I am so excited that this great Lebanese place has opened near me! Their falafel required a wait -…read moreit was fried to order - but it was deliciously crisp, bright green with herbs, and wrapped in a yummy thin pita with fresh vegetables and other toppings. The mint lemonade is a real treat full of flavor, although I would prefer it chilled or on ice. I will be back. Highly recommend!

This new Lebanese spot near the Coolidge Corner Theater was a fantastic surprise! They offer a…read moregreat selection of Middle Eastern staples, and everything we tried was hit-the-spot good. The mixed grill portion was generous and well-seasoned, and the chicken kebab was remarkably juicy. The spicy roasted potatoes were packed with flavor, and the Kibbeh even passed my wife's lifelong standards! The staff couldn't have been friendlier--they even offered a mix of both fries and rice when I couldn't decide. Seating is limited and they do a brisk takeout business, so definitely keep that in mind when timing a visit.

Really great food and quick service but staff were a bit snippy / inpatient and they weren't even…read morebusy. Also not much seating inside. Good grab and go option. Completely Kosher.

The falafel with Humus was awesome. Plenty of fresh vegetables and a little hot sauce, warm falafel…read morein a fluffy Pita bread. Perfectly vegetarian and great for the health! Service was friendly and the ambiance was nice and clean interior. They also have exterior/patio seating.

"How much further will my journey take me tomorrow? The new rain and chill are biting my…read moreclothes明日客程還幾許，沾衣況是新寒雨." A temperature of 13 degrees Celsius is already late autumn or even early winter for me as a Cantonese. After struggling through the biting wind and rain, the warm glow of the charcoal fire and the cozy decorations instantly warmed me, making a strong first impression. Moschari me Damaskina: The moment it entered my mouth, I couldn't help but exclaim "Wow!" Firstly, the tenderness of the beef cheek; the fibers almost melted at the very moment it touched my mouth, the fat and juices filling the space, making it incredibly easy to chew. Secondly, the dominant flavor was the tangy aroma; the fruity acidity of the prunes and red wine had a bright yet lingering fermented quality that immediately captivated my taste buds, leaving only the flavors of the beef itself and the spices. The tarhanas were sticky and chewy, with just the right amount of fermentation, complementing the beef perfectly. As a stew, it was rich and flavorful without being greasy--perfect for an autumn night! However, perhaps if the beef flavor had been a little deeper, it wouldn't have felt any overpowering. The waiter lifted the lid with a quiet cheer, and after I scooped out a portion, he gently closed the lid to keep it warm--a charming and thoughtful touch that added to the experience. Kontosouvli: A simple and straightforward roasted chicken, marinated with Greek yogurt. While not particularly surprising, the chicken was very tender and had a wonderful charcoal aroma--another excellent dish. The boneless chicken breast was even more satisfying than the drumsticks. The pickled onions had a slightly raw spiciness, making it less appealing than the one by Zaytinya at Washington DC. Samali: I touched the plate before eating; it was chilled, which added to my positive impression. The corn bread was standard, but the sweetness was slightly reduced to make way for the more prominent blueberry jam and grilled corn ice cream. The former was intensely sour, making it difficult to eat on its own. I personally think it would be better with a less acidic jam, such as orange, peach, or apricot. Despite having orange blossom syrup, it wasn't particularly outstanding. The latter, on the other hand, brought out the sweetness of the grains to the extreme, almost like eating an ice cream version of corn flakes, yet with a very light texture and melted exceptionally quickly--quite interesting. Looking back, this dessert might be more suitable for a July in New England, perhaps the best time of year, with bright but not scorching sunshine, a clear blue sky and sea, and even the wind barely perceptible. Blueberries and corn are just ripe, allowing you to quietly enjoy the land's most heartfelt gifts of the year. In the bleak autumn, perhaps the Galatopita with caramelized peaches and brown butter would be more seasonal, but seeing it on the menu made me think, why not let me just briefly return to that summer of yesterday's dreams?

Bar Vlaha is a warmly welcomed addition to the Boston Greek scene! It is my new favorite and I…read morecannot recommend enough. It is a beautiful ambiance, lovely Greek music, and wonderful service. A couple of friends and I were in the Coolidge Corner area and begged them to take us in for walk-ins - we'd be in and out within an hour. They kindly let us in and we started off with the saganaki, which was an ooey gooey cheese that was perfectly sweet, oily, and cheesy. This paired well with some of the bread we got with their whipped butter. Beef cheeks was the standout entree; insanely tender, melt in your mouth, and paired well with the couscous. Stifado was also delicious. The eggplant dish with a block of feta was also fun and yummy! Their cocktail game is also very fun - a couple of us got the Karpouzi 3.0 and we also got one "pump the briki" which was a fun take on an espresso martini. I can't wait for my next visit!

STILL LOVE THIS PLACE!!!…read more I finally got to eat at Anoush' ella, and OMG - SO CUTE!!! I love the vibes. The way it's decorated is very simple and classy, so the ambiance was chill and easy. Once again, the food was delicious!!! I got my usual but with chicken, and it was so good. Very flavorful and moist (eek - sorry for using that term - LOL). Having actually eaten here, I can officially say that the service is equally amazing. They are very fast and efficient. The quality control is excellent here, which makes it worth eating at again and again.

Easy to order, friendly staff, was obsessed with decor and the table design, food was so good and…read morefresh and flavorful!

Under new ownership-- was never here for the prior.... but i can't tell you this is a winner…read more A sabich sandwich on right-out-of-the-oven pita (!!!). Absolutely super Falafel that was light, flavored and delicate-- not greasy, not green (not heavy on parsley). A bit of warm hummus. Super owner and chef, who also let us taste some super desserts ( a spoonful of cocoa, tahini, maple syrup, nuts) and another. Just super.

Was pleasantly surprised to find that although one of my favorite local kosher restaurants had…read morechanged ownership, it was now even better than it used to be. Having returned from Israel just 10 days earlier, I was longing for a nice meal of schnitzel and hummus. I did not expect to find something that tasted this good and so authentic right here in Brighton, Massachusetts. The food here was absolutely delicious. Meticulously prepared. The schnitzel was moist with a crisp outside and tasted great. The hummus was creamy and delicious and among the best I've ever had anywhere. I also ordered some falafel which was quite good but one coupled with the dip that they gave me for it, suddenly it was exceptional. Salad was fresh. Service was amazing and the restaurant was clean and quite comfortable. I really enjoyed my mail here and will be back anytime. I am in the neighborhood.

Comparing to other restaurants in its class (the cavas, the chipotles, sweet greens), this place is…read moremy personal favorite. You gotta love food you can shovel endlessly into your mouth and still end up feeling moderately heathy afterwards. Kudos to NAYA!

Came here for a quick meal pickup before heading to the movies…read more I got the chicken shawarma rice bowl and the hubs got the chicken wrap. I got almost all toppings- lettuce, cucumber, onions, pickled radish, tzatziki sauce and the lemon tahini sauce. It was filling but I think the rice was a bit greasy for me. I prefer it to be plain and not with any oil added at all. Service was quick and friendly. The space is really nice clean, large and with seating on the sides. Parking is free at the garages in the Arsenal yards mall garage so that is very convenient. Overall good for a quick meal!

The brand new location was awesome!…read more I was thrilled to come over here for my husband's 60th birthday and it did not disappoint! I was very excited for the owner Joseph because the original restaurant was a small diner which was so cozy and convenient. The new place is spacious, lofty and it looked very contemporary chic with lots of tables and the staff doubled. The food was consistently good and I tried lamb chops this time and next time I'll make sure I have it at medium rare. I tried the beet mezze for the first time and that was very delicious. The halva dessert is good as always , but this time that I tried their baklava as my husband's birthday cake and they were so gracious to sing happy birthday to him. Very lovely time and of course loved their complementary tea at the end. Good for digestion. Will be back again. I loved it and I'm really happy to see the restaurant's growth!

My partner and I started out intending to go to Dino's Greek restaurant across the street, but for…read morereasons I can't recall, it was closed. And so we decided to try Halva. We were delighted with the food and service. Note that the tables are VERY close together, and it's not quiet.

I find myself traveling from Boston, just to get a taste of their Persian food…read more Everyone is so kind and hospitable!! I have had a bunch of their dishes and the 2 that stick out to me is the Kabab Koobideh and the Gheymeh Bademjoon! A great 3rd party space to meet other Iranians aswell! Their store front next to the restaurant has everything you could ever want to!!

We had a business lunch at Cafe Vanak in Belmont and were extremely pleased with our overall…read moreexperience. Vanak is small, with only 6 tables, though we noticed a brisk take out trade during our 3 hour visit. Vanak is not fancy and one needs to know that a visit here is entirely about great Persian fare. Be prepared to either wait for a table or to settle for take out. Reservations are strongly recommended. Vanak has an impressive menu covering beef, lamb, chicken, fish, and vegetarian dishes. Everything is authentic and is served with a more than generous portion of rice. The difference in dishes isn't just the protein; there are at least ten different seasoned rice on offer. Our entrees were shared by four people and three dishes were more than enough. The Lamb Shank with Fava Bean and Dill Rice is exceptional. The shank was slow simmered and the ample amount of meat was melt-in-your mouth delicious. The Dill Rice is uniquely seasoned and we highly recommend this dish. Chicken with Barberry and Saffron Rice is another interesting dish. The quarter chicken is also slow cooked and nicely savory. The Barberry adds an interesting taste profile to what would otherwise be a standard Persian dish. No Persian meal would be complete without Koobideh Kababs and Vanak's rendition is very nicely seasoned. The Kababs were served on a bed of Sangak, the rustic Perisan wheat bread. We finished with baklava which was topped with chopped pistachios and Saffron ice cream. The servings here are authentic and generously portioned. Vanak offers a unique change of pace for lunch which we recommend.

I loved this cafe, it was open late and the staff were so welcoming and accommodating. My specific…read morewaiter was so kind, and the atmosphere was beautiful. The food was amazing, and very reasonably priced. I will definitely be returning.

I have been to this place now a few times and I have to say that it is a wonderful business! I…read morereally enjoy the Turkish dumplings (manti), the kunefe and the baklava. However I wish you got more baklava for the money!

This food is bomb !!! We order from here all the way to Arlington because we love it so so much.read more

This is a fast casual spot popular with Boston University college students, and it can garner quite…read morethe line! But it moves quickly, with the staff frequently shaving off shawarma from the slow-turning spits behind the counter. I opted to make my own veggie plate with falafel, hummus, and plenty of Greek salad. I typically judge Mediterranean eateries by how dry (or hopefully, not) their falafel is--the verdict here is that it's okay for the price point.