Salmontini

The story of Salmontini is a journey of exquisite flavors, one that has crossed oceans and continents and continues to travel, leaving behind its legacy of fine gastronomic experience. It is a story of exceptional ingredients, of passion and culinary flair, of a simple love for fine food. It is a story that is shaped by the friendship of its owners and creators, Joe Bassili and Hussni Ajlani. The culinary credentials of these two partners form the basis for the success of the project which would follow. Joe had for many years been immersed in a culture of fine food and elegant dining. His experience in opening and managing several restaurants had given him an evolved understanding of the business and its trade. In order to discover techniques for creating the finest flavors, Joe departed on a journey to explore regions of gastronomic excellence, working with some of the most distinguished chefs in Monaco and France, and learning secrets from the masters of the culinary art. This journey of discovery led Joe to the Shetland Isles off the coast of Scotland, the home of the finest salmon in the world. It was here that he became acquainted with the ancient art of smoking salmon, an intricate practice that has been passed down through the generations. The islanders, known for their dedication to quality and precision, became his mentors. With this new found passion and rare skill, Joe returned to Lebanon with a personal mission to share this unique experience. He set up a salmon smokehouse in Hayata, high in the mountains, where he continues to process each fish, to ensure its exceptional quality. Hussni's journey begins in Switzerland, where he was raised in traditions of excellence in cuisine and the highest degrees of precision and quality. As a young and talented businessman, Hussni was attracted to the culinary industry by its culture of passion for excellence and dedication to developing new techniques to raise standards and efficiency. This new fascination led him back to Lebanon, where he instantly fell in love with the country's warmth and charm. In every great story there is an element of chance or a hand played by fate, and one day this led to a meeting between two minds with a passion for food and a flair for business. Over a casual lunch an idea was formed, a restaurant serving the finest smoked salmon in the most elegant surroundings. There was only question. 'When should we open our Maison du Saumon?' The very next day, through a unique idea, a rare and ancient technique and a sense of astute entrepreneurship, Salmontini was born. The first fine dining restaurant and gourmet boutique opened its doors in 2001, providing the heart of Beirut Central District with an exquisite menu and elegant environment to compete with any in the world. After moving residence to Ashrafieh, the Salmontini reputation continued to grow and demand for the experience lead to further locations being established in Beirut, Dubai and Jeddah. The Salmontini brand has now grown into a successful franchise with ambitious plans to conquer the major cities of the globe.