[null, {"document_url": "https://www.beirutista.co/2016/01/", "unformatted_src": "//4.bp.blogspot.com/-k61p6L2CKQI/Vqm7YHpDFiI/AAAAAAAAIMM/WT_3ina6Qz8/s640/IMG_20160120_133123%257E2.jpg", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k61p6L2CKQI/Vqm7YHpDFiI/AAAAAAAAIMM/WT_3ina6Qz8/s640/IMG_20160120_133123%257E2.jpg", "formatted_filename": "IMG E", "alt_text": "Image"}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.beirutista.co/2016/01/", "unformatted_src": "//4.bp.blogspot.com/-lF_fE6rANtE/VqDgGPCz_GI/AAAAAAAAICs/kdHCctCnjEk/s640/IMG_20160115_203007%257E2.jpg", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lF_fE6rANtE/VqDgGPCz_GI/AAAAAAAAICs/kdHCctCnjEk/s640/IMG_20160115_203007%257E2.jpg", "formatted_filename": "IMG E", "alt_text": "Image"}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.beirutista.co/2016/01/", "unformatted_src": "//2.bp.blogspot.com/-mO9oZpcoEJ8/Vp-DX_lnB4I/AAAAAAAAH70/uHrY6P1MRDE/s640/IMG_20160119_195038%257E2.jpg", "src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mO9oZpcoEJ8/Vp-DX_lnB4I/AAAAAAAAH70/uHrY6P1MRDE/s640/IMG_20160119_195038%257E2.jpg", "formatted_filename": "IMG E", "alt_text": "Image"}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.beirutista.co/2016/01/", "unformatted_src": "//2.bp.blogspot.com/-pszKm2YG3vs/VpzPJWxT4LI/AAAAAAAAHzc/TD_O-7-lNXw/s640/IMG-20160118-WA0009.jpg", "src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pszKm2YG3vs/VpzPJWxT4LI/AAAAAAAAHzc/TD_O-7-lNXw/s640/IMG-20160118-WA0009.jpg", "formatted_filename": "IMG WA", "alt_text": "Image"}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.beirutista.co/2016/01/", "unformatted_src": "//3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaHQNaUU4aE/VpeTD9ZO6yI/AAAAAAAAHrA/VCbo0II7BZY/s640/IMG_20160113_204557%257E2.jpg", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaHQNaUU4aE/VpeTD9ZO6yI/AAAAAAAAHrA/VCbo0II7BZY/s640/IMG_20160113_204557%257E2.jpg", "formatted_filename": "IMG E", "alt_text": "Image"}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.beirutista.co/2016/01/", "unformatted_src": "//3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpuuw43m-J0/VpSg3WmB10I/AAAAAAAAHkU/i8WOJbnqqog/s640/PhotoEditor-1452497912780.jpg", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpuuw43m-J0/VpSg3WmB10I/AAAAAAAAHkU/i8WOJbnqqog/s640/PhotoEditor-1452497912780.jpg", "formatted_filename": "PhotoEditor", "alt_text": "Image"}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.beirutista.co/2016/01/", "unformatted_src": "//lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kqh-PqXW9D0/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAB48/OW3eQbXq2gQ/s120-c-pf/photo.jpg", "src": "http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kqh-PqXW9D0/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAB48/OW3eQbXq2gQ/s120-c-pf/photo.jpg", "formatted_filename": "photo", "alt_text": "My photo", "rendered_width": 120, "rendered_height": 120}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "https://www.beirutista.co/2016/01/", "unformatted_src": "https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/4.0/88x31.png", "src": "https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/4.0/88x31.png", "alt_text": "Creative Commons License"}, null]



My Favorite Quick Eats in Beirut This Winter
 When the weather takes a turn for the frigid, thoughts of warmth and good food bring comfort. Fortunately, Lebanon’s got its fair share of comfort food, from the traditional manakish pies to more international chow (namely, burgers).
Here’s the round-up of my favorite spots this winter, in no particular order.

Asian Cuisine Makes a Comeback in Beirut
 

Chang's is tasty and reliable in the way that all behemoth American chains are. It's already found a foothold in three mall complexes. But it lacks the charm…

A Pub Serving Tasty Grub: BistroBar Live at The Village
 It's hard enough finding a pub that isn't stuffy, boasts expert bartenders, andplays smooth tunes. Now add delicious edibles to the checklist, and you're pretty much asking for a miracle.
I was pleasantly surprised with BistroBar Live at the new restaurant and bar concept The Village in Dbayeh. Enter the space through a foldable glass door, and allow one of the attentive waitstaff to seat you.
Once settled, a complimentary snack mix will land on your table. It is irresistible, blending Al Rifai corn nuts, roasted soybeans, pepitas, peanuts, and seasoned krikri. What an energy boost!

The Citrus Salmon layers the namesake smoked fish and chunks of avocado beneath a bouquet of rocket leaves. Salt and garlic powd…
 

So when my dear friend Paola R…

Secteur Gourmet: Beirut's Ultimate Gastropub Is Thriving
 If any venue in Beirut can be credited with tackling the gastropub challenge, replete with its haute cuisine and exceptional libations, it’s Secteur. The dimly-lit space perches on the first floor of a cornerresidential edifice in Mar Mikhael. Inside, a brass counter top reflects an illuminated back bar, behind which expert mixologists Elie and Raed work their liquid craft with unrivalled finesse.
In one of the side rooms, a massive table cradling a curious bed of pooled candles seats diners in a more private setting. There’s even a convenient smoke room to accommodate puffers and keep the bar area’s air quality haze-free.
Nearly a year ago, Secteur unveiled its newly-renovated interior, with an inspiring food and drinks menu to boot. Renowned British Chef Ed Dutton of London’s Pieds Nus had been commissioned to consult on the fare, which featured such delicacies as veal eel tartar, curried frog legs, and truffle mushroom croquettes.

Top dining spots in the capital couldn’t hold a flam…

Nutrition 101: Discovering the Ultimate (and Safe) Protein Bar
 

Which is why it’s imperative to analyze the nutrition facts and ingredients. On those rare occasions where the ingredients check out on paper, they manifest themselves poorly to our palates, quite simply tasting awful.
Ordinarily, I’m suspicious of protein bars. Their biblically-long ingredients lists read like a foreign language. Worse, they deposit a nasty chemical aftertaste in your mouth, leaving you convinced you’ve just noshed on synthetic. I’d rather have an innocent granola bar like Nature Valley’s, or if I’m really ambitious, I’ll splurge on Carman’s nutrient-rich muesli bars. But in both cases, the stars of the show are carbs, not protein.
So you can imagine my pleasant surprise when I happened upon PureFit bars, hailing from sunny …