MIDDLE
EASTERN
Afghan
Grill
952 Troy Schenectady Road (Peter Harris Plaza), Latham,
783-5553. A variety of kebabs and curry-redolent palow
dishes are part of the fare, but try the okra and the
butternut squash for exciting flavors. The $8 weekday lunch
buffet is a good introduction. Serving 11-10 daily; lunch
buffet 11-2 Mon-Fri, 12-9 Sun. D, MC, V. $
Al-Baraki
185 1/2 Lark St. Albany, 445-0445 This storefront Lebanese
restaurant (and sister restaurant of Troy’s Beirut) offers
a wonderful array of choices. The sampler plate will get
you started (the falafel is excellent) and there are wraps
and salads as well. Don’t forget the miracle garlic! Take-out
and catering available. Serving 11-8:30 Mon-Fri, 11-2 Sat,
closed Sun. AE, D, MC, V. $
Ali Baba
2243 15th St., Troy, 273-1170. Offering Turkish cuisine
and pizza, which means you can get seasoned lamb on your
pie. Most meals come with puffy lavash bread. The kebabs
are terrific; best of all is the durum-wrapped kebab, a
Turkish gyro. Try the baklava. 10-9:15 Sun-Thu, 10-9:15
Fri-Sat. Closed Sun. AE, MC, V. $
Beirut
184 River St., Troy (Antique District), 270-9404. beirutrestauranttroyny.com
This storefront Lebanese restaurant (and sister restaurant
of Albany’s Al-Baraki) offers a wonderful array of choices.
The sampler plate will get you started (the falafel is excellent)
and there are wraps and salads as well. Don’t forget the
miracle garlic! Take-out and catering available. Serving
11-8 Mon-Sat, 11-9 Fri. AE, D, MC, V. $
Kabul Night
402 Union St., Schenectady, 346-0202, kabulnightcuisine.com.
Serving traditional Afghan cuisine, including kebab entrees,
rice, seafood and vegetarian dishes. Also featuring traditional
Afghan pasta, salads, soups and desserts. Weekly lunch buffet
served from 11:30-2. On- and off-premises catering. Takeout
available. Serving 11:30-9 PM Mon-Sat, closed Sun. Reservations
recommended. D, MC, V, ATM. $$$
Mamoun’s Mideast Café
206 Washington Ave., Albany, 434-3901. Serving such Middle
Eastern dishes, such as shish kebab, tabbouleh, falafel,
hummus and stuffed grape leaves. Special vegetarian menu.
Takeout available. No alcohol. Serving 11:30-10 daily. MC,
V. $$
Marmora Café
203 River St., Troy, 266-9300. Try chef-owner Moheb Habib’s
homemade Egyptian specialties, such as his variations on
hummus, baba ganouj and falafel. Also grape leaves and gyros.
Enjoy a casual dining room lunch, and don’t forget the baklava.
No Reservations. Serving 8-6 Tue-Thu, 8-5 Fri-Sat. MC, V.
$
Phoenicians Restaurant
1686 Central Ave., Colonie, 464-4444, phoeniciansofalbany.com.
Lebanese-themed fare—kebabs, hummus, tabouleh, babaganouj
and much more—served in a delightful space with a friendly,
family feeling about the place. Serving 11-10 daily. AE,
MC, V. $$.
Rita’s Lebanese Café
188 N. Allen St., Albany, 437-3537. Sandwiches include falafel,
marinated beef, chicken, kafta or kibbeh; dinner
selections include hummus, baba ghanouj and tabouli. It’s
well-crafted Lebanese fare with tasty kebabs, as well as
an extensive selection of vegetarian items. Serving 11-8
Tue-Sat. AE, D, MC, V. $