A New Mediterranean Restaurant Brings Chocolate Hummus to Casa Linda | Eater Dallas

"I'm reporting that a healthy hummus haven is arriving at Casa Linda Plaza (9540 Garland Road): Maya Modern Mediterranean, a project of restaurateur Russell Birk of Woodlands American Grill, opens next Tuesday in the former Alligator Cafe, with a redesign by Gary Buckner (who developed the looks for Toasted and Dallas Grilled Cheese Company). Designed to be approachable and family-friendly, Maya focuses on ingredients rather than cultural names so "you and your family will want to eat here every day," Birk says. The menu centers on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean classics — including hand-rolled beef kebabs — and plenty of hummus, even dessert riffs such as Nutella, chocolate, and peanut butter hummus, which Birk argues work because "chickpeas, the primary ingredient in hummus, are packed with nutrients and will take on the flavor of whatever you blend them with." After limited hours this week, the doors officially open for full operating hours on Tuesday, October 9." - Rachel Pinn