We are working our way around the Mediterranean with a Syrian meal. The restaurant serves Syrian and Lebanese dishes and is decorated with an eclectic mix of Middle Eastern decorations. Our waiter helps us identify the Syrian dishes on the menu. We called ahead and ordered Rima's chicken which requires 24 hours advance order.We always start with drinks. John tried Jallab again and he liked it. The waiter was very helpful and explained to us that it is a date syrup mixed with water and a few pine nuts are sprinkled in. Julia tried lemonade it was supposedly homemade but it didn't taste like it was. Julian had an Almaza beer which he said was very good. My Kasara wine was thin and sour. Julian got a glass of red wine which was much better: dry with a good amount of fruit too.
We started with three appetizer dips. We have noticed that middle eastern 
cuisine seems to have an abundance of dips. Beet M'tabal is my favorite shredded beets are mixed with yogurt and some spices sprinkled with walnuts and a drizzle of olive oil. M'hammarah is roasted peppers with pomegranate and walnuts. This version has a sharper edge to it than the one at Pasha Cafe. Julian thinks it is better but it is not my favorite. Layalina roasted eggplant dip is the third one we try and it is mostly tomato with eggplant as a binder. Parsley and a sprinkle of walnuts finish it off. Our entrees arrive shortly after Julia's lamb shank with green beans is so tender falls of 
the bone. The sauce is a simple; green beans and tomatoes. 
cuisine seems to have an abundance of dips. Beet M'tabal is my favorite shredded beets are mixed with yogurt and some spices sprinkled with walnuts and a drizzle of olive oil. M'hammarah is roasted peppers with pomegranate and walnuts. This version has a sharper edge to it than the one at Pasha Cafe. Julian thinks it is better but it is not my favorite. Layalina roasted eggplant dip is the third one we try and it is mostly tomato with eggplant as a binder. Parsley and a sprinkle of walnuts finish it off. Our entrees arrive shortly after Julia's lamb shank with green beans is so tender falls of 
the bone. The sauce is a simple; green beans and tomatoes. 
So simple yet so good. My Okra syrian style is very good and different. Our waiter explained that Syrian food uses cumin and cilantro. It is a combination I am not accustomed to with Okra. The okra are specially imported. They are tiny; no bigger than the tip of a finger. I enjoy this very much. Then came the piece de resistance; Rima's chicken. It is a whole chicken stuffed with a mixture of rice, beef, cardamom some cinnamon. The crispy skin is draped in a very garlicy sauce. Yummy and garlicy. It is served with crispy potato cubes. The whole deal is pretty impressive.
We had to have a little something sweet. So we tried the baklava with cream inside and rose water sauce. The rose water always makes me feel like I am eating perfume but every one else enjoys it. The strong turkish coffee with cardamom is a great finish to the meal.
We had to have a little something sweet. So we tried the baklava with cream inside and rose water sauce. The rose water always makes me feel like I am eating perfume but every one else enjoys it. The strong turkish coffee with cardamom is a great finish to the meal.
