CNN asked food experts and members of the global academy that appoints panelists for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants for their recommendations for underrated restaurants, and Burgundy Beirut made it to the list.
Here’s what they said:
Jade George, editorial director of Middle Eastern food culture magazine Carton, says: “It bills itself as contemporary French but chef Youssef Akiki of Burgundy challenges rigid dining habits by introducing Lebanese dishes done his way, and often experimenting with local produce.
“Although the restaurant’s tasting menu changes seasonally, I am fond of Akiki’s bird dishes, his pickled vegetable dish from Jacqueline’s garden and the savory and sweet bites with which he takes you on a regional journey.
“The Middle East is a tricky region when it comes to ‘fine dining’; it’s split into countries with hardly any produce to speak of, and others in economic turmoil. To stand out in that category of restaurants and keep challenging what exists is worthy of a mention.”
Burgundy serves experimental seasonal Lebanese dishes. I’ve been once; the food and the ambiance were great, but it’s an expensive place. Burgundy is located in Saifi Village.