Jazzy Lunch

Mediterranean

Last weekend I was out running an errand and happened to notice one of the newest local restaurants in Rock Hill, Jasmine Grill.  They took over a place that had been a fast food joint specializing in gyros and when I saw they were a Mediterranean place I wasn’t sure it was much more than a name change.  I decided to stop in and check them out anyway and I’m glad I did.  The place had been open 4 days and they didn’t even have their menu boards up.

They’ve adapted the old fast food set up so they have table service plus a counter where you can place take out orders or pick up called in orders.  At this time it was a seat yourself and the dude working the floor would get around to you.  So they weren’t fast but it’s not because they weren’t hustling because the counter guy and the floor guy were busting their butts.

The menu was definitely more than fast food Mediterranean.  They have some standards like various kebabs, shawarma, wraps, salads, etc.  I got the beef & lamb shawarma plate which came with two sides from a choice that included hummus, baba ganoush, white & yellow rice, fries, fatuch, labneh, or a house salad.  I chose hummus and yellow rice.

First out was the hummus so I had something to snack on while I was waiting for the main event.  There were two toasted pitas that served as delivery systems for the delicious hummus.  A great way to whet the appetite.

The shawarma was served with a spicy pepper and a yogurty white pasty substance on the side.  After a taste of the pepper sauce to see how hot it was I dumped the lot on the meat and added the white stuff and stirred it all up and it was a delicious combo.  I did taste the meat prior to added either of the sides and it was tasty with neither added but it was better with them.  The yellow rice was jasmine rice (what other kind would it have been) with a little carrot and peas added.  Not a ton of flavor by itself but a good accompaniment to the shawarma and wow was the duo filling.  They also have natural juices as well as tea and soft drinks so I took the chance to have some guava juice as well as tea to wash down this great meal.

If they sustain the level of patronage they were getting while I was there they will be very successful and I hope they are because I can see this becoming a regular place to grab some grub.

 

H&K Lunch

Lebanon II

In this case H&K is not referring to the firearms company but hummus & kebabs.  My last run at Lebanese food was at a great restaurant in Columbia, SC (see the post).  I decided to try a Lebanese place marginally closer in Matthews, NC called Kabab-Je.

They are located in a very busy shopping complex and you have to look closely to find them among all the other restaurants and shops.  They have a large outdoor seating area and if the weather had been just a few degrees cooler I’d have opted to enjoy al fresco dining.  The interior has plenty of seating and I was immediately shown to a table.  In the middle of the restaurant is a rectangle of display cases showing food available to take out as well as what you can order to eat in.

Even though I was by myself I ordered the hummus appetizer because, well hummus.

It did not disappoint.  Their hummus is thinner and creamier than most of that you find in grocery stores.  When the young lady brought it there was a well of space in the center that was designed to hold some additional olive oil if you wanted it.  I did.  The hummus was served with a warm, fresh pita that proved to be a delicious hummus delivery system.  I got about half way through the hummus before my kafta arrived.

The kafta was two skewers of spiced minced lamb and beef charcoal grilled.  They were served with grilled vegetable and basmati rice.  The vegetables; peppers, zucchini, onions, carrots, green beans, and yellow squash were soft and lightly seasoned.  The rice was basmati with saffron and topped with some carrots and some golden raisins that added a bit of sweetness.  The kafta was excellent.  It slid off the skewers easily and still had plenty of juice that enhanced the seasoned meat quite well.  It was fork cutting tender as you’d expect from properly grilled ground meat. The mixed lamb and beef had a nice flavor and was complimented by the rice and vegetables.  I’m not sure the photo does justice to the size of the portions but there was a lot of food here and after eating half the hummus I had to walk away with significant amount of rice still on the plate.  Oh, the lettuce was sacrificed as well.

The food was top notch and the server was friendly, attentive and fast.  That was something I noticed.  They had plenty of staff and none of them were dawdlers. They got people in and out without making anyone feel rushed at all.  If they were closer I’d be a regular.

If you missed the last Tell Me More page for Lebanon click the link now.