Evelyn's, New Brunswick

If you have vegetarian friends, like Matt and I do, you should definitely find your closest Lebanese restaurant. It is so easy to find filling and delicious choices that everyone can agree on. Don't get me wrong... there is plenty of meat to be had (Matt and I took part in some of the carnivorous options on this particular outing), but there is more than enough to please any veggie loving friend you may have.

I discovered Evelyn's back when I was in high school, and have enjoyed going there ever since. It's located in the busiest section of New Brunswick, and since there is a full bar and reasonably priced food, there is always a bevy of hip young folks abound. The inside is a bit small, but there is a beautiful outdoor area (with a whole seperate bar! woo! Two bars mean faster drinks!) Obviously it's a seasonal perk, but still, it doubles the seating space.

Matt and I were meeting SD for a sort of informal night of drinks and eats, so we started off with something to tide us over until he showed. We decided on the meat pie, as we knew we'd be eating mostly veggies as soon as he arrived. It was interesting.... the dough was very thick and puffy, not at all delicate or crusty like I expected (I was expecting something Spanakopita-esque). The meat was good, but I wish it was a liiiiittle more seasoned.... due to the sheer amount of dough the meat was a bit lost, and I think a little extra flavor would have been helpful.

SD arrived and we decided to order several appetizers to start off the meal. We went with the homus, the baba ghanoug, and the fallafel to start. The homus was delicious, with a really great texture and a light, summery taste. Garlic and citrus combined with the earthy tahini and chickpea to make for a very well balanced dip. As for the baba ghanoug I will say this. Evelyn's makes the BEST baba ghanoug I have EVER had. I don't know how they do it, but they get it sooo smooth and creamy, and there is definetley a smokiness to it. The eggplant taste and the tart, citrusy bite from the lemon combine to make a really special spread. It is like no other baba ghanoug I have ever had before.... the texture is unrivaled and the taste is one of a kind. LOVE it. The fallafel was decent. A bit too much crunch for me, but definitely full of flavor and all of the nutiness that comes along with chickpea. It came atop a big tahini dressed salad, which provided some nice color to our table, and a welcome bite and freshness when combined with the fallafel or dips (oh yeah.... we mixed 'em all up... fancy, eh?)

Next up we ordered the artichoke salad, which was composed of mixed greens, olives, tomato, cucumber and, of course, artichoke. The dressing on this was really refreshing... super tart and a little spicy. There was definitely some mustard in the dressing, and it made for a really great tang... with the cool, mouth filling tatse that artichokes have it was a really nice contrast. The salad was big, too. The three of us shared it and still had some left over.

SD said that he was full, but Matt and I needed to get a meat fix, so we ordered a platter of lamb and chicken shish. A super loaded plate came out to the table, covered in the lamb and chicken cubes as well as rice, some more homus and a few tomatoes and onions. The meats were tender and super flavorful. Lebanese food is so bright and fresh tasting, it's like a little taste of summer anytime you have it. This was no different. The grilled meats were so reminiscent of outdoors and sunshine that I couldn't help but smile. Whatever they were marinated and then rubbed in was citrusy and fragrant, with a hint of garlic. Matt declared the rice to be 'perfect'... he thought it was fluffy and well seasoned. His favroite way to enjoy this dish was with the meat, some rice, some homus and a bit of tomato in each bite.

At this point we had been sitting and eating and drinking for about three hours, so we figured 'let's just make a whole night of it'. After a few more drinks I had digested enough of the glorious meal to make room for my favorite of all the Lebanese desserts...baklava. Oh baby... Evelyn's really makes it well. Layers of super thin, crisp and buttery dough sandwiched with chopped nuts and drizzled with sweet, sticky honey. Oh boy. Two fat little pieces came out to us, and were promptly gobbled up. The honey was tacky on the crispy dough, and when the whole thing was in my mouth it made a nutty paste of deliciousness. Perfect end to the meal, and the evening.

Evelyn's is a great place for a quick bite, or a lavish night of eating and drinking. During the day they have sandwiches available (try the gyro, it's delish) if you're on the run, or you can pull up a chair and make it a more formal event. At night there is a bit of a bar scene, but it isn't rowdy and it's always inviting. The food is great, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the price is right. Give it a shot!

Evelyn's

45 Easton Ave

New Brunswick, 08901

732 246 8792

http://www.evelynsrestaurant.com/