Press
03/23/09
In the Neighborhood:
Replacing California/ Vegas ambience and cuisine of the former Fairmount Grille a 12447 Cedar Road directly across from Russo's market is the middle eastern flavor of Aladdin's eatery with its "unique" natural mid-east foods. Gone are the doll house facades, the booths, pianos and plants. In their stead currently, are plain white bare walls, tables and chairs. This is an interim stage, however, since the final decor, according to a rendering on the wal in the bathroom, indicates a Riviera-like Mediterranean appearance similar to that of their Lakewood restaurant... Foods are prepared with a concern not only for delicious flavor but with nutrition and purity in mind, as well. The menu promises no sulfates, nor preservatives, only fresh meats and veggies. Sacharrin, Nutri-Sweet and sugar substitutes in general are absent from tables, but can be supplied for those requiring them Instead, a natural, unprocessed sugar product, Turbinado sugar is supplied. Throughout the menu are little assurances such as, "All soups are homemade with no starches or aditives; or, only imported olive oil is used in salad dressings for sauteing." Results are super delicious (yummy) fare. A variety of soups, seven in all, are listed, We've tried the Chicken Lentil both with and without the addition of shredded cheddar and found it to be excellent either way. It consists of a thin, flatvorful brother generously supplied with lentils and vegetables and succulent chicken chuncks. Chicken chili is very good with pieces of char-broiled chicken and for those with aversion to meant, the mildly spicy vegetarian chili is recommended with copius suply of red kidney beans, vegetables, and chunks of fresh tomato. Appetizers include Fatayer, a stuffed spinach and feta cheese pita topped with crumbled feta and scallions. Sfiha, another stuffed pita delicacy offers ground beef, tomatoes, onions and pine nuts and herbs served with a large salad of fresh greens. Also among appetizers are the by now familiar hummos, tabouli and baba, all served with pita. Falaffel and stuffed grape leaves (Dawali) just about complete appetizer possibilities. Variety in salads beckons those with cravings for fresh greens and fruits. Homemade dressings are at once healthful and gourmet. Almond nut dressing is wonderful even without the salad-it invites eating with a spoon Another excellent dressing is Tahini Yogurt. Honey Dijon and and herb vinegrette enhance such sald mixtures as Tabouli salad, Aladdin's salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, scallions, feta cheese and Calamata olives. Probably the piece de restance among salads is the Almond salad. Consisting of mixed greens, cucumbers, mushrooms, scallion and alfalfa sprouts with roasted almonds, Parmasean cheese and Almond Nut Dressing. This is early nirvana! There are in addition tuna, fruit and nut, and falaffel salads, among the more ordinary species. Secialites include the Shawarma include the Shawarma plate and Shishkebab plate-which is superb. The lean, tender and flavorful hot beef is served over greens with feta, Calamata olives and pita, Mujadara Plate and Chicken Mishwi. Pita Pockets span tastes from just greens through chicken salad, tuna, tabouli, to turkey. Toasted rolled pita incorporate most of the aforementioned in a slightly different format. Then there are the Pitza Pitas. Farah's Favorite is a switch from the ho-hum with tomato, curried chickem, and thinly sliced onion. Aladdin's Chicken Pitza features chicken chunks char-broiled, honey mustard sauce, green-pepper and scallions. These are but a few possibilities awaiting to be washed down with an herbed tea of freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juice. Portions are generously served and attractively presented. Presentation is inviting, service courteous and knowledgeable and coffee is hot and plentiful.