Spice level warning — Manakish is not what I expected

I underestimated Manakish. The fresh and citrusy description didn't prepare me for the reality. za'atar brings a heat or pungency that builds steadily rather than hitting upfront. By halfway through I was sweating but couldn't stop eating.

the cuisine shares roots with the broader Levantine tradition. The a family Sunday lunch setting means locals eat this with ease while visitors like me reach for water. Lebanese wine cut through it better than water would have. Don't order the mild version out of caution — the full version is the point. I'd go back. Three stars only because I wasn't warned.