After "Cozmo" and "Coast" comes "The Corner" in Downtown Beirut, another concept by Boubess Group. 'The Corner', a burger joint, is located on a roof in Beirut Souks (where Yannik Alleno used to be). Recently opened, The Corner is a beautifully designed space on two levels that welcomes you for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Corner boasts the same style as Boubess' latest diners. Lots of wood, stone, metal and leather, a high-ceilinged industrial space full of colors and accented with dozens of different types of chairs, mirrors, ceramic tiles and bricks. You'll love the rugged wooden tables, the dark wooden floor, the lights suspended over every table, the chairs, the relaxing leather sofas, the bar and black ceiling. Retro-chic yet modern if I may call it, a blend of colors, style and design, a relaxing space serving a selection of diner food.
On the menu - without photos - choose between lunch and dinner items. There is a different menu for Breakfast. Appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, desserts, mains and drinks. Alcohol, coffee and virgin cocktails are also available.
Every table is decorated with paper place mats, old style plates and a metallic basket for ketchup and mustard.
A thought before we start. I believe Boubess Group has preserved the true diner identity which both Crepaway and Roadster have lost. They have developed and revisited their first diner "Bob's" with a menu that's simple and straight to the point and good music plays in the background.
I'm not sure if the marketing strategy was adequately done to attract the right clientele however...
Let's... Eat:
- A cold bun, so little lobster shredded like tabbouleh, cocktail sauce, avocado and something unpleasantly crunchy. LBP42,500 - that's almost $30 - for 4 pain au lait buns, a vague flavor of frozen lobsters, a sweetness you only feel in burgers and a dry bread that leaves an after taste.
- Crispy chicken fried and crunchy and moist inside, mozzarella sticks looking like fish fibers, potato wedges from a frozen bag, nachos with an oily taste, enjoyable buffalo chicken wings with a strong spiciness - we didn't ask for - and three sauces. A fully fried appetizer platter outsourced from the local distributor. Not bad but not innovative at all. Add some sauce, it will give you the missing flavors you're searching for.
- A round metallic plate with a burger cut in half, French fries and coleslaw. A soft bun, juicy heart, tender and thick patty, fresh vegetables, a "not-too-bad" burger. Eating the meat alone, I believe it should be harder and less gooey; frozen meat slides under the teeth... I would suggest to grind it less for a better texture. Good quality fries, crunchy and well done.
- Steak and cheese served on a wooden board served with French fries and salad on the side. A cold and hard ciabatta filled with a sweet sauce, acidic pickles, a chewy meat and some grilled veggies. All I remember about this sandwich is its very strong saltiness.
Desserts:
- Desserts are better than the food and this is the same thing I remember from Cosmo ABC. A fluffy donut filled with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, roasted hazelnuts, vanilla sauce. Even though it has a burning flavor, I liked the combination, the freshness of the doughnut and the ingredients filling it.
- Strawberry cheese cake has a load of strawberries, lots of cream and biscuits but surely isn't a strawberry cheesecake. It's a bowl of cream with strawberries cut in quarters and a handful of biscuit crumbles. A scoop of ice cream adds some taste to the dull mix. Let's call it a Sundae or a bowl of freshness... but not the cake I expected.
Improvements:
- A bit more attention.
- Prices are exaggerated. $55/person without drinks.
- Food is below what I expected.
It's a lovely place but a bit pricey for what it offers.
