Bites Nearby: Mediterranean Café & Grille

One of my best friends is Lebanese and exceedingly proud of the food her culture has to offer. It’s unfortunate that she’s a friend of mine, as I have a preference for greasy bar food and flavored beer.

But for years, she’s been talking about how I need to try give Mediterranean cuisine a chance, and other than a brief obsession with Wawa’s hummus and pita lunch pack, I’ve managed to keep her requests at bay.

However, in my quest for a local restaurant to try this week, I decided to get out of my comfort zone and give grape leaves a try. , located at 7720 Main St. in Fogelsville is a family-owned spot that offers that and more, with favorites like kibbee, falafel and meat pies.

If this dinner was any indication as to the delicious Mediterranean menu I’ve been missing out on, I’m going to have to start making up for lost time.

The Dishes: Miniature Kibbee, Grape leaves, and the Chicken Kebab Platter

What’s on the Plate: There were three servings of kibbee and six grape leaves in each appetizer dish. The chicken kebabs were served with Mediterranean rice and a side of hummus and pita.

How’s It Taste: The kibbee was a pleasant surprise. I’m probably not the first person to base their appeal on a picture. These patties have a pretty basic recipe: ground sirloin stuffed with ground beef, onions and pine nuts, but they were my favorite part of the meal. Only three of them come in an appetizer plate, but for two people that was more than enough. Those little guys will fill you up quick, so keep that in mind as you order.

I wasn’t head over heels with the grape leaves, but trust me when I say that was my personal preference, not the fault of the restaurant. These little wraps are stuffed with rice, vegetables and herbs and seasoned with lemon juice. I just can’t get past the texture, but from what my leaf-loving friend told me, they were done perfectly. If you’re looking to get the most for your money, stick with these for appetizers. You’ll get six leaves per plate.

By the time we got around to eating the entrée, I was sure we wouldn’t be able to finish it after such filling appetizers. Thank goodness I was wrong. The Chicken Kebab Platter served up a large helping of garlic and lemon marinated diced chicken breast with a side of hummus and pita. In addition to the chips and dip of the Mediterranean world, entrees allow customers to pick one extra side. When you visit, opt for the Mediterranean Rice with ground beef, a delicious choice.

Eat This Because: It’s different. There are tons of restaurants in the area with menus that all boast the same things. Mediterranean Café and Grille has an entirely different menu than you’re used to, but doesn’t stray too far from the norm to make first-time tasters uncomfortable.

The Tab: $30.00, not including tip.

Etc: One added perk my friend and I took advantage of is the restaurant’s BYOB policy. They’ll provide you with wine glasses and even open up your bottle for you, so don’t think twice about making this an affordable happy hour visit.