A Southern Grace: beirut restaurant

August 21, 2009

beirut restaurant

Yum

I hate getting lost (but love seeing others in such a state). I pride myself on an innate sense of direction most commonly associated with the male gender of our species. When it inevitably happens, though, I get frustrated and angry (not at myself, mind you, but at the louts who designed the road layout in whatever area I’m currently lost).



So, yes, I got a bit turned around in my efforts to find Beirut Restaurant in Troy, NY. Good things had been said about the family-owned Lebanese eatery, and I was anxious to try their take on the pita wrap. I ended up taking an unintentional tour of the Capital Region, but being the stubborn mule that I am, I drove until I found the place, thinking to myself that it had better be worth it.

It wasn’t worth it. Let me amend that--I’m glad I found the homey little restaurant, but I won’t go back unless I happen to be in the area. I certainly don’t want to smear the place, as the owner and his father are just about the nicest folks I’ve encountered in this area--super-sincere and going to great lengths to please.


Let’s talk about the food. I got the chicken shawarma ($5 plus tax). The pita, although a step up from that of The Phoenicians, was sad, thin, and droopy. The chicken, however, was spiced to perfection with a variety of seasonings that I couldn’t even begin to list. It was moist and succulent, too, but clearly not the shaved-off-the-spit type--it was in big chicken-tender-like hunks which weren’t a joy to rip apart. The tomato and lettuce (the least relevant ingredients, of course, but important all the same) were practically nonexistent. And the garlic paste--good gracious. It’s pure garlic, and simply not my cup of tea.

I hate getting lost.

Beirut Restaurant
184 River Street
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 270-9404


40 comments:

Pam said...

I am directionally impaired so I feel you pain.

I am sorry it wasn't as tasty as you would like but at least you met the nice owners.

Katie said...

I would die with out my GPS, I'm hopeless and I'm sad to see a Lebanese place let you down that is some of my favorite food!

La Bella Cooks said...

Sorry it didn't quite work out for you!

The Blonde Duck said...

I can get lost two blocks from my house...


I feel your pain. I went to lunch with some co-workers yesterday at this "FABULOUS" hole in the wall all about comfort food and greasy burgers. The burgers were so ranted over I tried one and was not amused. It tasted just like a whataburger burger. Le sigh...

oneordinaryday said...

Sorry it didn't live up to your expectations. If it's a new place, maybe they'll continue to get better.

vanillasugarblog said...

I don't get lost much, BUT I do when hubby drives. The worst, OY!
Troy is that near rochester, ny? I think I have some relatives up there, still. I dunno.

LilSis said...

That sounds like a disappointing adventure. Hopefully, your next one will be worth the trip.

maybelle's mom said...

My cousin lives in Troy. I will warn him about this place.

Barbara said...

Poor you- lost and a lousy lunch to boot. I stick with Yahoo maps or my GPS- although it can be very stubborn when I don't pay attention to the directions. You know: "prepare to make a U-turn" when there is absolutely NO PLACE to do it.
We love whole wheat pita stuffed with sharp cheddar and tomatoes- toasted. Yum.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you were disappointed with this restaurant especially after going through all the troubles of locating it.

lisa is cooking said...

Too bad this wasn't worth the search. Will there be in this series? I'm loving these reviews!

Donna-FFW said...

Oh that so bites. Wouldnt have been so bad if the restaurant was decent. :(

shaz said...

I feel your pain...I get lost very often but pride myself on my ability to read maps well(most times). Pity the drive wasn't worth it.

Lyndas recipe box said...

I easily get lost, so I feel for you! Too bad the drive wasn't worth it.
Surely your journey will result in a great meal! I'm staying tuned, Grace!

Jennifer said...

HA you need to school me, I still dont know my way around our big town Portland, OR after living my entire 40ish life here!

Teanna said...

HAHAHAHAH I am the SAME way about getting lost... when I lived in DC, I would get SO mad because I would always get lost and then yell, "WHO DESIGNED THESE ROADS?! Why are they trying to be like PARIS?! THIS. IS. NOT. PARIS!" hahaha! Sorry the restaurant wasn't worth it :(

pam said...

My sense of direction is completely non-existence. I can get lost going somewhere I've been a million times.

One time I drove around St. Louis (my hometown) for 45 minutes, just trying to find the Mississippi river so I'd have an idea of East and West!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I think you did a great job giving us your opinion yet not being harsh!
~ingrid

pigpigscorner said...

I hate getting lost too..and I have a very bad sense of direction =(

Gloria Baker said...

Ooh Grace I understand you an sorry by you and I hate getting lost too.
But you make me laugh Grace, LOL

Is so sad when restaurant it wasnt tasty than we think or wait! xxgloria

foodhoe said...

I found salvation with the GPS on my phone. It has changed the way I interact in the world... I also must thank you with this series of pita bread sandwiches you have presented, I went out of my way to find one recently and it was so delicious I must include this kind of cuisine back in the rotation!

Sharon said...

Sorry it didn't work out but at least you got an extra tour of the city :) That definitely looks more like chicken kabobs than shawarma.

Lori said...

Oh man! What a bummer. That was not a reward for getting lost.

I sure hope you find a place- a good one.

Marjie said...

When my kids were younger and I'd load everyone in the jolly wagon for a trip to somewhere, I'd really piss them off by never even looking at a map until I was nearly there. And if I'd even been past it once, I could find it again. I get so mad when I can't find something! And to not have great chicken when you get there - well, doesn't that just beat all.

Laura said...

I have an excellent sense of direction too. If I am not running late, I tend to enjoy finding my way when temporarily lost. But when running late, oh it makes me ballistic.

My husband on the other hand could not find his way out of a tin can. :)

Bunny said...

I get confused waiting to cross the street Oh the let down you must have had for this pita after driving so long to find the place. What a shame!

Maris said...

Oh that garlic paste would have done me in. I can only take garlic in small doses!

nora@ffr said...

sad t here that!! can feel ye pain! great post! my first visit here and m lving every bit f it!
cheers and have a nice day!

kimberleyblue said...

too bad you didn't love it...i don't think i would've either. limp pita and pure garlic paste doesn't sound too appealing.

Erin said...

Oh, what a bummer. When it takes a sacrifice to go somewhere I always think the same things - This had better be worth it!!

Jessica@FoodMayhem said...

Grace, I feel your pain. I hate getting lost and I am always lost! I don't have those directional skills at all. =(

toontz said...

Lost, then disappointed. Bummer.

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Awww no, all that distance for not so much bang! I hate it when that happens :(

Stacey said...

Too funny... you love seeing others lost! haha! That is like my sister- she loves seeing others fall down or hurt themselves. Very sadistic. :)

I am always lost, definitely the worst at directions so you would surely get a good chuckle very routinely around me!

Albany Jane said...

Aw, that is a bummer. I'd definitely say to hit them up for the buffet to get a good bit of variety for around the same price. Although at least the chicken looks moist. That's one of the reasons I don't usually order chicken - most places cook 'em to death and dryness.

The garlic paste? Total yum here, but woah baby is it ever intense. (And I usually use it as a dip to guage how much to eat)

Maria said...

Big bummer, sorry my friend!

Anita said...

I hate getting lost too!!! It's not normally my fault though :) hehehe

DessertObsessed said...

hahahaha i am ALWAYS lost; im so used to it now. too bad you didn't like the restaurant; that does put a damper on getting lost

jess said...

Oh man. I live for that garlic paste. Seriously. I buy tubs of it from the Albany spot, Al-baraki. Amazing. Then again, I'm the kind of woman who thinks nothing of popping raw garlic cloves in my mouth while cooking. Mmmmmm

If in Troy, I prefer Ali Baba, a Turkish spot near RPI.

kellypea said...

Food looks droolworthy, but not the lost part. It's only happened a couple of times in my life and OMG does it make me a royal crank. Seriously somebody else's fault. And don't tell anybody but I've never seen a single episode of Lost. Shhhhh....I'm culturally deprived.