Since Babel opened its doors in Kuwait, it is clear that this dining institution isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a vivacious celebration of Lebanese flavors that harmonize heritage with modernity, creating an extraordinary progressive cuisine. With its grandiose architecture and interior, Babel is a place to experience a culinary excellence offering through a fusion of contemporary flavors using Lebanon’s finest ingredients.
Since Babel is always a favorite, we were excited to return for a unique culinary experience and breathtaking seaside views. As usual, their service was exemplary, where you feel that you are a guest at a Lebanese home, where they love to serve you.
We started our culinary tasting with hommus istanbouli, mwarrade, grapevine leaves, fattet shrimp and grilled cheese rolls. As for the hommus istanbouli, we especially loved the flavours of pine nuts and parsley in every bite that elevated the dish into a masterpiece. We were already in food heaven! Then came the showstoppers, the mawwarde and the fattet shrimp. Mawwarde can be best described as an open-faced kibbeh with the most delightful of stuffings, one of roasted peppers, and the other of tender meat morsels, kebab bil karaz style. This is definitely a must-try; you will not regret it we promise! The shrimp fatteh, a Babel specialty and a progressive take on the traditional eggplant fatteh, had the most beautiful contrast of textures. From the flavourful yogurt, to the tender eggplant and the crunchy bread, topped with the most succulent shrimp. This dish created a fusion of flavors you can only experience at Babel. We will be ordering this one every time we visit. And just when you think the meal is finished, there is always a little more!
After we had fully indulged in the mezze, we were invited to dive into an ocean of flavors with an irresistible array of seafood delights. From the fresh seafood display of the daily catch, you can pick and choose your favorite seafood and have it cooked to your liking. We particularly enjoyed beautifully grilled, deboned fish as well as fried fish paired with the tangy tartar sauce.
With the surf, we also enjoyed the turf! We enjoyed a variety of juicy, tender grilled meats that really tantalized the taste buds, our favorites were the lamb cutlets, the shish taouk of course, and the grilled meat. The grilled meat was so tender, it just melted in our mouth! Pair this with their delectable hommus istanbouli, and you’re all set!
And to cap off the delicious culinary journey, we ended on a sweet note, along with their complementary dark-roasted, rich Arabic coffee along and complimentary ghazlieh and fruits which showcase Babel’s exemplary hospitality. In total, we tried four desserts: ghazlieh, oum ali, ashta bel ashta, osmaliyeh ashta and with three of us there, funnily enough, we each had a different favorite. The oum ali was sweet, warm and just like a perfect hug on a chilly winter’s day. Topped with coconut, it was a crowd-pleaser. Then we had the ashta bel ashta, which can be best described as a delicate ice cream with hints of rose water, a fruit coulis, and topped with a textured cream – your palate will rejoice. We then enjoyed the osmaliyeh ashta, which was so light and airy, that it almost didn’t feel like you ate anything so the calories don’t count! It is such a delicate and light dessert; it is the perfect way to end a filling meal. Last, and definitely not least, my absolute favorite, the ghazlieh! The smooth milk pudding with hints of rose, topped with the delicate, melt in your mouth, cotton candy, I don’t even have the words to describe this gloriousness.
Clearly, we enjoyed the meal immensely. We have all made plans to take our families and friends back on the weekend since we are already craving many of the dishes that we enjoyed! Babel is the destination to revel and celebrate through their wondrous food offerings.
We are also told the adventure doesn’t end at lunch or dinner! Babel now invites you to kick-start your day with an exceptional breakfast experience. Having had a look at their breakfast menu, it seems that they continue to seamlessly blend traditional classics and give the dishes a fabulous twist.
At Babel, every dish tells a story, every flavor evokes a memory, and every meal is an experience to cherish. Go on, do it, take a culinary escapade through Lebanon’s rich gastronomic landscape at Babel. For more information, call 22081111 Stay tuned for updates and gastronomic inspirations by following @BabelKuwait Instagram.
