Society Bistro

Humiliated because no take away...people are weird...lol

I was humiliated for asking for a to-go box at a restaurant in Beirut. Apparently “it is not classy” at Society Bistro. Today was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Beirut, and my friends were leaving back to Egypt in two hours after spending the most amazing weekend in Lebanon, they say. We visited beautiful places and had the best food experiences from Babel Bay to Mhanna Sur Mer to Em Sharif and Tawlet Ammiq... Today was their last day and we wanted to have lunch at a nice place to sum up the great experience they had. So, I recommended Society Bistro, a restaurant I, as a food enthusiast, was dying to try. Of course! I would be! It has a 4.5 rating on Zomato! Lol! To cut a long story short! We were three people, so we ordered two appetizers and three main dishes. To be honest, I was not a big fan of the food. I couldn’t finish my vegetarian lasagna, and neither could my friend finish her mushroom tagliatelle. So I asked the waiter for a “to-go” box to take the leftovers which I alwaaaaaaaysss do at any place in Lebanon and the world! And I never had any problem! But NO, not at Society Bistro!! Here the story begins! The waiter politely said they don’t have boxes. I was absolutely shocked as the restaurant looks so sophisticated to not be aware of such an important issue! I asked to speak to the manager, which was accidently passing by our table at the moment. He was in a hurry and did not even want to stop by the table to hear anything, let alone a criticism! Lol! The way he stopped by the table felt like I am interrupting a stranger on the street! After I mentioned that I wanted to take our food leftovers, the so-called manger arrogantly answered with that weird look on his face “sorry Madame, ma 3nna hl système bil ma7al”. I was definitely provoked by both his rude attitude, and his unacceptable answer! So I was like you guys should have such boxes and…. He directly interrupted me rudely again, “madame please, iza badik b2imlik 2yyaha 3n el fatoura”!!! I never ever expected such an answer! And before even being able to encounter his bizarre argument, he just said “sorry I have to leave”, and yea believe it or not, he just left! This guy later claimed that he’s the owner of the place and his name is Wadih el Batal! Besides the personal aspect of this story and being mistreated, I can’t believe that such answers are still given in a country that has been suffering from a horrible garbage crisis. I can’t believe that as classy and chic this fantasy restaurant looks, his manager/owner is not ashamed not only of his poor communication and hospitality skills, but also of his ignorance! Of not knowing that food waste is a global environmental issue and working on reducing it is an ethical must! Food waste represents more than 60 percent of Lebanon’s solid waste, and this arrogant manager still thinks it’s just a matter of money (although yes! food waste has both critical environmental and economic implications as well)! Please share to raise awareness and force such restaurants (no matter how popular they are) to change “hl système”. Add to that, he ruined my friends’ vacation, and we spent the way to the airport speaking of his arrogance instead of reflecting on the beautiful experience they had in Lebanon! Shame on him!

Just Wow! Amazing french cuisine. Steak to die for Perfect portions and prices! Classy and clean Romantic and cosy environment Unforgettable experience!

It's a must try. Very tasty and wonderful ambiance. Very classical.

Very good restaurant. The waiters are very professional and friendly.

Excellent food and price very clean and tasty highly recommended .

Good food and presentation good service

A ne pas rater!

great cosy place with very delicious food and dessert

Refined French cuisine, mouth-watering dishes along with high quality service and reasonable prices. Highly recommended.

Had my first experience tonight at society, and I can say for sure that it won't be the last. Set in a very calm and cosy street of Gemmayze, Society demonstrates how a romantic restaurant can also be a place for casual gatherings. Great food ( had the black Angus entrecote) well trained waiters, and above all, prices that finally agree with our wallets. Simply Fakhame.

A wonderful experience on all levels.

I love the restaurant.

Peut faire mieux Cuisine moyenne