"Between the coffee shop and bakery in the front and pita flying out of the ovens in the back, this giant Lebanese restaurant smells exactly how you wish your house did. It's useful for just about any dining situation. Come by yourself for a couple pastries in the mornings, or bring 10 people for a big group brunch or dinner. We usually go for dishes like charcoal-roasted beets, smoky baba ganoush, and the tender, slow-roasted lamb." - candis mclean, alison kessler