Tags
Adriana Karembeu Beirut, Armenia, Armenian cuisine, Banirov Maamoul, Beirut, Charles Aznavour, Gemmayzeh, khachkhach kabab, Lebanese cuisine, Lebanon, Little Mother, Maamoul, Mante, Mayrig, Mayrig Lebanon, Moutabbal, Sou Boureg
‘A young girl on a long and lonely voyage, a beautiful stone house by the sea, and a book of fiercely guarded recipes. These are just some of the elements which compose the fascinating history of Mayrig.’ That’s how the people behind one of Beirut’s fine dining milestones describe their fascinating destination, Mayrig.
A Little Bit of History
It all started with a 3-year-old girl named Manoucheg, who like thousands of others, fled her mother country Armenia, to settle down in Lebanon, where she grew up and started her own family.
Manoucheg became a talented and famous cook, to the envy of her entire neighborhood. She would make exquisite dishes, that were tinged with the love, spices and aromas of her mother land.
In 2003, Aline Kamakian and Serge Maacaron decided to immortalize their grandmother’s extremely delicious and rich food, and share it with the world. So they recollected her recipes, and gradually established this renowned restaurant. They found themselves a very nice old traditional Lebanese house, and named it ‘Mayrig,’ which is an Armenian term of affection that means ‘Little Mother.’
Our Experience
Consisting of an ancient stone house at the more quiet, lower side of Gemmayzeh, the lively street at the far end of downtown Beirut, Mayrig never failed us. With its creative state of the art cuisine, its traditional & warm interior and table presentation, as well as its outstanding customer service, Mayrig keeps on being a leading destination for the locals and tourists alike, for the ‘common people’ (like myself :p ) and the famous, whenever they wanted to grasp a true Lebanese Armenian dining experience.
Mayrig, or the ‘haven of dining perfection,’ as food critics named it, offers a generous variety of traditional Armenian dishes, while borrowing from Lebanese and other mediterranean cultures. The plates are rich in middle eastern spices, freshly collected ingredients, and presented in delicately hand-made creations… All in a charming setting that brings on reminiscence of Beirut’s glorious days.
With the music of Charles Aznavour, who is a regular at Mayrig whenever he’s in Lebanon, Frank Sinatra, Edith Piaf, Julio Iglesias, Garou, and many other legendary artists amusing our ears, we tried a selection of their recommended dishes, with the help of a very friendly, polite and knowledgeable waiter.
Appetisers:
Itch, the Armenian version of Tabouleh,
Moutabbal (photo on the right). Grilled eggplant and Tahina sauce dip,
Gdzou Patates: Crispy fried potato cubes fried in a mixture of hot spices, herbs and garlic,
Soujouk Fekhara, a true Armenian specialty. It consists of richly flavored slices of marinated Armenian sausages, combined with fresh tomatoes, all sizzling in a Terracotta pan, and
Sou Beureg (right-side photo), which is a delicacy that used to be made at special occasions only, due to its hard labor. It consists of layered pastry, stuffed with three kinds of local white cheeses.
Main Dish:
Of course after the rich variety of appetizers we have selected, little space was left for a main course. However, we could never have passed Mayrig’s specialty, the extremely delicious KhachKhach kabab plate. It is made according to a special recipe, combining Kabab with fresh ripe tomatoes, with the adequate amount of onions and spices, all grilled over the fire.
By then, surely we could not accommodate any other bite, so we had to sacrifice the desert to some other time. However, the middle eastern generosity at Mayrig prevailed when we were offered a rich plate of specially made sweets, on the house, because it was St. Georges day. We had a bite each, & yum!!! A true grandma’s made delicacy!
Here are some other delicacies found at Mayrig:
A friend of Mayrig’s, and a faithful guest once said while describing their famous Maamouls:”My mom never gave me affection… Get me some cheese Maamouls for these are the true motherly love and affection…”
Finally, due to the success of Mayrig’s dining experience, it is now open in Jeddah, check out how beautiful it looks!
Note: Photos that are not taken by my iPhone, are via Mayrig’s facebook page & Mayrig Lebanon website.
Bringing You Beirut said:
Sounds amazing. Next time I have something to celebrate I know where I’m going!
cloudoflace said:
I would definitely recommend it 🙂 Let me know what you think!
kristina said:
this looks like such an awesome place + my mouth is watering 😉 😉
xoxo
cloudoflace said:
Hehe.. It really is!! & your mouth SHOULD be watering 😉 Their food is just beyond amazing! 😉
filingawaycupcakes said:
Oh my, your pics look delish!
cloudoflace said:
Thank you! 🙂 The plates are truly delicious..
Me & Beirut said:
Thanks for this post! I was juuust telling my sister that we should finally finally go to Mayrig! 🙂
cloudoflace said:
Happy that you like it! 😀
Leanova Designs said:
You made me hungry looking at all this food!!
cloudoflace said:
😀
swankyanddapper said:
wow. i am so hungry now…
cloudoflace said:
Hahaha! 😀 ok now I’m curious to know what you ate 😉
Julie the Workaholic said:
Oh, I sooooo want to come and visit you and have wonderful meals! 🙂
cloudoflace said:
You should 😉 Come on plan it! 😀
~mimo~ said:
I am so going there this summer!
cloudoflace said:
You should! 🙂 xx
Gori Rajkumari said:
The pictures you posted made me so HUNGRY! 😉
Lovely review and post!
cloudoflace said:
Thank you!! 😀 The purpose IS to make you hungry, & when ever you are -by any chance- around in Lebanon, you definitely should go there 😉
I’m so glad you like it, & always glad to have you here 🙂
Fashion Mayann said:
Thank you for liking my “Cherries” post ! I like the mix of subjects on your blog. The recipes just look delicious and you take great pictures with your iPhone !
cloudoflace said:
Thank you for visiting back! 🙂 I’m so glad you liked my blog 😀
Best Regards
Nate said:
It all looks very delicious. Thank you for posting, looking forward to more.
cloudoflace said:
Thanks for visiting!! Glad you liked it 🙂
girlinafoodfrenzy said:
So amazing to see a banquet layed out in those opulent surrounds. As for the pastry stuffed with 3 kinds of cheese, next time I’m hiding in your handbag!!!
cloudoflace said:
Hahaha!!!! 😉
& thanks for the nice comment 🙂
arkiazar said:
OMG these pictures look amazing. Like everyone else, you made me hungry now! I cannot wait to visit Lebanon. It’s been a dream!
cloudoflace said:
😀 hehe… Mmm, I just ate a heavenly homemade creamy risotto 😉 so my tummy is full, sorry i can’t sympathize with you :p (kidding) & what are you going to have?? 😀
I’m sure you’ll just adore Lebanon.. It has a twist of almost all odds. It’ll be my pleasure to show you around whenever you decide to make it here 🙂
xxx
arkiazar said:
Actually right when I read the title of your post, I started craving Armenian Sfeha! OMG I need to stop thinking about it.
cloudoflace said:
Lol!!! Yumm.. I love Sfeha & it’s not healthy to just have ‘another’ dinner right now, so I won’t be thinking about it… For today at least 😉
arkiazar said:
Yeah you had enough today! jk
xoxoseoul said:
wow! if i ever visit lebanon, gonna use your blog to plan my tour 🙂
cloudoflace said:
Yey!! Thanks for the encouragement! 🙂 Will always be glad for any help if you ever plan visiting Leb 😉
beshalach said:
Love the pictures.
cloudoflace said:
Thank you! 😀
fowleats said:
this looks INSANE! I would be running around in circles crowing myself MAD after being presented with something like that!!
Great post and thanks for sharing!
cloudoflace said:
Hahahaha!!!! This was hilarious!! 😀 I’m so glad you really liked it 🙂 Now plan a visit to Lebanon & you’ll be presented with much much more food than that 😉
Maria Mouskou said:
I am drooling all over my keyboard! I loooooove lebanese food but armenian looks delish too! thanks for sharing.
cloudoflace said:
Thank you for the lovely comment 🙂 Armenian cuisine is in fact very close to Lebanese.. They have almost same recipes, with slight modification in the spices & proportions of the ingredients 🙂
Purely.. Kay said:
Just look at the stone work and how beautiful that place is. Just stunning. And that food.. its making me hungry just looking at it lol
cloudoflace said:
Yes the architecture of the place is quite amazing.. Each room has an essence.. Even the windows, curtains, menu book, etc, all handmade with traditional embroidery.
Thanks for dropping by! 😀
Malou said:
Wow! What a nice place to really experience the food culture of your country! 😉
I love Charles Aznavour.
cloudoflace said:
I love him as well 🙂 great person & a talented soul..
Next time you plan a travel vacation.. Put Lebanon on your list 🙂
Malou said:
Yes, I’m so curious of Lebanon and the culture. On Charles Aznavour, I love his rendition of the song, “She” with that cute French accent. 😉
cloudoflace said:
Indeed he’s quite charming 🙂
nicholenemcghee said:
Thank you for checking out my blog post. I am really liking your blog also.
cloudoflace said:
Thank you!! It was nice of you to revisit.. I’m so glad to have you here 🙂
nicholenemcghee said:
No problem. I enjoy reading your blog.
dabawenyo life said:
wonderful photos and the foods are really exquisite! 😛
cloudoflace said:
Thank you!! 😀
the.ALZ.blog said:
Armenian kitchen looks really tasty, I should try someday!! Especially the Mante 😀 ( looks really gooood ) and the cheese maamoul ( first time I hear about cheese maamoul ) .. okay I am hungry now 😀
Really nice post, thank you!!
cloudoflace said:
I’m so glad you liked my post 🙂 You definitely should try Armenian Cuisine, really tasty & diverse.. Cheese Maamoul (if done the right way) is heavenly 😉
Keep visiting! It was nice to hear your thoughts 🙂
Hiba
Food Follower said:
Thanks for stopping by my blog. And wow, what a great post. I enjoyed learning about Armenian cuisine 🙂
cloudoflace said:
Thank you 🙂 I’m so glad you liked it! 😀
Publisher (Haven Publishing) said:
Article nicely written, made me feel like wanting to visit if I were in the region.
cloudoflace said:
Thank you!!! You should plan a trip then 😉
claudiagiulia said:
This is what I love about the blogging community – from sunny LA I can be transported in instants to an interesting restaurant in Beirut, a city I have been wanting to visit for a long time. Love your blog and thanks for stopping by. I hope I will be able to use some of your suggestions when I finally make it to Lebanon. Turkey this year – maybe Beirut the next!
cloudoflace said:
Thank you for the lovely comment 🙂 It is always delighting to be able to induce the feelings I get when I visit a place to other people 🙂 Hope you’ll enjoy Turkey, & hope to have you around here in Beirut! I’m sure you’ll really love it..
I am told the weather in LA is quite marvelous these days; it would be one of my favorite spots to visit in the near future, I hope 🙂
Best,
Hiba
londonmary said:
Beautiful girl! Lovin it 🙂
cloudoflace said:
Thanks!! 😀 So nice of you 🙂
londonmary said:
Hope you stick with me, like I will stick with you. 🙂
cloudoflace said:
Looking forwards to 😉
priscillamtizwa said:
Wow the food looks delicious! I love Middle Eastern food!
cloudoflace said:
Thank you 🙂 It really is diverse and delicious 🙂
elle said:
The food looks amazing! Thanks for sharing.
cloudoflace said:
It tastes even better than its looks 😉 Thanks for stopping by! 😀
Hiba
styleonthecouch said:
Wow. This food looks so dreamy. I really liked the look and sound of Sou Beureg – I’m a huge fan of cheese based dishes. What an event!
http://www.styleonthecouch.com
cloudoflace said:
I love cheese. Of all kinds. Cheese & wine night (& sometimes day 😉 ) events are my faves! 😀 Sou Beureg is just heavenly!!
katecarlylecreates said:
Wow! Great piece. KC:)
cloudoflace said:
Thank you 😀
Tim said:
Yes, I am pritty hungry after view your pictures. I like the layout of your post as well, easy to navigate.
cloudoflace said:
Thank you! 🙂
Well what can I tell about me.. Remembering how goood this all tastes while I’m at work & can’t go right now 😀
Hiba
writelane said:
Hi!
Thank you for visiting my blog and liking my post at Cindy’s recipes and writings Mayrig’s looks like a beautiful place to enjoy great food!
Cindy
cloudoflace said:
Thank you for the revisit! So nice of you 🙂
Yes indeed, Mayrig is actually one of my favorite places 🙂
Ben Leib said:
I now have an appetite – both words and images have made me realize how hungry I am. I would love to eat here.
cloudoflace said:
Then make some time in between your travels 😉 & come here!! 😀
jazzygirl29 said:
Lovely photos and the food looks delicious!
cloudoflace said:
Thanks! 😀 It looks AND tastes delicious 😉
Elisa said:
My sister’s husband is Armenian, so I was really interested in your article. It was a great read and everything looked so delicious!
Elisa
cloudoflace said:
Thank you! I’m glad you liked my article 🙂 Armenian food is really very delicious and diverse, as the whole culture is rich and interesting..
Miranda said:
awesome stuff! The only issue is… you just made me hungry ;p
cloudoflace said:
Hahaha!!! No that’s not the issue, cause you can simply go eat. The real issue is that you won’t be eating… These ;p
Miranda said:
u got a point there ;)… re-phrasing “u made me hungry for all the food you featured”
muymia said:
WOW!
Everything looks amazing!
Very interesting writing 🙂
(thanks for your I LIKE too, I really appreciate it!!)
cloudoflace said:
Hehe you’re welcome! I’m so happy you liked my post as well 🙂 Armenian food really is yummy, you should try it 😉
Hiba
muymia said:
You’re right!! I really should :)I’m going to check if they are any armenian restaurants in Barcelona. Thank you & biiiiig kiss Hiba!
lucylikes2eat said:
oh wow — this restaurant sounds wonderful! Armenian food is so good. Cool that Garou stopped by too 🙂
cloudoflace said:
& it’s even cooler you have stopped & liked my blog as well 😉 Thank you! So sweet of you 🙂
Hiba
dovergirl said:
My husband grew up in Cairo, and a very close childhood friend just moved there.
And based on this posting, they all go there for the Amazing looking food!
Thank you for the likes. I hope you keep coming back!
reversecommuter.com
cloudoflace said:
Waw amazing! Turmoil is still on in Cairo, unfortunately, but the city is always charming, with it’s rich culture & essences of everything vintage…
It was freezing when I last visited on my Christmas & new year’s vacation, but I enjoyed a lot! 😉 their food is quite good indeed..
Thanks for stopping by my blog! 🙂
Best,
Hiba
tearoomdelights said:
What a fantastic looking place!
cloudoflace said:
Yes it is! 😀 Thanks for the nice comment 🙂
Hiba
ksimonewilson said:
Your blog is brilliant, filled with so many wonderful topics that I will frequent. Thank you!!!
cloudoflace said:
Thank you so much!! 😀 I’m so glad you like it 🙂 Hope to ‘read’ from you again!
camelhairandhoney said:
The food pictures are simply divine! What a wonderful, cozy place to have an amazing meal… thank you for sharing.
cloudoflace said:
Thank you for the lovely comment! 🙂 I’m so glad you liked the place. You should try Armenian food! You won’t regret it! 🙂
Hiba
Tales and Travels of the Tin Man said:
What a beautiful feast!
cloudoflace said:
Yes indeed! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
globalgirlbkk said:
That food looks amazing. I especially want to try the Sou Beureg.
cloudoflace said:
Excellent choice! The Sou Beureg was incredible 🙂
karencooking said:
This looks absolutely wonderful! The decor, the food – everything!
cloudoflace said:
Yes indeed!! 😀
Subhan Zein said:
That’s amazing! I shall try this! 🙂
Thank you for sharing, my lovely friend! 🙂
Subhan Zein
cloudoflace said:
Thanks for stopping by!! Always nice to read from you 🙂
chaiyakan said:
Makes me want to get my eat on! Pictures are to die for!
cloudoflace said:
Hehe indeed the plates are to die for! 😀
Thanks for the lovely comment 🙂
Hiba
earthriderjudyberman said:
Loved your story. Photos are amazing. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Tira Blake said:
The restaurant looks beautiful! The stone wall, the architecture, the fresh flowers (those over the bar are so lovely!), the warm atmosphere… There aren’t many restaurants like this one around here.
The food looks good as well… many things I’ve never tried before. Itch and Sou Beureg look really good 🙂 Maybe in Lebanon you have various degrees of spiciness… They’ve told me it’s like that in India, because not everyone is prepared for highly flavoured dishes (I think I’m not 😛 ).
Oh my, Julio Iglesias and his ubiquity… XD
Best regards 🙂
Adriana talks to you said:
Adriana Karemeu Sklenarikova is from my country – Slovakia, I am so proud of her♥
cloudoflace said:
That’s awesome! 🙂 I’m proud of you for being proud of her 😉 She is a beautiful human being, inside out! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Mwah