Fresh Mediterranean
2Booli does Middle Eastern right!
BY DAVID MOSS I PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGIE BAAN
A new restaurant creatively called
2Booli has taken over the former La
Shish on 12 Mile Road in Farmington
Hills. 2Booli refers to the classic Middle
Eastern salad of parsley, mint, bulgur
wheat, tomato and onion, known as
tabouli or tabbouleh.
Billing their restaurant as "Fresh
Mediterranean," the Ansara family is
able to add some familiar Italian and
Greek favorites to the mix, like lasagna,
salmon scaloppini and even a meatball
sub sandwich. Many of the recipes on
the menu come from Ansara family
tradition, handed down for generations.
The decor has a bright, contemporary
feel.
Lunchtime service is great here. Our
waiter was friendly, efficient and helpful.
On a recent lunch, we chose traditional
Middle Eastern cuisine. We began with
fresh warm pita, baked on site, and
served with a pitcher of olive oil for dip-
ping.
P6 • FEBRUARY 2010 •
JN platinum
The lentil soup is offered two ways.
Whole lentil is a hearty soup with
chunks of potatoes and Swiss chard.
The crushed lentil is a super-thick puree
of lentils and spices, with an emphasis
on cumin, which gave it a warm finish
that makes you want another spoonful.
For our first visit, we chose three
sandwiches.
The hummus and 2booli pita was
tasty and nicely portioned. Tabouli
really has to be good here, and it is, but
the side coleslaw was a bit spicy. The
chicken tawook pita featured marinated
charbroiled chicken, wrapped with garlic
paste and Lebanese pickles. The chicken
was tender and juicy, and the garlic paste
was nicely spiced without being over-
powering. The beef kabob pita was deli-
cious. Tender chunks of chargrilled beef
are slid into a pita with hummus, sauteed
sumac onions, tomatoes and parsley.
Ordered medium-rare, the beef was
done perfectly and generously portioned.
Other pita sandwiches include falafel,
veggie, hummus with grape leaves, and
Greek — featuring grilled chicken,
spinach, cucumber, tomato and feta in a
spinach tortilla.
The dinner menu features all of your
Middle Eastern favorites, such as spiced
ground beef kafta, braised lamb shank
or lamb chops, and kabobs of chicken or
beef. A great option is the combo platter
for two, which could really serve three,
with two chicken kabobs, one beef
kabob, two kafta, grape leaves, grilled
vegetables and rice pilaf Entrees include
soup or side salad, and rice.
Appetizers run from the aforemen-
tioned soups, as well as hummus, grape
leaves, baba ghanoush — smoked grilled
eggplant pureed with tahini, lemon and
garlic — and of course, tabouli. Salad
choices include traditional Greek, Caesar,
spinach and my favorite, the fattoush,
which includes Romaine lettuce, tomato,
onion, cucumber and parsley, tossed with
a lemon oil and vinegar dressing and
topped with toasted pita chips.
A well-stocked bar and a thoughtful
wine list round out the menu. Happy
hour is 3-6 p.m. daily. Catering is avail-
able for any occasion.
For a break from the ordinary, check
out 2Booli. You won't be disappointed.
2Booli Fresh Mediterranean Eats
37610 West 12 Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3074
(248) 994-0614 • www.2800li.com
Hours:
Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Scups/Appetizers: $3.99-$8.99
Sandwiches: $5.99-$7.99
Entrees: $8.99-$19.99
Combopiatter for two: $26.99