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| - I love Cedarland. I love the owners, Lilian and Serge Elias. I love the baba. I'm completely warm and fuzzy about the place.
THE FOOD:
From the regular menu: Serge claims that they whip the hummous for two hours. I don't doubt it. It is the creamiest, most complex hummous in the city. The baba is perfect-- smokey, tangy, smooth. Lilian makes her own yogurt. The arayiss (pita stuffed with cheese and meat) is gooey and lovely. The kefta is juicy and nicely char grilled. The kibbee balls are better than the baked kibbee. This is one of thethe few places where I would trust the kibbee nayee (raw kibbe). The kebabs are wonderful and the fallafel is crisp and perfect. There is some American food. Why?
Wash it all down with Lebanese lemonade-- fresh lemonade scented with orange blossom water. It is different, refreshing and addictive. The pastries are either hommade brought in from some of the better Lebanese bakeries around. Lillian bakes arabic cookies sometimes during the holidays. Her french macaroons are not to be missed.
Off menu: The staff will not tell you about the specails unless you are a regular, if you look particularly Lebanese or you ask. They are not advertised or listed anywhere. This is not because the staff is rude. Far from it. Serge and Lillian are two of the kindest, most gracious people I have ever met. I simply believe that they don't think the average American would be interested, or would find them appetizing. This is completely wrong. The specails are divine. Utterly spectacular.
If God smiles upon you, the special will be kibbee lebaneh-- kibbe balls stewed in yogurt, mint, garlic and rice. Have mercy. The koosa and shek el meshi-- stuffed Lebanese squash and eggplant are so tender and delicious that I have dreams about them. The loubie bil zeit (green beans and tomatoes) are to die for. If you think okra is slimy-- think again. Cedarland's tomato stewed okra is tender, firm and not at all slimy.
There is usually a briyani special-- a Lebanese version of the Indian classic curried rice and chicken. Sometimes Serge does roasted chickens, also lovely. If he makes Lebanese spahgetti, eat it.
THE ATMOSPHERE: Kind of funny. The tables are beautiful arabic inlay. the walls feature a middle eastern/ greek-ish mural. Then there are hysterical candles and flower arrangements placed haphazardly here and there. There are great drink coolers and deli cases humming away. Behind the deli counter is a table where cops congregate to drink coffee and watch television.
THE SERVICE: The service is a bit slow, but sincere. They run on Arabic time-- sit, enjoy your meal, talk for a few hours! The crowd is a mixture of doctors and staff from the clinic, Middle Easterners, tired, hungry visitors to the Clinic and hipsters in search of great hummous.
Serge is the big guy with the fantastic accent. He will brag shamelessly about the food-- with good reason. Lillian is the spectacularly beautiful woman with the thick wavy black ponytail and huge dark eyes. She is a true gem. I've been eating there for years and will continue to do so untill there is an injunction.
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