When your wife and in-laws are Lebanese and make the best authentic versions of the food you've…read moreever had there's always the quest to find something close to that bar, and going to many different Lebanese restaurants around the world looking for that same quality never stops but is never met.... until that one night and one restaurant knocks you out of your chair and you can't stop thinking about the amazing cuisine right in your own backyard. This was that such night! The Awaijane family has brought their family tradition in great Lebanese cuisine since 1973 and maintained by their children generation after generation, and through their fresh grape leaves, perfectly pan baked Kibbeh (OMG and the raw!!!!), lemon kissed Tabbouleh, & authentically cured Labneh, we intended to take it to go but it was so irreisistable we sat down and ate half of it on site. Don't let the quaint store front on University pass you by, the the truly authentic food amaze you, and the family friendly service bring you back!

How is it that I have never reviewed Emily's before now? I have been a loyal customer for over 30…read moreyears and have always enjoyed this small, yet mighty restaurant. For ambiance, well, let's say it's authentic in types of a typical Middle Eastern Restaurant that is in the Middle East (not the US) meaning that it is sparse. Whatever, that's not why you come here. There used to be a woman who occupied one table peeling about 10,000 garlic cloves. Again, typical (sadly, I have not seen her lately). Service is good. There are not very many tables, so it's not much of a challenge to see the entire restaurant at one time. However, they are attentive and happy to answer all questions. Food: This is why you here. They literally (and I do mean literally) have the best Tabouli salad I have ever tasted anywhere in the world. The menu says it is made fresh every day and it is. Freshness is the absolute key to good tabouli and if it's not fresh, it's not worth eating. Let me say this again: This is the BEST tabouli you can find and if you think you don't like tabouli, at least give theirs a try. But Emily's has much more than tabouli. I love their lamb shish kabob. If you are not a fan of lamb, their chicken kabob is also excellent. Both of them come with an excellent rice pilaf. Pro Tip: You can get a full portion that comes with soup or salad, just a skewer, or half a skewer. Their humus is good, but perhaps not as favorable as other versions I've had. I can also vouch for their spinach pie, which is a great price too. And of course, you can't go wrong without a piece of baklava for dessert. They do have an upstairs eating area that is used for groups. I had not seen this until I went upstairs to use their restroom and saw it on the way. This is a neighborhood gem of a small, family owned quality restaurant. I hope they stay in business for another 50 plus years!

We're here from San Diego for a few months and this is by far our favorite spot. We stumbled upon…read moreit after getting our hairs did at the Aveda Institute next door and it's right across the street from really great vintage shops and our favorite little shop ever, Twelve Vultures. Anyhoo.. back to Spitz and their kicka$$ food. We've been back to eat inside several times and ordered it for delivery twice. Their wraps are huge and so flavourful and their sweet potato fries are fire. They have Kombucha on tap and both flavors I've tasted have been so good. The atmosphere is laid back and the employees have always been super kind and personable. Go for a day of vintage shopping in the area and make Spitz your stop for lunch. So fun. :)

If you love French fries + Mediterranean food, the. I highly recommend you order their gyro. Very…read moredelicious components of meaty goodness, sauce, and vegetables all wrapped up for you to enjoy. As my hunger demands, I had also decided to opt in for a side dish and was curious about their fried pita strips. It was worth it. Highly recommend: nicely seasoned, crispy bread, and the hummus sauce is always delicious to me. Need to come back to try their other dishes and perhaps desserts.

The brunch has been on my list for a long time and I'm so happy I finally got the chance to go…read more There were so many options to choose from, and plated all so beautifully. There was even a chocolate fountain! The restaurant itself is beautiful and the waitstaff were patient and kind. Upon arriving, you get to complete an egg card for custom made eggs brought to table. This was explained by our waitress, and she explained what the brunch items included and even mentioned for us to visit for their tea experiences

I ate at Mara following a Candlelight Concert at the Four Seasons. I sat at the bar and had the…read morebest service from the bartender (a young gentleman, wish I could remember his name)! I started with a glass of white wine and then tried the Potato Croquettes, at the suggestion of the bartender. They were delicious! They came topped with prosciutto; it was too much for me, but it was easy to take off. The light sauce that accompanied was amazing, and the Parmesan cheese on top was a delicious touch. I was alone so it made most sense to sit at the bar during my visit (and the ambiance was beautiful), but I'd love to return and try out their dining room and other items on the menu! Parking was also convenient with the attached underground parking garage!

Our office got Naf Naf to cater our lunch. Everything was delicious. The falafel was gone before…read moreanyone could blink. The pickles and the sauces were just amazing. I would highly recommend either going here or ordering delivery from them. They were prompt. It was delicious and the pita breads fresh, even though they're even fresher when you go into the restaurant, we're still amazing.

I was so eager to start eating I almost forgot to write a review ....so as you can see i am almost…read moredone with my meal so i am only sharing 1/5 of my bowl as the rest is almost all gone!!! Want fresh delicious, yet quick and ready to eat? Eat here! The falafel was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Is this the best dinner I've had in Mpls? It might be!…read more Came in for Valentine's Day on an almost accident. My partner said, "ever been to Fhimas? I think it's French?" And I was on board. We made reservations without another thought. I ended up googling the menu and realizing my partner was a little off on what type of cuisine this was and I was in unfamiliar territory though still excited to try. We loved every second of our experience here! The decor was amazing, the service was exceptional, the food was to die for. They had a special Valentine's Day menu which included beef Wellington for two, so we got that. Asked if it had sides and they said no. I asked if a veg was possible, expecting frozen, microwaved bland veggies. We got beautifully roasted, seasoned veggies that were amazing. Plus the beef Wellington was melting in our mouths. Cocktails were also exceptional. We had an espresso martini and old fashioned which came with a table side experience. We ended our adventure with the sticky toffee torte which was another exceptional dish. Our server was so kind and so so knowledgeable about every item and restaurant in the owners catalog. Very impressive all around.

Wanted to like this place. Inventive cocktail menu. Interesting M.E. Food options. Ultimately not…read moreserved water for 30 minutes until flagging someone down. Tables all around the restaurant, including the bar, left from previous patrons. Looks like a bomb went off. After 1+ hour, most of the tables are still covered in dirty plates and napkins. It's not that busy, maybe 10-20% full from 8:30 pm and beyond. Vibes = 2/10. What about the food? I've traveled all over the Mediterranean and Middle East. I'd give the Shashuka a 5-6 out of 10. It was supposed to be served with crepes and I had visions of Saluf and Sons Yemeni restaurant in Tel Aviv (now closed). Here it was served with a French bread / hot dog bun. Crepe???? I guess French bread and crepes are from the same country, but count me as unimpressed.

Incredible authentic Middle eastern Cuisine. Had the gyro and pasta salad. Highly recommend.read more

Just started working downtown and tagged along on a lunch run since I'd never been. It's a small,…read moremainly to-go spot with a definite "mom and pop" vibe. Everything is on a chalkboard and prices may or may not end up being what you expect. $22 for a lunch box is highway robbery in my book. Got a Falafel Lunch Box and the salad was the best part; mainly because of all the oil. The falafel (4 small) was pretty bad. Texture and (I assume) taste of a dish sponge. I assume they come frozen from a wholesaler. The hummus (~4Tbsp) was fine, but nothing to write home about. The dolma were also "ok". Not really any flavor other than oil. The pita was also standard packaged type. If this box was $11-12 I would be thrilled, but charging 2x that is criminal. Maybe the shawarma is worth it, but I don't eat much meat so I don't think I'll be back.

This food truck is pretty decent The chicken schwarma wrap…read moreand fries was a good serving, fries were crispy and flavorful The wrap was hard to eat as overstuffed and not a lot of napkins at a food truck festival

Saw the had their food truck around or building and Thought…read moreI'd give it a try. Service was fast and friendly. I ordered the Chicken Shawarma. It's a full pocket pita stuffed with garlic spread and chicken shawarma prepared fresh and mixed with many blended spices, lettuce, onions, pickled cucumbers, and tahini sauce served with fries. All flavors blended were delicious The fries were also crispy and delicious. The flavor reminded me of the Arby's curly fries which are also yummy!

This was a pretty tasty lunch experience in the IDS plaza…read more Rosti is advertised as modern Mediterranean food, and they have a variety of food options including bowls and salads. I opted for the make your own bowl option with saffron rice, chicken, cucumbers, olives, and kale. They have a variety of topping options you can choose from to customize as well as a variety of sauces. I opted for the balsamic vinaigrette topping. There is a standard soda fountain, and you can also order in advance through their website. You will receive a mini pita loaf with your order as well. I found the bowl to be very good overall. The chicken was tasty and tender, and the vegetables were fresh and flavorful. The sauce was a nice compliment as well, and the saffron rice had a nice taste. There was perhaps a bit too much rice compared with the amount of chicken, but overall it was a tasty lunch. The staff were quite friendly about explaining their menu and were knowledgeable as well!

I found Rōti while looking for a quick lunch while visiting Minneapolis. I love a healthy,…read moreflavorful Mediterranean bowl and Rōti delivered. This bowl was huge with lots of flavor, tons of toppings, crispy falafel, and pita on the side. The workers were helpful recommending sauces and serving up a big portion, it's inside a courtyard so there are lots of tables to dine at or you can get your meal to go. I will be back next time I'm in town!

Oh my this place is great and the food was wonderful. Staff were welcoming and superb! Highly…read morerecommend it. Parking was easy on the street behind. Definitely will go many times before a gopher game.....

Authentic Greek food and service at Gardens of Salonica! I appreciated the one-man service who wore…read moremany hats during our dining experience - server and chef! Tasty food. I recommend the fried feta. Our table also had the lamb, mousakas, and pastitsio! Cute place for a casual date night or catch up with friends. I felt like I was abroad during this meal.

This is an institution in NE. My friend and i were so excited to see they were still open. We'd…read morebeen to Gardens many times during college and shortly after but hadn't been there in years. Unfortunately the place is showing its age. The sign out front is no longer readable and it really needs a scrub down and freshen up. The food is still very good and very authentic, different from what you see at many Greek restaurants. Our server was lovely, helpful and knowledgeable. Finally, I used the restroom while I was there, which also needs a scrub down, and they were out of paper towels. On my way out one of the staff members was taking a break on his phone, which is fine, and I quickly mentioned the towel situation. He started getting up and said, "oh I'll take care of that right away." About 15 minutes later I returned to the restroom to wash my hands and the staff member was sitting in the same place. The restroom still did not have towels. Boo. While this isn't a dealbreaker it just didn't present the restaurant well. Not sure we'll return.