Aleppo Restaurant
6249 Quinpool Rd.
444-3030
Rating: *** 1/2
Dinner & drinks for 2: $30
While my two friends and I wait for our order at Aleppo, the server brings complimentary lentil soup to our table. With the warmth of both the service and the lemony soup, we forget the sub-zero temperatures outside.
Aleppo is casual with good prices and generous servings. The Veggie Plate ($9.50) is a stunning array of Middle Eastern foods — two falafels with a yogurt sauce, rice and lentils mix, tabouli, chick pea salad, cabbage salad, a rolled grape leaf, hummus and roasted potatoes. Most everything is flavourful, especially the hummus.
Shawarma Mix ($10.95) features chunks of tender beef and chicken marinated in lemon, olive oil and garlic. It is served with a fresh green salad and a scoop of hummus.
For different ethnic variety we try the spicy Mexican Chicken ($11.95), chunks of meat on a bed of rice with a green salad. It is also served, remarkably enough, with hummus.
Each dish comes with pita slices. We agree it’s a lovely lunch; we have more trouble deciding who takes home the leftovers.
Dining out
Christmas Day
Seasons Bistro at Hotel Atlantica, 1980 Robie St. at Quinpool, hosts a Christmas Day Brunch from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and an evening Christmas Buffet 5:30-8:30. Call 423-1161 for reservations.
Turkey at elements
Elements restaurant at the Westin Hotel, 1181 Hollis St., offers a Christmas Day Brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a dinner buffet from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call 496-7985 for reservations.
