Beiteddine (literally 'the house of faith'), a bright and informal Lebanese restaurant located in London's Knightsbridge district, is an excellent showcase for high-quality Levantine cuisine. The small Lebanese town of Beit ed-Dine is famous for its magnificent palace and music festival. Creator of the palace, Emir Bashir Shihab II, was renowned for his regular banquets and generosity - a tradition which is at the very heart of Beiteddine restaurant.
The restaurant's bright white interior is authentically Lebanese and smacks of the individual blend of Arab and Italian baroque architecture that makes Beiteddine's palace so unique. Subtle columns and archways play an important part in the atmosphere of the restaurant and Lebanese music is played on certain nights, allowing you to be swept away to the beautiful East Mediterranean coast.
Lebanese cooking is typically full of robust, pastoral flavours and, as in most Mediterranean countries, the majority of what the Lebanese eat is shaped by the changing seasons. Beiteddine specialises in the coastal style of Lebanese cooking, focusing on slow-cooked, tender lamb and chicken-based meals. The experienced Lebanese chefs at Beiteddine have been working hard to bring a taste of Beirut to locals and visitors alike.
To start, from the à la carte menu, try the hummus Beiruti, a puréed chickpea dish with parsley, garlic and lemon juice, topped with broad beans. Try a dish of the day, such as Monday's kibbeh labanieh with shish barak, which is minced lamb with a shell of crushed wheat bulgur, cooked in strained yoghurt, with little parcels of pasta filled with minced lamb and onions. For a main course you may want to sample a dish from the charcoal grill, such as the lamb shawarma, which is marinated overnight, roasted and sliced thinly with vinegar and spices. If you have room, venture onto the sweet selection of Lebanese pastries and desserts. For those who would prefer a taste of Lebanon at home, Beiteddine has a handy delivery or takeaway service, which includes everything from the à la carte menu.