Sahaara Mediterranean Pizza & Cuisine ~ revisited

[AntarcticWidow]

We had another opportunity to have dinner at Sahaara a couple of weekends ago. A “Grand Opening” sign flapping in the breeze confused me because they opened back in February. At 7pm, we were the only table inside, but there were maybe two groups of men sitting back out in the patio area, smoking hookahs.

It turned out that the restaurant opened under new management three weeks prior. The first thing I noticed was that the menu had changed. The items I enjoyed on my first visit (moussakaa, foul moudamas, beef mankoushe pizza) were gone from the menu. They still have the standards ~ hummus, baba ghanouj, fattoush and tabbouleh. The new menu also offers lamb dishes, something the previous management did not.

We were a party of five. We ordered the hummus, baba ghanouj, house salad, regular cheese pizza (for my niece and nephew), a traditional Lebanese pizza (za’atar and thyme) and a beef kabab plate. We also ordered the tabbouleh but it never made it to the table.

Garlicky goodness oozed from the hummus and baba ghanouj. The cheese pizza was thin crust and I thought it was kind kind of meh, but the kids ate it up. The za'tar and thyme pizza seemed to be more of a crisp flatbread with spices on top and was very yummy. The kabab dish served with rice consisted of two heavily seasoned, well-cooked ground beef logs that looked rather unappetizing on the plate. We immediately dispatched chopping them up into bite-sized pieces before the kids took notice. It was very tasty despite its original appearance.

More tables arrived as we ate our dinner. The new management is quite friendly and very eager to please. They invited us to stay for the belly dancing entertainment which I think started at 9pm or so, but that would have been too late for the kids.

The bill came somewhere around $50-55 with iced tea, soft drinks and a beer. I do not believe they charged for refills, but I can’t swear to that. I think their overall price point has dropped somewhat, portions seem smaller, and those special dishes I had on my first visit are no longer offered. The food it good for what it is. If I lived in the area I would probably continue to patronize the restaurant from time to time. But will likely stick to my own backyard in the East Bay next time I am in the mood for Lebanese.

[rworange]

Thanks for the update. Too bad the special dishes are gone. What are the Lebanese restaurants that you liked in the East Bay?

[AntarcticWidow]

Actually, I have not explored the East Bay for Lebanese cuisine, but it is on my list of cuisines to hunt down next time I get a craving. I tried my hand at recreating the baba ghanouj I had at Sahaara and happy to say that it was quite easy to make! As they are my only experience in Lebanese cuisine, I would like to find other restaurants to get a broader taste of what their food is about.

[rworange]

Here's a few to get you started.
http://www.chow.com/search?search%5Bq...

If you look at the catering menu for Mid East deli, there is a list of Lebanese dishes.

Of course this is for a large party, but sounds great ... STUFFED LAMB LEBANESE STYLE ...... A slowly roasted whole young lamb rubbed with exotic spices and herbs served with a rice pilaf consisting of rice, beef and roasted nuts.

[AntarcticWidow]

Yummm, it all sounds soooo good. Thanks so much for the links, I can't wait to try them out!

[Robert Lauriston]

Wally's, Habibi, and Mideast Deli are Lebanese, so far as I know that's it for the East Bay. Zatar's chef is Iraqi.

[rworange]

All of those links were included in the link to the search results. When someone is looking for information on those restuarants through Places, this won't contribute any additional info. Kind of repetative, no? Someone searches Places which takes them here which takes them back to Places without additional info ... kinda like a Chowhound chasing its tail.