Beirut Restaurant closes doors
TROY, N.Y. » After 15 years in business, Beirut Restaurant has closed its doors, but will continue with catering operations and a farmers market presence in the future.
The family- owned 184 River St. establishment in downtown Troy served its final meals on Saturday, when many loyal customers stopped in for their last time.
Lots of people also took the opportunity to say farewell to the Hajnasr family, including Elias and Hala. Patrons brought flowers, photos, wine, champagne, cards and other gifts.
“Last week it was crazy,” said Hala, who will miss her customers, many of whom have become friends.
“A lot of touching stories,” Elias said, mentioning a card received from a couple who had their first date at Beirut Restaurant.
After managing the restaurant for more than a decade Elias and Hala are entering semi-retirement. Though they’ll no longer have the restaurant space, the couple plans to keep Beirut Restaurant alive through catering, as well as their summertime stand at the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market.
Through these outlets, fans will still be able to enjoy Beirut’s homemade Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine, including favorites like falafel, shawarma, baba ghannouj, grape leaves and baklawa.
While Elias and Hala have run the business since 2007, it was actually founded by their son George Hajnasr and friend Paul Chedrawee.
In 2004 it started as Al-Baraki Restaurant, then became Beirut Restaurant in 2009.
Over the years, Beirut Restaurant has won titles such as “Best Lebanese Cuisine” and “Best Asian Cuisine” through different area events and publications.
With the slogan “A taste of Lebanon in downtown Troy,” the restaurant introduced many local to Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine.
Its other motto was: “You come to Beirut Restaurant like a customer, and we hope that you leave like a friend,” Elias said, noting that the business grew primarily through word of mouth.
“We’re going to miss Troy,” Hala said as furniture and equipment was being moved out of the restaurant on Wednesday. “We love Troy a lot.”
The downtown Troy community will miss Beirut Restaurant too.
“Beirut’s impeccable hospitality and flavorful food will be severely missed as a brick and mortar restaurant in downtown Troy, though we are excited to welcome them into semi-retirement,” said Katie Hammon, executive director of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District. “They are a family of hard workers and deserve some time to slow down and enjoy life outside the restaurant.
“Each customer was a part of their loving family and we know this mentality will continue as they transition into their catering business and continue their presence at the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market. As the caterer for my own wedding, I have so much love and respect for their family and wish them the absolute best in their new endeavors.”
More information about Beirut Restaurant, including a catering menu, is available online at www. beirutrestauranttroyny.com.
Customers interested in catering can contact the business at beirutrestaurant@hotmail.com or (518) 270-9404, which is the same phone number as the former restaurant.