[pullquote] What DOWNTOWN Around The Globe Zahlé Dinner When October 3 – November 13 Where DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails 135 S. 6th Ave. More Info downtownkitchen.com
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The Cities of Gastronomy Around the Globe series at DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails concludes its 2017 lineup with Zahlé, Lebanon.
As a result, the menu features Lebanese influence with ingredients such as bulgur, za’atar, lamb, pickled turnips, and more.
Zahlé’s signature dish, kibbeh, will be a star entree on the menu.
A fellow City of Gastronomy, Zahlé is also known as the “City of Wine and Poetry,” “Bride of the Beqaa,” and the “Neighbor of the Gorge.” It was inducted into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2013.
Beef Meatballs Channel the Essence of Lebanon at DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Main Courses
Kibbeh: Lamb + Bulgur Stuffed with Labneh — beet puree with pomegranate molasses + yogurt; festooned with pickled turnips, pistachios, dried apricots, minted tahini + blood orange olive oil
Iskashitaa Network Date Stuffed Quail (2) — quail breast and leg stuffed with locally-gleaned date bread pudding, on baba ghanoush with pomegranate arils, figs, rose petals, quince glaze + preserved lemons ($1 to Iskashitaa Refugee Network)
Zahlè Mixed Grill — Ben Forbes’ merguez lamb sausage with crisp fried potatoes, herb tomato sauce; herb yogurt-marinated grilled dark meat chicken with its marinade and traditional turnip pickles; Lebanese beef pie with sumac, honey + tahini
Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to scarfing down late night green chili patty melts in his car. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
