Tucked between a flashy sushi joint and a Starbucks, it would be easy to pass quickly by Gaby’s Mediterranean at 10445 Venice Blvd, but don’t be deterred by the meek blue awning that boasts “Creating a Healthy Habit Everyday!” Even if you’re in a hurry to escape the mumbling bum who followed you from the beach, give this surprisingly delicious ethnic establishment a chance.
You can watch the onslaught of Schwinn Stingrays and skateboards float by if you sit outside, but the midday rush makes this difficult. Once inside, you might get distracted by the dessert case, but hurry up and sit down because no sooner will your butt hit the seat before they are bringing baskets of warm pita and plates of zaatar, the house specialty sauce made with olive oil, sesame seeds, oregano and thyme with diced onions and tomatoes. I lost count of how many of these they brought us.
The falafel came out a little mushy in the center and the grape leaves were too minty for my taste, but they don’t slack on the old hummus standby, which was served on a huge plate with lemon juice and spices. Don’t be afraid to branch out beyond the basics, though—just because you can’t pronounce it doesn’t mean it isn’t amazing! I recommend rakakat, a puff pastry roll filled with cheese, onions, and tomatoes. If you’ve got leftover pita, soak it up in the creamy, tangy pureed golden lentil soup, or the garlic cream sauce that comes with the rotisserie chicken entrée.
It’s easy to order too much food with their ludicrously low prices, but save room for dessert. The menu lists many enticing choices, but only the baklava was available when I visited. It was made with cashews and orange blossom honey, but was a little on the mild side despite these unique additions. Even though some areas need work, there were still so many mysteriously named items I can’t wait to come back and try. Open from 11am-1am, it’s a great spot for those late nights when the thought of another dorm party or Taco Truck run makes you want to hide in the closet.
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