Explore Mediterranea at Taboon

By John M. Borack/Special to The Tribune

Welcome back to Chow Lines, where we will take a look at (and have a taste of) all types of restaurants located within the cities of Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Westminster, and Stanton. Our goal is to make you aware of some eateries you may not yet have experienced, and to provide an unbiased opinion on their food and service. Our first stop on this culinary journey is Taboon Mediterranean in Garden Grove.

Located in West Garden Grove (on the former site of Kerostena Grill on Valley View Street), Taboon offers fast casual Mediterranean cuisine in an intimate (aka small) setting.

There seems to be fast casual Mediterranean spots popping up with some degree of regularity these days, but what sets Taboon apart for me is the food’s freshness and their extensive menu.

Not only do they serve the standard kabab plates, bowls, wraps, and salads, but they also dish up some slightly more obscure-yet-tasty items such as spinach fatayer (baked dough stuffed with spinach, onions, and sumac) and kibbeh (a fried shell made from ground beef, lamb, and cracked wheat stuffed with beef and onions).

I tried the beef kabab entrée, which included perfectly grilled pieces of filet mignon, hummus, the house salad, rice, garlic/tahini sauce, and pita bread.  The portions were generous, and the inclusion of two different types of rice was a nice touch. (The seasoned variety was especially flavorful.) Aside from the tender filet, the star of the show was the house salad: it includes chunks of fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and green bell peppers with a zesty dressing that accentuated the flavors of the veggies quite nicely.

I also made it a point to try the stuffed grape leaves (sometimes referred to as dolmas), as this is one of my favorite Lebanese dishes my mom used to prepare. These grape leaves are served cold, stuffed with rice, onions and Mediterranean spices, and can be ordered as an appetizer or a side dish.

What stood out here was the delicious, tangy drizzle on top of the grape leaves; I inquired about it, as I had never tasted anything quite like it. The gentleman at the counter went back to the kitchen to find out more info from the cook, and informed me that it was house=made and included lemon juice, mint, olive oil, and more than 20 spices.

All told, I was very satisfied with my meal at Taboon: reasonable prices, excellent food, and courteous service. They have been open for a little over 10 months in Garden Grove at 12546 Valley View St. and have two other locations in Long Beach and Los Alamitos.

They have a variety of gluten-free and vegetarian options and provide catering. For more information, visit their website: http://www.taboonmediterranean.com.