An Exclusive Review of Cup & Roll's Exclusive Seasonal Savors

My fascination with Cup & Roll, the brainchild of young friends Wassim Haddad and Khajag Apelian, is no secret. Originally launched as Pizza Cups and operating from the home kitchen of Apelian’s mother Salpi, the startup was rebirthed into “Cup & Roll” and features a delicious array of savory and sweet bites in the form of—you guessed it—cups and rolls.

Last week my interview with Haddad was published on Beirut.com and quickly climbed to top post on lebaneseblogs.com. If you’re interested in the evolution of the concept and the entrepreneurial vision that has closely guided this startup’s growth, be sure you check out my feature. If you happen to be a foodie and are more enraptured by the edible aspects of the company, read on.

I had the privilege of sampling a varied selection of cups and rolls, including the season’s exclusive flavors: Salmon Supreme, Shrimp Extraordinaire and Prosciutto Primo. Let me start by saying that the marketing photos displayed on the Cup & Roll site translate 100% in authenticity to the real deal delivered to your doorsteps. Yup. This company’s all about premium ingredients, delicious flavors, and beautiful aesthetics, and the pictures don't lie.

Some members of the Cup & Roll savory family

The Salmon Supreme is unrivaled. Generously filled with baked salmon filet, Emmental, cream cheese, and smoked salmon, and garnished with fresh dill and red peppercorn, this bundle is—in a word—delectable. The dough—choose between regular or whole-grain—is thin and crispy at the lip yet firm enough at the base and sides to hold all contents in unfailingly.

Salmon Supreme

If you’re a fan of Thai spices, you’re going to fall in love with the Shrimp number. A springy whole shrimp ornamented with black and white sesame seeds is the crown on top of an oozing spicy Thai filling. The contrast of textures and explosion of tastes in that one dainty cup is out of this world.

Shrimp Extraordinaire

Prosciutto Primo has noble intentions, but they don’t quite execute well. Prosciutto, or almost any salty cured meat for that matter, becomes even saltier when exposed to heat. The crumbled chèvre chaud and caramelized onions do little to redeem it.

Prosciutto Primo

Moving on to the classic toppings, Spinach & Caramelized Onion is imbued with creamed spinach, mozzarella and béchamel sauce. It is my favorite of the lot.

Mexican Chicken is an ode to Tex-Mex flavors, with a festive combination of roasted bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, jalapeno, and Mexican seasoning to elevate the grilled marinated chicken. There’s even a small capsule of guacamole to garnish the cup, but you’ll be too busy devouring to notice it. No biggie—the cup does beautifully on its own.

Mexican Chicken 

Four-Cheese is a hybrid between margherita and quattro-formaggi pizzas, but I found the gorgonzola to be overpowering, totally masking the flavors of the more subtle mozzarella, brie, and Parmesan.

Chicken Pesto & Cheese could employ a roasted cherry tomato or more mushrooms to overcome its dry texture, but otherwise there’s no doubting the premium quality of ingredients used.

Chicken Pesto & Cheese

The rolls are essentially wraps cut in inch-thick cross-sections. Imagine the spiral profile of a buche or Swiss roll, and that’s what these rolls resemble. I found Grilled Veggies & Halloumi to be a juicy Mediterranean tribute lush with color from eggplant, zucchini, red and green bell peppers, and tomatoes. The Taco Mix incorporates seasoned minced meat blanketed in melted cheddar.

Grilled Veggies & Halloumi

Be sure you top your meal off with freshly squeezed fruit juice—I love the apple with its cloudy residue and sweet and sour notes.

Cup & Roll is well-suited for office deliveries, gatherings at home, and even event catering. Individually-sized portions make them convenient to consume free of cutlery and utensils. Just be sure you ready the napkins!

Order online at www.cupandroll.com or call 01-888792/3. 

Delivery assured between Ras Beirut and Dbayeh.

Note that the season's savors will be available through January 6.