BYO Beer and Appetite

• Review
• Friday, March 07, 2008

The light yet complex flavors of the Mediterranean are always in demand in a climate where the heat can be too overpowering for a heavy meal.  Lebanon’s Café on South Carrollton Avenue gets it right every time in terms of flavor and value.  The available outdoor seating and high ceilings with bright, earth-tone and terra cotta colors relax one immediately, and knowing you’ve just saved quite a bit of your spending money by brining your own bottle of crisp white wine adds that extra little feeling of pleasure and leisure.  Since a bar is not part of this establishment, bringing your own alcohol is welcome with no bottle charge to pay.

The crispy falafel at Lebanon’s is absolutely delicious and somewhat addicting.  Generous plates of inexpensive Greek salad topped with piles of fresh feta cheese are a staple side, as is the garlicky, dense hummus. The entrée platters cannot be beat, as the portions are generous and come with both of the above sides as well as a basket of light, slightly sweet pita bread.  The chicken, though a little dry at times, is wonderfully seasoned and is fantastic in a pita wrap with hummus and creamy yogurt sauce.  Gyros are available here, too (the beef and lamb is delightfully fragrant and has a flavor that will haunt your dreams), and even the most unadventurous of diners will find something from their extensive and enticing menu.