A few tastes of Tripoli

It would be remiss of me not to blog about food in Tripoli. Suffice it to say that I ate well. The food is influenced by Italian/Mediterranean and Middle Eastern. Last night I ate at a restaurant so swank we were greeted by a Maitre'd in a tux. There was amuse-bouche of goat's cheese and olives served and my Fettuccine Di Mare had an identifiable but exquisite fish in it that was to die for. As we walked back to the car we spotted a sweet shop which of course was chock full of baklava-type treats. To-die-for.

Of course it was predominately five star hotel-based eating for me on this trip..for security reasons naturally. I did manage to sneak away for a nice Turkish meal. I did also noticed that we were always the first to arrive at a restaurant. Libyans, like their Mediterranean cousins eat late. They were usually coming while we were going.

I must make special mention of the divine fresh juice I had at every place I dined at. Amazing from the kiwi smoothie brought to me at check in to the fresh unsweetened lemon juice to the tripoli speciality: the cocktail, a artfully layered with fresh mango, strawberry and kiwi in a bright swirl of colors.

 As I rushed to the airport, I managed one last meal of Libyan soup, which was like a Minestrone, except with chick peas instead of pasta. Good stuff.