I visited Kassar Food and Gifts a while ago but never had a chance to eat there. Vicki and I returned recently to try their take on Middle Eastern food and for girl talk, of course.

I mentioned previously about how Kassar's is a shop with produce, trinkets and more - but it also has a small restaurant.

I ordered the lamb kabob, which comes with two sides - I went for the hummus and stuffed grape leaves. You order at the cash register and proceed to the right and back, where there is The Shai House - a place to eat your meal. We headed back that way while we waited for our food to arrive.

The interior was cool - a little shabby, but comforting at the same time. Linens draped the ceiling, and lots of gold and red hues decorated the room. A few tables were floor-level, and along the right wall is a long bench with tables.

At the tables are some spices and condiments. It took a little bit for our food to arrive. Vicki ordered a gyro and a salad plate, which she liked, but it wasn't her favorite.

My kabob was OK. A little chewy - but decent flavoring. The rice was a little on the cooler side, and the grape leaves were solid. The hummus, though, was really quite good. Great flavor and spice - not bland, like many I try. It was tasty.

If I want Middle Eastern food, I'll probably stick to Ali Baba's, but this was a nice change of pace.

Grade: B