Sunnin Lebanese Cafe

I always go to Westwood Boulevard thinking that I’ll try something new, but I always inevitably end up at Sunnin Lebanese Cafe. The food is absolutely fabulous, even if served on paper plates with the drinks in those red solo cups that cheap beer is served in at frat parties in undergrad. But the fact is, it doesn’t matter what it’s served on. I’ll eat it.

Sunnin is very vegetarian friendly. I usually stick to their appetizer menu, even though I’ve tried the falafel sandwich and the entrees. Likely because I am desperately in love with their tangy spicy potatoes. Their rekakat (parsley and cheese in a filo dough pastry shell), fatayer (empanada-esque dough stuffed with spinach, pine nuts, and onions) and dolmeh are also delicious (although their dolmeh is a bit on the tart and cold side, if you’re expecting something warm). I also really like the baba ghanouj, being an eggplant fan (the texture is just lovely and smooth, instead of stringy and chunky like some places I’ve been to), and their hummus is really nice and comes topped with olive oil and a dash of red chili pepper. The falafel, the vegetarian’s usual resort in Mediterranean/Middle Eastern places, is seasoned and cooked just right (compared to some of the places I’ve been where it just tastes like deep-fried chickpea/lentil mush). I’ve also really enjoyed their cucumber/yogurt salad. And everything comes with a side of warm, fresh pita.

For non-veggies, my friends claim the chicken shawarma is really fantastic. And the garlic sauce is out of this world. I dream happy dreams of that sauce when I go to sleep at night.