(From June 2011)

A Saturday afternoon visit to this downtown spot found plenty of lunch and brunch options. We went with the popular turkey-jalapeño sandwich and the Kobe Benedict. The panino did not disappoint, with its warm sliced turkey, caramelized onions, cheese, avocado, and crisp bacon, but the winner at our table was definitely the Benedict: The eggs were perfectly cooked, and the ground meat had a rich beefiness that worked well with the spicy green-chile-white-wine sauce. Crush has, of course, an almost overwhelming selection of wines, and brews are a specialty too. Quiz your servers, who are knowledgeable about the libations and generous with the samples.

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(From August 2011)

This A-frame boasts a blue-and-white-striped roof and is run by a boisterous Greek family serving up authentic dishes. We started with the scrumptious hummus, punched up with garlic and lemon and so plentiful we could have eaten nothing else and left satisfied. But then we would have missed the pastitsio, Greek “lasagne” with macaroni and creamy béchamel, and the moussaka, with its decadent layers of ground beef, eggplant, and potatoes. Don’t pass up the baklava! 

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(From January 2012)

Though the menu is limited to quick, easy Greek fare (gyros, kebabs, falafel), this quirky diner adds a little color to the rather limited palette of casual food in Tyler. We were delighted to watch as our lamb was hand-carved, placed onto a fluffy pita, and piled high with fresh veggies, and we enjoyed the eclectic atmosphere (photos of John Denver, Bob Marley, John Travolta).

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(From January 2012)

This cafeteria-style spot is a quick fix for those craving Mediterranean flavors. Choose a platter, salad, or pita wrap, then load up with dips (carrot hummus, tzatziki), salads (tabbouleh, pickled eggplant), and sauces (cilantro basil, tahini). Finally top it all off with your choice of falafel, kafta, or skewers of marinated chicken, steak, shrimp, or vegetables. Beer & wine.

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(From April 2011) With terra-cotta tile floors and scenes of Greek village life on the walls, this haven from the hustle and bustle of the Strand serves tart ultrafresh tabouleh (we resisted the urge to lunch on that alone), silky hummus, and exceptionally light moussaka. We also like the kebab of deftly marinated chicken. Bar.

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(From May 2011)

Have they actually lowered the prices here? Seemed so on our last visit, with a large, meaty, slow-braised lamb shank weighing in at $24. Other highlights included an imaginative kale salad with currants, pine nuts, and Parme-san, two good risottos—one with lobster and the other asparagus—and a great salad of burrata, cherry tomatoes, and arugula. Less successful was a special of roasted oysters with cheesy bread crumbs; it came oversalted and with a too-hard crust. But we happily recouped and regrouped with a shared tres leches dessert. Bar.

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(From October 2010) This undervisited, underappreciated (but very cool) restaurant, featuring Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare, offers an uncrowded and slightly exotic spot for a downtown dinner. The long, narrow room flanks the quirkily elegant Hotel Havana and looks right down on the River Walk. The fish kebab remains our favorite entrée, chunks of salmon jazzed with lemon and saffron. Also enticing is the sabzi polo mahi: basmati rice blanketed with smoked salmon, herbs, spinach, garlic, and onion. Groups of three or more might sample the cold platter appetizer with tabbouleh, hummus, and various salads. Service can be brisk or relaxed, as you wish. Bar.

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(From November 2011)

There aren’t many places where a server mixes the guacamole at your table, lets you taste it, then adds whatever you like. But that’s just one of several appealing touches at this northeast side newcomer. Mexican with a bit of Mediterranean sets the tone; main courses include grilled chicken on “hominy polenta” and moist salmon with grilled red peppers, squash, asparagus, and mushrooms. Even the table salsa stood out, with its strong tomato flavor and just a touch of peppery bite. Though Encanto is big, clean, bright, and casual, there is not much atmosphere, thanks in part to the three TVs over the bar. Bar.

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(From February 2011) Take a ride on a magic carpet and delight yourself with a rosemary chicken pizza, thin, crispy dough topped with pesto and two cheeses (mozzarella and goat) and strewn with green Moroccan olives. Of the four desserts offered, we highly recommend the orange blossom crème brûlée with berries; its silken texture is delightful. Everything in the place evokes Morocco, from the metal lanterns and shiny tiles surrounding the oven to the hues of scarlet, purple, and ocher on the banquettes. Perfect for cooler evenings is a lovely patio overlooking a small park. Bar.

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(From October 2010) Nestled among college bars and car rental agencies, this tiny restaurant fronts an ancient adobe motel and serves some of the best Middle Eastern food in the region. Try the yalanji—grape leaves stuffed with rice, spices, and sautéed onions; the warm undertones of cinnamon blend well with the tangy grape leaves. Heartwarming entrées include pastitsio, with its layers of spiced ground beef, macaroni, and delicate béchamel.

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010, 5:54 pm
Pablo says:
We spotted your best restaurants in El Paso and decided to give the Mediterranean Cuisine a shot. We overlooked the deteriorating exterior surroundings. You never know what you will find inside. The inside was just as depressing. It was easily the worst eating experience of my life. I am of Greek Heritage and wanted to try their Pastisio. My wife ordered Mousaka. First they brought us the weakest iced tea we ever tasted. Weaker even than P.F. Changs. When the Pastisio and Mousaka arrived it was unrecognizable. It was a "mushy mess" made with corn, peas, some other vegetables. There was no flavor that I could recognize. No cinammon, no clove, etc. It was immediately obvious that this was a microwave-heated frozen dinner. I shudder thinking how long it had been in the freezer. Neither of us could stomach more than a taste of the stuff. We paid the bill and left.

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