Zad (CLOSED)

The menu at this Middle Eastern spot doesn’t contain anything you haven’t tried before—there’s the usual assortment of falafel, hummus and kebabs. The surprise comes when you taste the bright, fresh flavors in these dishes that can be ho-hum elsewhere. The appetizer combo for two is the best place to start—the enormous platter of smoky baba ghanoush, greaseless falafel, creamy hummus and dolmas easily makes a meal. But save room for the shawarma—both the chicken and lamb/beef varieties of marinated, rotisserie-cooked meat had us planning a return visit.