Maryool — Restaurant in Saifi

The humble donkey would be happy to be associated with Maryool. A cozy and charming place located on the narrow streets of Mar Mikhael, this restaurant is what can actually be called a hidden gem. The staff is young and friendly, while simultaneously being professional and efficient. I really think that they are key to the whole experience at this eatery. I loved how comfortable I felt there. The food is authentic with a unique twist, and this is mirrored in the presentation as well. Their menu consists of a daily meal section, in addition to their platters served in lovely small bowls. This enables you to taste a wide variety of flavors as you take bites from one dish to the next. We ordered the Hendbeh & Kale, Hummus with Chorizo, Zaalook, Scotch Egg, Maryool Musakhan Taco, and Kebbet Mosul. We also wanted the Fatayer, but unfortunately it was unavailable. Add a squeeze of lemon to the Hendbeh & Kale, and it is like placing the cherry on top; it tastes great. I really liked the Hummus, and the Scotch Egg was so tasty with the soft boiled egg’s runny yolk oozing down over the outer crispy kebbe shell. The Musakhan Taco was flavorful, yet it was a bit salty. However, the Kebbet Mosul was delicious; the herb filling complemented the thin flattened kebbe perfectly. For dessert, we had all of the three present on the menu, namely the Maamoul Bi Jebne, the Kneffe, and the Tamriyye. For me, they were all equally good. The Maamoul Bi Jebne was an interesting take on the regular maamoul, and I enjoyed nibbling on it. Although the salty dishes mostly overshadowed the sweet ones in taste and flavor, I felt that I had eaten a hearty and wholesome dinner. I left with a warm feeling inside and I was happy that I had tried Maryool. I will...

NOTE: i ordered maryool to my home on toters, and have never sat at the restaurant itself so I cannot comment on service or atsmosphere.

I ordered 3 dishes that I had been craving all day. The first was Hara2 Esba3o which is a traditionally syrian dish that i love. I don't have much complaints in regards to this dish- i think it was lacking a little salt and pepper, general seasoning that would have made it better. but not bad at all with the crispy onions on top. The second dish i ordered was the bulgur bi banadoura- immediately the first thing i could taste was acidic iron which often happens when using too much of tomato concentrate/paste. which is unfortunate because the way its presented and served with fried zucchini is good.

Lastly was a fattet batenjen. This had many faults. the beef used with it was extremely lamby- this comes from not marinating the lamb which can have an overpowering taste- it really threw it off for me even though it was tender. the yoghurt was not flavored enough, not enough salt not enough garlic. the batenjen itself was chopped in different sizes and not consistent in texture.

Altogether I think there is a lot of room for improvement- how ever I will give this another chance by...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Maryoul a unique Lebanese restaurant that offers traditional dishes with an innovative twist. The culinary experience was nothing short of delightful, with flavors that elevated classic Lebanese cuisine to a whole new level. Upon entering, I was immediately taken by the charming ambiance. The décor combines modern aesthetics with traditional Lebanese elements, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The friendly staff greeted us warmly, setting a positive tone for the evening. The menu is a revelation. Familiar dishes like hummus, tabbouleh, and shawarma are reimagined with unexpected ingredients and creative presentations. Each bite was a pleasant surprise, bursting with flavors that are both exotic and comforting. The chef’s creativity truly shines through, making this restaurant a must-visit for anyone looking to explore Lebanese cuisine from a fresh perspective. However, the dining experience was not without its drawbacks. While the staff was friendly, the service was notably slow. Several waiters seemed distracted, almost as if they were in a different world. This inattentiveness led to delays in taking orders and delivering food, which somewhat marred the...