Grand Café

[Hassouni]

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[color=#5D5D5D][font=tahoma, arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=2][color=#5D5D5D][font=tahoma, arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=2]This is a HUGE cafe with a very large indoor and outdoor section, slightly down the coast from the Raouché area of Beirut, sort of at the end of the Corniche before Ramlet al-Baida begins. They have another one downtown on Weygand Street, but have not been. [/size][/font][/color][/size][/font][/color]
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[/size][/font][/color][/size][/font][/color]Atmosphere: 5/5. Modern classy. Nice chairs and stone floors inside, very nice couches and chairs outside. The outdoor terrace is huge and has a superb view over the Med and looking down the coast. Here are several pictures:[/size][/font][/color][/size][/font][/color]
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[color=#5D5D5D][font=tahoma, arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=2][color=#5D5D5D][font=tahoma, arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=2]Argileh: 5/5. Smallish selection, but they have Nakhla Eskandarani Apple (though on the menu it says Bahraini). It's DELICIOUS and so smooth. Hit really well. This was the pipe - bog standard small hose port Leb cafe deal:[/size][/font][/color][/size][/font][/color]
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[color=#5D5D5D][font=tahoma, arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=2][color=#5D5D5D][font=tahoma, arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=2]Small hose port, but purged fine, if a bit slowly.[/size][/font][/color][/size][/font][/color]
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Service: 4/5. So cafes in Beirut have the food/drinks waiters, and the nargile attendants. The former are often negligent, the latter are usually VERY nice and attentive. I'd give the waiters here a 3/5, and the nargile guy a 5/5. Very nice fellow.

Food: 4/5. It's fine. Lebanese food and sandwiches and salads. Decent stuff. Lots of non-alcoholic drinks options (a place like this outta have booze, but it doesn't. Minus one point for that and the fine but not outstanding food)

Price: 3.5/5. Argile is 16,000 here, which is getting on the high side, but not higher than the nicest places. Food and drink are expensive though, tea is 6,000 ($4), and basic meze like hummus 8,000 (plain hummus shouldn't be more than 5 or 6 thu).

Overall: Very classy, and an amazing view out the terrace. Very nice for a smoke and a tea, coffee, or a juice, and a light meal. Just slightly pricey.[/size][/font][/color][/size][/font][/color]