With three locations in the city, this family-run business offers personalized service and homemade recipes in its three restaurants in Ruzafa, Aragón, and the City of Arts and Sciences.
Amal and her four children were the stars of a travelling anniversary celebration, taking guests on a journey through Beirut’s three restaurants, exploring the family’s past, present, and future. The four siblings, Rani, Ali, Mirna, and Dani, along with their mother, Amal, continue working together, just as their father envisioned when he laid the restaurant’s foundation stone in 1995.Thirty years is not enough to solidify Lebanese cuisine in a city like Valencia, where the Beirut brand has been a pioneer in introducing diners to the diverse culinary traditions of the other side of the Mediterranean. Fortunately, for the next three decades, they plan to continue offering their signature family dishes while educating, guiding, and connecting with the public on this journey between cultures. Behind this project is a Lebanese family: Amal and her four children, Rani, Ali, Mirna, and Dani. All of them have been deeply involved in the establishment of Beirut, which today boasts three restaurants in different parts of the city: Ruzafa, the City of Arts and Sciences, and Mestalla. All three locations offer the same menu, featuring home-style cooking, freshly prepared and served with a personal touch, emphasizing the project’s human touch.
The restaurant recently celebrated its 30th anniversary in style with a party that revisited some of the highlights of its history. The past, present, and future of this brand, which strives to dispel stereotypes about Lebanese cuisine, will be explored without prejudice. “We would like to share our roots and the culinary legacy of our mother, but also of our entire family. Because Lebanese cuisine goes far beyond kebabs and fast food,” explained Mirna Kalout, the youngest sister, who acted as spokesperson during the evening. “We want to educate, so that everyone understands what our cuisine truly is; to support, because this project is built from within and as a family; and to professionalize, to communicate that what we do is consistent, serious, and of high quality,” she asserted to the attendees.
Of course, there was also room for personal stories, and Kalout didn’t forget the true foundation: “If we have come this far, it is thanks to the legacy started by Sabah and Amal, my parents, even though he is no longer with us. Today, the four of us siblings remain united, with our mother, and committed to a project that fulfills us all.”
A Family Venture Since 1995
The story of Beirut dates back to 1995, when Amal Kalout and Sabah Haidar opened their first restaurant on C/ Conde Altea . The couple, originally from Lebanon, had arrived in Spain in 1978 and, after working various jobs, decided to open their own business. It was none other than the first Lebanese restaurant in Valencia. As expected, they faced difficulties, such as the language barrier, financial limitations, and the local diners’ unfamiliarity with their recipes. Despite this, they persevered and continued to move forward, opening Beirut Aragón in 1999. ‘Beirut’ is the dream of Sabah, the father, whose name is inextricably linked to the project. He had a complicated relationship with his siblings and didn’t want his children to experience the same, so he resolved to keep the family united through cooking. Beirut doesn’t just serve food; it embodies a tradition that connects with its roots. That’s why, when we talk about the brand, we also talk about family, authenticity, and Lebanese soul in the heart of the Mediterranean. As four siblings, the three Beirut restaurants are directly managed by the family to preserve the essence and identity that has made them popular. And so, the four work together, just as Sabah always wanted.
Beirut’s evolution over three decades has led the family to establish themselves in neighborhoods like Abastos and El Carmen, as well as try their luck in other municipalities such as l’Eliana. Finally, they have opted to consolidate with their three current locations, situated in the Aragón area, the Ruzafa neighborhood, and opposite the City of Arts and Sciences. All three establishments offer daily menus and extended hours for lunch and dinner, opening from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and until 11:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, every day of the week—except for Beirut Aragón, which is closed on Mondays. They are a perfect option for discovering the cuisine of the other side of the Atlantic in a home-style and affordable way.
The first travelling event in Valencia
Beirut’s 30th anniversary was celebrated in style: with a travelling event on a bus visiting all three of its restaurants in Valencia. More than 50 guests were able to discover the origin, present, and future of the restaurant, as well as its family history, traveling through time and space. At 8:00 p.m., Beirut Aragón was transformed into a veritable museum of the restaurant’s history, which introduced Lebanese cuisine to Valencia in 1995. Photos and documents from three decades ago were the stars of this first stop on the tour, guided by Amal, the project’s founder. Guests, immersed in this unique exhibition, listened to Amal’s audio guide, which they received on their mobile phones, recounting in her own words the origin and growth of Beirut.
After sampling some of the restaurant’s dishes, the guests boarded the bus to travel to the second stop: Beirut Ciencias, where the restaurant’s present was represented. Here, the most moving moment of the evening arrived. Mirna Kalout, the younger sister, spoke on behalf of the family, expressing her gratitude not only to the guests and the press, but also to the customers who have supported them for so many years. As we have seen, during her speech she emphasized the three pillars that underpin Beirut’s present: educating, supporting, and professionalizing. In addition, the attendees were able to sample some of the restaurants’ most popular dishes, such as kibbeh nayeh, lamb tartare; rakakat yubne, a combination of melted cheeses inside a crispy roll; and mini knefeh, layers of golden, buttery kataifi pastry enveloping a soft cheese filling.
After this glimpse into the present, the guests boarded the bus again, this time to travel to the future, represented by the restaurant located in Ruzafa. During the bus ride, the more than 50 people filled out a wish card, a very fitting tradition for this time of year, this time for both the restaurant and themselves. All of them were hung by one of the windows upon their arrival at the restaurant, where they found a warm atmosphere, with tables decorated with candles. To conclude, the eldest brother, Rani, took the microphone and sincerely thanked everyone for their presence on such an important night for them all. “Your presence signifies reaching the first milestone on a journey my parents began 30 years ago. For me, Beirut is you. Being able to share a part of the beauty of my parents’ country through our food, feeling that you enjoy it, seeing you grow and continue to be by our side is, without a doubt, my greatest reward,” he expressed his gratitude. With that, a grand and very emotional celebration of Beirut’s 30th anniversary came to a close. Lebanese cuisine has a name and a story in Valencia, and most importantly, it is sustained by a family commitment passed down from parents to children.
Report by 24/7 Valencia team
Article copyright 24/7 Valencia
MORE ABOUT BEIRUT:
Related Post
Leave a comment