Lebanese lurks at Lakhey

KATHMANDU, Sept 6: “The other day somebody asked me in disbelief if we served food here that took me by surprise,” expresses Dipesh Ghaley, co proprietor of the Lakhey Restro Bar at Durbar Marg. Six months into business, this restaurant has come to be almost unparallel among Kathmandu’s top hang out venues for weekend relaxation. [break]

However, Lakhey has come to be synonymous solely with drinking and dancing but what has become unjustifiably overlooked is the ‘restro’ bit of the restro bar.

“What may catch a lot of people and even regular Lakhey goers off guard is that we are the only restaurant specializing in Lebanese cuisine,” says award winning Head Chef Suman Napit, who was the only Nepali participant who won a silver medal at Doha during a Lebanese Food Competition in 2004.

At first instance, Lakhey’s deco seems to be inspired by fusion. Atop the well stacked wooden bar and against the traditional Surkhi-lined wall hangs a scarlet and grinning wood carved mask of a Lakhey: a calm and colourful version of the Hindu Deity Bhairabh. “The Lakhey dance held during Indrajatra is full of colours the festivity associated with it inspired our deco,” says Dipesh. Wooden masks decorate the walls and hang beside windows where bunched orange coloured curtains drop atop beige window screens.

During the evenings colourful lights add a warm touch to the stone floor, beige leather couches and wooden tables.

A flight of wooden stair case takes you to their mezzanine area. The walls are adorned with the picturesque photographs by Sameer Jung Karki. Wooden tables and chairs prepare you to gourmandize in their specialty: the Lebanese Cuisine.

“The Lebanese Cuisine represents all aspects of the Mediterranian diet,” informs Suman. It includes an abundance of starch, fruits, vegetables, fresh fish and sea food .Poultry is eaten more often than red meat usually lamb. The cuisine incorporates a good amount of garlic and olive oil.It is very rare that Lebanese food doesnot have these two ingredients.

One of the important aspects of the food is the way in which it is served.It is referred to as ‘maza’. The assortment of dishes and combinations are almost limitless. It’s an array of appetisers that are limitless and express an inspiration of colors,flavors and aromas even textures that are. It may be as simple as pickled vegetables, hummus and bread or meals of grilled seafood and skewered meat.

“Nepalese are quite skeptical about trying out foreign cuisine apart from Indian, Chinese and now Italian”, says Suman. Perhaps that is why Lakhey’s appetiser is their bestseller: Chicken wings with garlic and coriander. It is chicken wings cooked in a bed of spicy and tangy curry. The combo of garlic and coriander definitely makes the dish dearer to nepali tastebuds,plus it has a strong taste and aroma that is sure to appeases those who like food.

“There isn’t a meal eaten in Lebenon that doesnot include bread,” says Suman.When the chicken wings are eaten wrapped in the soft pita bread that they bake in Lakhey itself, the bite neutralises the spiciness and makes it simply scrumptous.

The bread is further highlighted in their main course, falafel sandwich. It is crushed chickpeas wrapped in puffy pita bread and served with homemade tahina sauce i.e. seseme seeds ground with spices. A combination of sauteed and pickled vegetables go well on the side. The pita bread is exceptionally soft and the tangy sauce mixed with chick peas makes the dish a must try item in their menu.

Most often Lebanese foods seem to be either grilled, baked or sauteed in olive oil.Lakhey’s Samak Bekti is grilled fresh fillet of Bekti fish seasoned with fresh garlic, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil served with a tangy and sweetish tomato sauce. The sauce is made up of blanched tomatoes, concasse and ground spices. The spicy taste goes well with the grilled fish and the well made butter saffron rice is a delight to any rice lover.

For vegetarians their Babaghanoush, served with style on a well garnished plate,packs a wallop. Mixture of lemon and pomergranate with a smoky hint gives it a uniquely pleasant taste. Actually for most who do not like eggplant as such, this may be a welcome change.

At Lakhey you can wash it all down with something unique and delightful. Dipesh’s range of celeb-cocktails, ranging from Meghan Fox to Madonna to Salma Hayak. Amusingly so one can dine with a celebrity. Their ‘Meghan Fox’ is a savoury mix of vodka, peach schuppes, cranberry and pineapple juice. YUM!

While the Lebenese cuisine is not a mere repetoire of usual dishes that your tastebuds are accustomed to,at Lakhey, it focuses primarily on herbs spices and the freshness of ingredients and is definitely a must try for anyone looking for new places and cuisines to try out in Kathmandu.

On Wednesdays, ladies get free drinks and live bands playing various genre fills the reastaurant with music. In Octuber they have International bands coming in to play for them. Football season beckons ardent fans passionately supporting their teams and watching football with pints of beer. Fridays it becomes a hub of weekend party goers. Among the chic Kathmandu corporates, youngsters and urbane good time lovers, surprisingly with Rs 350- Rs 400 you could have a stomach full of the crown of mediterranian cuisine: the Lebanese delights that is not worth missing out on.