piece suspended from the ceiling. A signboard on which is written LUX. A general greyish ambiance takes over with a floor covered with grey tiles and walls half painted in grey. The burgundy brown of the leather chairs and stools add subtle colour. To the left are four rectangular tables facing a long bench while to the right a series of high tables with high stools can host up to 12 guests. Two stairs take you to the upper section where the burgundy of below is replaced by light brown. The inner section has walls painted yellow with fresh and colorful posters. Light wooden tables fill the space. The metal door and windows are also painted grey. Facing the entrance is a long bar covered in metallic panels, facing a mirror reflecting the many bottles hiding it. Up the stairs are the washrooms. The tables are preset with a white plate, a fork and knife as well as a wine and water glass. What caught my attention was the three different colored walls: green, yellow and red adding a touch of color to the otherwise restrained grey aesthetic.
Fresh and organic, planted on the family premises, lunch starts with a square plate of crunchy zucchini with olive oil, lemon and basil, a bread basket and a bottle of olive oil.
A special menu offers a selection of organic products provided by Bechley Greens, certified organic eggs, premium quality seafood and a gourmet selection of beef and poultry. Keep some space for dessert.
Good to know:
- Lux prepares its own olive oil.
- Plants its own vegetable
The best part: out of a handful of choices on this rich menu, only one single plate contains garlic! I am impressed ...
On the menu:
- Starters and Salads
- Main dishes
- Sides
- Desserts
- Lunch time trays (sea, garden, farm, garden)
- Set menu (starters, main dishes and desserts)
We ordered the lunch trays, a selection of appetizers served on square plates: organic greens salad, warm beans and cherry tomatoes, wilted spinach and organic greens, beetroot tartare, grilled octopus, free-range chicken breast, tajen de poisson and grass fed black angus tenderloin carpaccio. With that the pasta of the day, and the oven roasted wild grouper.
The food is fantastic:
Two trays landed on the table each with four square plates. Colorful plates that make your mouth water even before starting. A blend of colors and aromas activate your senses. The meat carpaccio is exceptional, thin slices with homemade pesto and olive oil. Wilted spinach and organic greens served warm offer exceptional flavor. Fish with grilled tomatoes and bread. The beetroot tartare is to die for! Tender octopus, a zesty explosion, capers and well textured broad beans. Waw... the chicken breast with whole grilled aubergines and sweet sauce. The beans are so good!
The food is so good!!!! Amazing food and people don't even know about it. We were alone having lunch at Lux and find this to be unfair! "Hello people... Affordable and healthy super duper tasty food is served here!!".
The main courses: penne with tomato sauce and diced eggplant. Overcooked penne and eggplant with unpleasant skin that sticks to the teeth. A good plate of pasta if cooked less and if the eggplant had been peeled. The fish comes with sweet cherry tomatoes, three baked potatoes, black olives and parsley flavored who lemon and olive oil. Lovely flavors of fish cooked with a certain finesse, a certain style, simple yet gourmet.
Desserts are as good as lunch, tarte tatin and ice cream from Oslo, served warm with a firm scoop in the side. I enjoyed the end of my meal and left happy.
I'll certainly come back for the food and the calm ambiance. I'd work on improving the service, to add more finesse to it, but this isn't a big issue. I've rarely had food as satisfying and pure as that which Lux provides.
