In the heart of Dbayeh old road… lies a green heaven… sharply contrasting with all kinds of external pollutions… Air… dust… noise…
When you step just one foot inside… you start hear birds chirping
The air is cool and clean, the colors, natural wood and green…
Friendly Staff to great you, Smiley faces, happy to meet you…
Ok stop let’s stay in the prose… despite the fact that the restaurant is a poesy by itself…
But wait, let’s analyze the name a bit: Mon Maki a Moi… Maki is pretty much Japanese… that’s a given, we are after all in a Japanese restaurant… it’s the tournure that is interesting… the restaurant in itself reminds me of a French “Maquis” (vegetation consisting of hardy evergreen shrubs and small trees) Could it be that? Like those green plants at the entrance? Or a hint at the French song by Patricia Kaas: Mon Mec a Moi ?
Maybe both? Maybe a coincidence? A poetic one nonetheless…
Another poetic touch was the Tatami (ok it wasn’t a real tatami since it had to be made of straws but close enough and very commendable)… A Chabudai (low Japanese table) was there with a full setup ready…
Hello Zomato people! It’s great to see you again! Great to share a table with you again…!
I Roamed around the restaurant, watched the kitchen staff do their magic, because ultimately, that’s what it was… magic… I couldn’t find one thing to say about the cleanliness, about the hygienic kitchen tools manipulation, or actually about anything that was going on in front of me… Those people knew what they were doing, and the owner’s sister just knew that… I loved her confidence and presence in the dining area and her trust in her people…
By the time I was done with the tour and had finished admiring the external garden-like seating spots, almost all the group had arrived, I wasn’t with Chicho today, no… my Wifey Cozy was here though… It might be actually because of her presence as well that I was so poetically inspired… no? ok ok… moving on…
The Edamame was already served and as good as always… Now I just want to say: They have really worked on the presentation of every single dish… Like beautiful presentations…
Take a look per example at the Shredded Crab Salad, how amazing is it? Those colors, the texture… and oh my sweet God the taste…
How about this Crunchy Marinated Salmon? How inviting is it? The spicy creamy sauce married very well with the freshness of the salmon… that Togarashi (chili pepper) crispy also added another dimension of flavor to the dish…
Quand au Crispy Marinated Salmon? I mean… what can I say… exceptionally presented in an iced bowl… beautiful colors with the green salad and the red cabbage… a definite favorite…
The tempura mix wasn’t a huge success, the veggies didn’t taste as good as the shrimps, it was still a great addition on the table…
then came the Ura Makis…
Open Bracket (THE GENEROSITY OF THE DISHES IS OFF THE CHARTS) Close Bracket
The Ura Maki is a type of rolled sushi in which the rice is on the outside, rather than rolled up inside the nori, the American call it: California rolls, and it’s simply delicious.
There are many types of Ura Makis, mostly depending on the creativity of the chef, and boy they were creative at Mon Maki a Moi… They were also one of the best I have ever tasted in Lebanon, nevertheless I just want to mention the ones I didn’t like, which is actually one, that was part of the hors d’oeuvre: The Shuga Mango, the mango skin was VERY bitter… that’s it…
All in All the Regular Ura Maki rolls were superior in taste to the crispy or the hors d’oeuvre, while keeping however, a high profile in flavor, diversity and creativity… Great job.
Our experience was one of a kind, the waiters very professional and knowledgeable, add to that a great sense of humor and friendliness, you will have a recipe of success…
Disappointed there was no dessert? Peut-etre un peu… but to be honest? I was stuffed… that didn’t stop us later on during the day from having a Nutella crepe… but that’s another story for another day…
Gaston Son Mec a Elle
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