Paris -- An Amazing Lebanese Feast

While in Paris, J and I and our friends Mimi and JoJo were treated to an amazing Lebanese feast at Rimal, one of the best Lebanese restaurants to be found there (at 94, boulevard Malesherbes, in the 17ème arrondissment). The meal was a family celebration organized by our friend Tania, and included Tania's delightful mother Aida, her sister Ruby and her niece Carol, along with some Kuwaiti friends.

Tania planned the meal with Roger Sfeir, the Maître d' at Rimal, who is a kind of legend within Paris' large Lebanese community, as well as Tania's admired friend Fady Khouri, one of Rimal's owners, whom Tania correctly describes as a "grand gentleman."

The meal reflected Middle Eastern principles of entertaining, i.e. way too much food, and lots of special dishes. Here are photos of many of them, taken by Tania, who is not merely a great cook but also an accomplished food presenter and photographer. (The names in captions were provided by Tania, generally French spellings of Lebanese names. You may find anglicized spellings if you try to learn more about this items.)

Garlic tomatoes

Arayess (minced meat, herbs, onions in pita, grilled)

Tabboulé

Kebbé nayé (Lebanese veal tartare)

Shanklishe (strong crumbled cheese balls with herbs)

Fatayers (spinach triangles)

Kabab karaz (an exceptional Aleppo specialty)

Kebbé  boulettes and walnut eggplant mix

Makaneks (special Lebanese sausages)

Ra'a'ates (feuilleté "from Heaven")

Cream and rose "chewy" ice creams

Karabiges (pistachio filled pastry brought from Beirut)

Natef (resemblng pine flavored marshmallow)

The ambiance was indeed familial. Aida, in particular, was beaming the whole time at the array of guests and enjoyed every second of making us all happy, and particularly those of us who are somewhat new to Lebanese food.

Aida with Roger and Jo-Jo

See? It worked!

A content moi

What a wonderful memory!

Bobby Jay