It has been a few weeks since I've been to the restaurant on Mayfield Road in Lyndhurst Ohio that used to be called Tastee Bites. I've written about it here and here. Charlotte and Tony Bechara serve up honest, freshly prepared food with a Middle Eastern flair and very wallet-friendly prices. The restaurant is located at 5416 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst Ohio (across from BW3's), 216-605-9946 (no website).
But business was never strong - mostly for the reasons I mentioned in my prior posts. So, it was with great concern that I learned in August that Tastee Bites would close Sunday-Weds. This did not bode well.
The good news is that this lovely lunch spot has changed its name and signage, tweaked its menu a little, and is now back to being open five days per week! I present to you - La Pita Lebanese Cuisine.
What follows are photos and descriptions from a number of recent visits - starting before the name change and continuing through October 16, 2009.
This is a "bread bowl" that Charlotte makes to hold the large size Fatoush salad - commercial pita sprinkled with herbs and spices, then baked. It is quite lovely.
This Fattoush salad is topped with freshly grilled ground chicken, and pickled turnips. Yum!
Charlotte made this low-carb version for Jamie, sans pita, with beef.
I know I've shown you Charlotte's tabouli before - but I can't resist showing it again - this sample for our lunch table had been made literally moments before it was served to us.
Spinach Wrap
Seasoned spinach is wrapped with perfectly caramelized onions and cheese, then grilled. This is tasty and nutritious.
Another basket of samples, on another lunch visit with the office gang. The dip on the left is hummus (I think), the one on the right is white bean dip. The latter is no longer a menu item, but may be available on request.
Kibbe
This lunch special was from July. A delicious lamb patty was topped with a meaty (beef) sauce, then rolled and grilled. It was served with Seasoned Potato Wedges (roasted, not fried), a cup of Charlotte's special sauce, and a can of pop.
This was outstanding - I hope it makes the menu some time!
Falafel Sandwich
Sauce to Accompany Falafel
All of the sauces are house-made from very fresh ingredients. The falafel sandwich is very good - the only thing it is missing is the unique texture and bright flavor it would have if the falafel were fried from raw to order - since the food service line has no deep fryer, the falafel balls are pre-fried, and reheated to order. It is still an excellent falafel sandwich.
Small Size Fatoush Salad
This was the daily special on September 11. Meat, lentils and caramelized onions, sauteed and served over rice, with a slice of roasted summer tomato and side of fattoush. And a couple of sweet macaroons for dessert!
Amuse
These next photos are from our most recent visit, which was yesterday. Every diner was offered a small container of raw vegetables and another delicious yogurt-based dip to nibble while the food was prepared.
It was a raw, wet day - soup weather. And, as it happened, I learned that La Pita now features two freshly made soups each day. Sign me up! One serving of each, please!
Lentil Soup (Vegetarian)
I loved this soup - I would have though it had meat stock, it was so rich in taste and mouthfeel.
Chicken Soup with Noodles
This delightful elixer mated a very flavorful chicken broth with chunks of vegetables and grilled chicken, and noodles.
The soup had very gentle lemon notes, which Charlotte said would have come from the chicken meat, which had lemon sprinkled on it prior to cooking. Simply lovely, and satisfying given the kind of weather day it was.
Fatoush with Grilled Chicken
Dessert!
Tony treated us to some sweets after we finished our meals.
This one is highly recommended, especially if you like pistachios!
And so, it gives me great pleasure to tell you that Tastee Bites has changed only its name - the people are the same warm and friendly folks, and the food remains a generous variety of sandwiches and plates all made from scratch with love. La Pita continues to serve burgers (Beef, Chicken, Salmon and Veggie), Lebanese specialties, wraps, dips, salads, and sides at very gentle prices - I could play with this food all day! Hope you give it a try.
But business was never strong - mostly for the reasons I mentioned in my prior posts. So, it was with great concern that I learned in August that Tastee Bites would close Sunday-Weds. This did not bode well.
The good news is that this lovely lunch spot has changed its name and signage, tweaked its menu a little, and is now back to being open five days per week! I present to you - La Pita Lebanese Cuisine.
What follows are photos and descriptions from a number of recent visits - starting before the name change and continuing through October 16, 2009.
This is a "bread bowl" that Charlotte makes to hold the large size Fatoush salad - commercial pita sprinkled with herbs and spices, then baked. It is quite lovely.
This Fattoush salad is topped with freshly grilled ground chicken, and pickled turnips. Yum!
Charlotte made this low-carb version for Jamie, sans pita, with beef.
I know I've shown you Charlotte's tabouli before - but I can't resist showing it again - this sample for our lunch table had been made literally moments before it was served to us.
Spinach Wrap
Seasoned spinach is wrapped with perfectly caramelized onions and cheese, then grilled. This is tasty and nutritious.
Another basket of samples, on another lunch visit with the office gang. The dip on the left is hummus (I think), the one on the right is white bean dip. The latter is no longer a menu item, but may be available on request.
Kibbe
This lunch special was from July. A delicious lamb patty was topped with a meaty (beef) sauce, then rolled and grilled. It was served with Seasoned Potato Wedges (roasted, not fried), a cup of Charlotte's special sauce, and a can of pop.
This was outstanding - I hope it makes the menu some time!
Falafel Sandwich
Sauce to Accompany Falafel
All of the sauces are house-made from very fresh ingredients. The falafel sandwich is very good - the only thing it is missing is the unique texture and bright flavor it would have if the falafel were fried from raw to order - since the food service line has no deep fryer, the falafel balls are pre-fried, and reheated to order. It is still an excellent falafel sandwich.
Small Size Fatoush Salad
This was the daily special on September 11. Meat, lentils and caramelized onions, sauteed and served over rice, with a slice of roasted summer tomato and side of fattoush. And a couple of sweet macaroons for dessert!
Amuse
These next photos are from our most recent visit, which was yesterday. Every diner was offered a small container of raw vegetables and another delicious yogurt-based dip to nibble while the food was prepared.
It was a raw, wet day - soup weather. And, as it happened, I learned that La Pita now features two freshly made soups each day. Sign me up! One serving of each, please!
Lentil Soup (Vegetarian)
I loved this soup - I would have though it had meat stock, it was so rich in taste and mouthfeel.
Chicken Soup with Noodles
This delightful elixer mated a very flavorful chicken broth with chunks of vegetables and grilled chicken, and noodles.
The soup had very gentle lemon notes, which Charlotte said would have come from the chicken meat, which had lemon sprinkled on it prior to cooking. Simply lovely, and satisfying given the kind of weather day it was.
Fatoush with Grilled Chicken
Dessert!
Tony treated us to some sweets after we finished our meals.
This one is highly recommended, especially if you like pistachios!
And so, it gives me great pleasure to tell you that Tastee Bites has changed only its name - the people are the same warm and friendly folks, and the food remains a generous variety of sandwiches and plates all made from scratch with love. La Pita continues to serve burgers (Beef, Chicken, Salmon and Veggie), Lebanese specialties, wraps, dips, salads, and sides at very gentle prices - I could play with this food all day! Hope you give it a try.
