The small street-side diner has sidewalk seating and a casual atmosphere. Originally only pizza and calzone were served here, but the family added Lebanese dishes to the menu once the restaurant was established. Nicholas Dibe and his wife, Linda, runs the place. Linda makes fresh tabouli, baklava and humus while Nicholas bakes the bread and roasts the eggplant. Although there is meat on the menu, this restaurant offers many vegetarian and vegan dishes. Try M’Jadra, a rice and lentil concoction seasoned with olive oil, sautéed onions and spices. The restaurant also opens its patio for small private gatherings and group dinners.
Dar Salam is one of the few eateries in the city to treat you to the delights of Iraqi cuisine, a much ignored aspect from the extensive Middle-Eastern palate. The restaurant is housed in a pretty little wooden building which seems fairly normal until you get to know that it is actually a cart (a rather large one at that) with the atmosphere of a restaurant and seating inside. The interiors with wooden roofs, bright walls and contrasting dark hues on the floor and seating add a comfortable vibe to the place. The hanging lanterns add a nice touch. The menu offers a great selection of typically Iraqi entrees and sides, and has the potential to invoke nostalgia among Iraqi immigrants. Middle-Eastern mainstays like hummus, shawarma and kabob also have a prominent presence on the menu. Stop by for delightfully different Middle-Eastern fare.