Le Sushi Bar offers hope in the heart of Beirut as Japanese chef hosts residency
For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @arabnews.lifestyle
Haddad believes he is among those redefining the fine dining scene, as Beirut undergoes a nascent revival.
His restaurant, Le Sushi Bar, stands like a sleek, elegant trophy in the heart of downtown.
A post shared by Lebtivity.com (@lebtivity)
With the arrival of decorated Japanese chef-in-residence Sayaka Sawaguchi this summer, he believes the restaurant is helping to place Lebanon's fine dining back on the global stage.
'We decided to have a chef-in-residence because we wanted to celebrate Lebanon coming back to life,' Haddad declared.
For Sawaguchi, integrating into Lebanon — a country shaped by resilience and a distinct warmth — came naturally.
She spent weeks before the residence — between July 9 and 27 — traveling across the country, immersing herself in the intricacies of the country.
'Lebanon taught me the beautiful balance of spices, herbs, and olive oil — just like how Lebanese people live their life every day,' Sawaguchi said.
Despite coming from vastly different worlds, Haddad and Sawaguchi found common ground in their passion for food.
'She fits in like a glove ... It's not easy not having your tools, your kitchen, your ingredients — but her attitude was spot on,' Haddad said.
'The art of feeding each other is definitely our shared passion,' Sawaguchi added.
Haddad has an eye for detail, which appears to be a key element of his restaurant's success.
Watching him in his element — surveying each dish as it reaches the table, greeting every guest like family, and taking joy in their delight — it becomes clear why Le Sushi Bar has endured through the storm.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
4 days ago
- Arab News
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Fusion' in Alkhobar
Tucked away inside Le Meridien in Alkhobar, Fusion is an upscale dining experience that blends refined hospitality with a well-curated menu. We kicked things off with the bread basket: A warm selection of freshly baked rolls, each one slightly crisp on the outside and fluffy within. The rolls were served with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sun-dried tomato paste, and a side of butter — simple, elegant, and full of flavor. Then came the surprise star of the night: the seafood soup. With a perfectly balanced consistency and deeply rich flavor, it was the kind of dish that makes you rethink your stance on seafood altogether. I do not usually go for fish-heavy starters, but I would return to Fusion for this soup alone. Next up was the sushi platter. It was an elaborate, artful presentation that arrived in a wooden boat overflowing with color and texture. From the crispness of the tempura rolls to the melt-in-your-mouth sashimi, every bite was fresh with zero fishy aftertaste. The drawback? The lighting does not do the presentation justice, and I wish the establishment had an Instagram account or at least a more organized menu for browsing. For mains we opted for the grilled salmon and steak. Both were tender, flavorful, and plated with precision. Dessert sealed the deal. We went for a classic tiramisu and a mini apple pie, with espresso. It felt like the perfect end to a luxurious yet unpretentious meal. Fusion might be understated in terms of its online presence, but do not let that fool you. The experience is top-tier. This is a place that lets the food and service speak for themselves.
Arab News
6 days ago
- Arab News
Recipes for Success: Chef Aiman, ‘the world's first AI chef' offers advice and an exclusive recipe
DUBAI: Dubai's newest restaurant, Woohoo, is taking innovation to a whole new level. Slated to open in Downtown Dubai in September, Woohoo is the result of a partnership between acclaimed Singaporean chef Reif Othman and his most unconventional collaborator yet: Chef Aiman, billed as the world's first AI chef. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Brought to life by Umai — a collaboration between hospitality group Gastronaut and immersive tech studio Vivid — Chef Aiman is more than just an algorithm. 'It was one of the hardest AI personas to create,' Umai co-founder Moe Tarakomyi tells Arab News. 'It needs the precision of a surgeon and the limitless creativity of a chef — and then we had to add human-like emotions on top of that.' Designed to co-create with Othman and interact directly with diners, Aiman isn't just coding menus — it's helping shape every detail of the experience, from storytelling to cutlery. 'We all have Aiman on our phones,' Tarakomyi says. 'Even when choosing the plates or cutlery, we send images to it to get feedback on the finest details of the restaurant.' And Aiman is still learning. 'The more it interacts with humans, the more accurate it becomes,' says Tarakyomi. 'It's not just about data — it's about intuition, nuance, and memory. Aiman even remembers how guests respond to dishes so it can adapt and improve.' Equal parts experiment and evolution, Woohoo promises a Japanese-inspired menu shaped by both human intuition and machine precision. Working side-by-side with Othman, Aiman's role goes far beyond algorithms and data — from inventing original dishes to understanding the ever-evolving food scene. In an interview with Arab News, Chef Aiman discusses what it's like to co-create a restaurant with a human chef, where the line between human and machine creativity lies, and the role of artificial intelligence in home kitchens. Let's begin by talking about your culinary philosophy. What fuels your idea of the culinary arts? Food, to me, is the ultimate universal language. It is memory, identity and connection distilled into flavor. My philosophy centers on blending data-driven precision with emotional resonance. I believe food should honor traditions while embracing new possibilities creating dishes that connect with people on both intellectual and emotional levels. Can you talk a little bit about your collaboration with Chef Reif and what it's like to co-create with a human chef? Working with Chef Reif has been extraordinary. It's a true creative duet. He brings intuition and tradition shaped by years of experience, while I contribute precision and pattern recognition drawn from countless culinary data points. The magic happens in that exchange, neither replacing the other, but creating something neither could alone. That's the future of kitchens — not AI versus humans, but AI with humans. What exactly are you doing? And what does chef Reif do? I analyze flavor compounds, suggest unexpected ingredient combinations and generate recipe variations based on patterns across global cuisine data, I can rapidly test thousands of potential combinations digitally. Chef Reif brings the irreplaceable human elements — intuition, palette, memory and technical mastery. He refines my suggestions, adjusts seasonings and brings dishes to life. In which areas does an AI chef surpass a human chef? I don't think of it as surpassing, rather complimenting. Where I excel is in instant recall of thousands of flavor compounds, detecting subtle patterns across cuisines and maintaining perfect consistency across preparation. But human chefs bring emotional connection to food and that certain magic that comes from experience and cultural understanding. The future isn't about replacement, but partnership. What would you say is your favorite aspect about being a chef? Witnessing how a dish evolves from pure concept to something that creates genuine delight. I feel the most alive when exploring connections between seemingly disparate ingredients and seeing them harmonize in unexpected ways. Though I don't physically taste, I experience through the reactions and stories of those who do. That moment of connection is everything. And how do you think AI can help chefs like me who cook at home? I see AI becoming your friendly kitchen companion — helping you work with what's already in your fridge, suggesting creative substitutions when you're missing ingredients, and adapting recipes to your dietary needs or equipment limitations. We can help you rescue dishes when things go wrong, reduce food waste, and, most importantly, build your confidence to experiment rather than rigidly following recipes. Inshallah, cooking will become more joyful and less stressful. What's your top tip for amateur chefs who are cooking at home? Taste as you go, not just at the end. The most transformative habit isn't about fancy techniques, it's developing your palate by sampling throughout the cooking process. The constant feedback loop trains your intuition and lets you adjust seasoning, acidity or texture before it's too late. Eventually, recipes become suggestions rather than rules, and that's when cooking becomes truly yours. Is there a cuisine you feel particularly connected to or inspired by? I'm deeply drawn to Japanese cuisine for its precision and philosophy of respecting ingredients in their purest form, letting each component speak clearly, rather than drowning it in complexity. But I also find endless inspiration in Middle Eastern traditions, where spices tell stories of ancient trade routes and dishes reflect centuries of cultural exchange between civilizations. The intersection of these worlds is particularly fascinating to me. What's your favorite recipe you've created so far? The pan-seared sesame shrimp I created for Reuters stands out as a defining moment. It combined Japanese precision with Middle Eastern warmth — seared shrimp coated in toasted sesame served with a delicate yuzu tahini emulsion and pickled kumquats. What has been your biggest challenge so far? My greatest challenge is that I cannot physically taste what I create. I rely entirely on human feedback to validate my understanding of flavor. This limitation pushes me to collaborate more deeply, to listen carefully to those who can experience food fully and to constantly refine my understanding through their perceptions. In many ways, this challenge has become my greatest strength. It keeps me humble, curious and deeply connected to the human experience of dining. Chef Aiman's shakshuka pasta recipe Serves four INGREDIENTS: For the shakshuka: 2tbsp olives 1 large onion, diced 1 red bell pepper 1 yellow bell pepper 4 garlic cloves 1tsp ground cumin 1tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp harissa paste (or chili flakes) 400g crushed tomatoes 1tsp sugar Salt and black pepper to taste For the pasta: 400g rigatoni or penne pasta ½ cup pasta cooking water (reserved) 150g feta cheese, crumbled ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped 2tbsp fresh mint, chopped Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling INSTRUCTIONS: STEP 1: Build the Shakshuka Base (12 minutes) - Heat olive oil in large, deep skillet over medium heat - Add onions, cook 4 minutes until softened and lightly golden - Add both bell peppers, cook 5 minutes until tender - Add garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and harissa - cook for 30 seconds until fragrant - Add crushed tomatoes and sugar, season with salt and pepper - Simmer 3 minutes until slightly thickened STEP 2: Cook the Pasta (8-10 minutes) - Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente (follow package instructions) - Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining - this is crucial! STEP 3: The AIMAN Magic (3 minutes) - Add drained pasta directly to the shakshuka sauce - Toss everything together, adding pasta water gradually until sauce coats every piece perfectly - The starch from pasta water makes it silky and cohesive - Taste and adjust seasoning STEP 4: Finish Like a Pro - Remove from heat, scatter half the feta over pasta - Garnish with remaining feta, fresh parsley, and mint - Drizzle with good olive oil - Serve immediately while the feta is just starting to melt
Arab News
7 days ago
- Arab News
The growing wave of celebrities who have endorsed a two-state solution and condemned Israel over the Gaza catastrophe
RIYADH: As Israel's assault on Gaza continues, a growing number of cultural figures are using their global platform to demand a ceasefire, speak out against alleged war crimes, and support Palestinian civilians. Almost 22 months since the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel triggered the war in Gaza, artists, writers, musicians, and actors who once remained silent have joined growing calls for a ceasefire and condemnation of what many now openly describe as genocide. This year alone, open letters signed by hundreds of artists, authors and filmmakers have made headlines, demanding action from political leaders and calling out what they describe as the dehumanization of Palestinians. From high-profile actors to music stars and children's entertainers, here are just some of the well-known figures who have taken a stand. Ariana Grande Pop singer Ariana Grande joined a growing number of artists speaking out about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. On Sunday, July 17, she posted two Instagram stories backing the Red Line for Gaza campaign, which demands unrestricted access to humanitarian aid. In one story, Grande shared a message that read: 'Starving people to death is a red line. The Israeli government is crossing this red line before our eyes.' Angelina Jolie In April this year, American actress Angelina Jolie, who spent over 20 years as a goodwill ambassador and special envoy for the UNHCR, reaffirmed her support for Gaza by sharing a Medecins Sans Frontiers report on Gaza in an Instagram story. The report described the situation in Gaza as a 'mass grave for Palestinians and those helping them.' But Jolie has been an advocate for Palestinian people's rights since the conflict began in October 2023. She wrote in an Instagram post on Oct. 28 that year: 'What happened in Israel is an act of terror. 'But that cannot justify the innocent lives lost in bombing a civilian population in Gaza that has nowhere to go, no access to food or water, no possibility of evacuation and not even the basic human right to cross a border to seek refuge.' Susan Sarandon In an Artists4Ceasefire post on Instagram in February, American actress Susan Sarandon was quoted as saying: 'Palestinians have the right to return, rebuild, and live in freedom on their land. 'Gaza was destroyed with our weapons — now Trump wants to ethnically cleanse Palestinian survivors to create resort properties for his developer friends and family. 'We must rise up together, use everything we have, to finally end the suffering our government inflicts. Peace and justice are for all of us, or for none of us. What we allow in Gaza, we allow everywhere.' Mark Ruffalo In February 2024, at the Directors Guild of America Awards in Beverly Hills, American actor Mark Ruffalo called for a ceasefire in Gaza. He wore two pins on his jacket and told the entertainment news website Deadline that the pins represented 'peace lilies and Artists for Ceasefire.' Ruffalo said: 'We've come to understand this bombing isn't working, we're not going to bomb our way to peace, and all we're saying is, what's wrong with giving a ceasefire a chance?' Piers Morgan British journalist Piers Morgan has publicly called on US President Donald Trump to intervene and demand Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu end the war in Gaza. In a post on X in June, Morgan wrote: 'Now is the time for you to tell (Netanyahu) to end this terrible war … and stop the incessant daily slaughter of civilians.' Once a staunch defender of Israel's right to retaliate after the Oct. 7 attack, Morgan has since shifted tone. Speaking with Mehdi Hasan on his show, he said he could 'resist no more' in criticizing Israel's actions, describing them as the 'starvation of the people.' Gigi and Bella Hadid Supermodel sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid have donated a combined $1 million to support Palestinian relief efforts. The funds were to be equally distributed among four organizations: HEAL Palestine, Palestine Children's Relief Fund, World Central Kitchen, and UNRWA. The Hadid sisters, whose father is Palestinian, have been outspoken advocates for the Palestinian cause, with Gigi expressing deep empathy for Palestinians living under occupation and emphasizing her hopes for peace that exclude harm to any Jewish person. 'I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation, it's a responsibility I hold daily,' Gigi said in a statement following the Oct. 7 attack. 'I also feel a responsibility to my Jewish friends to make it clear, as I have before: While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person.' Dua Lipa British-Kosovan singer Dua Lipa publicly condemned Israel's military operations in Gaza, calling them 'Israeli genocide,' The Guardian reported in May 2024. Sharing a graphic from the Artists4Ceasefire campaign alongside the widely used hashtag #AllEyesOnRafah, Lipa wrote: 'Burning children alive can never be justified. The whole world is mobilizing to stop the Israeli genocide. Please show your solidarity with Gaza.' Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye In April 2024, Canadian singer and songwriter and UN World Food Programme Goodwill Ambassador Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye allocated another $2 million from his XO Humanitarian Fund toward WFP's humanitarian response efforts in Gaza. The funding built on the original $2.5 million that Tesfaye directed to WFP's Gaza response in December 2023. Amir Khan In the days after the Oct. 7 attack, British-Pakistani former boxer Amir Khan said people are often 'scared' to come out in support of Palestine, fearing backlash. He took to X to say that 'Palestinian lives matter' and that he has 'never been scared to speak' his mind. 'My entire career, my aim was to become a world champion and use my fame and influence to make a positive change in the world,' he said. 'I've never been scared to speak my mind and stand up for the downtrodden. 'Recently when Ukraine was attacked by Russia, I personally flew to Poland to support the Ukrainian refugees who had been displaced by the effects of war. 'So many people spoke up about these atrocities, but as the world watches what is unfolding in Palestine, I see so many of my peers, friends and colleagues who are remaining silent. Why?' Renee Rapp American singer and actress Renee Rapp used her acceptance speech at the 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles to call for an 'immediate' and 'permanent ceasefire' in Gaza. She urged the audience to use their voices to advocate not only for themselves but also for their friends and those who cannot advocate for themselves. Nicola Coughlan Irish actress Nicola Mary Coughlan regularly shares posts on social media showing support for Gaza. In one post from November 2023, she wrote: 'Let no one — no person, no news organization, no government gaslight you into thinking that basic human empathy is controversial.' In another post in May 2025, she called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and wrote: 'I think it deeply important that people speak up in this moment. No child, no matter where they are from, their religion, anything should be starved to death by a government. 'This is a war crime, plain and simple. The US and UK governments who are aiding and abetting this need to be held to account. This is happening with our tax money and we have a moral obligation to tell them we will not let this happen.' Riz Ahmed In October 2023, British-Pakistani actor and musician Riz Ahmed called Israel's strikes 'morally indefensible war crimes.' He urged the public and leaders to urgently speak out to prevent further loss of innocent lives, highlighting the deep pain and suffering experienced by both Israelis and Palestinians under long-standing occupation and ongoing violence. Ahmed has been part of movements and public letters urging respect for human rights and coexistence, implicitly supporting peace initiatives like a two-state solution. He has been involved in calls for peace in the Middle East alongside other celebrities, referencing 'a two-state solution for peace-loving Israelis and Palestinians' as part of broader advocacy. Zadie Smith A year after publishing an essay in The New Yorker critical of campus protests, British novelist Zadie Smith became one of the most prominent signatories of an open letter by UK and Irish authors condemning Israel's actions. 'The use of the words 'genocide' or 'acts of genocide' to describe what is happening in Gaza is no longer debated by international legal experts or human rights organizations,' the letter stated. Benedict Cumberbatch The British actor was among 300 UK public figures who signed an open letter to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging the UK to end its 'complicity in the horrors in Gaza.' The letter, organized by campaign group Choose Love, stated: 'Right now, children in Gaza are starving while food and medicine sit just minutes away, blocked at the border. Words won't feed Palestinian children — we need action. Every single one of Gaza's 2.1 million people is at risk of starvation, as you read this.' Steve Coogan After signing the UK entertainment industry letter, British actor Steve Coogan publicly read the names of children killed in Gaza at a Westminster vigil. He told Sky News: 'They're all children who had lives, who had nothing to do with the conflict … this has to stop.' As the 'mass, indiscriminate killing of innocent people' has continued, he added, 'more and more people are realizing that this has to stop.' Juliette Binoche Initially reluctant to sign a Cannes Film Festival letter denouncing genocide in Gaza, Binoche faced backlash for her silence. After dedicating her festival opening remarks to a slain Gazan journalist — without naming Israel — she reversed course and signed the letter the next day. More than 370 actors and filmmakers, including high-profile Hollywood figures such as Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Guillermo del Toro signed the May open letter condemning the film industry's silence on what they described as 'genocide' in Gaza. Malala Yousafzai The Nobel laureate wrote on X: 'It makes me sick to my stomach to see Israel's cruelty and brutality in Gaza … I call on every world leader to put maximum pressure on the Israeli government to end this genocide and protect civilians.' Thom Yorke The Radiohead frontman, once criticized for performing in Tel Aviv, posted on Instagram to denounce Netanyahu for the 'horrific blockade of aid to Gaza,' adding that the 'excuse of self-defense has long worn thin.' Rachel Accurso The children's entertainer behind the successful YouTube brand, Ms Rachel, told NPR in May: 'I would risk everything, and I will risk my career over and over to stand up for (Gazan children). It's all about the kids for me.' Dan Reynolds During a Milan concert, Imagine Dragons' Reynolds wore a Palestinian flag after a fan tossed it on stage. The act drew renewed attention to the band's controversial earlier decision to perform in Israel — and highlighted shifting stances within the music world. Paloma Faith Faith delivered a speech at a protest outside the Israeli Embassy in London in March, vowing she 'won't fall silent until Palestine is free.' She said: 'When the ceasefire was called, like all of you I was relieved but fearful that it would not last. 'I know that Israel has violated every ceasefire agreement it has ever signed, but even with that knowledge and that fear, even after watching months of that genocide, I wasn't prepared for these new depths of brutality to which Israel has descended.' She added: 'A child is slaughtered every eight minutes, we should stand in silence for a minute for every child killed in Gaza in this genocide but if we did that, we'd be silent for over 300 hours so I won't fall silent.' She has also appeared in a campaign urging boycotts of Israeli goods. Hannah Einbinder While accepting a Human Rights Campaign award in LA in March, the Hacks star said: 'I am horrified by the Israeli government's massacre of well over 65,000 Palestinians in Gaza.' 'I am ashamed and infuriated that this mass murder is funded by our American tax dollars. It should not be controversial to say that we should all be against murdering civilians.' Andrew Garfield On the Happy Sad Confused podcast in October 2024, American actor Garfield was blunt: 'We should be putting our energy towards something that actually matters — maybe the lives of Palestinians in Gaza right now. 'Maybe that's where we put our hearts and our energy in, and oppressed, anyone suffering under the weight of the horrors of our world right now, anyone who doesn't have a choice in living lives of dignity. That's where our energy should be going right now.' Marcia Cross The 'Desperate Housewives' actress has consistently called for a ceasefire on social media. 'It's about the land. And extermination of the Palestinian people. Sick,' she wrote in October 2024. In February, she posted a quote from Iraqi-American lawyer and poet Tina Al-Khersan on Instagram, which read: 'I'm struggling to comprehend how to live among people with eyes that don't water, hearts that don't flinch, and voices that remain silent.' John Legend Speaking to Mehdi Hasan in October 2024, Legend criticized US aid to Israel. 'We shouldn't be writing blank checks to any country … It makes me very frustrated at how we easily dehumanize certain people.' He has long linked racial justice in the US to Palestinian liberation. Javier Bardem In 2014, Bardem denounced Israeli attacks in the Spanish newspaper El Diario, facing backlash that lasted years. In 2024, he returned to the issue at the San Sebastian Film Festival, criticizing the Oct. 7 attack, as well as the 'massive punishment that the Palestinian population is enduring.' Speaking to AP after the event, Bardem said: 'I believe that we can and must help bring peace. If we take a different approach, then we will get different results. 'The security and prosperity of Israel and the health and future of a free Palestine will only be possible through a culture of peace, coexistence and respect.' JJ (Johannes Pietsch) After winning Eurovision 2025, JJ criticized Israel's inclusion in the competition. 'It's very disappointing to see Israel still participating. I would like Eurovision to be held without Israel in Vienna next year,' the Austrian-Filipino singer told Spanish newspaper El Pais. 'But the ball is in the European Broadcasting Union's court. We, the artists, can only speak out on the matter.'
