We're joined by Philippe Massoud for Episode 13 of The Beirut Banyan, and we discuss Lebanon's hospitality industry and what inspired him to open ilili Restaurant in New York.

Philippe's father, George Massoud, ran the Coral Beach Hotel throughout the worst years of the civil war, and he was ultimately killed there. The family continued to run the hotel for several years thereafter, ultimately selling the hotel just as the war neared its end.

We discuss Philippe's memories of the Coral Beach, his father's commitment to protecting their staff and keep the hotel running, and Philippe's personal drive to open an award-winning Manhattan institution, ilili Restaurant.

Book a table at ilili while in New York and see Philippe's personal touch come to life:

www.ililinyc.com

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Music by Marc Codsi . Graphics by Sara Tarhini .