ONTRIPOLI

Beirut Restaurant- Tripoli / Libya

2007-12-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

None of the descriptions of a restaurant would fit this place, not even a cafe would fit, it is a dive like place, out of the ordinary, very similar to the feel of any tuna fish parlor you would venture in if you know Tripoli or Libya for that matter, the feel is very..... "food should not be served there" type of feel
Close to that greasy spoon sort or maybe...... you got to try it your self, I'll shush.

Welcome to Beirut Restaurant, on Beirut street, yes you heard it right, Beirut street, it is the one way street series in Tripoli.
If you are at Algeria (Maydan Al-Jazaer) Square, where the post office and the grand mosque that used to be a cathedral, driving one way in to Haiti street, it is the first street to the right, as the next one would be the famous First September main street.
the ninth store front on the right hand side would be restaurant Beirut.
It is a very local food spot literally, you can find the following there:
-Haraeimy
-Grilled fish
-Grilled chicken (yummy)
-White beans with lamb sausage
-Libyan style pasta
-Stuffed vegetables
-Libyan Sausage
-Lamb stew-Yakhnee

and the list goes on
All local and imported beverages are available, they also serve you a greasy cup of tea as you walk out.

Suleiman and Abdulrazak are the cooks and the proprietors, and I tell you , these guys know their beef.
I would have preferred a better layout and outlook, but for the five Dinars tab, I could not have experienced Libyan cuisine better.
the pick two for Five will do it there for you including a beverage, it is a treat :-).

Enjoy

Italian Resturant OBN (as spelled on their card)

2007-11-08T06:29:00.000-08:00

Located on the main drag of Gergaresh, north side while driving westward pass Cook Door fast food place.
A friendly staff with a clean but faint decoration, it did not strike any chord in me.

Old Tripolitania photos decorate the walls, with a large two stages courts, the restaurant intends on catering to bigger crowds apparently.
The menu is very rich, from appetisers to pasta, chicken fries to pizzas you can find all the Cuisine Del la Americo-Italiana at Italian Resturant OBN.
The prices were on the steep side for Libya, service was alright considering the location, food and most of all the prices they were asking for the dishes they offered.
Over all it is worth a try for a change.

I won't be able to elaborate on the dishes since nothing stuck in my mind nor my notes.
They have a takeout service it seems, locals lined up to pick their food when I was departing.
Bon appetite
Enjoy Libya

Abu Ali - Ben Ashoor

2007-10-24T00:58:00.000-07:00

Located on the busy street of Ben-Ashoor, as you drive north, it will be on your right hand side going to Al-Qadisiyah square.
It is the casual classic dinner out if you like, the usual felafel and humus appetizers, chicken gyro and meat grills, they serve your table with oven fresh pitta bread, their salads are also nice as starter, it is a combination of what ever they have prepared, from BABA-GANUJ to HUMUS, RUSSIAN SALAD and the list goes on.
Remember, it is the casual atmosphere at ABU ALI that is to enjoy.
Welcome back to Libya

Kashmir Of Tripoli

2007-03-31T13:33:00.000-07:00

The velvet feel that the name implies, that’s how you feel once you drift through the door of Restaurant Kashmir In the hip neighborhood of GarGaresh.

Facing the Mediterranean sea with a large seating area and plenty of tables stands Kashmir a Pakistani restaurant opened by the Country's Ambassador. Incense fill the air as the host walks you to your table o choice, a music playing in the back ground with tables filled with expats or embassy staff.

The place gives you an international feel. The menu consists of a series of starters, the Samosa and Pakoras are there. I tried the Samosas they were so good but small compared with portions I have had else where.

Kashmir is probably the only place in Tripoli that you will taste a moderate Mango Lassi drink. While other beverages are available my choice was A mango Lassi.
Chicken entries are to die for, the food was a bit on the greasy side but the presentation was excellent, Chicken Tikka Masala is a good choice for starters who love hot and saucy food.
Meat entries are also available. the Palak Paneer spinach dish was good although the lack of Palak cheese did not prevent the cook from doing a good job with mozzarella instead.
A less fluffy and thicker NUN bread smooths the experience, while the dimmed lights of the place gives way to a relaxed night out.
Prices I thought were on the steep side for the whole experience, 14 L.D for entries and 8 for smaller dishes, appetizers were almost alacart, a better price scheme could turn the crowd around for that place.
Very pleasant experience I have had in Kashmir
The owner speaks good English and very friendly, his venture has a wide vision as wide as the view through his windows to the Mediterranean.
Enjoy And Welcome to Libya

AL FORNO

2007-02-24T09:54:00.000-08:00

Located on the east edge of Tripoli, at AL-Furnaj, pass the University Drag (Al-Fateh University), once you arrive at the big circle keep right all the way down to a strip mall type shopping center; Al-FORNO will be right in the middle of the strip mall on the right hand side going to AIN- ZARA. ( a large parking area located across the street, where you will need to U-turn to it from further ahead)

An open kitchen with friendly staff behind the counter, dine in and take away is available. I have noticed more people taking out then eating in, although window seating is available for people watchers, more discreet seating is also available. They had loud music playing in the back ground, I thought that was a little off.

Pizzas are ready to make, rich variety of toppings and a selection of fast food appetizers such as Garlic bread, Brochetta and Garlic potatoes, toasted chicken. As for the Pizzas, they serve them three ways, Stuffed, Crust and Normal. I have opted for the Stuffed, it seems the best.
With 20 different types of mix toppings, prices range between 3.50 & 8.50 Libyan Dinar.

All sorts of soft drinks and juices off the cooler are available. My Pizza menu picks were :

-Combo: with Spicy chicken, Red onion, Chili sauce, BBQ sauce, Tomatoes and Cheese
-Smokey house: with House salami, Grilled chicken, Red onion, Sweet corn & Cheese.
And the list goes on, don't mind me, just go there and try it all, one bite at a time.

Call Ahead Numbers:092-5234949 Or 092-5365345

They are also open for breakfast at 7 Am ( breakfast consists of Croissant and milk shakes, coffee & tea) Pizza is served between 11 am and 1.00 am

Enjoy and welcome to Libya

Deesan of Al-Khums

2007-01-28T04:32:00.000-08:00

Away from Tripoli going east, surviving the battered coastal road you arrive to the city of Al-khums, the first entrance to the city is called Tripoli road entrance. As you make the left turn(with extreme caution), you will see a hotel called Al-Hasanein. It is on your right as you complete the turn, drive down Tripoli road all the way till you see a green building on your right ( A newly built school), across the street from the green school building would be DEESAN... woo, wish they implement address systems in Libya :-)

The restaurant occupies two floors, upper floor for families. Simply decorated but comfortable with large windows that are ready to slide if weather permits. Upper floor is more comfy, clean restrooms and decent service complemented by delcious food. The owners are from Turkey and they sure know what they are doing, it is relatively new and has a mid to high price range.

They make their own dough and have stone oven, so that is a bonus, nun bread is a must, chicken Shawerma (Gyros), chicken shish kebab, beef screws cooked in ovens with juicy tomatoes dripping delicious taste on every bite.
The most interesting dish I had there was the Lahm-Majun, it is a Turkish specialty made of thin dough open flat, furnished with ground meat mixed with spices that are almost sweet on the palate, highly recommended ;-)
Soups (lentil), salads (variety), Shish kebabs, Sandwiches(rolls), specialty salads, Shawerma (Gyros), sweets and all sorts of drinks are available.
And by the way, the waiters are extremely polite and speak multiple languages
So if you make it to Liptis -Magna feed your eyes at the ruins, and feed your eyes & tummy at Deesan.

Enjoy and Welcome to Libya

Pizza Pitza Cafe-Restaurant, Hay Al-andalus Location

2006-12-22T01:05:00.000-08:00

Located on the busy bustling Gargaresh- Hay Alandalus main drag, inside the newly opened Al-Wahat shopping little mall. Kind of hidden in the back ground but not to the eyes at first, with a nice balcony that looks over the entrance of the main gate of the little shopping mall. you have to walk to the right take the stairs up one floor (first floor), following the blue sign that reads RESTAURANT. The place does not have a phone yet, so walk-ins are welcome.

Friendly, comfortable and have good ambiance, also nicely decorated with easy colors all over the place. Although tables are very close, you can have a certain level of privacy if you come early for dinner.
I did fall in love with the chicken Shawerma and Chicken Chich Taouk( as per the menu), the chicken is marinated in a mild exotic spice combo with sweet tangy taste to them, soft, melting almost and easy on the palate. Make sure they put no HARRISA* in your food, it just ruins the whole experience.

Their menu consists of Pizza, Fast food such as fried chicken fried calamari, a variety of Mediterranean Salads and Pasta, Sandwiches of beef and chicken, fried shrimp and of course the ever present Tuna.
Canned drinks are available. Libyan style coffee, cappuccino and tea are also recommended. Tables can be joined if you come with a bigger group.
Prices range between 2.00 and 15.00 Libyan Dinar, depending on what you order, not too bad hey :-).
Have a nice night out. Enjoy and welcome to Libya

*Harrisa is a red pepper paste popular in north Africa used as an appetizer, it is different than the Harrisa Dessert that is native to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon Area.

Cafe Ba BA Reeba-Chicago IL

2006-12-02T02:04:00.000-08:00

We are in Chicago this weekend, will continue with Tripoli once we are back.
I will be featuring a place for the travelers to Illinois, specifically Chicago.
Ask any single person in Chicago and surrounding areas, they will sure know Cafe Ba Ba Reeba.
It is best to go there as a group, it is fun plus you get to share and taste more of the 40 plus Tapas they have on their menu.
Hot and cold appetizers are practically what you will have at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba.
Here are some of my picks:-
Roast eggplant salad with goat cheese, highly recommended. Mushroom empanada, porcini alioli; zesty.
Sea food, would be fresh squid and shrimp. Couscous with scallops, raisins is also a treat added a fried calamari you will be in paradise.
For beef lovers, beef skewers would be a choice unavoidable, for chicken lovers I would recommend chicken salad with curry; delicious.
Paella is another hot dish to have, made with shrimp and lobster, it is worth the waiting time (average is 25 to 35 minutes)

Ba Ba Reeba is a busy place bustling with young people, an average wait for seating could go all the way up to 45 minutes on a Friday night, you can also go to the back bar where you can get food served if you do not want to wait, no chance for that if you are with a large group. On week days you can pick the patio where seating is immediate.

The cafe has many bars and rooms with an open kitchen centered where certain foods are cooked and garlic and sausage are hanged visibly. A back cozy bar acts as a great waiting area, and a front patio where it is fresh in spring and summer.
Dishes range between $3 to $35
Enjoy shy town
Address:
2024 N Halsted St (Cross Street: Armitage Avenue)Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (773) 935-5000

Sfenz Of Gurji (Libyan Doughnut)

2006-11-04T02:44:00.000-08:00

This is an ancient tradition, originally done by the Jews of North Africa in general. I have found a link that might be helpful in introducing this tradition:
http://geoimages.berkeley.edu/libyajew/LibyanJews/museum/food4.html

The Place I am featuring this month, is a small place that sells sweets all year round.
No name for the place is available, I will do my best in describing it to you.
In Ramadan they start making SFENZ, as it is called in Libya. It is served after 10 pm every day during the month of Ramadan :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan.
I am told that this is the best place where you can get the best Sfenz in Tripoli.
Location:
The place looks like a dive. Located on the same main street pass Tripoli Collage, it is about 250 meters before the over bridge to Hay-ALandalus and the circle(beneath the bridge) that leads to the highway exit in the area of Gurji.
Making and serving:
They make the Sfenz with one egg, two eggs and you can add cheese if you would like. I recommend that you ask for it to go, else, you can eat on the sidewalk where they have arranged one big table, if you like eating your doughnut while standing.
If you decide to eat there, make sure you bring your drink with you since no drinks are available.
Sfenz is large in diameter and greasy, it does taste good with all considerations.
It is a great experience considering the history of the Sfenz, it will for sure give you a taste of the past times.
Enjoy and Welcome to Libya

Not Just A Fish:- Izzeddeen's Place

2006-10-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

Drive east starting from downtown or the Green Arena towards one of the biggest air bases in Africa, which used to host The American air base Wheelus ( corrected, thanks to Chatalaine), now MAYTEEGA, the road is relatively new while the road is called TAREEQ AL-SHAT, there are no addresses or address system in Tripoli, the best way to get to where I will be featuring here is to park your car pointing east right in front of the external gates of Mayteega airport (Buraq Airways sign) and zero your odometer, once you do that drive east along the coast of the Mediterranean where you can enjoy the nice water front view, after 10 KM not more not less you will see a series of hutches on the north side of the road all you need to do is make a U turn and park along the road and next to the last hutch.

Decorated with palm tree leaves and trunks as seats and tables with dirt ground sprayed with water to prevent dust from rising, a small kitchen and a pool far a bit from the seating area you will be welcomed to Izzeddeen's place.
A young fellow in his early twenties with a hidden smile on his face would be Izzeddeen your host, he will chat abit then ask you about what is it that you would like to have for the day, then offer you to go with him where he keeps his stash of the day and show you the fish.

I choose sword fish and my companion choose to go with what is called BURY in Libya (Mediterranean grey mullet), a skinny fish with a relatively meety and less fatty body content. As we waited, Izzeddeen cleaned the catch and gave them to the grill, the dressing of the fish could be smelled from the distance and it sure made our stomachs growling, we were asked if we wanted to have the fish there or to go since they do pack your food if you would like it to go, we decided to have it to go.
The dish comes with a salad and a serving of a hot sauce, the kind that will raise your body tempreture to a degree that the heat of Tripoli weather will be felt like a midwestren december windchill, I must addmit I have never had such a dressing or spices in my life no where in the world.
The next best part of this experience for sure was the bill, Izzeddeen decided that we were two very nice people and our bill for eight Mediterranean grey mullet type fish, achunk of sowrd fish and salads were 18 Libyan Dinars (around 14.00 U.S dollars).
It was such a treat to be there and visit with Izzeddeen and enjoy his cooking and recepie.
Enjoy and Welcome to Libya

Al-Nayrouz Deliciousos Pizza

2006-08-02T05:55:00.000-07:00

Thin crust verses thick crust, tomato sauce verses plain, olives, anchovies, green olives, tuna, sun dried tomatoes, mushroom, are just a few ingredients that you can ask for on your pizza in this busy place on Tripoli down town's edge area, a large dining area that is a host to a service bar/counter which is hospitable to the ones who prefer to eat on a high stool, you can also choose to eat on the balcony room ( a small room over looking the street) or in a loft like area, in which I have noticed that Libyan females prefer due to it's isolation where they eat and chat freely.
The most important aspect of the Pizza at Al-Nayrouz is the dough, it was professionally prepared, then comes the cheese and the sauce, this is one of the few places that you can actually get real mozzarella cheese suitable for pizza.
The place is usually busy by 7 pm where you will see Libyans and non Libyans doing the ritual of eating a juicy and delicious Pizza A Libiano.
Now I am going to work on how to get you there O.K:
Going WEST ON Al-Naser Street:
To get there you need to take Al-Naser street, keep right while passing by the cemetery(it is on the right hand side going west) of Seydi Munayder, take the ramp then turn right, after 100 meters would be Al-Nayrouz, you can park your car across the street as there is a plenty of parking.
Going EAST On Al-Naser Street:
Turn to the left after passing the Libyan broadcasting Company building towards the right take the ramp to the traffic lights ( it is a green area with a cafe on your left hand side) turn towards the far left as the first left is a one way street 90 meters after turning is where Al-Nayrouz is.

Good Pizza.
Ambiance ( could be better).
Good prices for the buy.
Spotless clean place.
O.K. service

Enjoy and Welcome to Libya
P.S: Al-Naser street is the street parallel to Omar al -Mukhtar St. going south wards

Honey, Nut Baryush on Mizaran street

2006-07-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

This is a sweet encounter with the famous Croissant, I have seen it filled with many things inside but not with the ingredients I have tasted in this place, it is the old good croissant, kind of over baked and less fluffy, filled with Honey and ground Nuts, it is warmed in an oven prior to the filling and served with a generous portion whip of butter and a splash of rice powder on top.
For people with a sweet tooth, this place would be a frequent stop, it is located on the corner of Mizaran St, and High T (Haiti )* St. It should be on the northern corner of Mizaran west on High T (Haiti)* where it ends, I tried to get the name of the place but to no avail, there is no sign non what so ever, but that’s how things are here, No Name places are common.
The product is called "BARYUSH" in the local slang which means exactly "Croissant".
As for the shakes (blended with milk and ice), they have three types;
-Nuts with milk and banana,
-Strawberries, Banana, and milk,
-Banana shake
The combination of the two is an energy power house of some sort so be prepared for the after math.
Enjoy and welcome to Libya

Word History: The words croissant and crescent illustrate double borrowings, each coming into English from a different form of the same French word. In Latin the word cr scere, “to grow,” when applied to the moon meant “to wax,” as in the phrase l na cr sc ns, “waxing moon.” Old French croissant, the equivalent of Latin cr sc ns, came to mean “the time during which the moon waxes,” “the crescent-shaped figure of the moon in its first and last quarters,” and “a crescent-shaped object.” In Middle English, which adopted croissant in its Anglo-Norman form cressaunt, the first instance of our English word, recorded in a document dated 1399-1400, meant “a crescent-shaped ornament.” Crescent, the Modern English descendant of Middle English cressaunt, owes its second c to Latin cr scere. Croissant is not an English development but rather a borrowing of the Modern French descendant of Old French croissant. It is first recorded in English in 1899. French croissant was used to translate German Hِrnchen, the name given by the Viennese to this pastry, which was first baked in 1689 to commemorate the raising of the siege of Vienna by the Turks, whose symbol was the crescent.
Source: Dictionary.com
*Credit to Trabilsia for correction, check the comments section.

Bar Al Hufra

2006-06-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

This one is suppose to be one of the HOTTEST and interesting experience you will have in Tripoli,

The place is located on Bin-Assure street while hitting eastwards (east of Qadisiyah square) on the south side of the street next to a Quranic school or a mosque, the entry to the famous place almost looks as if you are entering a basement or a dangeon of some sort, the place is a small room with a fridge that is filled with soda pop* and a counter stuffed with baguette bread, the owner is a man in his sixties, proud and full of history, you can ask questions about almost any thing and he will drag the conversation right and left and to the corners as well. O.K. here's what you are going to have there:
A Tuna Fish sandwich, that's all he serves!!!
A sandwich that will test your taste buds to the extreme, filled with Tuna and (Harissa)HOT pepper sauce. The hot pepper is mixed with coriander and some other spices, I guess that's where the secret lays as usuall: in the sauce.
Libyans are fond of their Tuna fish sandwiches, it is equal to the juicy burger that Americans love at home. The experience is made better by finishing the first sandwich real quick and starting the second, make sure you visit the tuna sandwich bar with a slightly filled tummy other wise the experience can be ruined later since it is really HOT, the taste is worth it though.
Enjoy and welcome to Libya
*Regional Note: Generic terms for carbonated soft drinks vary widely in the United States. Probably the two most common words competing for precedence are soda, used in the northeast United States as well as St. Louis and vicinity, and pop, used from the Midwest westward. In the South any soft drink, regardless of flavor or brand name, is referred to as a Coke, cold drink, or just plain drink. Speakers in Boston and its environs have a term of their own: tonic. Such a variety of regional equivalents is unusual for a product for which advertising is so aggressive and universal; usually advertising has the effect of squeezing out regional variants. On the other hand, there are so many types and flavors of soft drinks that perhaps no single generic word has ever emerged to challenge the regionalisms.

Al-Marsa Tripoli-Libya

2006-05-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

Fish on the Mediterranean
It is for sure a place for fish lovers, located on the Mediterranean, east of the harbour on shore drive (Tareeq Alshat) About 3 minutes west of Mayteega airport (Used to be an American airbase in the 60's). The first impression is kind of "what am I doing here" but once you indulge in the experience, it is all good, here's how it works:

-Park your car on the road or by entering the market (road is not paved so be careful).
-Browse the fish market and ask about prices before you decide to settle on one or two kinds of fish.
-Browse restaurants before deciding on where to eat, once you decide take one of their hosts with you so you purchase the fish (trust your host).
-When buying, make sure you ask if the fish is not a farm fish.
-The fish will be cleaned and delivered on your host's request to the kitchen of your restaurant of choice.
-I recommend that you eat your fish cooked non grilled style, this way you get to taste the chef's spices and abilities, trust me you will not regret it, you can always catch on grilled fish.
-Appetizers are great way to indulge in the experience make sure you have them plentifully.
-I recommend a sodapop that is hard to come by in north America, it is called Bitter Soda, red in color & the localy made one is the best.
-Do not have your tea in the same restaurant you had your meal in, walk out side towards the gate and on the right hand side as climbing the hill out to the main road, there will be this old man who actually sells tea in disposable cups he will make your night, better yet, the cup will be also filled with fresh nuts.

Smooth walk to the car while sipping your tea and a Mediterranean breeze will enhance the flavor of all
Precautions: - Thursdays are extremely busy it might be wise to avoid all together or come early ( 8pm ), locals eat out late so coming early will get you a better peak on the catch of the day as well.
Enjoy and welcome to Libya