After India Day, after Karam was closed, we decided to try Al Amir for our Middle Eastern food fix. Besides, there’s nothing like continuing a food journey further east.
First impression promised a similar experience to Karam and other Middle Eastern restaurants- curtained doorways and windows, an ironic full bar and dimmed lighting.
The menu was tres chere, or quite expensive, in the $15 and above range. The appetizer section was small and I became so overwhelmed by the prices, I suggested that my group of my friend and my boyfriend, order family style. We order the veggie mezza plate and a vegetable dish, since we were so weighed down by delicious fried delicacies from the stands at India Day.
The veggie mezza platter was not the best. The bread was probably bought at the store and warmed up, so it was passable. However, I am a firm believer that Middle Eastern restaurants must make their own bread, because it is the ultimate accompaniment to the rest of their dishes. The Al Amir plate was downhill from there: the hummus was bland, after a few bites of baba ghanoush the taste became mayinaisey, the tabouli was not very memorable but decent.
The best thing about the small platter was the singular dolmas and falafel. Both were succulent and flavorful, the dolmas not overly briny.
The second dish, which I can’t remember the name of, was much better. The dish was a selection of eggplant, cauliflower, carrots and a yellow squash. They were roasted, tender and delightfully bitter in the right places, and covered with an acceptable amount of yogurty sauce. Rice came with the veggies with a sprinkling of pine nuts and a red pepper and thyme sauce.
The dessert menu appealed to me for its variety, so I might return for a veggie dish and a dessert at some point. Quantities should have been larger for the price, because I have been to many restaurants that heap on the mezza. Al Amir is for the Western, hipster client who would appreciate a semi formal meal in downtown Portland. For this reason, someone like me that appreciates the details and authenticity of food and needs to enjoy sumptuous leftovers the next day, I probably would not be the ideal person for this restaurant.
Karam is still DA BOMB as they say, or number one on my list for Middle Eastern restaurants. Here is my full, short list complete with descriptions of their awesome bread.
1.) Marrakesh ( Morrocan): Their crusty semolina cubed bread soaks up the rich, princely succulent dishes, whether red lentil soup, carrot puree salad, or braised hare.
2.) Karam (Lebanese): Almost paper thin, refillable pita gives you the smoothest tastes when you dip it into the velvety hummus or baba ghanoush.
3.) Nicholas (Meditteranean/Middle Eastern): Extensive food and drink menu, plus you can order mezza platters to share with a fair amount of people. They use a wood fired oven for meat and veggie pies, plus for their epic bread that fills up the center of the table.
4.) Ya Hala (Lebanese): Renowned for their veggie mezza platter, so you’ll need their thick and buttery small pitas. They also make their meat pies with dough that is almost as thin as a pastry.
