I wish I could live near the Mediterranean Sea. I’ve dipped my toes in it on the shores of Spain and France, and I long to visit Greece one day. And the food…ohhh, the food. I’m sure that what we call “Mediterranean” food in the states is some kind of watered-down amalgamation of food from multiple countries – a regional mish-mash of dishes that are vaguely flavored and mostly inauthentic. Kinda like the vast majority of Chinese buffets. But I gotta admit, whenever I hear the word “Mediterranean” applied to food, I jump at the chance to try it. So when a friend mentioned a new joint called Tarbouch and uttered “Mediterranean” in the same breath, I did not hesitate.

Okay, let’s just be up front. This place is no-frills. If you’re looking to impress a date with some fanciness (like, I don’t know, real plates and silverware), don’t go here. Tarbouch is housed in a building that was formerly a Taco Bell, if that tells you anything. A couple cans of paint, a few tables and chairs – there, I’ve just described the extent of the décor. The menu is simple and not extensive–pretty much what you would expect from an establishment that, according to its web site, serves a “marriage” of Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine (so my mish-mash theory was partially correct!). Apparently, the chef/owner has owned a restaurant and bakery in Lebanon for 20 years, so it’s reasonable to assume that the food is mostly authentic.

We ordered the Tarbouch Potatoes to start. These were quartered new potatoes sautéed with cilantro, garlic, chili, and lemon juice. Very flavorful and delicious, but then, I love potatoes in all forms. For my meal, I ordered the Chicken Shawarma Wrap, and my friend (who is of the vegetarian persuasion, bless her) ordered the Vegetarian Plate with hummus, baba ghannouj, falafel patties, mast-o khiyar (yogurt with cucumbers), and more potatoes. My wrap was tasty and very filling; the chicken was tender and had an excellent, slightly lemony flavor. The sauce they used was amazing – creamy, garlicky, I would have bathed in it. The pickles were an interesting touch. They added a mild flavor and crunch, which was nice. The wrap came with a small, unremarkable “Greek” salad (think bagged iceburg lettuce, feta, and bottled dressing). I tried some of my friend’s hummus (a bit on the bland side), the baba ghannouj (never a favorite of mine), the mast-o khiyar (yummy), and I ate some of her potatoes. (Note: you shouldn’t go out to eat with me because I will steal your food. Hey, she offered.)

Service left a little to be desired. It’s a family-owned establishment (score one for local business!), so the only waitress was probably somehow related to the chef. She was fairly inattentive – we had to flag her down for napkins and silverware (which were, yes, plastic, to go with our paper plates). At first, my friend received no pita bread for her veggie plate, so we had to ask for that as well. But the food was tasty overall, and very reasonably priced (the most expensive thing on the menu was the Lamb Kabob Combo at $11.99), so we left with full bellies and relatively full wallets. Next time, I’ll have to pace myself and try the only dessert they offer – baklava.

Tarbouch is still a newish restaurant, so certain aspects of it (service, décor, the Greek salads) may improve over time. As you saw in the title of this post, the restaurant is also a hookah bar, if you’re interested in that sort of thing, and they do not currently serve alcohol. Final verdict: if you’re in the mood for some inexpensive Lebanese-Mediterranean food, Tarbouch is worth a visit.

Tarbouch Lebanese Grill & Hookah
534 E. Oltorf St. (right next to Curra’s)
Austin, Tx 78704
512-326-2001
On Twitter: @tarbouch