Aladdin's Eatery

This Halloween thing was weird this year.

Postponing trick-or-treating until November 3rd threw me for a big loop.  I procrastinated hard-core - bought my candy on November 1st to save money (then went back November 2nd and each bag had been marked down another dollar - GAHHH!).  I carved my pumpkin that same night.

And I still decorated two hours before it started.  Oops.

But, since I had time to kill in the early afternoon, James suggested that we go someplace new for lunch.  He suggested Aladdin's Eatery in Squirrel Hill, which serves Middle-Eastern food - I'm not too familiar with the cuisine, but I'm open to new things and was anxious to try it out.

Aladdin's Eatery

Traffic was a bit of a nightmare because of the Squirrel Hill Tunnel closure, but we were able to find good parking.  We were seated at a table by the front window (much better for pictures), and handed the rather large menu.  James had been there before, so I trusted his suggestions on what to order.

View from our table

James said that I should try the fresh juices and recommended the carrot-apple.  I trusted his suggestion, so I ordered it:

Carrot-Apple Juice (and water)

Ew.  Big mistake.  I am officially not a fan of any juice that includes carrot.  I stuck to water after a few sips.

To start, we had the Hummus plus an order of Kibbie:

Hummus

Kibbie

The Kibbie was like a Middle-Eastern version of a pastellito - filled with meat, fried, and delicious!  I loved it.  The Hummus wasn't the best I had ever had (nor was the pita - it was a bit dry), but definitely a quality, house-made product.

For our entrees, we both chose the Beef Schwarma Rolled Pitas: "Lightly seasoned beef strips, greens, tomato, onion, turnips, pickles, and parsley topped with Tahini Yogurt dressing, rolled in a pita.":

Beef Shwarma Rolled Pita

I can't tell you how many people commented on my check-in to Aladdin's with comments such as, "I love that place!", and "Jealous!"  Um, guys.  I hate to say this, but I did not think that my entree was good.  The description of "pickles" is misleading - there were two long pickle spears that overwhelmed the flavors of just about everything in that pita.  I picked out some pieces of turnip, which were good on their own, but with those pickles in the middle, all I could taste was...pickle.  And not even a GOOD pickle, at that.  This pita, while grilled, was still as dry as the pita that came with our hummus - although more noticeable since I had nothing in which to dip it.

I was bummed.

Despite the display of desserts at the counter, we did not partake, as it was lunchtime and we had to get back to prepare for the trick-or-treaters.  Maybe that's the highlight of the experience there, but I'll have to find out another time.

Desserts on display

Maybe going back to Aladdin's and ordering something different is the way to judge the place fairly, given the amount of people that told me that they love it - but for now, I'm not a fan :-(


Aladdin's Eatery
5878 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217 (Squirrel Hill)

Website: http://www.aladdinseatery.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AladdinsEatery?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AladdinsBurgh

...Mexico Lindo & Paititi Trading (& Sababa)

 I'm not just interested in food.

 










Some people think that this "food blogging thing" that I do is kind of strange, but it has allowed me to do quite a few things: A.) try new foods B.) make others aware of the authentic Hispanic/Latino restaurants in the Pittsburgh area C.) share my opinions with a broad audience D.) meet new & interesting people.

One of those new & interesting people is Burgh Gourmand.  It is difficult to blog about food by going alone - so having someone to go with makes the experience much more enjoyable.  However, since I blog about Hispanic/Latino restaurants, it can get a bit monotonous, eating that one genre of food all of the time.

I'm a pretty reasonable person, so I agreed to join him at a NON-Hispanic/Latino restaurant (gasp!) on November 2nd, day 2 of The Day of the Dead (double gasp!).  We decided upon Sababa, a Middle Eastern restaurant on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill.

Murray Avenue.  Sound familiar?  That's where Aji Picante is located.

If you've read my post on Aji Picante, you also know that on the way there, I passed Mexico Lindo, a store dedicated to Mexican artifacts, clothing, and other treasures.  Since I knew I would be in the area, I told Burgh Gourmand that I was going to go a little early to check it out - since he was hanging out at Crazy Mocha, anyway, he decided to join me.

I love this store - it's gorgeous and colorful, and reminds me so much of the things that I saw what I was in Mexico 12 years ago (I know, I need to get back there!)...

Day of the Dead altar at Mexico Lindo

Day of the Dead information, candles, sugar skull at the middle level of the altar

Honoring those who have died in the past year

Day of the Dead information

Airplane made of Fanta cans

My favorite item - purse made of gum wrappers!  Feliz Navidad?

Copal (incense) burning at the foot of the altar

Middle level of the altar with cempazuchitl (yellow marigolds) & skulls

Skeleton feast on the altar

Closer pic of the top of the altar

Awesome skull

Skeleton display

After spending a lot of time looking at the many treasures in Mexico Lindo, we walked to Sababa for our meal.  We ordered The Rainbow, which offered samplings of stuffed grape leaves, hummus, 2 types of babaganush, and Middle Eastern-style veggies, served with warm pita bread.  It was their version of an appetizer sampler platter that you would get at a chain restaurant.

The Rainbow at Sababa Middle Eastern Restaurant & Grill

 Burgh also asked for some schwarma, a blend of turkey and lamb shaved right off of the spit, so that I could try it.

Schwarma

It turned out to be an entire meal for us.  I love hummus, but I had never really had it other than from a tub from the dairy section at Giant Eagle.  It was amazingly delicious - but my favorite had to be the babaganush.  It had a distinct smoky flavor that entranced me.  I couldn't get enough!


We had to have dessert, though - Apple Caramel cake, courtesy of Sweet Tammy's, the Kosher, non-dairy bakery next door.  Delectable!

Apple Caramel Cake at Sababa, courtesy of Sweet Tammy's

I think that the sign in the foyer of Sababa says it all...

When we left the restaurant, we decided to see what else we could stumble upon on Murray Ave., since I had wanted to check it out, anyway.  We walked up the street, past Mexico Lindo again, and about 2 blocks up, we came across Paititi Trading, a Peruvian store similar to Native Inka's in the Strip District (only a lot smaller).  Burgh impressed me with his Spanish language skills as he talked to the owner, who informed us that he was from Cuzco.  His wife was helping their son with his homework for the evening, and we looked around the store.  I asked if I could take pictures, but he declined (otherwise, I would have taken many!).  I can tell you that my favorite items there were the items made of alpaca fur - it is THE softest material I have ever felt in my life (and quite expensive, but I'm sure it's worth it!)

Burgh Gourmand and I experienced quite a mix of cultures that evening - Mexico meets the Middle East meets Peru - but it all made for an enjoyable experience.  Who knows what adventures await us in the future...

Mexico Lindo Mercado Y Galeria de Artesanias

2027 Murray Ave.

Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Website: http://www.mexicolindo.biz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mexico-Lindo-Mercado-y-Galeria-de-Artesanias/37506054466?ref=ts

Paititi Trading

1823 Murray Ave.

Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Website: http://festivalnet.com/fno/members/282550/photo.php

Facebook: https://www.

facebook.com/paititi.trading1?sk=wall

Sababa Middle Eastern Restaurant & Grill

2121 Murray Ave.

Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Website: http://www.sababapgh.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sababa-Middle-Eastern-Grill/137196269627605