(The photo shows half an order of lamacun, half was already in a belly!)
We are regular visitors to the area, and Omar's is new to us. My, my, is it delicious! The area we live in is very large and has many cuisines, and we love the variety and competition for excellence. We consider ourselves lovers of delicious food from all corners of the world. I lived in the Middle East for a while, and maybe this changes my view on food as well.
This was our second visit this trip. Our first visit was with a group of 10, many dishes were tried by all but me (no gluten, garlic, onion, more - all the good stuff). Our group liked this spot a lot. On the last day of Ramadan at sundown, we waited a bit, but they managed to squeeze in a group of mourning family. All agreed that it was excellent.
Tonight, just two of us. One grew up making homemade lamacun at home, and in the pic, it's already half demolished. Big thumbs up there. My dinner partner had lamb shish kabob with rice pilaf and the cabbage salad that comes with it. "Deee-licious!" they said. (Yum, didn't ask so I didn't realize could have it as it has no garlic or onions but I will happily share in the leftovers!)
I had Omar's Special which is beef with spices and typically garlic. Absolutely delicious and not overcooked one bit. The garlic was not added at my request. I had fries since pilaf has tiny delicious fried pasta in it. It also comes with a cabbage salad, which I gave to my dinner partner. I also ordered the Shepard's Salad, without onion. Sized to share. Yes, please, and thank you.
My dining partner's opinion of the slaw is that it is great. Finely shredded cabbage with carrot and a nicely flavored dressing with herbs and caraway as we recall.
If we lived anywhere near Ohio, we would definitely be back at Omar's more frequently. As it is, we will be back every time we are in town.
Highly...
Read moreHALAL. A Taste of Turkey in the Heart of the City Alaturka is a Turkish Restaurant, a true gem, offering an authentic culinary journey that’s hard to beat. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels warm and inviting, transporting you to the bustling streets of Istanbul. The decor is charming, with beautiful Turkish lamps casting a soft, welcoming glow over the dining area. The food itself is nothing short of spectacular. I opted for the Chicken shish kebab, and it was cooked to perfection—tender, juicy, and seasoned with a masterful blend of spices. My companion had the chicken adana, which was equally delicious and packed with incredible flavor. Each dish tasted like it was prepared with genuine care and expertise. While the food was a highlight, the service made our evening truly special. Our server, Lisa, was an absolute delight. She was incredibly kind, attentive, and knowledgeable, guiding us through the menu with genuine enthusiasm. Lisa made sure our water glasses were always full and checked in on us just enough to make us feel well-cared for without being intrusive. Her warm and friendly demeanor made our dining experience even more enjoyable. Alaturka Turkish Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone who loves great food and exceptional service. With its mouth-watering dishes and fantastic staff like Lisa, it's a place I'll be recommending to everyone I know. I can't wait to go back and try more of their...
Read moreI've been meaning to get to Omar's and visited on New Year's Day. The place was hopping, which was nice to see. The service was predictably slow as it was a holiday and the servers were definitely a bit overwhelmed. However, our server was friendly and cheerful, given the circumstances and the fact that she was quite pregnant. I told her that we are patient and have no problem waiting for food, as long as she kept the coffee refills coming, which she did.
The menu was good and prices were definitely fair. The kids ordered from the Kids menu and each got 4 silver dollar pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon for just $4 ea. The pancakes are worth trying. They were cooked the way I like them... a little well done and crusty. The batter was sweetened and the kids made short work of their stacks. I had the vegetable omelet with homefries. I opted for the caramelized onions, which were not quite caramelized, but still a good addition to the potatoes. I also opted for the sausage gravy on the side. The gravy was too thick and tasted like raw flour.
In summary- The food was fresh and great tasting (barring the gravy) as were the orange juice and coffee. The servers were slammed but managed to keep it all together while remaining friendly. I will definitely return! Keep up the good...
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