With the launch of PADAM and QASTI, and the debut of BÒHÉ, Le Gray is entering a new era of culinary excellence. Fadi Mitri, director of F&B at Le Gray Hotel Beirut, shares how the hotel has reimagined its dining experiences to create distinctive destinations that celebrate Beirut’s energy.
What inspired the launch of the new restaurants at Le Gray, and how do they reflect the hotel’s current direction?
The reopening of Le Gray gave us the opportunity to rethink our entire F&B offering and redefine our culinary vision. The hotel has always been known for its restaurants, and therefore guests and locals consistently returned to them. Consequently, we wanted not only to relaunch our venues but also to return with stronger and more relevant concepts. Bringing Lebanese chef Alan Geaam on board became a key decision because he built his career internationally. Moreover, chef Geaam earned a Michelin star and naturally aligned his vision with what Le Gray represents today. Each outlet reflects a different aspect of Beirut and presents a refined and contemporary approach rooted in identity. PADAM captures the city’s energy because it remains open, lively and active throughout the entire day. As for QASTI, it is deeply rooted in Lebanese culture and celebrates storytelling through its culinary experience. Overall, we clearly position our restaurants as premium standalone destinations reflecting our service standards and Beirut’s evolving lifestyle.
Who are the target audiences for the new restaurants: locals, hotel guests or both?
From the beginning, we wanted the restaurants to stand independently and not simply serve our hotel guests exclusively. Of course, our guests benefit from enjoying these experiences within the hotel and appreciate their convenience and quality. However, our real success comes from attracting both local residents and international visitors seeking memorable dining experiences. We are already witnessing this trend because people visit PADAM and QASTI specifically for different social occasions. They come for lunch, dinner and celebrations, while our event spaces complement the overall dining experience beautifully. Our banqueting offering enables us to cater to wider audiences across numerous occasions and experiences. Therefore, we welcome hotel guests, Beirut residents and international visitors who all seek the same exceptional experience.
How did Beirut’s evolving dining scene influence the culinary and design direction of these venues?
Beirut’s dining scene has always remained diverse and dynamic, and therefore it significantly shaped both restaurant concepts. QASTI remains deeply rooted in Lebanese heritage and celebrates traditional flavors through a refined and thoughtful approach. The restaurant uses high-quality local ingredients and draws inspiration from chef Geaam’s personal and professional journey. In fact, it reflects a story that resonates deeply with many Lebanese who succeeded abroad before returning home. On the other hand, PADAM reflects Beirut’s cosmopolitan spirit through Mediterranean influences inspired by French and Italian cuisines. Additionally, its strong lounge and bar identity mirrors the city’s openness and layered cultural and historical heritage. The cocktail program, wine selection and overall atmosphere all contribute significantly to successfully expressing this distinctive identity. Even the design, led by Galal Mahmoud, embraces this duality and celebrates Beirut’s energy and constant reinvention. Everything, from each space’s identity to its visual language, remains closely connected to the spirit of Beirut.
Looking ahead, how do you see Le Gray’s restaurants evolving in the coming years?
We see Le Gray’s F&B offering continuing to expand and evolve into a complete lifestyle experience for everyone. The long-awaited launch of BÒHÉ represents an important step forward and supports this strategic direction. It will offer a completely different atmosphere by remaining relaxed during daytime before becoming vibrant at night. Furthermore, it will provide guests with one of the most exceptional views available anywhere in Beirut today. Our objective is not merely to add more outlets but to create a complete ecosystem of experiences. We want to offer different moods and moments while consistently maintaining the same exceptional standards of quality. Each space should feel entirely distinct while remaining clearly connected to the same overarching identity and vision.
