Buon Appetito! Cafe Mondo InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut

Be prepared to get spoilt by choice when it comes do dining out in Beirut, such a melting pot not only conserved by its Arabic origin yet also inspired by its neighborhood countries such as Turkey, The Middle East, Syria as well as the Mediterranean cooking method and not forgetting the well adapted gastronomy from their French colonization  influenced the latter. Caffe Mondo in the InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut is no exception. mylifestylenews writes.

Located at the ground floor level of the iconic façade of the Phoenician InterContinental Beirut, Caffe Mondo spreads through the restaurant with an Al fresco terrace for you to watch the world go by. You will be greeted by the glass-wall wine cellar when you enter Caffe Mondo through an automatic sliding door. Casual table settings with red ceiling lamp shades add warmth and unpretentious ambience for diners.

A long table can sit up to a group of 14 diners with a bright stone wall juxtaposed against the darker colored wooden floors with a mini library to enlighten the entire restaurant and add life to a much homely feel.

Caffe Mondo showcases authentic Italian cuisine and we came back twice for its diverse array of antipasti bar. More than 20 selections of antipasti to choose from ranging from salad, cheese, dipping to grilled vegetables to treat your senses to an Italian journey.

A well spread Antipasti in Caffe Mondo

Quinoa Salad is one of our favorites from the Antipasti bar.

We ordered the Fettuccine Diablo to start with after numerous rounds of antipasti to satisfy our Italian cravings. A well cooked al-dente Fettuccine is hard to find, our past experiences were either overcooked or a bit on the hard side failed me from time to time. Caffe Mondo did not disappoint us for what they have done best is for the right kind of texture as we anticipated. Grilled prawns with spicy bell peppers accompanied by the rich tomato ragout was well mixed and blended in with the abundant flavor that is exactly how a good pasta dish should be cooked.

The next dish to arrive was the 180 gram Filetto di Manzo alla Grilia beef tenderloin steak served with ruccola salad and herb jus. Charcoal grilled on the side and with light seasoning enables you to enjoy this juicy piece of meat without over powering the taste of the meat.

Don’t forget to take a peek by walking down the stairways to powder your nose at its basement toilet. Whimsical and colorful art deco posters with a nostalgic spirit cheer up the mood after your lavish Italian meal. There are even black and white Fashion photography shots above the urinal to add a bit more style to a bathroom break.

Caffe Mondo is a real casual find when you opt for a change by taking a break from the all-day Lebanese meal and like to give your palette an alternative treat. In Beirut, such an added bonus in finding a fine locale for comforting food, it is a blessing! Buon Appetito!

Tried & Tested:

Location: 5/5

Design & Decor: 3/5

Food & Beverage: 4.5/5

Service: 4/5

Value For Money: 4.5/5

Experience: 4/5

Highlights:

Fettuccine Diablo

Caffe MONDO InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut

Minet El Hosn,
P.O. Box 11/846
Beirut, Lebanon
Tel: +961 1 357 025/040

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.