All the Beirut news.

In 2011 when Zaitunay Bay first launched they said we would “embark on a journey of tastes that take you into a savory world of temptations, embracing culture and flavor.” They described all the restaurants and I remember, Babel’s blurb said, “Babel’s offering at Zaitunay Bay is an innovative and unique approach to Mediterranean Lebanese »more...

There was a time when bloggers used to RT/comment each others' posts..remember? Now that competition kicked in,we're not even reading
— Rita Kamel (@ritakml) April 25, 2013

Source: @ritakml

I love TED talks and watch them regularly. I download them on the app, and watch them offline when I’m on a plane or a train. I love AUB because it is my alma mater and the place where I formed my attitudes and philosophy on life and everything in it. So, it’s only natural that my interest in TEDxAUB was extra-special.

Every once in a while something comes up to to give us hope that the advertising/communication industry still has a future beyond the uneducated clients, the silly visuals, the corny messages and the ego-filled (un)creatives....

[YouTube]
I read on the LBCI website yesterday that Jbeil was named the Best Arab tourist city in 2013 and then watched in the news that it will receive the award on the 15th of June.

In the heart of Mar Mikhael is an old Lebanese house, modernized in a way that caters to the needs of the latest trends around. Take the old stairway that leads you up to the restaurant’s entrance, with walls decorated with dried vegetables. A nice authentic touch that reminds me of an old Lebanese village »more...

Spotted in Zouk Mikhael on the road parallel to the maritime road.

I’ve always been a big fan of chocolate ice cream but never found the one I’ve been dreaming of in Lebanon. The reason is simple: most commercial chocolate ice creams (even Haagen Dazs) is far too milky and far too sweet for my taste. Like my bars of good chocolate, I like my chocolate ice »more...

Lebanese embrace several  languages, and we combine English, Arabic and French in the same sentence, that's fine with me, but it is sad to see a huge billboard in the center of Beirut show Arabic message in the web-friendly Latin script ( a silly Message by the way).
 Who said Arabic  is not cool!?  


“We should link the Arabic language to modern art and culture... to end the perception among young people that the formal language is outdated and dull,"

Update: Lebanese Elias Bou Saab, VP of the American University of Dubai, is apparently the reason why the ceremony is always broadcasted on Lebanese TVs. He is a major shareholder in OTV and business deals with major Lebanese TVs and institutions. I was told he’s also he was the mayor of Dhour el Choueir, whose municipality is becoming a model for others to follow. He’s also the husband of singer Julia Boutros. Thanks @ArzLeb

Aregu in first place
The story keeps getting better and better! In case you missed the original story, check it out [Here].
In case you haven’t visited Sietske’s blog yet, read [Here].


First Place for Aregu in overall and age category!!!

[Vimeo]
Pretty cool ad.
PS:Someone remind the Ministry of Tourism that summer is here.

Joe Maalouf was sacked from MTV and his show Enta Horr stopped last week
It looks like the war between the Murrs and the Enta Horr team is far from over. First Jyad Murr replies to Joe Maalouf:

I love this guy, James McNair, a bestselling cookbook author, like me, doesn’t need a reason to talk about burgers. Just read an interesting article he’s written in the Huffington Post about how burger has become a canvas for top chefs… I share the same idea and have been scouting the world trying some of the »more...