Cafe Hemshin, Boston

The smell of sizzling Turkish and Mediterranean fare fills your senses as soon as you walk into Cafe Hemshin. Aromas of roasting lamb mingle with splashes of Greek dressing being tossed into salads and sweet scents emanating from an oven baking rice pudding. The meze bar entices both eyes and tastebuds with its lineup of traditional Mediterranean appetizers such as babaganoush and stir-fried eggplant, which guests can mix and match into a tapas dinner or a diorama of a bean’s life cycle. The recently opened eatery also boasts an extensive create-your-own salad bar with plenty of healthy options such as grilled chicken, egg whites, avocado, and organic lettuces.