Swiss Butter is a fully licensed, modern bistro-diner franchise from Beirut, very much in the mould of Café de Paris but without the quaintness. Located in the lobby of the Novotel Al Barsha on Sheikh Zayed Road, there are two entrances – restaurant on the right and bar on the left. In compliance with C19 restrictions you can only enter from the restaurant side. Highlight of the restaurant’s urban-rustic (exposed steel and red brick) interior were the two giant menus on the wall – I loved that simplicity. There’s a full bar on the other side of the restaurant which, incedingly, was almost full of women – hello hello – at lunch time.
The bar (before all the women came in) 
The entrance 
The restaurant 
The menu on the wall
Central to the (only) three mains available, entrecôte style steak, chicken and fish, is their sauce. I didn’t like it nearly as much as Café de Paris’s or even Couqley in JLT but I’ll admit, it grows on you (especially when you find there’s no alternative). My Spanish brother, @jdmanzanera, and I both ordered the steak – mine medium rare and his medium well. I was impressed that both arrived cooked the way we asked. You get a green salad and the option of fries or baked potato with the meal. Of course, we ordered fries. Although perfectly cooked my meat was a little chewier than I would have liked but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
I found the staff friendly and accommodating. But then, we were one of only two occupied tables. All in all, both José and I enjoyed our meal and agreed that our experience was pleasant enough to bring us back. Next time, however, we’ll come in the evening to try out the bar on the other side before we dine. Worth a visit.
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Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on xerxes@dellara.com.