In previous articles, I have expressed my admiration for Kamal Mouzawak and his works, which include Souk Al Tayeb and Tawlet, one of my favorite places to eat amazingly home cooked food by traditional women from different parts of our rich country.
Now Tawlet is taking a step further taking the whole unique concept to a whole new level. Imagine a place where you can enjoy good food in an Eco-friendly environment. Tawlet Ammiq is set in a high environmental performance building, with a high thermal performance building envelope,naturally assisted cooling, lighting at minimum cost and solar water heating. It uses 80% less energy to operate than a conventional construction. All waste (mostly organic) is sorted and recycled.Waste is reduced by sourcing unpacked products or using reusable containers. The Eco-restaurant is established to support the conservation efforts of Al-Shouf Cedar Society and A Rocha, and the land is donated by Skaff Estate. "What are farmers, producers and cooks of Ammiq, and the region, saving as tradition, planting as dreams and harvesting as the best of their land and kitchen. Tawlet Ammiq is a development project in Lebanon’s most fertile land, the Bekaa valley, in a vision to protect natural and cultural heritage,to celebrate food and traditions that unite communities and support small-scale farmers and producers and the culture of sustainable agriculture." The project is part of a regional program that aims to support some protected sites in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, funded by Swiss Development Agency (Scd) and implemented by Royal Society for Conservation of Nature.
What you can expect at Tawlet Ammiq:
- A producers’ buffet on weekends where ladies/cooks from the region share the best of their land and traditions.
- A la carte service on the week days
- Private functions, events and conference facilities (upon booking)
- Cooking classes and “wines of the bekaa” appreciation sessions (upon booking)
- Dekenet Ammiq, for a selection of regional mouneh, hand crafts and environments publications
- Info-corner for the region’s environmental and Eco-touristic activities. Wines of the Bekaa boutique and events.
- Production kitchen for local producers
And what I am looking forward to is the bed & breakfast facilities they are working on at a later stage, an agricultural development center, a research center and a farmers’ market will soon be developed. Ammiq old village – West Bekaa – Lebanon (Ammiq is on the eastern slopes of Mount-Lebanon, halfway between Chtaura and Kefraya, overlooking the Bekaavalley)
http://www.tawletammiq.com/ Or visit their FaceBook Page
