It's as if the sailboat of Barbar's dreams suddenly materialised in front of us.

NPR: Lebanese Writers Offer Alternate Views of Beirut

Even certain names, like the French 'croisson' in the Barbar's breakfast menu, have been adapted to suit the Lebanese.

NPR: Lebanese Writers Offer Alternate Views of Beirut

The fact that it stayed open through the most dramatic days of the war also contributed greatly to Barbar's popularity.

NPR: Lebanese Writers Offer Alternate Views of Beirut

You can find anything and everything at Barbar's: take-away pizza, hamburgers, subs, chicken fried 'Kentucky style', fajita sandwich, Chinese chicken, donuts even.

NPR: Lebanese Writers Offer Alternate Views of Beirut

But this is also part of Barbar's charm with its strange, original architecture and its waiters running around the street from one restaurant to the other, shopping for the cocktail, the falafel plate and the baked entrees you've ordered while comfortably seated in the restaurant.

NPR: Lebanese Writers Offer Alternate Views of Beirut

Finally, a restaurant with seating space, a submarine sandwich joint and a butcher's shop completed the Barbar food armada.

NPR: Lebanese Writers Offer Alternate Views of Beirut