Sunnin Lebanese Café, LA

1779 Westwood Blvd T. (310) 477 2358

This family run place is the perfect spot for the real deal – the spread of Middle-Eastern fare that I have come to appreciate and enjoy from my time spent in Turkey (granted Turkey is not Middle-East).

I loved that what greeted us first with our first order was a serving of ayran (a salty watery yoghurt drink). The taste of this and the homemade babaganouj (roasted eggplant dip) reminded me of how delicious food from that region is.

We kept our order simple (like we always do), splitting the main course, chicken shawarma (top left) between us. Its tender chicken pieces served with rice pilaf and Lebanese salad, and this killer garlic paste (left). Seems innocuous enough but adds so much flavour to the chicken when eaten together. Sunnin’s owners claim its just garlic and olive oil blended together. Will have to try this out at home sometime.