Showing posts with label Hamra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hamra. Show all posts

Nov 24, 2011

بالحمرا إليوم تمشيت

بالحمرا إليوم تمشيت
مبسوطة وشكلي رسمي
والجاكت يدور روس
لأنو لابق عكسمي

 ****
 بس صار الليل ونيالو...
اللي راسو عمخده...
مرتاح ومفضي بالو...
مش متل راسي  عم بلف
سهران وبعدو مهدي...

كلما قلو يلا نعاس...
بذكرني بخيالو...
ولما قلو بس إخراس...
بقلي "أنا سهران كرمالو"...

****

طلع الضو يا ذلي...
وأنا وحدي ولحالي...
يا عيوني لا تنذلي..
كلما السوسن قبالي...
نحكي لبعض أسرار...
ونشكي سوى هالحاله...


Oct 17, 2011

10 reasons why Roadster deserves RESPECT, not just Loyalty...

While we all know how well managed a brand like Roadster is, how many people enjoy its food and how many loyal customers it has. Below is a list of why not only do I love the diner, the food and the people who work there. I RESPECT THEM!

I respect Roadster because:
1. They learn fast & make changes quickly: There was a time when if you felt like a delivery from Roadster's, their operators would drain your credit, patience and appetite. But those days are over. You call Roadster today, and I almost guarantee that you will get a girl, who is polite, friendly but not fake, will confirm your contact details and address fast, and will take your order and cross sell other menu items even faster... Whether they invested in a new calling system or grilled their standards into the brains of their employees... They do it well!
2. They say NO to lame excuses: When they say your order will arrive in 35 minutes... they ARE at your door after 35 MINUTES! They don't use traffic as an excuse in the most traffic congested city in the region!
3. They keep their promise: When you read in their menu that there is rocket leaves in a salad. You get big, juicy, fresh, green rocket leaves... and not just 2 or 3 leaves... you get a whole pile of them!
4. They are GENEROUS: When I order a salad and ask for a dressing other than the one mentioned on the menu, they send me both for no extra charge. Sure it's not much, and I won't use the other dressing anyway, but it tells me they are NOT cheap!
5. They pay attention to details: When you order from Roadster, your food is packed properly. Their packaging keeps the food where it should stay and yet is easy to open. You might say these are basics, but there are brands out there that still get it wrong! Also their accompanying set of utensils (labeled the Perfect Set) is perfect indeed. There is everything you need in there from toothpick to a fork and knife.
6. They keep it simple: No fancy names of food in their menu, no fancy talk over the phone. Everything is well explained, in visible font. You know what you will get when you make that order. The only surprise you are getting is a happy one.
7. They don't offer something new, unless they have mastered the basics, the classics, and made it their own: Roadster didn't just jump onto the diet/ light train that's taking Beirut by storm. They stuck to their guns and did what they do best, made sure no one can do it better, and THEN took it a step further. So when they introduced their Low- Cal menu, it was credible, because people knew that Roadster rarely messes up, if ever.
8. They have raised the standards of the food and restaurant industry in Lebanon: Let's face it, I know a lot of restaurants out there who claim they have accreditation from ISO, or some other institution we have never heard of. But when dietitians, nutrition majors and academic professors take samples of Roadster's food and tell you its CLEAN, GOOD QUALITY and among the best there is... then it probably is! Trustworthiness doesn't come from a stamp, or a label, it is gained because you DO NOT compromise quality, EVER! And you respect the intelligence of your customers.
9. Consistency, Consistency, Consistency: Everyone will get a hot juicy yummy burger every time, a cold crunchy fresh salad every time, or a warm creamy pasta every time... everyone... every time!

10. Value is not an option, or a promise, it's a way of life: If you check Roadster's website, you will read that they have 5 core values. Now, if you are not a fan of business and marketing talk, let me just give you the bottom line: these people have found a way, to provide QUALITY food, RICH flavor, GOOD experience and for a GOOD PRICE. I know that that Roadster is not affordable for every one. And even if you can afford it, you will probably break the bank if you have it regularly. But, I also know that you can enjoy one of the yummiest burgers out there with fries and salad to match for just over $10. Something I am sure is virtually impossible at those other burger places popping left, right and center!

So there you have it! 10 reasons why I am enforcing the togetherness they have included in their logo, and though there is nothing forever, let me tell you, I am gonna be their friend for quite a long, long, long time!








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Oct 15, 2011

Best Meat Sharma in FC - Beirut!


I know what you are thinking, but NO this is not a food review, and not a log of my quest to find the best meat shawrma in Beirut. It's far far better...
It's a funny scene fresh from my FB chat window last night...hope it brings you a few laughs...

That said, if you do know where one can find the best shawrma in Beirut do share! Don't be shy now...
  • Friend: baddi shawarma la7meh, min 2ayn 2atyab shi ya dieter?? :P 
  • Me: i have no clue, bas it depends on where u are in beirut, i mean in hamra there is bibo's. bas usually i don't eat shawrma la7me so i can't really tell
  • Friend: ah hehe.. neither do I!!!! bas ma ba3rif leih, 3am yotla3 3abeli el la7mi hal yawmayn :S  
  • Friend: tayyeb ma drouri atyab shi, just somethin good.. am still at work...going home towarsd FB, if it helps.
Here I digress to ask an urging question....
  • Me: what is FB? 
Had to ask coz the only FB I know is facebook!
  • Friend: Furn el Chebbak.. lol. FC then 
NO COMMENT
  • Me: i don't know walla 7ayaty, wait...
At this point, I thought an expert must intervene so I call another friend of mine who lives in Furn 2il Chibbak and knows top falafel and shawrma places... 

Phone rings, rings, rings some more....
  • Me: wanted to ask an expert for u, coz she lives in FC but no answer. sorry. 
I bet she was asleep
  • Friend: lool
I could never understand that one. Not sure what it stands for. Maybe "Laugh out out loud"... I guess when someone makes you laugh that hard, then he/ she can't keep the laugh inside! Hence the "out out" part...
  • Friend: khalas, i will have to go with what is least risky... so I guess either I go to Bliss house, or on my way bwa22if 3ind Barbar
  • Me: yeah. Although sara7a both are risky
  • Friend: bas the risk goes down with the fact that they have high turnover, they sell, so inno balki the stuff are more new 
Or so she thinks!
  • Friend: mom says fi wa7ad 7ad baytna 2al he's good, 2ismo LaLa Chicken. bas he's new and balki i get there w yotla3 ma fi :P
That last sentence validates all previous scientific research and brings us to our conclusion:
  1. Girls can sure multi-task. They can think about where to have the best meat shawrma, figure out the best route to get there, extract this information from at least 3 different people, through different communication channels (mobile, FB chat, etc...), communicate blogs to other friends, and finish up work for the day!
  2. Moms are special! That sentence sure reminded me of much mine is. After all, only a mom will suggest a place called "Lala Chicken" when her daughter wants meat shawrma!

P.S. I have never met my friend's mother but I am sure she is as adorable as my friend is... Sending both of them loads of love and respect. Also, special thanks goes out to my friend for allowing me to share her great sense of humor with the rest of you! and to my other friend for falling asleep in my time of need.


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Jun 15, 2011

تحية إلى نزار

بعد إنقطاع لا بأس به عن الكتابة،
 أردت أن أحي نزار...
مش "نزار قباني" فذاك لا تكفيه مليون تحية...
لا! تحييتي لنزار حامي الحمى،

نزار الذي يزيد من فرصنا في بلدٍ يقتل الفرص...
نزارالذي يقدر ظروفنا في بلدٍ يزيدها سوءًا...

نزار ليس سياسياً ولا رجل أعمال...
نزار موظف في مؤسسة لبنانية مدري أجنبية...
متلنا أو متل ما يطمح الكتير منا.
بس على عكس كتير من الموظفين،
 نزار بحب وجعة الراس...
كرمال شو؟ 
والله ما بعرف!
اسألوا نزار...
عالأرجح نزار نفسه لايعرف...
ومع ذلك نزار حاضر للمساعدة،
جاهز للإجابة،
مستعد للخدمة...

أنا لا أعرف نزار شخصياً
أسمع عنه من غيري كأنني أسمع عن أسطورة،
لكنه موجود... ويجود...
لا أعرف نزار،
 ولكني أعرف أن نزار لا تسمع على لسانه عبارة : " أنا ما خصني"
ولا تراه يهز اكتافه ليشير أن الموضوع خرج من يده...

تحية إلى نزار...
لأنه صحيح لا يحل قضايا الشرق الأوسط،
ولا شكل الحكومه، ولم يكن يوماً رئيس البنك الدولي، 
ولكنه فسحة أمل في حياة الضائعين منا،
 الباحثين عن أجوبة و حلول في غابة المؤسسة اللبنانيه الأجنبية...

May 17, 2011

D & I: Act 2

Sharing with you the next round of D's tour in different parts of Hamra. For those of you who have just tuned in, D is the name of my new Canon 500D camera. She has been a bliss at times when none could be found

This time D met the little green man, lovers at Roadster and ended up walking the green paths of knowledge...



Green man walking...

Let's get out of here... Let them eat on their own...I have missed you


Where to?

May 5, 2011

D & I: Act 1

I needed something i can pour myself into... I love to walk, observe, listen... to many these are not much of activities really, but then add a 500 D and the stories are endless... D has joined my company recently... it was a gift of love... I share our stories with you.

Behind the Curtains


Shankaboot: A Dream that made a difference

Hamra in Black and White

The Yarn of Knowledge

Waiting...



عمو شوفير التاكسي...

"الله ينجحك يا رب" يقولها شوفير التاكسي بلكنةٍ تلطشية و أنا في طريقي لغرفتي الصغيرة في الحمرا... ترن كلمات "تاكسي تاكسي" من بعد دعائه...

ليته لم يدعي لي عمو شوفير التاكسي... فأي نجاحٍ هذا الذي يتمناه ونحن كما نحن، ونعاني ما نعاني...
أردت أن التفت وأقول له: "عمو لو بتعيرنا سكوتك شو بكون أحسن. مش ناقصة عيشتي واحد متل حضرتك يلطشني. بلا نجاح بلا بلوط..."ولكني لم أفعل...
عضضت على لساني ومشيت خوفاً على مشاعر عمو، الراعي الأول لحركة سرقة السياح الأجانب في شارع الحمرا.حرام! إن بعض الظن إثم...
ربما عمو لا يدري بما يحدث حولنا، فهو يقضي وقته على تلك الزاوية المقابلة لقهوة يونس وينادي طول النهار و الليل لراكب يستجيب... فكيف له أن يعلم بما يحصل... وأكيد مش عم بدور الراديو محافظةً على بطارية المرسيدس، فكيف من الممكن أن يدرك ما يجري...

هل علم عمو مثلاً قبل أن يدعي لي بالنجاح، بأننا فشلنا بتشكيل حكومة...
وأن أمريكا فشلت  في القضاء على الإرهاب...
وأن البشرية فشلت في حماية الحياة البحرية بعد أن القيت جثة بن لادن في البحر...
وأن العرب فشلوا في إستعادة صورتهم كناس اوادم، أو إستعادة حرياتهم، أو حق العودة، أو حتى غصن زيتون سرق منا...
وأن مهند فشل في إنقاذ سمر من شر نفسها، وأن بشير فشل في إنقاذ نهال من حزنٍ مؤكد...(لا تؤاخذوني فأصداء "العشق الممنوع" ما زالت تحاصرني...)

هل يعلم عمو عن

Mar 13, 2011

Hamra Specials


Introducing the Lebanese metric system... of course 30 fash7'as later i still couldn't find the place... 


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Mar 9, 2011

Younes and I

I am sure you have heard this before. Well I am not really sure, but most probably than not, the following words would sound familiar: “Café Younes”. The small café is located just off the street of Hamra and it is where I have been spending many of my nights. I simply love it. I mean I loved it the first time a friend introduced me to the place… but tonight I realized why I love it and why I keep coming back.


At first I though it’s the great coffee (and I do mean great! best in town. Their cardamom cappuccino and mocha are to die for). Then I thought it’s the food (Bagels, sandwiches and everything in between is yummy to say the least). The guys at café Younes are not just friendly, they are genuine… a rare trait in the café business. But this is not about Younes’ menu or service or location, this is about what makes me, among others, keep coming back. You see Younes unlike other cafes in Hamra seems to be able to lure in the most intellectual interesting minds and characters around. It seems to revive this cultural feel of Beirut in each of its corners.


Here you find them all, designers, engineers, doctors, writers, students, professors, young, old, strangers, friends. They are thinking, creating, discussing, planning, revolutionizing, writing, drawing, imagining, and dreaming of a better tomorrow. And they are doing all of this at Cafe Younes. The energy, is unmistakable, the vibe is loud and clear: “ At Café Younes, we offer you whatever couch, chair, stool, caffeine/ chocolate intake, it takes for you to perform your best”. For people who come here, Café Younes isn’t home (that would be too much of a cliche), but it’s the place where they can be who they really are, and who they want to be. It is where their journey starts to wherever their thoughts may lead them…

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