Imm Sharif

Imm Sharif (meaning Mother of Sharif) is a Lebanese Restaurant that has recently opened on the outskirts of Ashrafieh in Beirut.  The name might infer that it’s a cozy, homey restaurant, but in reality, it’s nothing of the sort.

Driving up to the place, one is taken aback by the huge dungeon like wooden door with the marvelous carvings at the top.  After you step inside, you can’t help but stand to admire the beautiful collection of Greek plates (absolutely must have) mounted on the wall facing the door.  The whole restaurant sits in one of Beirut’s old estates, so the high rise ceiling, and the pattern tiles are just some aspects of the décor that catch the eye.  The walls are painted with a pale blue, the ceilings are hand painted, tables are topped with mirrors to reflect the ceiling, and all accessories and cutlery are pure silver and blue crystal.

Talk about luxury.

Imm Shafif offers a set menu of a selection of the best Lebanese delights, but with the restaurants posh twist.  The plates include caviar, fatoush and tabbouleh, garlic labne, homos, mtabbal, kafta, freeke, all made with an extra secret ingredient that turns the taste around.  Midway through dinner, a live band plays a number of old Lebanese and other oriental “tarab” his from the likes of Umm Kolthum, Ilham al Madfa’I, and Warda. 

With all the time and effort I’m putting into finalizing our apartment, my fiancé and I have developed an eye for detail and quality in décor and accessories.  I was in tableware heaven just looking at the table settings, the silver plate chargers, the silver cutlery, the bohemian crystal glasses, and the blue trim porcelain plates. 

I want some!!

I can’t help but mention that my fiancé, who runs a family business of manufacturing glass, mirrors, and aluminum, was responsible for all glass and mirror items at the place.  What can I say, everything he touches become even more beautiful than it already is.  *Grin*   

All the above mentioned yummy and sparkly come at a price.  After dinner, the bill was just as high end as the restaurant itself.  However, the entire experience was well worth it.