Cafe Phoenicia Brings Elegant Greek Food to Central

By Mia Freneaux
    Walking into Café Phoenicia, one is immediately struck by the unique and understatedly elegant décor.  Decorated in warm earth tones, Café Phoenicia uses original art depicting Greek temples and Phoenician triremes to draw the diner into a truly Mediterranean experience.  Whether you choose to sit indoors, or dine on the patio decorated with wrought iron and featuring a lovely fountain with gas fire accents, the scents of exotic spices and roasting meats will make your mouth water.
    Café Phoenicia, part of a 3 restaurant chain begun by 3 friends 15 years ago, offers a Mediterranean-influenced menu which features traditional Lebanese, Greek, and Italian dishes.  With offerings that range from the familiar, such as Chicken Scaloppini and Gyros, to the exotic, such as Mujadara (a delicious dish of lentils and rice with sautéed onions), Kibbi (a flavorful blend of cracked wheat, ground beef, onions and pine nuts) and Lamb Shanks (fork tender lamb marinated in spices), Café Phoenicia has something to tempt every palate.  Children will be happy with a kid's menu, and less adventuresome souls will enjoy the zesty baby back ribs and hand-formed hamburgers.  Vegetarians will appreciate the many meat-less choices, and those seeking healthy diet choices can opt for "Mediterranean Diet" features of fresh vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, and lean, tender meats. 
    Manager Ammar Ali is deservedly proud of his restaurant.  "We make everything we offer fresh daily: every sauce, the hummus, the Grecian dip.  We receive fresh vegetables daily, and our meats are always top grade Prime." This attention to freshness shows in the crisp-tender sautéed sides, the beautifully green salads, and the juicy, deliciously marinated beef, lamb, and chicken.  A large variety of seafood dishes make for tantalizing choice options: Flounder Crab Cake is a beautifully presented filet wrapped around a cake stuffed with crab, all topped in a light lemon-butter sauce with asparagus tips; Byblos Fish features a pan sautéed filet adorned with mushrooms and shallots and flamed with dry vermouth.  Clams, Scallops, Shrimp and Lobster and Crawfish are also offered in a variety of sauces and accompaniments.
    A well-developed wine list shows vintages from all over the world.  Reds and whites from Italy, France, Germany, Greece, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and Lebanon are paired with entrees on the menu to make dining choices simple.  The very attentive wait staff, overseen by head waitress Mikayla, make sure the diner's every whim is satisfied, offering refreshing Lebanese tea, specialty cocktails from the full-service bar, and tempting desserts such as lighter-than-air Tiramisu and exotic Ashta drizzled with Rose Essence. Mediterranean Shrimp Soup and Lentil Soup make savory sides or main meals in themselves, and a huge list of Appetizers will make the mouth water.  Friday "Chef's Choice" specials, daily Lunch Specials, and soon-to-be-added Lamb Chops round out the extensive menu.  "Our Chef is specially trained in Mediterranean cuisine, its unique flavors and preparation," Ammar states.  Many of the recipes are Café Phoenicia exclusives, including the popular Pasta Phoenicia, featuring gyros or shawarma meat nestled with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes over penne in a crème blanche wine sauce. Most popular is the Chicken Shawarma and Gyros Combination plate, served with their signature creamy hummus and tender Rice Pilaf.
    "Try our terrific shawarma and gyros," encourages Mikayla, "We have such a wide variety of items.  We offer hot, fresh food, amazing drinks, and great company – what more could you ask for?"
    Café Phoenicia, 14319 Wax Road, 302-5443. Monday – Thursday 11-9, Friday, Saturday 11-10, Sunday 11-8:30.  www.cafephoenicia.com