Al-Zaituna Hookah pipes decorate the walls and after dark they are often brought out on to the patio and smoked for a post-dinner experience. Start with the freshly made pita spread with hummus to get your taste buds ready for the perfectly cooked tabuleh that is never sticky and blends very well with the lamb curry. The chicken gyros are also tasty – due in no small part to the fine pita bread. No alcohol. 4172 N. Mesa St., 915.838.1260. $
Jerusalem Grill Jerusalem Grill whips up some of the best hummus this side of the Mississippi. It is light, fluffy, and delicious and can be enjoyed on pita bread or as a side. Another excellent dish is the lamb Shawerma, thick slices of marinated lamb served with rice, hummus, salad and fresh pita. For dessert, the menu has many options, including rice pudding, baklava and mamoul dates. Adjacent to the restaurant is a food and meat market that sells cookbooks and all the ingredients you will need to host your very first Jerusalem Grill night, should the dishes inspire you to bring Mediterranean cuisine into your home. All very affordable and all very delicious. Beer and wine. 5360 N. Mesa, 915.231.9600. $$
Shiraz The restaurant is small and arm, with rich red color tones, Persian rugs and ornate Persian tapestries transporting patrons to the heart of Persia. The bill of fare is contrastingly big and includes traditional dishes like Dolmeh (grape leaves stuffed with Basmati rice, onion, tomatoes and spices), Ash Reshteh (a salad with fresh herbs, Persian noodles, sauteed onion, garlic and mint) and Gheymeh (a hearty stew full of sirloin beef, yellow split peas and shoestring fries). 400 Montana Ave., 915.351.6555. $$
