Gavi

Why does it seem like an Italian restaurant or two are opening on every street corner in Beirut? Because they are! It seems Italian fare is somewhat of a safe bet in our neck-of-the woods but who says safe has to be boring? Gavi’s menu, centered on well-made pizzas and pastas, is anything but. We’re talking blue potato truffle gnocchi (don’t. miss.this.dish.), truffle pizza with Camembert cheese and Bluefin tuna pizza with Wasabi sauce.

The newest offspring of Kamp catering SAL (owners of Kampai next door), Gavi is located in the posh neighborhood of Minet el Hosn, in the even “posher” palladium building. Expect a chic crowd, a fittingly elegant setting and reasonable prices as the cherry on top of the cake. The 400- meter-squared venue includes a charming terrace (which could stand one or two less tables on a crowded night) and is characterized by strikingly modern architecture and design. Named after a commune in the Italian region of Piedmont, Gavi is sure to please Italian-hungry diners. Stay tuned for another walking-distance Italian opening this summer.

What? Us? Saturated with Italian restaurants? Na! We say keep’em coming! The more the yummier.