À Table 03 — Souad Suleiman, chef and owner of BeitSalma
Meet Souad Suleiman, chef and owner of BeitSalma – until recently a Lebanese café in Nørrebro – now focusing on events, catering, and pop-ups. Rooted in the rich heritage of the Lebanese kitchen, every dish from Souad’s hands is served with heart and thoughtfulness, rich in flavour and beautifully presented.
For this À Table, we visited Souad in her warm Nørrebro home, where she welcomed us with a generous feast as we talked about food and memories.
Which dish tastes most like home to you?
It will be manoushe. My mother’s side of the family owns a bakery in Baalbeck, Lebanon, the city where I was born. When I was there for summer holidays, I would always run to the bakery, where my “Jedo” – my grandfather – would serve me a manoushe and a cup of tea. That, to me, is the taste of home.
It will be manoushe. My mother’s side of the family owns a bakery in Baalbeck, Lebanon, the city where I was born. When I was there for summer holidays, I would always run to the bakery, where my “Jedo” – my grandfather – would serve me a manoushe and a cup of tea. That, to me, is the taste of home.
Which small detail makes a meal unforgettable?
When you feel it’s made from the heart – everything is just balanced – the flavor, texture, the look. You remember not just the taste but how it made you feel.
What’s the most beautiful table you’ve ever sat at?
In May, I travelled to Lebanon on my own and stayed at Beit Trad, a charming guesthouse set in an old Lebanese house. One afternoon, after returning from a three-hour hike, I found that the staff had set the most beautiful table for me on the terrace, overlooking the stunning old balcony. The table was covered with a floral cloth in soft, muted tones; the chairs were Chinese Bordeaux color; and the tableware was a delightful mix of Lebanese hammered aluminium and fine Chinese porcelain. The whole scene felt absolutely heavenly.
In May, I travelled to Lebanon on my own and stayed at Beit Trad, a charming guesthouse set in an old Lebanese house. One afternoon, after returning from a three-hour hike, I found that the staff had set the most beautiful table for me on the terrace, overlooking the stunning old balcony. The table was covered with a floral cloth in soft, muted tones; the chairs were Chinese Bordeaux color; and the tableware was a delightful mix of Lebanese hammered aluminium and fine Chinese porcelain. The whole scene felt absolutely heavenly.
What’s your go-to dish to serve to loved ones?
Keeshek akdar is a dish from the region I come from, but my family makes it in their own special way. It’s made with fermented yoghurt, walnuts, parsley, onions, and plenty of olive oil, and served with Arabic flatbread. It’s a very special dish to me — one that has been passed down through generations of women in my family.
Keeshek akdar is a dish from the region I come from, but my family makes it in their own special way. It’s made with fermented yoghurt, walnuts, parsley, onions, and plenty of olive oil, and served with Arabic flatbread. It’s a very special dish to me — one that has been passed down through generations of women in my family.
Where is your favourite place to eat?
My favorite place to eat is definitely at my mother’s or my aunt’s home in Lebanon. Their food is the best and brings back all my childhood memories.
My favorite place to eat is definitely at my mother’s or my aunt’s home in Lebanon. Their food is the best and brings back all my childhood memories.
What’s your best table memory from childhood?
I come from a big family with six children. We used to eat early when I was a child, and my mother always made two or three different dishes. She would put the pots with the hot food right on the table, and then we would help each other serve and pass the food around. I always thought that was so cozy.
What makes a good host or a good guest?
A good host is someone who makes you feel at home. They do things like preparing food and playing music they know you like, and they are generous — sharing their home with you. A good guest is someone who eats all your food and is grateful!
Where do you bring a cup?
To my sofa in the morning. Or at my favorite café studioxkitchen.
Thank you Souad for opening your home and treating us so generously! We left feeling truly cherished.
To my sofa in the morning. Or at my favorite café studioxkitchen.
Which cup are you. A small, large, with or without handle?
A small cup I can warm my hands around — sometimes I even lift it to my cheek to feel its warmth. I find that really comforting.
A small cup I can warm my hands around — sometimes I even lift it to my cheek to feel its warmth. I find that really comforting.
Thank you Souad for opening your home and treating us so generously! We left feeling truly cherished.
Until next time!
Imagery by All the way to Paris
