At Terrace Restaurant and Lounge, we know that not all of our guests are lucky enough to have been brought up in Middle Eastern households! (Ha!) To help those unfamiliar with Lebanese cuisine decipher our restaurant’s authentic menu, we’ve included a short glossary of some of our favorite dishes and ingredients. See something that sounds delicious? Come try it today!
Schwarma
Similar to the Greek gyro, shawarma is the name of meat – typically lamb, chicken, or veal – that has been slow-cooked on a rotating spit for hours, even days, before being served with vegetables or wrapped in lavash (Armenian flatbread).
Falafel
Usually served on a fresh-baked pita with pickled cabbage, vegetables, and tahini sauce, falafel is made with soaked chickpeas, coriander, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper, then deep-fried to a delicious golden brown.
Bonus: learn how to make your own falafel at home!
Mezze
The Middle Eastern version of an “appetizer sampler,” mezze combination plates allow guests to sample a variety of different dishes is an array of small dishes placed before the guests creating an array of colors, flavors, textures and aromas.
Mekanak
Though they resemble every American child’s favorite snack, “beenie weenies,” Mekanak spicy sausages are made with lamb or beef and are prepared with clove, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper. A must try for meat lovers!
Tahini
Made from ground sesame seeds, tahini is a rich, creamy sauce that is commonly used in hummus recipes and to flavor falafel sandwiches.
Kafta
Often compared to American meatloaf, Kafta are lamb, beef, or pork meatballs mixed with onions and lots of mouth-watering spices. We bet you can’t eat just one!
Fattoush
The Middle Eastern version of a salad, fattoush combines fried pieces of flatbread (think pita croutons) with fresh green, tomatoes, radishes, onions, olive oil, and lemon juice.
Hummus
Though you’re probably familiar with hummus – chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, and garlic, for those who’ve been living under a rock – homemade, Lebanese-recipe hummus is quite different than the storebrand variety. Don’t believe us? Come to Terrace Restaurant and see for yourself!
Must Read: Five Reasons To Eat More Hummus!
Couscous
Not to be confused with quinoa, couscous is made from a small grain call Semolina and typically served as a side.
Baklava
One of Terrace Restaurant’s most popular dessert dishes, our handmade baklava is composed of over over 30 layers of phyllo dough, butter, pure honey, and nuts.
