Boubouffe Grille: Dash of Cool in the Middle Eastern Mix

Overview: Belmont Shore has a habit of saturating storefronts with the latest food trend.   First it was the bagel shop.  Oy vey – now the closest bagel shop is in Los Altos.  Then it seemed there was a craving for Fresh Mex (anyone remember Chipotle’s short stint?) and, of course, the coffee craze has given us all the jitters. (Peet’s Coffee took over the former Chipotle space, how’s that for irony?)

Now it seems that Belmont Shore palates are in praise of Middle Eastern cuisine and, just when you think there isn’t room for another plate of falafel -- poof -- Boubouffe Grille arrives on the scene.  Located in a streamline Art Deco building that once served as a veterinary office and, more recently, a car detailing center, Boubouffe Grille has its share of competition, from the wildly popular Open Sesame to the Magic Lamp (which, by the way, use to be home to Baja Fresh during the height of the Fresh Mex fad). 

How much pita and shawarma can one town eat?

Décor: Boubouffe Grille takes the prize for best restaurant setting in the Middle Eastern category. The owners of Boubouffe Grille have done a super job of transforming the space into a stylish, uncluttered café with cool-to-the-touch cement floors and an intimate coffee bar along the back wall.  During the day, big floor-to-ceiling glass doors are folded back like an accordion to create a seamless indoor/outdoor space with tables for two scattered about. 

In the evening, the restaurant is illuminated by the soft glow of candles and ambient lighting.  Cars whiz by along Second Street while strolling passersby tend to do a little rubbernecking at the restaurant’s inviting vibe. 

The Food: Owner Wally Nasser may give the competition along Second Street a run for its money.  He’s created a tantalizing menu of Lebanese fare featuring kabobs, wraps, salads and entrees featuring traditional ingredients such as lamb, mint, tahini and hummus. 

Mezze, which are small shareable plates, include calamari, phyllo-filled cheese pockets and fried cauliflower, just to name a few. 

One thing that sets Boubouffe Grille apart from the other Middle Eastern restaurants is that it serves breakfast.  Nosh on everything from traditional eggs and bacon to grilled Moroccan chorizo and hash browns. 

A barista menu includes a slew of coffee concoctions, too. Boubouffe Grille also caters. 

Service:  Our server was nice but a little too attentive; although I suppose it’s better than the alternative.  Everything arrived promptly, was at the right temperature and tasted fabulous.  Drinks were quickly refilled, and the basket of grilled pita bread was replenished without asking.  

Boubouffe Grille has no liquor license, but guests are welcome to bring their own wine or beer without having to pay a corkage fee. 

Now there’s something to raise a glass to!

BOUBOUFFE GRILLE

Address: 5313 E. Second Street, Belmont Shore.
Phone:  433-7000.
Website: www.boubouffegrille.com.
Cost: $-$$.
Hours: Open Sundays-Thursdays from 7 a.m.-10 p.m., until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Disabled Access:  Yes.
Parking Info: Street and metered parking.
Restaurant type: Middle Eastern/Lebanese.
Restaurant attributes: Casual, espresso bar, indoor/outdoor seating, credit cards, no corkage fee.