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It all starts from the minute you pick up the phone to reserve your table at Le Sushi Bat. You are warmly welcomed and advised that it is a non smoking restaurant before coming. I think this is one of the details that Le Sushi Bar is appreciated for. It's no wonder that this restaurant has won two Consumer Trophy's as the number one sushi places in Lebanon. And I for one totally give my vote.
If this trophy counts, I have already expressed my appreciation for Le Sushi Bar and have positioned it as the number one Japanese restaurant in Lebanon. Rumors? This is what Lebanese are best at; gossiping about this fine place trying to say that it goes through ups and downs. Does it? This was the reason for my recent visit. My verdict: No change. I can safely say that Le Sushi Bar's perfection has been perfected further!
Everything at the Sushi Bar is amazingly mastered:
- A professional welcome
- A choice of Pepsi or Coca-Cola
- A choice between local or international mineral water (glass or plastic bottle)
- Nice texture of the menu papers and leather cover with a classy carved wooden side
- The best wine glasses you can drink with in any restaurant in the country; light and well rounded crystals
- The bamboo glazed blue chopsticks, beautiful blue napkins with white floral drawings decorating them
- A dimmed and relaxing ambiance.
- A check paper distributed for the host to take the order making things quicker and simpler
- Smiley and gentle female waiters dressed in traditional Kimonos
... And much much more...
The wine list: Imported and local wines are divided into sections to include fruity, dry, exotic, full bodied, grand cru and spicy:
- 21 imported white wines
- 5 imported rose wines
- 15 imported red wines
- 6 Lebanese white wines
- 6 Lebanese rose wines
- 7 Lebanese red wines
We chose the same as last time:
White wine: from the exotic selection: Tierra Luna Blanco, Domaine Lurton, Argentina, 2010. A very tasty wine, even though it doesn't have a cork. It opens like a Perrier bottle. To start with, we were each offered an individual portion of pickled cucumbers like they do in French restaurants where customers are presented with the chef's special. We were then offered and another individual portion of white ginger (white FINGE is rare around town).
The culinary experience:
- Temakis are excellent: fresh, cold and full of seafood not only rice like most do.
- I like the appetizing presentation of all the dishes especially their variety of "On Ice" series like their marinated salmon in an ice bowl shaped dish keeping every bite fresh and cold.
- Most of the dishes are served warm melting softly under the palate.
- The best in my opinion is their Fresh crab maki.
Some minor fixes to reach the stars:
- Install an additional air conditioning unit next to the glass facade as it is really too hot in this area.
- Green onions are everywhere. They use it like we use salt: you see tiny green pieces sprinkled on almost all pieces. Please use this ingredient with moderation! For customers with anallergy to onions, an enjoyable night is ahead.
- Choosing between Lebanese or imported water was not a choice. The waiter decided that night to serve us local water. This is not a bad thing but for a place like Le Sushi Bar our choice should be asked, especially that they do have both.
- A bigger list of Lebanese wine must be included on their extensive wine list: 6 red wine and 6 white wine choices is not sufficient considering that we have lots of new boutique wineries producing wonders.
The details that count:
- Two times the manager came to check on our experience.
- Hot towels to end and refresh before ordering desserts.
- Desserts deserveclosing your eyes after every bite. They have an extraordinary taste.
- More than 15 staff members moving around gracefully like swans.
Do you want more details? Read my first review and then go experience Le Sushi Bar first hand.
Japanese cuisine at Le Sushi Bar is an endless story - the high price on the pay check is well deserved.
