Habibis Grill: Spreading The Love For Lebanese Food In Baguio City

Habibis Grill in Baguio City is aptly named. “Habibi” is a term of endearment in Arabic, as its root word means “love.” When you call someone “habibi,” it means “my love.” Love is definitely a word you would use once you finish that last piece of kebab, falafel, or shawarma at this authentic Lebanese restaurant.

Owners Robert Nassr and Ramzy Mansour Kairuz’s passion for food, particularly Lebanese food, is reflected in every menu item at Habibis Grill. Pilipinas Popcorn was fortunate enough to sample and taste several of their dishes during a food review. Here is a rundown of our dining experience.

Habibis Grill And Lebanese Food: As Good As It Gets

We asked the owners about the common comments they hear from diners about the food at Habibis. Robert mentioned that some would usually appreciate the affordability of the food, while others who love shawarma say it’s one of the best shawarmas in the city.

We also asked if any of their foreign diners who grew up with this type of cuisine shared their thoughts about it. Some would say that it was the closest thing they could have to home cooking.

The owners share the same passion for food. Robert says that they grew up eating Lebanese food, so it made sense to share this kind of cuisine with others. However, he shares that they had to do some tweaking in order to tone down some flavors which may be too strong for some people.

Tabouleh

Lebanese food is known for using the freshest ingredients available, as well as spices that bring out that distinct Middle Eastern flavor. Their Tabouleh Salad (P95) is a testament to this freshness. This healthy salad is made with lots of fresh parsley, diced tomatoes, cucumber and onions with a generous drizzling of olive oil and lemon juice. Simple, healthy and deliciously fresh – need we say more?

Falafel and hummus

Falafel are deep fried balls made of ground chickpeas (garbanzos). When you take a bite, it’s as if you were eating a meatball, without the meat. They are perfectly seasoned and goes very well with another chickpea creation, the yummy hummus. Falafels are best eaten wrapped in pita, slathered with hummus and topped with veggies. This combination costs P135 and is big enough for a meal.

Beef Kebab

One item off the grill is the Beef Kebab (P140 – regular), lean ground beef perfectly flavored with paprika, coriander, and cumin, which are traditional Lebanese spices. The grilling was perfect as well, bringing out the unique flavor combination that sets apart Middle Eastern cuisine from other cuisines. Their kebab is served with butter rice and fresh vegetables, and a helping of garlic sauce or chili sauce.

Herb Chicken

This dish, which will set you back P100 for the regular serving, is one of the grill’s best sellers. And rightly so. The herb marinade of garlic and rosemary goes well with the tender, grilled chicken. A spritz of lemon adds more tang to the meat, which is also served with butter rice and fresh vegetables.

Chicken al Kabsah

If you prefer chicken over beef or pork, this dish is for you. Chicken Al Kabsah is the Arabic version of the Indian dish Chicken Biryani. Habibis Grill’s Chicken Al Kabsah (P255) is packed with lots of flavors, making use of cloves, cinnamon, and cumin. Made with long grain rice and topped with chicken, carrots, cashew nuts and raisins, it is a dish with layers of flavors and textures. The serving is generous and can be shared by two persons. It is however delicious enough to be finished off by one.

Turkish BBQ: Lamb and Beef

Habibis serves up grilled lamb and serves it well. Lamb is a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine so they have perfected the flavor combinations that go well with this meat. The Turkish barbecue lamb was just that – well-flavored and cooked just right, and no gamey taste that is usually found in lamb. They also have Turkish barbecue beef (P135 for regular, P180 for large).

Beef Shawarma

Another best seller is their Beef Shawarma, which comes in Regular (P80), Large (P110) and Big Boy (P195). Unlike the usual shawarma you get in Baguio, theirs is made with tender, thin slices of flavorful beef and more of it. The vegetables in the shawarma are just enough for you to taste the beef. Don’t forget to drizzle with yogurt garlic sauce and chili if you prefer.

Rose Cooler, Rose Milk, Peach Yogurt Shake

With summertime around the corner, Habibis Grill has interesting drinks to satisfy your thirst. They have two drinks that may sound and look weird to some because it makes use of rose water or essence. Yes, you read it right. Middle Eastern cuisine makes use of rose water to flavor not only drinks but also dishes.

Their Rose Cooler is a delicious, red drink that will quench your thirst. And their Rose Milk is a pink, creamy and milky drink that will tickle your taste buds. Both drinks are a must-try. Yogurt shakes are also on the menu, which come in Peach (P95) and Rose (P60) flavors.

Another exciting thing about this place is that they allow customers to enjoy Sheesha, a molasses-based tobacco concoction smoked in a hookah. The owners say that usually, after enjoying a meal, one can enjoy a cup of coffee or have a Sheesha session with family or friends.

Habibis Grill has two locations in Baguio: Travelite Express Hotel (across Baguio City Hall and Rizal Park), and Cuesta Building (near SLU Main). Like and follow them on Facebook at Habibis Grill.