Daily Delish – TAZA
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While it may not be the largest or sexiest city, Cleveland sure does know food! After all, Iron Chef Michael Symon still resides in Cleveland and owns two delicious restaurants, Lola and Lolita. Cleveland is home to many fantastic eating spots and I will try and share them with you often.
This weekend, my parents and I dined at one of my favorite Cleveland spots, TAZA. Part of the Cleveland-based Aladdin’s restaurant chain (which has locations in Chicago, Charlotte, Raleigh, Toledo, Detroit, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Arlington and San Antonio!), Taza is known for its wide variety of traditional mezza (Lebanese for ‘tapas,’ or appetizers). Taza has been referred to as an upscale Aladdin’s. This place is such a staple in my food-life and I am so excited to finally share it with all of you!
Much like Aladdin’s (which is also amazing, you should go if there is a location near you!), options are all meant to be shared family-style (include hummus, stuffed grape leaves, pickled turnips, olives and cucumber, and cinnamon-scented sausages). Every meal also begins with (my favorite part!) fresh pita bread, prepared in Taza’s beehive oven and served with olives, yogurt and olive oil. I love this bread so much that I normally plan my meal around it! I like enjoying at least 2 pieces, so I normally just order soup so that I don’t have to get carried out of the restaurant with a crane. The soup is delicious though, so it’s really the best of both worlds! I’ve had many things of the menu, including fresh, flavorful salads, sandwiches and kebabs. While they are all excellent, nothing tops the doughiness of the pita for me, so I stick to my bread and soup. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. The restaurant owner knows me, the Mister and my family by name — we come here THAT often. I’d say we go to this restaurant at least 3 times a month.
Taza is a smaller restaurant and has an intimate feel to it. I probably didn’t capture it well in the photos, but the lighting is remarkable and very romantic.
TAZA - Cleveland
No other middle-eastern joint can hold a candle to TAZA 
TAZA
As I mentioned before, my favorite part of the meal is the BREAD.
Behold!
Pillowy delight!
Pair it with amazing sesame seed olive oil...
...and you've got doughy flavorful goodness!
All of the action can be observed in the restaurant’s open kitchen, which sits behind a glass partition. Check out the bread being put into the stone oven!
Where the magic happens...
the goodness oven
TAZA also carries gourmet teas. My favorite flavor (pineapple green tea) is so refreshing and I cannot find it ANYWHERE else. I look forward to savoring a cup every time I go to TAZA.
Tropical green tea
Love this!
As I mentioned before, 9/10 times I order the Chicken Nine Vegetable Soup. It is homemade and includes all the fresh, seasonal veggies TAZA has that week.
Garnished with parsley
To give you a glimpse of some of the other TAZA offerings, I took a photo of my dad’s falafel wrap. It includes: roasted veggies, hummus and a vegetarian favorite, falafel (Note: my dad is not a vegetarian, he just knows good food!)
Falafel TAZA wrap
close up on falafel wrap
If you are ever in the Cleveland-area you must take me go to TAZA! Honestly, those of you who are around the area, I’d be happy to coordinate some bloggie lunches/dinners! I love any excuse to eat food and gab – hopefully (for you!) not at the same time
Do you like Mediterranean food? What dish is your favorite?
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