VENUE INFO

Click below for address and more

• Canal Bistro Mediterranean Grille

Fatoush salad made of romaine lettuce, cucumber, tomato, pickled cucumber, parsley, onion topped with house ressing and crispy pita bread at the Canal Bistro Mediterranean Grille in Broad Ripple.

The lamb kafta kabob sandwich at Canal Bistro. The sandwich is made of lamb, spices, parsley, onion, topped with tahini sauce.

The Mazza plate at Canal Bistro Mediterranean Grilles in Broad Ripple. The plate contains flaffel, humus, tabouli, spinach pie, garnished with feta cheese and olives.

Cozy Broad Ripple eatery's menu blends beauty and brawn

An impromptu stop in Broad Ripple led the husband and me to a new favorite of ours, close to home.

There is more than meets the eye, at least on the outside, to Canal Bistro Mediterranean Grille, and our quick trip proved this Mediterranean eatery has inner beauty and brawn in its well-developed menu.

The mood

One side of the stand-alone building houses Mona's Hair Design -- Mona being the Lebanese wife of the Egyptian owner. The opposite side is Canal Bistro, where the enclosed, heated patio is easily twice the size of the main dining room. We entered the establishment directly behind the owner, who greeted us with a smile and promptly plopped us at one of the very few indoor tables.

Deeply colored walls, murals and tiled countertops make Canal Bistro a little vacation from the nippy Indiana weather. Al fresco dining and hookahs (outdoors only) are available during warmer months.

Space just enough for one person to pass separated us from the open kitchen. Unopened wine bottles lined the short countertop, and a bucket of ice held uncorked vino for those partaking.

A homey atmosphere mixed with authentic family recipes is a wining combo.

The food

"Usual" items made with unusual care make all the difference at Canal Bistro. Falafel, hummus, lamb, kebobs, fish, tabouli -- whatever suits your fancy, it's all meticulously prepared. Our meals were made to order, and while we've eaten our share of Mediterranean food, this joint raises the bar.

Since there is no specific lunch menu, the prices are the same whether you arrive at noon or at 7 p.m. That said, the meat (pun intended) of the menu was too pricey, but at least it was fun to read with its amusing explanations.

While we flipped the menu over and over and over again, we chomped on warm pita bread with spiced olive oil -- delicious. I would have been happy with that, but both of us decided on a half-sandwich and soup/salad combo meal ($6.95).

I chose the house salad made of tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, onion and a vinaigrette that verged on sweet.

My chicken shawarma sandwich was served warm, with pita bread wrapped around especially juicy chicken, tomatoes, onions and a tasty, creamy garlic sauce.

Hayden chose a chicken and vegetable soup, piping hot and down the hatch in a flash.

His shawarma was beef: less traditional, but still wonderful. Tahini replaced the garlic sauce on his version.

Running short on time, the boy and I had no chance to try some of Mona's famous baklava. Oh well, there's always next time.

The drinks

An iced tea for the gentleman ($2), an ice water for me.

The damage: $17.17

Canal Bistro Mediterranean Grille's easygoing, yet professional atmosphere is ideal for a cozy date, an after-shopping lunch or a quick appetizer and glass of wine. In the heart of Broad Ripple, it's an easy stroll to the Bistro, where the cuisine and service don't disappoint.