Housed in a circa late-1800s gothic structure downtown, Al-Amir Lebanese Restaurant is just as exotic as it looks, due to a well-prepared menu of Middle Eastern specialties. After walking through an elaborate and ornate Islamic arch, you’ll see a small bar before stepping into the darkened dining room, which displays paintings, drawings and Persian rugs. To start, order a sampler plate big enough for two containing hummus, baba ganoush, stuffed grape leaves, tabouli and falafel. Entrées include the signature Kharouf Muhammar, which is slow-roasted lamb with a tangy yogurt sauce. Or try cabbage leaves filled with seasoned ground beef and basmati rice cooked with lemon, garlic and herbs. An extensive vegetarian selection offers vegetable kabobs, grape leaves, and baked eggplant, potato and tomato chunks served with basmati rice and tomato sauce. For dessert, there's baklava or mohallabiyé, which is a traditional Lebanese pudding flavored with syrup and orange blossom.
Live music and belly dancing on Fri and Sat. Full bar. Serving lunch Mon–Fri, dinner nightly. Late-night Fri–Sat.
"Excellent broiled kebabs, falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, and baba ghanoush."
- Fodor's