Eastern Mediterranean cuisine (described as Levantine) is served here. That style of cooking has influences from countries including Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Turkey. The menu is simple and features foods I would imagine are typical street food fare. And if you are health conscious, you already know that overall the Mediterranean diet is a good way to go.
Being a new business, I had patiently waited to give them a chance to overcome some of the early snafus. So, now, they have been open about 10 months. The reviews looked promising and authentic.
First impressions, the location is problematic at the moment. They are negatively impacted by the painfully huge construction project projected to be completed later this year (2025). It includes the building of a large suspension bridge that takes vehicle traffic over the railroad tracks at McKinley and the making of some rather bizarre off-ramps. Finding the access points into the complex's large parking lot where Levanty is located is unpleasant and confusing to those unfamiliar to the area. Good luck with that. Hopefully all of that will improve, but while chaotic, it would not keep me from returning.
Once you go inside, you will discover a small, neat, clean kitchen and attractive, small dining area with 4-5 tables at best. Ordering is done at the counter and food is delivered to your table. There is one small table outside, but the ongoing construction makes it dusty and unpleasant to sit outside, currently.
We had a very filling and satsfying meal. The menu is limited, but besides chicken and beef, you can also find falafel, a vegetarian/vegan option, here. Nice and feel-good healthy!
We started with the Baba Ganoush appetizer. It was nicely done, creamy, generously drizzled with olive oil. Their version was delicious but not as smoky tasting as some I have had. It was served with fresh, super thin lavish bread that was lightly toasted on the griddle. Addictive!
I ordered a shawarma bowl and requested half beef-half chicken. $15. The beef and the chicken, are cooked on a traditional vertical spit, then shaved off when ordered. Both meats were delicious, with crispy edges, in spite of looking overcooked. The seasoning blend is their own recipe, exotic and uncommonly wonderful, but I could have sworn the beef tasted more like lamb, slightly gamey, than beef. Not a problem for me, I love lamb regardless, but they assured me it was beef. A creamy tahini sauce is drizzled on top of the meat. It was served over a seasoned yellow rice that I found to be irresistable. I further customized my order by requesting tabouleh (finely chopped parsley, herbs and spices, and cracked bulgur wheat salad) instead of their regular house salad, and was happy I did. The bowl also included a scoop of delicious hummus topped with olive oil. I enjoyed my bowl and would get this again.
The cut of beef for their beef kabob is filet mignon. Mr. B ordered the double kabob plate, $29, so there was plenty to bring home. Deliciously seasoned and very tender, the kabob is served over a pile of rice as well, but the rice, more orange in color, appeared to be seasoned slightly differently than the yellow rice. It came with a crisp lettuce and cucumber salad with a spicy dressing, homemade pickle, and hummus. A word of warning for those who may not care for hot spices, the dressing contains Aleppo pepper, a red pepper that packs some heat. That was yet another reason why I was glad I chose the really good tabouleh instead.
They have canned soda, some interesting, imported sodas, and bottled water. There are no desserts on their menu.
They also have a couple of options for family and party sized meals. It looks like you get a lot of food for your money.
I saw no indicators that this place is Halal, other than on this Yelp site, neither in signage nor printed on their menu. But when asked, they confirmed it was. Personally, I would think they would be proud to draw in those who only eat Halal, if it is so.
I would enthusiastically urge you to give Levanty a try. This is a good option for putting on your rotation of international foods. Closed on Mondays. read more