Sinbad Restaurant & Grill

Let me break down real simple. There is no more authentic Lebanese/Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food in the entire Bay Area. I have been living in the Bay Area for over 25 years, and I have tried every "Mediterranean" restaurant, cafe, deli I have encountered, and by far, there is nothing that even comes close to the food in that region when it comes to authenticity, other than Sinbad's. Many of the places that open up in the US try to tailor to the average joe/jane, altering the recipes, thinking it will make it more appealing, or less alien to the average American. There are few who don't, but unfortunately for them, their culinary talents or food quality also sucks. What I like about Sinbad's is not only are they the most authentic I have come across, but they also the cleanest place who's friendly staff and generous owner cut no corners when preparing the food. You can get Hummus and Falafel just about anywhere today, but you cannot get home s ... more

Let me break down real simple. There is no more authentic Lebanese/Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food in the entire Bay Area. I have been living in the Bay Area for over 25 years, and I have tried every "Mediterranean" restaurant, cafe, deli I have encountered, and by far, there is nothing that even comes close to the food in that region when it comes to authenticity, other than Sinbad's. Many of the places that open up in the US try to tailor to the average joe/jane, altering the recipes, thinking it will make it more appealing, or less alien to the average American. There are few who don't, but unfortunately for them, their culinary talents or food quality also sucks. What I like about Sinbad's is not only are they the most authentic I have come across, but they also the cleanest place who's friendly staff and generous owner cut no corners when preparing the food. You can get Hummus and Falafel just about anywhere today, but you cannot get home style Lebanese cooking anywhere unless a) you are Lebanese and can either cook or have your mother living near by; or b) you are friends with a Lebanese family, in which case you are for sure to have been invited over for dinner and stuffed to the gills with their world renown cuisine. Sinbad's is a rare treat that I as a Lebanese American frequent as much as I can, which is unfortunately not enough. If you go, which I highly recommend, don't just go and get hummos, falafel or shawerma (which they also make the best in the bay), get something you cannot experience anywhere else. Sinbad's offers up to five different dishes (prepared fresh and different every day) that cycle through the enormous variety of home style meals usually only found on dinner tables in Lebanese homes in Lebanon. These dishes that they prepare daily are their signature food and a big differentiator for this place. I would also recommend to venture off of the menu and order things you might just see behind the counter (ex. make your own kabob plate with your own selected cold sides: tabbouli, baba ghanoug, etc...). Also don't be afraid of asking Bashoor (a.k.a. Bob), the owner, for a recommendation. Last, I would highly recommend this place for a big dinner event, where you can either have them cater or better yet, come in and ask Bob for a full spread Lebanese style for X number of people. This is also a rare experience in the Bay Area to get a typical Lebanese spread which consists of many Tapas style dishes called Mezza, followed by some grills, and maybe some sort of daily special. If cateriing, and you are truly adventurous, you can ask Bob ahead of time to prepare some hard to get items for your formal occasion such as Kibbeh Nayeh, Aasafeer, .... and be sure to wash them down with some Lebanese Arak (not for the tame), a strong grape based liquor similar to the Greek Ouzo. Last but not least, is the desserts. Another differentiator for Sinbad's is the fact that Bob and his mom actually make their desserts by hand on a daily basis. This is definitely different from other middle eastern/Mediterranean/Greek/ (even Persian) joints, who almost 100% buy the stuff premade (same goes for their dolmas BTW). Okay, that is enough from me. Go and experience it for yourself, but do it right. Follow some of the guidelines I mentioned here, or just tell Bob that Fadi sent you and you will be taken care of. Enjoy! less