The first thing you'll probably notice about Zad, a Middle Eastern restaurant nestled between a dry cleaners and a tanning salon on Broadway, is that it doesn't look like a restaurant between a dry cleaners and a tanning salon. It looks pretty darn swanky. But don't let the desert murals or the slate counter in front of the open kitchen fool you into thinking this is going to be an overpriced dining experience; a few bucks buys a lot of kabab.

The combination appetizer platter, with creamy hummos and babaganoush, stuffed grape leaves and falafel for two, will set you and your dining buddy back only $7, and a falafel or chicken shawerma sandwich only $4 or $5. And the falafel is just perfect, by the way—crunchy outside, soft and garlicky inside. Vegetarian entrees like the maklouba with roasted eggplant, cauliflower, and carrots over rice pilaf with chick peas and pine nuts cost around $8, and meat entrees such as the lamb shanks are about a fiver more. Every dish is easily big enough for two to share. Baklava for dessert is a must, and considering it's only $1.50, good luck saying no.

Centerstage Reviewer: Emilie Zanger