Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad
Hello all!
As the situation around us remains tense, your Breakfast In Bed is here to offer you an escape by taking a nostalgic road trip to Sawfar, as well as some Arabic house songs to listen to during your run on the corniche – plus a French cinema movie marathon to lounge out to.
1. A scene out of The Great Gatsby
It’s 32,000 square meters and hosted music greats like Oum Kalthoum. As Gilles Khoury recounts, The Grand Hotel Casino Ain Sawfar – like a real-life scene out of The Great Gatsby – represented the summer lifestyle of the Lebanese and Middle Eastern bourgeoisie. Read more here to inspire your road trip to peak at the remains of the Hotel. Btw – while you’re in the area I highly recommend eating the soujouk and cheese sandwich at Albanna Snacks.
2. Arab house music
The Keinemusik collective at their concert in Giza, under the pyramids, with Amr Diab as a surprise guest. (Credit: Keinmusic YouTube channel) Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad
If you were lucky, you may have caught Francis Mercier’s gig at Faraya Mzaar last weekend. The Haitian DJ is known for his anthemic mixes of house and Arabic melodies. As Chloé El-Khoury writes, the renaissance of the golden oldie Arabic classics and the Arabization of house music in Lebanon and globally is a trend that is titillating many Gen Z clubgoers.
3. Wanna wine & dine in style this weekend?
With an area of 100 square meters, Au 6ème can accommodate up to 37 people, with 27 seats inside and 10 outside. (Credit: DR) Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad
If there’s a special someone who you want to woo this weekend I’ve heard good things about the restaurant ‘Au 6ème’ in Achrafieh. Caveat – it comes at a $75-100 price tag, but for that, you’ll enjoy three varied appetizers (dips, salad, seafood), as well as pizzas and grilled meats (including Wagyu … swoooooon!) Read more here.
4. What lies beneath?
The Museum Hotel with a view of the magnificent discoveries. (Credit: The Museum Hotel official website) and illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad
When you were younger did you ever dig furiously in the sand in the pursuit of fossils or gold? Alas, I failed to find anything beyond a pebble or a crisp wrapper. However, I’m pleased to say that these archaeologists in Antalya, Turkey have had better luck. In the town, some workmen were digging the foundations of a hotel when they casually unearthed the ruins of the ancient city of Antioch, as well as the largest single mosaic ever discovered. Fascinating! Read all about it here.
5. Indulge in French cinema cult classics
Do you want to lay low this weekend? Then why not watch a film from the late, great, French actor Alain Delon who passed away on Aug. 18. Our film recommendations include: ‘Le Guépard’ which won the Palme d’or in 1963, or ‘La Piscine’ – a psychological thriller set in a luxurious villa with a swimming pool in southern France. Learn more about Delon – a sex symbol and giant of French cinema.