lebanese/persian in downtown

[jwn]

i am looking for a sunnin-equivalent (or as close as i can get) in downtown. i love love love the food at sunnin and i am tired of driving in traffic to eat there. help!

[Big Eatin Lil Girl]

Santee Falafel!

Too.Good.For.Words.

Lunch Only.

http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3711387661

[phone]
1335 Santee St
Los Angeles, CA 90015

[weebie]

In Downtown, both Persian and Lebanese can be found at Grand Central Market.

The Persian place, which has been around a few years and has amassed a loyal Persian clientele from the nearby Jewelry district, is called Kabab & More. It's very good as a lunch option. They specialize in various grilled meat kebabs served with rice, grilled tomatoes, grilled peppers, pita & salad and also serve homemade Persian stews. The key here is to call in your order in advance or have them deliver, as they get packed during peak lunch hours. The wait can be upwards of 15+ minutes. I always order the "Soltani" plate - a combo of "charboiled filet mignon and strips of ground beef."
KEBAB & MORE MENU LINK: http://tinyurl.com/ylmkc8

The Lebanese place, SHAWARMA KITCHEN, is relatively new but seems to be doing pretty brisk business with the Downtown lunch crowd. They offer meat and chicken shawarma plates & sandwiches, falafel, rotisserie chicken w/ garlic sauce, hummus, etc. Everything is homemade. This place also delivers throughout Downtown. I think they have a whole chicken w/ pita and garlic sauce special for $4, though that may be weekends only... I've tried most dishes here but always go for the chicken shawarma now.
SHAWARMA KITCHEN @ GRIDSKIPPER: http://tinyurl.com/ygqmg3

Kebab and More: [phone]
Shawarma Kitchen: [phone]

Grand Central Market
317 South Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
http://www.grandcentralsquare.com

[russkar]

Our Favorite Persian is Shekarchi on Hill and 9th, Downtown LA. LUNCH ONLY!

[weebie]

I've heard they'll be open for dinner, starting this week (1/8/07)

[jwn]

thanks for the suggestions! i had meant downtown los angeles, sorry for the confusion. i will definitely try sultan! yay! =)

[msrip]

Whoops...the Persian restaurant in Irvine is called "Caspian", (not Casbah) and is located at 14100 Culver Dr. It is very good.

[msrip]

There is a good Persian restaurant in Irvine: Casbah

[mc michael]

Someday, maybe in our lifetime, California Pita! will open in the LA Mall.

[omotosando]

Yeah, but Lebanese and Persian food are completely different. I've never seen at a Persian restaurant the things I like to order most at Sunnin -- hummus, falafel, pita and their unique cabbage salad (I know Persian restaurants have salads, but I've never seen one like the cabbage salad at Sunnin). Persian food may have its own glories, but it's not Lebanese food.

[epop]

i agree-- both are glorious. but someone looking for korean food shouldn't be sent to a tibetan restaurant, although they both have dumplings and vegetables.

the other big issue here that nobody mentioned is that Sunnin is a highly mediocre place that really doesn't represent lebanese cuisine all that well.

[jlq3d3]

Well as you probably know, perisan food is much different than Lebanese food, which is middle eastern.

I don't know of any lebanese food in downtown, but there is a decent kosher persian place in the fashion district. It is a small hole in the wall but the food was pretty good. Sorry, I cannot recall the name.

[hrhboo]

Lebanese and Persian food are both Middle-Eastern.

There's a good place called Sultan, on 6th St.

[jlq3d3]

Lebanon and Persia are both in the middle east, but middle eastern food typically refers to food found in arab countries and Israel, such as falafel, hummus, and the like.
Persian food is completly different.

[hrhboo]

I know...I am Middle-Eastern. The term "middle-eastern food" refers to all food from that region, including Persian and Lebanese. Certain foods like kebabs, pilafs etc are commonly served in all regions of the Middle East, including both Lebanon and Iran.

Since it appears that the OP is seeking dishes more particular to Lebanese cuisine, I recommended Sultan.