Dining pick of the week: Mediterranean Grill

1639 W. Warm springs road at arroyo grande Boulevard, 451-6777

Tommy Gunol is from Turkey, so when he says his Mediterranean food is fresh and authentic, you can believe him. Popular entrees are chicken or lamb kebab platters and adana kebab (freshly ground lamb with red peppers and house spices). All kebabs can be made into sandwiches or wraps. The doner gyro is ground lamb and beef served with lettuce, tomatoes, onion, white sauce and hot sauce. Featured appetizers are hummus, stuffed grape leaves, fried vegetables, ezme (chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onion and parsley with house dressing), barbunya (red kidney beans with carrots) and piyaz, where white beans with onions and parsley are mixed with vinegar and topped with olive oil. This is really healthy food. Several hot appetizers are zucchini pancake and cheese roll, crispy homemade filo dough wrapped with feta cheese and parsley. There is lentil soup, hamburgers, Greek salad, cacic (fresh dill and cucumbers in yogurt sauce) and Turkish coffee. Several desserts are traditional baklava, sutlac (rice pudding) and kazan dibi (caramelized milk pudding). Lunch specials are served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entrees begin at $7.95 and salads at $5.95. Mediterranean Grill is open from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily.

-- Jack Bulavsky