In the heart of Gemmayze, on Rue Pasteur, is a Lebanese-Armenian, Aleppo fusion - if my description is accurate - restaurant called Loris. An old Lebanese house decorated in blue with fresh touches of color. A bar area, central dining space and terrace where Arguile is served. With Fayrouz, the Rahbanis and the Bee Gees singing in the background, I enjoyed a pleasant lunch.
Carrots, lemon and cucumbers while you browse the menu. It's the most complicated menu you can ever expect browsing, thirty sections of food where breakfast is displayed at the beginning and Manakish in the middle.
- Fattat Loris
- Pastries
- Mounet Loris
- Khodra
- Loris Breakfast
- Salads
- Loris Appetizers
- Potato
- Manakish
- Loris Kebbe
- Saucepan
- Tray
- Frying Pan
- Sandwiches
- Crockery
- BBQ Bread
- Loris Grill
- Loris Pie
- Loris Dessert
- Loris Ice Cream
- Loris Jams
- Lebanese Coffee
- Tea
- Coffee
- Fresh Juice
- Fresh Mix
- Charab
- Beer
- Alcohol
The food is good! Full of flavors, not too complicated and focusing on the real taste of middle eastern cuisine.
- I judge a restaurant from its hummus, and Loris’ is spot on! A creamy hummus served warm, light and airy, adequately lemony with a subtle taste of tahini. The hummus Loris comes with kebbeh balls adding more flavor to that unique hummus. Bravo chef.
- The tabbouleh that looks like any other tabbouleh is, in fact, made of roquette leaves and pomegranate without the parsley. A different texture and feel to the standard tabbouleh you expect to taste. I like the idea.
- Try the Tochka, I loved it! Mini rounded flatbread loaded with moist Kafta and melted cheese. Beautifully done, the moist yet crispy bread hosts a delicious Kafta.
- Kebbeh Sajieh: tender meat shaped envelop loaded with minced meat and spicy sauce on the side.
- Order both stuffed grapevine leaves, the big and small one stuffed with labneh.
- Baklava cheese: layers of puff pastry interlaced with cheese. Feels like Armenian Soubereg without the butter. A light crunch, the enjoyable acidity of the cheese, all cooked in a traditional pan.
- A tasty and juicy spread of kafta topped with tahini sauce and potato cubes altogether covered with an envelope of freshly cooked flatbread. This beautiful presentation hides a delicious plate I recommend you try. A cocktail of enjoyable flavors taking simple Lebanese cuisine to another level.
- The grilled meat platter is as good as any restaurant would do it. I’d recommend you stick to the specialties when ordering.
An interesting food experience you have to complete with one of Loris' signature must-try desserts. Desserts at Loris are excellent! Maamoul cheese with sugar syrup, Knefeh Naboulsieh with crunchy Esmalliyeh and the Halawa mountain. This is my favorite because everyone else prepares it like a tart while Loris dips the chocolate in dark chocolate, Halawa ice cream, and white cotton candy.
The good and bad:
- Why have ashtrays if smoking is not allowed?
- The place needs a bit more color.
- Loved the food but unfortunately can't say the same about the service.
- After taking his time to decorate the plates, the chef deserves to see his work on social media. Waiters are not allowed to put spoons in the food.
Good food is served here; I'll probably be back for more.
