Hawa Beirut

There is a concept in architecture called compression and release. The idea is that a small, tight, claustrophobic space, like a narrow hallway or a low-ceilinged foyer, will make a larger room feel even bigger, grander, even more expansive. This is the role of Hawa Beirut. A small, tight, frankly disappointing falafel experience in the morning is perfect for making the afternoon's falafel, a few blocks away, feel all the more magical. Five stars.