Press

03/27/09

The Vindicator: "Canfield Family Brings Mediterranean cuisine to South Avenue in Boardman"

Aladdin's Eatery, one of Boardman's newest restaurants opened last week on South Avenu. Located in the former Mr. P's, Aladdin's Eatery specializes in Mediterranean cuisine. "The restaurant attempts to capture and cultivate the warmth and hospitality of the regions from which its menu was born," said owner Camille Chamoun." The Chamoun family of Canfield has opened three other Aladdin's Eateries in the past two years, in the Cleveland area. Chamoun hopes for the same success in Boardman. "We will provide casual dining for those people looking for something different yet healthy." said Chamoun The recipies are free from many additives commonly found in today's foods. According to Chamoun, "There are no sulfites or preservatives of any kind used in our foods. We only use the freshest meats, vegetables and fruits." A lot of the dishes are also low in fat and cholesterol. "We also use the finest imported olive oils in our homemade salad dressings and for sauteeing. Aladdin's pita bread contains no fat, cholesterol, or oil and is sugar-free," Chamoun said. The menu includes many other weight-watching options. "We also offer healthful combination of fruit, yogurt, one-of-a kind deserts and an extensive vegetarian menu." For example, a Fruit and Nut salad features fresh fruit topped with walnuts, yogurt and honey: The Lentil soup is loaded with cooked lentils, swisschard, celery, potatoes and sauteed onions. In addition to hummos, and tabouli, the appetizer menu includes Baba (puree of charbroilled eggplant, tahini and lemon topped with fresh herbs and olive oil served with pita) and foolemdamas (puree of fava beans, garlic, olive oil, and lemon topped with diced tomatoes and parsley). A wide variety of pita pockets and toasted rolled pitas provide diners with many options. Nine house specialties including the Mujadara Plate(a bed of steamed lentils and rice topped with lebanese salata and garnished with toasted onions) and the Hummos Shawarma Plate (hummos served with shawarma and topped with pine nuts, diced tomatoes and parsley) add to the selections. Pitza pitas give a Mediterranean twist to a traditonal favorite. Choices include: Farah's Favorite Pitza (topped with a spicy tomato sauce, pieces of curried chicken and sweet green peas, and garnished with thinly sliced toasted onions) and Ali Baba Pitza (features pureed eggplant, tomato halves, feta cheese, charbroiled slices of eggplant, slivered calamata olives drizzled with imported olive oil and sprinkled with oregano) and many more. Another healthy alternative to what is offered in most restuarants is is an extensive juice bar. It features a wide variety of imported treats such as mango, papaya, guava juices, and freshly squeezed juices such as carrot and celery.