05/08/06

This Middle Eastern favorite spices up local flavor in worldly ways.

by Contributor

The Scene
This ramshackle bakery turned grocery/cafe is a neighborhood favorite, having turned on more than a few Mid-City meat-and-potato types to Middle Eastern food. An outdoor patio makes for pleasant eating in all but the hottest seasons, though the indoor dining room seems overly hectic and crowded during busy times.

The Food
Mona's menu has an impressive combination of standard entrees, crunchy salads and savory pastries. Choose from typical but tasty Middle Eastern offerings including some of the best hummus in town, baba ghanoush (cool eggplant puree) and falafel (a chickpea fritter)--all favorites of vegetarian patrons. Omnivores will delight in kabobs (lamb, beef or chicken), grilled chicken dishes or hot gyros, featuring roasted lamb and beef on spongy pita bread. Regulars swear by the filling loaves of kibby (beef and lamb with onion, bulghur wheat and pinenuts) for a substantial midday snack.