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.

Divine Lebanese food! I got the Lamb Shawarma. They were swamped with take-out orders so I had to…read morewait a bit for it. It was worth it though as the shawarma was easily the best I've had in Boston. It had a generous lamb portion, thin lavash bread, and was perfectly complemented by the side of toum I requested. The Iced Hibiscus Tea was good (surprisingly unsweetened) but quite small for the price. Despite the lunch rush, one of the crew members was very generous and gave me another large scoop of toum to-go. The restaurant was adorned nicely too. Will return for sure!

This review is only for the falafel/ hummus pita sandwich (which is the only thing I've ever had…read morehere.) It is that good! The falafel is warm, crispy on the outside, moist and tender in the inside. The veggies are fresh and crunchy. Ordered with everything -- including schug (hot sauce) -- it is a flavor explosion. It is one of the best (vegetarian) sandwiches -- if not THE best -- in Boston! And the staff is always friendly and welcomes you like an old friend. B'tayavon!

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.

"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?

The dips were all yummy! Would definitely recommend them if you want a variety of tastes. I wish it…read morecame with more bread though, 3 pieces is definitely not enough. The white dip was my favorite. The loukanikopita was really good but the dough was a little bit tough. Service was good, our waiter was very accommodating and attentive. Overall, a super yummy meal!

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.

The best hummus I've ever had in my entire life. The entire menu here is fresh, full of passionate…read morededication, glatt kosher, and served with authentic middle eastern flavors! Service with a smile every time, and a slowly improving menu make this my go to eatery. The environment is phenomenal, the owner really went out of his way to make the place feel unique, with beautiful art decorating the small space making it feel very bohemian and unlike any other place in Brookline.

Quick fix for a bite if you are in a rush. Counter service. Food was fresh and they don't skimp…read more It's kind and of like a Chipotle for middle eastern food. I'd go again if I am near one.

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!

New space! Who this?…read more My boyfriend and I were craving Mediterranean food Saturday night. When we pulled up to Halva we were surprised to see they had a new location. The space was very nice and spacious. I really liked the decor and the open kitchen concept. The waitress was very nice and attentive all night. We picked out some mocktails that were super yummy and looked amazing. And the complimentary appetizers were a nice touch. They tasted fresh and were packed with flavor. I decided on the pistachio kebab and my boyfriend got the spinach boat entree. Both dishes were very good. The flavors of pistachio with the juicy meat juices was a nice surprise in my mouth. And the spinach dish was also hot and tasty. I enjoyed making mini meat wraps with the side bread that came with my dish and the grilled veggies made the dish even tastier. Cant wait to come back!

Would definitely return and try new things here! The lunch special is a great deal if you want some…read morevariety without spending too much. The falafel was very good and the adana kebab was soo yummy too. The hummus was very tasty and I enjoyed it more than the babaganoush (my boyfriend disagrees). I also loved that the salad mix was so herb heavy.

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 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!

Great chill spot for drinks and desserts which is what we did. You can just sit and then order. We…read moreshared a variety of desserts and pastries. Delicious all around and not too sweet which is how I like my desserts. Very friendly and charming vibes.

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.