Beirut

Ever seen a restaurant that serves just one dish? And for that one dish there is a traffic jam in the area?

There is one such restaurant in Doha. It's in the Shara Kharaba area, one of the oldest quarters of the city.

Beirut it's called.

Several years ago, Beirut opened as a very small outlet - just about 10-12 tables - serving only Hamoos, grounded chickpeas (very popular in this part of the world, they have it with practically everything), Khaboos, the big thick wheat-chapatis, with chholey, topped with olive oil.

That's it.

No clue what happened, but Beirut took off. They bought the adjacent shop, and then the next one, and then the next one because they had to extend the restaurant. Else there would have probably been war or something!

And in 15-20 years of their existence they have never changed their 'menu'.

Last night I went there for the first time without a clue what to expect. Section after section of the restaurant was packed, and there was a queue of cars outside waiting to take away.

I asked my friends what should I have.

"They serve only one dish," they said. "Just try it."

It was surprising, shocking. Hundreds of people out there, all of them eating the same dish?! Everyone?

Apparently, yes.

Okay, truth be told, I found the food weird. I woulnd't say it was bad. It was just a little weird. They brought the Hamoos in a clay-made bowl. There was the white-coloured grounded chickpeas on the sides, in between were the boiled chholey, and all over it was olive oil.

It was a little bland for me, nevertheless, it was different.

If you're ever coming here. Beirut is a must visit.

Four of us were absolutely done in 34 Riyals. That's fantastic.